Chapter 98

One life, five chances.

That’s the restriction hanging over me. You can think of it as a kind of contract. The power of Predation is bound by this restriction too. And so is the Joker Card.

Why? Because – it’s a Balance Collapse Factor. Just using the power of Predation two or three times would be enough to place me among the ranks of the strongest in this world. Just like I was in my past life.

The Joker Card defies the heavens. You could call it Reversing Heaven (역천), or maybe Degeneration (퇴화) since it sends me back to an ancient past. If you don’t know about my distant past, you could just see it as entering ‘Transformation’ state.

Just like with the power of Predation, I can only use the Joker Card five times in one lifetime. In other words, I’ve got five extra lives to spare.

In my previous life, I used the Joker Card exactly twice. Once when fighting the Dragon Lord, and again against the Demon King. Honestly, I never imagined I’d have to use it even twice.

Just by devouring the Dragon Lord’s soul, the entire continent would’ve been under my feet. I was unmatched, with only one being in the world capable of threatening me.

But that ‘one’ landing a blow on me? That was something I truly couldn’t imagine. And getting utterly crushed even after using the Joker Card? Even less expected.

I lifted my head. The sky was darkening. Malevolent energy was violently surging out from me in all directions.

My body was overflowing with strength. Enough to uproot Mount Tai effortlessly.

A sinister smile crept onto my face. I hadn’t originally planned to use the Joker Card against the Dragon King, but now that I’m using it, might as well make good use of it.

Uuuung-.

I sent my malevolent energy underground to locate the Hero Party and Langwang. The tendrils of energy slowly slithered forward and came into contact with a few living beings.

All members of the Hero Party except Langwang were killed in a single Meteor spell from the Dragon King. It wasn’t intentional, but the result turned out well. I silently raised a toast in my heart.

A pitch-black dragon stared down at me with golden eyes. I proudly met his gaze.

Because I’m brimming with confidence in victory. In this ‘state’, there’s absolutely no way I can lose unless my opponent is the Demon King or Supreme God. And if someone stronger than me appears right now, it’s not because I’m weak. That guy must be wrong somehow.

“Alright, Dragon King.”

I spread my arms wide towards the black dragon, palms stretched out.

“Let’s play.”

—

From the primordial chaos emerged the progenitor of dragons, Dragon King Endros.

When the uninvited guests first attacked, he was unperturbed.

Demon Forest is a world of survival of the fittest. The weak become prey, the strong become predators. It’s a natural law.

Endros, the monstrous ruler of Demon Forest, had faced countless challengers. And Endros had never lost even once.

He assumed this was just another such challenge. When he noticed intruders in his bedroom, he sent a greeting to ascertain their purpose, confirming his assumption.

Even though it had become a certainty, it didn’t evoke much excitement or change in his mindset. Battling and crushing challengers was his everyday routine after all.

The intruders were strong. A sword that wounded Endros himself, a giant human with absurd strength who knocked Endros down, a magician capable of casting ‘Meteor’, a 7th Circle spell. They weren’t ones for him to underestimate.

However, that was all. Once Endros started combining magic and melee combat while performing Triple Casting, the frail humans couldn’t keep up. When Endros’ prepared ‘Meteor’ finally fell, the humans were wiped out without much resistance.

‘The lair’s destroyed. But rebuilding it will do.’

The plains were in ruins due to the meteor’s impact. Endros carefully scanned the buried intruders one by one with his ‘Dragon’s Eye’ in case of any counterattacks. Fortunately, all the intruders were either dead or unconscious.

‘…What is this guy doing?’

Except for one demon who had remained an observer throughout the battle.

‘Surviving itself is impressive, but he’s still conscious. Did he withstand it with a barrier?’

It was a demon in a pristine white suit, a snow-white mask, and a magician’s hat. The demon was shielding a much smaller human magician with his own body.

‘Thanks to that, the magician survived. Was he waiting for the right moment until only the two of us were left? That’s why he didn’t step forward earlier?’

Endros slowly descended to stand before the demon lying on the half-destroyed ground. There was a significant height difference.

“Young demon, you’re the only one still conscious.”

“That’s right, Endros. Your Meteor magic has left my whole body sore.”

“This old one clearly warned you. To consort with me, you must stake your life.”

Suddenly, Endros felt curious about the demon. Where did these people come from, why did they attack him, and why did the demon remain passive until now?

There were many questions he wanted to ask. Since the fight didn’t start out of hostility, it made him even more curious.

Slick-.

The demon’s hand rummaging through his pocket pulled out a piece of paper. It was a card-sized piece of paper about the size of a palm.

The demon threw it into the air. The bizarrely illustrated card fluttered down. The card then dissolved mid-air, wrapping around the demon’s body.

Thud-.

Receiving the energy from the card, the demon rose to his feet.

‘Hmm? Planning to fight me alone? Impressive, young ones’ spirit is truly admirable…’

Kwaah-.

‘…What is this? The flow has changed. This isn’t mere bravado.’

The demon’s physique was changing dramatically. The suit became taut, the white mask merged into his skin as if it was always part of him.

The emaciated frame swelled with vibrant muscles at an alarming rate. However, there was no sense of disproportion. It was a truly bizarre phenomenon.

The demon’s nose grew larger, his eyes turned porcelain white. His face resembled something between a goblin and a human at first glance. His mouth was torn open to the point his lips reached his ears.

Black malevolent energy surged from the transformed demon’s body. Even the Dragon King, who possessed endless magic power, was taken aback by the sheer amount. The ominous energy dyed the Demon Forest sky pitch black.

Somewhere familiar yet nostalgic, Endros raised his claws. A red cloth horn-like protrusion grew on the demon’s head.

‘Enhancing power? No, something fundamental is different.’

Meanwhile, the demon had already transformed into the exact pattern drawn on the card.

“Alright, Dragon King.”

Oscar spread his arms wide as he approached the Dragon King. Despite witnessing Endros’ divine authority that annihilated the Hero Party moments ago, there wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his movements.

“Let’s play.”

“Did you hold back your strength?”

“No, my full power was what you saw earlier. This form would rather be described as drawing external power.”

“The amount of malevolent energy is comparable to the sea. Something that cannot be grasped with merely a few thousand years of cultivation.”

“A few thousand years? You’re exaggerating. I’m merely 409 years old.”

“…Are you here to exchange wordplay with this old one?”

Oscar maintained a fairly relaxed attitude. Though Endros could have taken it as an affront to his pride, he didn’t.

‘Maybe this will be where I meet my end. Where did such a monster come from?’

“Holding an elder waiting isn’t polite. Shall I go first?”

Shiish-

“!?”

In an instant, Oscar’s figure disappeared. Though Endros quickly summoned mana upon losing sight of him…

Bang!

[Gasp!]

Oscar struck Endros’ face faster than the blink of an eye. A numbing shockwave spread through Endros’ entire body. The dragon’s neck and waist bent unnaturally, causing him to somersault in mid-air.

“Hahaha! That looked terrible!”

Kwaang!

[Roar!]

With teleportation-like speed, Oscar jumped onto Endros’ waist and gleefully stomped on him. Endros’ spine folded in half.

“Blood Defense (Sanguis dēfénsĭo)!”

Not wanting to be on the receiving end only, Endros struggled to summon mana despite the excruciating pain coursing through his body, creating a protective barrier. However, when Oscar swung his fist and the resulting wind pressure hit the barrier, it tore apart like paper.

[Roar!!]

‘What is this…!? Unable to track his movements with the eyes! A movement that deceives even dragon vision!? Could such a being really exist!’

Oscar mounted Endros’ tail. As Endros thrashed his tail like a whip to throw him off, Oscar remained firmly attached. A creeping sense of fear began to rise within Endros’ heart.

“I have one question. Is it true that the flame at the tip of the Dragon King’s tail never goes out?”

“You… weren’t just some brat. You’re a monster.”

“Please answer the question. Has it really never gone out?”

“Haa, haa… Though I don’t know your intention in asking, you’re stating the obvious. The fire started with the Yggdrasil World Tree’s logs. How could it ever go out…!”

“Is that so? I once set the World Tree on fire too, but after burning it all, the fire went out eventually. Hmm, suddenly curious – if your tail burns down to ashes, will the fire go out?”

“What are you saying…!? Ugh!!”

Serrr-!

[Roar!!!]

As Oscar shaped his hand like a blade, the malevolent energy filling the sky gathered around it. Without hesitation, Oscar slashed down with the malevolent energy blade.

Where the adventurer party’s attacks only left minor scratches, Endros’ skin was cleanly sliced open. Muscles, mana veins, and chunks of flesh – his tail was cleanly severed.

“Though you’re a lizard, Dragon King, tails do regrow quickly, right?”

Blue flames erupted from Oscar’s hand holding the bleeding tail, engulfing it instantly. The hottest flames, glowing blue, devoured the tail in an instant.

[Growl…]

Whoosh!

Endros’ foreleg shot forward with blinding speed thanks to the Stronger enchantment. However, Oscar stood still as if contemplating something.

Gulugulu…

“!”

Contrary to Endros’ expectation that his blow would shred Oscar’s torso, his claw only pierced into Oscar’s body without cutting through. Moreover, it couldn’t be withdrawn.

It felt like sinking into mud or quicksand. Though it cut through flesh, it didn’t feel like cutting. That’s when Endros realized something was wrong.

Gulugulu…

“Hahaha, ticklish. Want to pull out? Too bad, I don’t plan on letting go of your leg.”

“What is this…! Are you an elemental?”

“I do know quite a bit about elementals since they imitate me. But…”

Bang!

Oscar’s body suddenly hardened. The gooey substance that trapped Endros’ leg solidified, severing it cleanly. Endros’ pupils dilated in shock.

[Roar!!!]

“Elementals can’t do this. They’re incomplete.”

“Me, Me, Meteor Storm…!!!”

Despite having his tail and leg severed and bleeding profusely, Endros desperately gathered his magic power. The mana flowing from his clawed fingers pierced through the darkened sky, causing a rain of meteors to fall.

Kugugugu!

The boulders that wiped out the adventurer party multiplied dozens of times and rained down. True to its name, a meteor storm – a surreal sight that would make any witness lose hope for life.

However, Oscar giggled as he pulled out a stick from his robes. Known as a ‘Magic Staff’, it was a rod about three hand lengths long.

“Transform!”

Poof!

As Oscar pointed the Magic Staff at the meteors and shouted loudly, the meteors immediately turned into flower blossoms. Petals rained from the sky.

This final resort and desperate attempt of Dragon King Endros was a scene that shattered his very foundation.

Hudududuk-

‘Wha, what!? Really transformed!? Not an illusion, but actually turned the meteors into flowers!?’

While being showered by falling petals, Endros realized he was indeed in reality. An unbelievable reality, incomprehensible existence, illogical phenomena – there was nothing normal about any of it.

“Who are you…?”

Changing one material into another is possible. The world calls it alchemy. Turning stones into gold, jewels into piles of dirt – all examples of alchemical transformation.

But meteors cannot turn into flowers. Their composition and materials are completely different. Yet this demon defied that self-evident principle, mockingly turning the Meteor Storm into a flower shower right before everyone’s eyes.

The sight meant that the demon before him defied the laws of nature.

“Are you… the Demon King? Are you Canos, the Demon King born 400 years ago?”

Endros asked with a trembling voice.

“No!”

The demon, Oscar, sharply cut off his words and answered decisively.

“I am Chaos now!”

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