Dancing on the golden ashes

I rushed forward, a single flap of my wings propelling me across the sky with incredible speed. I had to reach him before he fled again—or worse, before he was killed.

Jeong Suhan was locked in fierce combat with a woman, one of the kings. Her fiery red hair whipped through the air like flames, and the massive red sword she wielded radiated an intense heat, glowing like molten lava. With a powerful swing, she sent him plummeting to the ground. He crashed into the mountainside, shattering the rocks with the impact.

But in the very next moment, a massive pillar of white light erupted from the spot where he had fallen, shooting upward with incredible force. The woman attempted to dodge, but the light struck her arm, obliterating it instantly.

That power… I thought, my eyes narrowing. It wasn't something an ordinary person could possess. His class—it had to be something special.

The remaining six kings, noticing their injured comrade, began casting their most powerful abilities. Their eyes locked onto the bloodied figure that emerged from the hole in the ground, rubble crumbling as he slowly pushed it aside.

The sky above filled with a dazzling array of majestic powers, each ability painting the heavens in a kaleidoscope of colors. Each king wielded a unique and fearsome aura, their presence commanding attention.

Among them stood a peculiar figure—a man dressed in a short pink dress that barely covered him, paired with exaggerated makeup that was anything but flattering. His appearance made my stomach churn, and I struggled to suppress a wave of nausea. He was most likely one of those transgender individuals, though his flamboyant style and choice of weapon—a whip—left me questioning his entire aesthetic.

Yet, despite his bizarre appearance, his power was undeniable. His free hand summoned a massive pink fireball, its aura radiating immense heat and destructive potential. The combination was strange, almost surreal, but the strength behind it was unquestionable.

Next to him stood two men clad in identical gray armor, their weapons starkly different—one wielded a spear, while the other gripped a spiked mace. They looked like twins, their auras nearly indistinguishable. Both were deep in concentration, chanting incantations in perfect sync. Above them, a massive illusory sword began to materialize, its presence radiating overwhelming power. It was a combined attack—a devastating force forged by the coordination of two kings.

On the other side, two blonde-haired women were weaving their own spells. One of them, an elf with pointed ears, held a massive wooden staff. A chilling aura surrounded her as a giant icicle began to take shape in front of her, its edges glinting with deadly sharpness and an intense, bone-chilling cold.

The other woman clutched a black book, its pages radiating an ominous energy. A dark light swirled around her, almost like void energy made tangible. Surrounding her were at least fifty small pocket dimensions, each containing a black orb, pulsing with destructive intent. The air around her felt charged, as if ready to explode at a moment's notice.

And then, in the next instant, the five kings launched their attacks simultaneously. Their combined power was overwhelming—enough to annihilate an entire continent.

Among them, one figure stood out the most—a man clad in radiant black armor, his face hidden beneath a helmet. His presence exuded authority, and his simple, black sword seemed almost unassuming in his hands. But as he raised it, the world around him trembled. The very light dimmed, shadows creeping in like a harbinger of doom.

With a lazy swing of his blade, a black slash tore through the air, its speed unmatched as it raced to join the other devastating attacks. The sheer force of his strike reverberated through the battlefield, amplifying the destructive potential of the combined assault.

Jeong Suhan didn't panic. His face remained completely calm, as if he either believed he could withstand the onslaught or had already accepted his death. But I wasn't ready to gamble on which it was.

Who do these idiots think they are? I seethed internally. His life belongs to me and me alone!

In a blur, I rushed forward, covering the distance in less than a second. My speed was so intense I barely had control, the ground rushing up to meet me as I struggled to steady myself. For a brief moment, fear flickered—I might crash before I could cast the shields.

Jeong Suhan raised a massive white shield in front of him, its defensive power radiating an aura of mystery. Yet, before it could be tested, I appeared beside him. Time seemed to slow as our eyes met.

My mentor—the person I had trusted for so long and the one who had hurt me so deeply. A storm of emotions surged within me, and in his surprised eyes, I could see the same conflict mirrored.

I don't believe I can take these attacks so easily, I thought, my determination solidifying. Let me create a miracle once again. If I fail… I refuse to live. From this moment on, I either win or I die.

Drawing from the depths of my soul, I began weaving the elements together—darkness and golden fire, the ghastly energies of life and death, wood, wind, earth, fire, metal, water, and red lightning. They melded into a single, colossal shield, its form shimmering and roaring with the raw, unbridled power of creation itself.

But it wasn't stable. The shield sparked with untamed energy, refusing to fully form. Time was running out—the impact would strike any second.

Combine for me! I screamed in my mind, desperation clawing at my thoughts.

Suddenly, I felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder, steadying me. The touch was familiar, comforting—a reminder of the countless hours I had spent training, back when things were simpler.

"Relax," a voice said softly, full of unwavering confidence. "You can do it. I believe in you, Gaon."

A familiar warmth flooded my heart, calming the storm within me. In the next moment, the shield stabilized, its raw power solidifying into something truly terrifying. The energy it emanated felt boundless, untamed, and utterly destructive.

[Congratulations!]

[You have created a new skill.]

[Evolving your current Level 41 Lesser Elemental Shield to Level 1 Chaos Shield.]

[Evolving Level 41 Lesser Elemental Slash to Level 1 Chaos Slash.]

[Chaos energy has been born from a combination of elements. The user can now freely combine elements into Chaos energy.]

[New achievement has been granted.] Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

[Lesser Creation Goddess.]

[New title has been granted.]

[Beginner Creation Goddess.]

[Fifty skill points have been granted.]

[The system is now watching you closely.]

The flood of messages overwhelmed me, but one stood out above the rest—the last one. The system is now watching you closely.

A chill ran through me. Did this mean I was tapping into powers the system didn't want me to possess? My resolve hardened, a fiery determination burning within. I'll find a way to break free. I'll become powerful enough without it! I swore silently to myself.

The combined force of the kings' attacks struck first, slamming into the white shield. It shattered almost instantly, its defenses crumbling in mere moments. I could barely make out their expressions—seven kings frozen in surprise.

I wasn't sure if their shock was from my sudden appearance… or from how easily the shield had failed.

In the next instant, their combined attack slammed into my shield. I braced myself, holding it steady with both arms. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves through my body, and for a moment, I thought I might vomit blood. But I'm stronger than them, I told myself, forcing the thought to drown out the pain. I have to be stronger.

The explosion that followed was cataclysmic. The sheer force shattered several mountains, sending debris flying in every direction. My footing began to crack beneath me, making it harder to stay balanced, but I refused to yield. I will not let this defeat me!

As the chaos subsided, the attacks finally calmed, leaving a stillness in the air. I stood there, panting slightly, my body battered but unbroken. Jeong Suhan was at my side, his gaze unreadable. Above us, the seven kings hovered, staring down with jaws agape, their disbelief palpable.

The bastard next to me tried to step away, but in an instant, my scythe materialized in my hand, its blade resting against his neck.

"Don't you dare move," I growled, my voice cold and unwavering. "I have unfinished business with you."

He lifted his gaze, his gray eyes locking onto mine with an air of amusement that churned my stomach. The smugness in his expression made me want to vomit.

"Who is that woman?" one of the voices from above murmured. Their chatter reached me clearly, my translation skill working flawlessly, but speaking their language was beyond me. I stayed silent, gripping my black-and-gold scythe tightly, my eyes fixed on them.

My gaze met the dark visor of the man in black armor. The air between us tensed, and without warning, we both moved.

In a blur, I swung my scythe, its blade clashing with his black sword in a burst of sparks. He deflected my strike and countered with a quick thrust, forcing me to sidestep mid-air.

I spun into another strike, aiming low, but he leaped back, his sword slicing toward my side. I twisted away, narrowly avoiding the blow, our weapons colliding again in a deafening clang.

Everything happened in just a few short seconds with our speed.

It was clear—we were evenly matched. I needed more time to draw on my full strength, but for now, I had to hold my ground.

"You're strong, I'll admit that," a voice sounded from beneath the helmet, its tone unexpectedly soft and gentle, completely at odds with the imposing armor.

He hovered in the air, his piercing gaze locked onto me. Then, without warning, his hands rose to the sides of his helmet, lifting it slowly.

As the helmet came free, long, blond hair spilled out gracefully, cascading over his shoulders. My breath caught in my throat as I stared, utterly shocked by the face revealed beneath.