The Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch

A deep silence followed then—The ground trembled. The temperature rose as a suffocating heat filled the air.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from the dust and debris. Then—a roar.

A roar of pure, uncontrolled rage. The dust exploded outward, revealing Zarathorak's massive frame. His crimson scales glowed violently, his aura no longer restrained. His molten eyes burned with unfiltered fury.

He was no longer holding back. Zarathorak had entered Rage Mode.

The air around him warped as waves of unrelenting power surged from his body.

The very cavern shook beneath his presence.

"ENOUGH!" he bellowed, his voice a monstrous growl. "I WILL ERASE YOU FROM EXISTENCE!"

Then, in a burst of speed unnatural for his massive size, he lunged.

BOOM!

Our fists collided, the sheer force of the impact sending out a shockwave that shattered the ground beneath us.

The cavern couldn't handle our power anymore.

Zarathorak twisted his body, his tail lashing out like a razor-sharp whip. I barely tilted my head, the tail missing by inches—but even then, the wind pressure alone sliced through the stone behind me.

I countered—vanishing and reappearing above him.

My Magicore-infused fist crashed down, striking him square on the head.

CRACK!

Zarathorak roared, but instead of staggering, he grabbed my arm mid-air.

Then, with monstrous strength—he slammed me into the ground.

The impact sent a shockwave through the battlefield, forming a massive crater beneath us.

Before he could press down further, I kicked off the ground, twisting my body mid-air.

I vanished again—this time appearing behind him.

"Maximum Output!"

My fist connected with his spine, the explosion of force blasting him forward.

Zarathorak dug his claws into the stone, stopping himself mid-slide.

His rage only grew.

"BLOOD MANIPULATION: BLOODSTORM ERUPTION!"

A massive blood-red explosion detonated from his body, the sheer force of it ripping through the cavern.

I crossed my arms, blocking as best as I could, but even then, the force pushed me back.

The moment it cleared—He was already in front of me.

His claws descended—I blocked.

His tail whipped forward—I evaded.

His wings flared out, releasing a wave of destructive energy—I countered with my own Magicore blast. Every attack shook the battlefield. Every clash tore apart the ground beneath us.

The sheer force of our battle ripped through stone and creating cracks and fissures that spread wildly in all directions.

Then—A massive explosion of energy erupted between us.

The shockwave pierced through the cavern ceiling, sending debris flying upward, revealing an open sky above.

The light from the outside world spilled into the battlefield, illuminating the destruction we had caused. I barely had time to process what had happened—Zarathorak was already moving.

His massive claws clamped around my torso before I could react.

My eyes widened as his monstrous grip tightened like a vice, my ribs groaning under the pressure.

"You're coming with me, half-blood!" Zarathorak roared. With a single, thunderous beat of his wings, he soared upward, dragging me with him.

We broke through the cavern and into the open sky. The force of the ascent left the ground trembling below, sending massive chunks of debris raining down into the Hollow.

Then—he slammed me down.

BOOM!

I crashed into the exposed battlefield above, the impact forming a massive crater beneath me.

Dust and smoke filled the air as I gasped, the wind completely knocked out of me.

But Zarathorak did not stop. The moment I tried to rise—He was already on me.

His tail lashed forward, striking like a whip. I barely twisted my body, evading it at the last second.

Before I could counter—His claws slashed across my chest.

CRACK!

Pain shot through me as I skid backward, my body struggling to process the sheer force behind his attacks.

He's even faster now.

Zarathorak's rage was no longer just blind fury. He had fully adapted to my power.

I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth as I forced my body back into motion.

I lunged forward, my Magicore-infused fists glowing violently.

"Maximum Output: 20%!"

Zarathorak's eyes flashed with excitement as I threw a punch toward his jaw—

He blocked it.

His massive claw caught my fist, stopping my full-powered strike with one hand.

I had no time to react before his other claw swung forward—

Smashing into my ribs.

"Gah—!"

I felt my bones creak under the pressure as I was sent flying backward, crashing into a formation of jagged rocks.

Before I could even catch my breath, he was already above me.

"BLOOD MANIPULATION: BLOOD REAPER!"

A massive crimson blade of energy formed in his claw, crackling with destructive force.

He swung it downward, aiming to cleave me in half—I vanished.

Zarathorak's blade struck the ground, splitting the battlefield in two.

I reappeared behind him, my Magicore flaring wildly.

"Divine Impact!"

My fist slammed into the base of his spine—Forcing him forward.

For the second time, he was sent flying.

But before he could stabilize—I was already there.

I kicked off the air itself, soaring forward, my fist glowing with raw destructive force.

"DRACONIC SMASH!"

I collided into him mid-air, driving him further back with an explosion of energy.

Zarathorak grunted, twisting his massive frame mid-flight, using his wings to halt his momentum.

He turned his glare toward me, his fury uncontained.

His massive jaws opened.

"BLOOD ANNIHILATION!"

A colossal beam of pure crimson destruction erupted from his mouth, tearing through the battlefield.

I reacted instantly—Summoning a barrier of Magicore, reinforcing it with every ounce of power I had. The blast collided against my shield, the force sending shockwaves in all directions.

I gritted my teeth as the barrier strained, cracks forming along its surface.

"He's getting stronger. I need to end this soon." I muttered.

Zarathorak rushed at me, his wings flaring out as his monstrous form tore through the sky.

His claws burned with crimson energy, his rage amplifying his every strike.

I met his charge head-on.

BOOM!

Our fists collided mid-air, the impact sending a devastating shockwave across the battlefield. The very sky trembled.

Norkiya split apart beneath us. Zarathorak snarled, lashing out with his tail.

I twisted my body mid-air, barely avoiding the strike—but the wind pressure alone sent razor-sharp gashes through the battlefield below.

He followed up instantly, his claws descending like meteors.

I dodged left, weaving through his relentless barrage.

One mistake—one wrong move, and I'd be torn apart.

I couldn't let that happen. I ducked under his next swing, forcing my Magicore into my legs.

"Burst Step!"

My body vanished in a streak of crimson light—reappearing at his flank.

I pulled back my fist—Magicore surging wildly.

"Maximum Output: 25%!"

My punch landed square into his ribs, a massive explosion tearing through the battlefield.

Zarathorak grunted, sliding back from the force— but before I could capitalize, his wings flared, and he vanished.

My instincts screamed at me—Behind!

I barely twisted around as his massive claw smashed into me.

CRASH!

I was sent rocketing into the ground, my body carving a trench through the ruined battlefield.

I gasped, my vision blurring for a moment.

He's relentless, but I can't stop now.

I forced myself up, just in time to see Zarathorak descending like a crimson meteor.

His jaws opened wide. His voice boomed like thunder.

"BLOOD MANIPULATION: CRIMSON EXECUTION!"

A massive wave of blood-forged destruction rained down upon me, each blast powerful enough to obliterate mountains.

Damn it—!

I thrust both hands forward, Magicore swirling into my palms.

"Divine Aegis!"

A golden barrier erupted around me, deflecting the deadly blood barrage.

The battlefield shook under the impact, crimson flames engulfing the land.

The moment the attack subsided—I countered.

I launched forward, appearing right in front of him, my fist glowing brighter than ever.

"Maximum Output: 30%!"

Zarathorak barely had time to react before my punch connected with his chest.

BOOM!

A deafening shockwave split the sky apart. Zarathorak crashed into the ground below, the impact sending out a colossal explosion of energy.

I hovered in the air, panting, my fists still burning with Magicore.

He's strong. Stronger than anything I've ever faced. But I was done being overwhelmed.

I wasn't backing down. Slowly, from within the crater, Zarathorak rose.

His crimson eyes locked onto mine, his body tensing.

And then—He smirked. "Interesting…" he muttered, wiping the blood from his lips.

"You might actually be worth killing." He flared his wings while breathing heavily, his power rising once again.

I stood opposite him, Magicore raging around me, my body battered but still standing.

This battle…It had surpassed everything. Neither of us was holding back anymore.

With a monstrous roar, Zarathorak lunged, his claws glowing deep crimson, the air splitting apart with his sheer speed.

He was fast, but now—I was faster.

I twisted my body, narrowly dodging his strike, then countered—a powerful uppercut straight to his jaw.

BOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave tearing through the sky. Zarathorak staggered back, his jaw snapping as he snarled.

Before he could recover—I pressed forward, unleashing a barrage of Magicore-infused punches.

Left. Right. A devastating hook. Each strike shook the battlefield. Zarathorak countered with his tail, but I flipped over it, landing a knee into his ribs.

For the first time, I could feel it. His body was reacting. He was feeling the damage. But I needed more.

I gritted my teeth, pushing my will beyond its limit.

And then—it clicked. For the first time, I could grasp 44% of my Magicore.

The sheer force of it erupted from within me, creating a titanic surge of energy that even made Zarathorak hesitate.

His pupils contracted. His instincts screamed at him—This was different.

This was beyond anything I had unleashed before. I exhaled slowly, my entire being focusing on a single technique.

A finishing strike.

A move that would end this battle. I took a step forward, my fist crackling with Magicore.

Then, I whispered—

"Dragon Divine Art: Judgement Break."

The moment the words left my lips—Everything stopped.

Zarathorak barely had time to react—Before I vanished.

And then—I reappeared right in front of him.

My fist, blazing with raw divinity, slammed into his chest.

A blinding explosion of power erupted outward.

BOOOOOOM!

The sky itself split apart.

A shockwave engulfed the entire battlefield.

Zarathorak's body was rocked backward, his form dragged through the ruins of our battlefield, his wings trembling.

And then—He fell to his knees.

Zarathorak remained on his knees, his once-monstrous presence weakened, his body trembling from the overwhelming force of my attack.

I lifted my fist, preparing for the final strike. This would end it.

This would bring him down completely. But then—Pain.

A sharp, uncontrollable pain surged through my entire body, as if my very soul was being torn apart.

My breath hitched. Then—I coughed up blood.

A violent, uncontrolled spurt—dark red staining the battlefield beneath me. My knees buckled.

I collapsed onto the ground, barely able to hold myself up. "What's… happening?!"

My vision blurred, my limbs failing me. Then it hit me—The price of my power.

I had pushed my body beyond its limits. I had grasped 44% of my Magicore—a power I wasn't prepared to handle.

I had used a Divine Skill without training, without control. And now—my body was breaking down.

"Ghh—!!"

Another surge of blood left my lips as I gasped for air, my body rapidly reverting.

My crimson wings crumbled into embers. My horns cracked, fading into nothing.

My razor-sharp tail vanished, leaving only my human form behind. I felt weak. Helpless. Vulnerable.

And then—A familiar presence.

Two of them. I turned my head weakly—Fafnir and Ingi were beside me.

Fafnir, still weak from the battle, stared at me in shock.

"You idiot!" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "What were you doing?!"

Ingi, despite his own injuries, placed a steady hand on my shoulder.

He said nothing—but the guilt in his eyes spoke volumes. I tried to respond, but my body refused to move.

I could barely keep my eyes open.

And in the distance—Zarathorak slowly rose.

Zarathorak stood there, his massive form scarred, battered, and weakened.

His crimson eyes were no longer burning with rage.

Zarathorak's gaze flickered from my unconscious body to Fafnir and Ingi.

Despite the damage he had taken, despite his pride, despite everything—He knew.

I was dying.

The aftermath of using an untamed Divine Skill, combined with pushing my Magicore beyond its limit, had shattered my body from the inside out.

Even as I lay there motionless, my breathing ragged, my veins burned with uncontrolled energy, unable to stabilize.

Fafnir was the first to move. "Damn it—Craig!"

He knelt beside me, his hands trembling as he reached toward me, his Magicore already flaring to heal my wounds—But the moment his energy touched my body—He was repelled.

A violent shockwave erupted from my skin, sending Fafnir skidding back. "What the hell?!"

Ingi, now beside him, gritted his teeth. His golden eyes were filled with urgency as he extended his hand, summoning his own healing magic.

"Hold on, kid—just stay with us."

A faint golden light formed over my body, but the moment the spell tried to mend my wounds—

It shattered.

"No… this is bad." Ingi's voice darkened. "His Magicore is rejecting all outside interference."

Fafnir's expression twisted.

"Then what the hell are we supposed to do?!" 

Zarathorak, still watching them, exhaled sharply.

He hated this.

He hated that he cared.

And yet—Even he stepped forward.

Despite all that had happened, despite everything he stood for—He could not ignore what was in front of him.

He stared at me—the half-blood who had just forced him to his knees.

Then, in a low growl, he muttered, "Move." Fafnir snapped his head toward him.

"What?"

Zarathorak's eyes narrowed. "Move."

There was no arrogance in his voice. No mockery.

Fafnir hesitated—then stepped back. Zarathorak extended his claw over me, his aura shifting.

Zarathorak closed his eyes.

"Bloodweaving: Crimson Restoration."

A soft crimson glow spread over my broken body, reaching the deepest wounds—wounds no ordinary healing magic could mend.

But even as his energy worked through me—It wasn't enough.

Zarathorak clicked his tongue. "Tch. His body is rejecting even my power."

Ingi clenched his fists. "Damn it!"

Fafnir gritted his teeth, staring down at me, his mind racing. I was slipping away.

Dying.