The fist advances.
A fist covered in black scales, with sharp nails reminiscent of a dragon’s claws, emerged as if to represent the unique sharpness of dragons.
That fist shattered part of what was once known as Tiyalmisof.
The fist did not stop. The trajectory of its thrust scattered mechanical debris.
With a loud crash, the scattered mechanical remnants were swept across the floor. The trajectory resembled that of Aslan’s advance.
This was not the kind of power an ordinary punch could deliver.
Likewise, it wasn’t the kind of power an average human could produce.
This was the fist of the Dragon King.
The person who threw the punch understood this fact better than anyone.
Moreover, they understood their current state.
Instinctively, Aslan recognized the unique legendary magic called “Dragon King Transformation.”
This magic can be maintained for one minute per point of mana.
Considering Aslan’s current mana, the duration would be a mere 20 minutes.
Even considering the immense power this state provided, it was a short time.
Additionally, this magic drained all mana.
No other magic could be used.
The Dragon King Transformation was like a spell that pierced through the greedy essence of dragons.
But its effects were undeniable.
Glorious enough to arrogantly claim the title of legend, this magic matched its greed.
Understanding wild magic and the alteration through mana,
Aslan had comprehended the dragon king’s arm and the mana circuit,
and was proficient in the series of magical artifacts including domination.
Through the complete understanding of their body via Equalization, Aslan knew the changes occurring within their own body.
The arm of the Dragon King, the invincible scales that nothing but purity could pierce.
The highest-grade Geladridion metal wrapped around the entire body.
The excessively efficient mana circuits flowing through the Dragon King’s arm connected throughout the body.
Thus, Aslan obtained the strength and scales of the Dragon King.
Aslan now surpassed Bahamut Heart, the Dragon King.
“Aslllaaan!”
Tiyalmisof shattered and scattered. Before its remains hit the ground, several units of Tiyalmisof dove toward the elevator.
Boom, Boom, Boom!
The heavy mechanical bodies struck the elevator with such force that it tilted.
They possessed a formidable power comparable to high-ranking priests.
The heavy freight elevator shook, and the thick chains connecting it rattled.
From atop, the Tiyalmisof units charged forward the moment they landed.
Kwa-ga-gang!
A sound akin to firing a shotgun.
Charging with such sounds, the four entities all had heavy limbs.
If caught by these, any ordinary humans would be torn apart instantly, their limbs shattered.
Even Supreme Divinity’s Sword might not endure long under the pressure here.
But Aslan stared fearlessly.
Then, beyond the visor of the helmet, a cyan-green light flowed out.
Confirming everything, even recognizing those charging from behind without any gaps.
And then moved.
Crrr OOOOOO!
Accelerating with the help of the mana circuits, which sounded like a roaring dragon, the speed from the moment of release until arrival surpassed Tiyalmisof’s perception.
Yet it countered.
Tiyalmisof raised its arm to block. The extended arm became a shield, and the acceleration trajectory was straight.
Normally, it would have been blocked.
But Aslan didn’t stop accelerating and swung the fist, causing it to accelerate further the moment it left the planted foot.
Kwa-jijijjik!
The accelerated fist crushed and pierced the mechanical body.
The fist that wormed its way from the arm tore open the chest plate and, following the trajectory, dropped a clump of components while breaking them.
The mechanical body collapsed. Faster than the collapse, Aslan’s body spun.
Three machines charging to exploit the gap. Aslan grabbed purity in both hands without hesitation.
Sueup, the sound of drawing breath was heard.
Kad-d-d-d-d-d-d-dek!
The white light swung cleaved through three machines simultaneously.
The upper and lower halves separated. The moving bodies became still, sprawling on the floor. The falling mechanical parts rained down like iron rain.
Before this rain hit the ground and bounced, the freight elevator slowly approached the top floor.
Tiyalmisof immediately started the elevator after Aslan boarded.
It was not a meaningless action. Aslan guessed that since Tiyalmisof’s research facility was on the top floor, the necessary equipment for the plan would also be there.
So purity left without hesitation.
Kwa-jik!
Grabbing and throwing with both hands.
Swinging the double-handed sword overhead like an axe and throwing it accurately severed the elevator’s chain.
As the severed chain turned red and fluttered, translucent Tiyalmisof emerged from the wall.
No conversation was needed. Immediately, a legion of machines armed with daggers, spears, and more charged forward.
In no time, the number of machines multiplied into dozens. Aslan clenched the hand that let go of the sword.
Kwa-deok.
And delivered a powerful punch with the clenched steel fist.
Kwa-aaaaaaang!
The punch, stamped with a leg against the ground, blew off Tiyalmisof’s head.
But instead of collapsing, it heated up. It was a self-detonation. Aslan stomped on it, crushing it along with the explosion. Using the explosion beneath their feet, they swung their legs.
A simple upward kick. But at its peak, even that became a fatal strike.
Kwa-jijijjik!
The next machine charging with a shield was split in half, shield and all. It sprawled to both sides.
As Aslan lowered the leg, two machines approached from both sides. A perfectly coordinated attack.
But it didn’t reach Aslan.
At the moment of stamping the foot, Aslan ducked and swung the elbow. The elbow carved a circular slice into the abdomen.
The machine split into upper and lower halves. Then, lowering the body like sweeping, Aslan swung the leg, grazing the neck of another machine with the toe.
The precise kick sent the head flying. A decapitation with the toe.
Aslan stood up right away.
Pu-shu-u-uuk!
Facing Aslan, Tiyalmisof changed tactics.
The charging ones were mechanical puppets accelerated by air pressure. The daggers in their hands glowed red with heat.
Lifting the knee hurriedly and striking with the elbow,
Ka-a-aang!
The dagger was caught between the knee and elbow, and as the body was lowered, the stance of the machine lowered.
Instantly hammering down with a punch, the head was caved in.
Behind the caved-in machine, countless high-speed Tiyalmisof units approached.
Aslan stared at them with emotionless cyan-green eyes and stretched out the hand.
Pur-rsek!
Snatching the dagger and thrusting it backward into the machine’s neck to sever it,
Kwa-jik!
Dropping the dagger and stretching the hand to crush the nape.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kang!
Then grabbing the broken neck and swinging it like a whip, shattering the machines.
Amidst the shattered machines, only Aslan remained intact.
Aslan realized there was no need to draw the Abyssal Blade from the waist or the Beast from the back.
Just the fists were enough.
Tiyalmisof could understand that fact too.
She was astonished at the realization that ‘her’ structure was being rapidly destroyed.
Inspiring and studying her techniques would be impossible; the skill level was excessively advanced and personal.
No one but Aslan, the veteran of combat, the priest slayer, the disciple of Budonggong, could replicate this magic.
That output and resilience transcending imagination were truly Aslan’s life itself.
Kad-d-d-dek!
Tiyalmisof swung the molecular cutter.
A weapon that felt equal in cutting power to purity.
But it was blocked. It struck Aslan’s forearm and was deflected.
Aslan observed the weapon that struck the forearm and twisted the arm to deflect it.
The moment it was deflected, the reverse motion trapped Tiyalmisof’s head between the forearm and shattered it.
Kwa-jik! Through the shattered visual module, a chilling sound could be heard.
But the situation was understood.
By continuously moving this unnamed synthetic metal of unimaginable hardness and elasticity,
Any fatal strikes or attacks were rendered ineffective.
‘There is no time to conserve strength.’
Tiyalmisof expelled all instances of herself from every pod in the laboratory.
Heavy, light, good firepower, research types—everything, without reservation.
They poured out from the elevator passage.
As shadows loomed over Aslan’s head,
Aslan looked up, saw the number of enemies descending upon them, and clenched their fists.
Kwa-aaaaaaaang!
Tiyalmisof descended like rain.
Each descent made the elevator sway, break, and crumble.
Finally, the remaining chain of the elevator snapped.
Kwa-jik!
Falling.
Downward, toward the lower abdomen of the mountain.
Toward the sheer cliff edge.
Kwa-drug!
But the fight did not stop.
Tiyalmisof’s machines circled around Aslan, and Aslan charged toward the machines approaching them.
A spear blade piercing into the side was gripped and crushed, followed by an upward kick with the knee to shatter the head.
Next, a greatsword aimed at Aslan’s head. The vibrating sword strike was deflected by the back of the hand, and a punch to the throat shattered it.
Still not stopping, Aslan uppercut and immediately spun to strike the waist with the elbow.
The massive machine collapsed. The fall accelerated.
The wind howled like a scream at the speed. But no one stopped.
Delivering punches, backhands, and slicing with the edge of the hand.
Among these, countless machines attacked Aslan, but none of the attacks reached them.
Unable to peel off the scales, the attacks bounced off as Aslan’s offense grew fiercer.
Thus, stabbing with the elbow, pounding, hugging and crushing, and breaking.
Aslan did not counter-utilize the enemy’s attacks or spin.
What they drew was the figure of their stepfather.
The strongest one who never moves.
Without taking a single step, Aslan delivered precise fatal blows with every opening created by each attack.
Kicking with the knee, pulling and thrusting into the knee, and swinging the shin like an axe to decapitate.
They also attacked with legs.
Though the footing seemed unstable, Aslan’s senses far surpassing human limits adapted to it.
The aftermath left the elevator floor battered and torn.
Metal severed, broken, and shredded flowed like blood, covered by the remnants of machines.
Kwa-aaaaaaa!
Flames erupting. Piercing through the flames with a punch.
Pajijijjik!
Flowing current. Receiving it and delivering a front kick to pin it against the wall.
Pu-sha-a-aak!
Spider-shaped machines’ acidic poison.
Dodging with two steps and smashing the head with a downward kick.
The crumbling and tearing elevator floor.
The descent accelerated, and the walls spat red sparks in all directions as the enormous elevator passed.
Within this chaos, Aslan leapt using the shattered fragments and continuously swung their fists.
Faster than the descent speed, the exchange of blows made it seem as though they were slowly descending.
Kwa-aaaaang!
Another visual module shattered.
Tiyalmisof, feeling the relentless destruction of machines under their control, thought.
They couldn’t overcome Dragon King Aslan this way.
An overwhelming power was needed to match the oppressive strength reminiscent of a high-ranking priest.
Thus, despite it negating humanity, Tiyalmisof had no choice but to select it, laughing bitterly.
In a corner where countless Tiyalmisof units broke, divine power condensed.
The condensed divine power formed a shape.
Revealed was an improved version of Tiyalmisof.
It had a sleek form resembling a human female but was unmistakably mechanical.
It charged toward Aslan.
Kwa-aaaaaaang!
Charging in for a tackle.
Pushing Aslan against the wall.
When Aslan’s back hit the wall, stone shards flew everywhere.
Cheeeerrrrng!
But the moment Aslan was pinned, their elbow pierced through Tiyalmisof’s back.
Next came a knee strike. It hit the abdomen, bouncing Aslan off, who kicked off the wall and leaped toward the improved version.
Acceleration during the fall. When Aslan’s fist struck, the improved Tiyalmisof’s fist also struck Aslan.
It still didn’t penetrate. The overwhelming defense prevented it.
But Tiyalmisof wasn’t defeated by a single blow either.
Immediately reinforcing the damaged body with metal.
Repairing by collecting scattered fragments.
The repairs were instantaneous and very fast.
Thus, the ensuing action was clear.
Brawl.
A metallic scream unlike any other echoed.
As Aslan swung and struck with their fists, Tiyalmisof either slashed with legs, struck with knees, or punched.
The counterattacks resulted in crude and inferior repairs.
Yet it didn’t stop.
‘Recreating the Holy Sword…!’
A sudden inspiration.
Instantly burning genius recreated something crude and inferior but mimicked purity.
The divine sword that cut through everything it touched. Equipped on the arm and swung. There was no space to evade. There was no ground.
But Aslan was a man who could face a sword barehanded.
Before the pseudo-purity swung at their body, Aslan’s fist intervened in the swing trajectory.
Ka-a-aang!
Deflected mid-trajectory. Moreover, it was broken.
The moment the broken pseudo-purity flew off, Aslan’s forearm entangled Tiyalmisof’s forearm.
Sueup, the sound of drawing breath was heard again.
Chee-e-e-eerk!
A headbutt struck home. The arm was ripped out. The head caved in and bounced off.
As Tiyalmisof collided with the wall and floated in the air, Aslan discarded the arm, kicked off the wall, and shot toward Tiyalmisof.
Kung!
Impaling the wall and scraping it with a dr-d-d-dek sound.
Beyond that, Aslan grabbed Tiyalmisof’s neck.
Kad-d-d-d-dek!
The distance from the elevator to the ground had grown too vast.
There were no fragments to brace their feet against.
Nevertheless, Aslan and Tiyalmisof grabbed each other’s necks and forearms and clenched their fists.
Ka-aang!
Holding each other like this, they exchanged punches, striking each other.
With no place to retreat, no way to retreat.
Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang!
Clutching each other’s fists, they indiscriminately pounded each other’s bodies.
As the ground gradually approached, the world’s largest bell tolled.
Koo-o-o-o-o-ooong!
The thunderous crash of the elevator hitting the ground. Mixed with the countless sounds of machines falling.
Among these, Aslan was also present.
Ka-a-aang!
Aslan, impaling the ground, rebounded with a metallic sound and flipped in the air to land.
Dr-d-d-d-dek!
The feet dragged long across the ground, scratching it in the shape of a dragon’s claw.
Soon after, the improved Tiyalmisof fell and shattered into pieces.
And dust clouds rose.
Naturally following the crash of the massive freight elevator.
Aslan stood within the dust cloud and threw the improved Tiyalmisof’s wrist that they had in hand.
Ka-ang, drrrrlek.
Beyond the rolling wrist, countless red eye glows reflected.
The dust cloud pierced by surging hostility.
Facing the countless waves of hostility, Aslan quietly emitted cyan-green eye glows through the slit.
As the dust cloud slowly dispersed, countless Tiyalmisof units were revealed.
Their eyes met Aslan’s eyes.
Silence reigned.
The usually talkative first magician rarely remained silent, and Aslan spoke alone amidst the silence.
Sruk, the raised hand touched the scale-made cloak.
“Acceleration.”
Following the incantation, Aslan’s forearm glowed blue.
The tattoo allowing five free uses of magic daily without cost—a farewell gift from Astrid.
The mana embedded in the tattoo spread, trembling the cloak.
The trembling scales vibrated finely, emitting a char-lek sound.
From each trembling scale, the winds of Hell flowed out.
Gradually, the cloak transformed.
The scales trembled and extended, flapping behind Aslan’s back.
With a sound like the unfurling of a massive membrane.
Tooo-haaaaaaack!
Thus revealed were wings.
Wings of the Poison-Spitting Dragon, wings that seemed unsuitable for flight.
Wings shaped as if meant to slice and sever something.
With these wings on his back, Aslan muttered.
“Will you not come?”
Like a wave of darkness, the Tiyalmisof units all charged toward Aslan.
Among them, Aslan lowered their stance.
The right leg whitened slightly, pausing until that moment.
‘Thunder Call.’
Kwa-r-r-r-r-r-reng!
And the moment the whitened leg kicked the ground.
With a thunderous roar, the swung wings cleaved and scattered the wave of darkness into pieces.
