Chapter 341 (Patreon)

Ryle Greece stood quietly beside Chelle, his hands folded behind his back as though he were merely observing a sparring match at the academy instead of a battle between monsters. Outwardly, he looked calm. Inwardly, his thoughts were anything but.

He had already made his decision earlier.

The moment an opportunity presented itself, he would take Chelle hostage, reveal his identity to one of the Four Heavenly Jhings, and secure his survival. It was the sensible choice. The logical choice. Boris and Chelle stood no chance against a figure whose name was spoken with fear throughout the Empire. Fighting would only lead to death.

At least, that was what he had believed.

Now, as another thunderous clash echoed through the gray world, Ryle found himself questioning everything.

The collision between spear and hammer created a shockwave that rolled across the strange area. The air itself seemed to tremble. Dustless though the place was, the impact still carried enough force to make Ryle narrow his eyes against the pressure.

Boris didn't retreat.

If anything, he pressed harder.

Ryle had studied Boris before. It was a habit he had developed long ago. Noble families, especially a spy like him, survived through information, and information was often more valuable than talent. He knew Boris's habits. Knew his strengths. Knew the way he fought.

Or at least he thought he did.

Boris had always resembled a fortress. His fighting style was straightforward, dependable, and almost frustratingly patient. He endured attacks. He weathered storms. He stood his ground until an opening revealed itself.

The Boris standing before him now looked like an entirely different person.

There was nothing defensive about him.

His spear became a blur of silver and crimson, striking from every direction with relentless aggression. Every attack flowed naturally into the next. There were no pauses. No moments of hesitation. No signs of caution. It felt less like watching a trained warrior and more like watching a wildfire given human form.

Dante was being forced backward.

That fact alone felt absurd. The man was one of the Four Heavenly Jhings. One of the Empire's greatest weapons though not publicly.

Yet the enormous hammer that should have dominated the battlefield was being used almost exclusively to defend. A cut had appeared across Dante's cheek. And Another along his forearm.

Neither wound was serious, but they were wounds nonetheless.

Boris had drawn blood. Ryle found himself staring still thinking whether he was dreaming or not. All he had was doubt. Doubt he was seeing the real thing in front of him.

"Is that really Boris?" Chelle asked quietly. The disbelief in her voice mirrored his own thoughts. Just like him, Chelle was probably familiar with how a typical Boris fought.

He glanced toward her before returning his attention to the battle. "I honestly don't know anymore," he admitted.

The answer surprised even him.

Because he truly didn't. The red scales spreading across Boris's skin gave him an almost draconic appearance. Crimson patches covered parts of his neck and arms. His hair had changed as well, taking on the same deep red color. Even from a distance, Ryle could sense something unsettling beneath the transformation.

Power. Raw and violent. Not the polished elegance of a noble [Spearman]. Not the disciplined strength of a knight.

Something older. Something instinctive. Something dangerous, wild and ancient.

His mind immediately began piecing together possibilities.

Was it something that Boris intentionally hidden and he used it now because they were in a very dangerous situation?

Or did Boris simply stumble upon a rare skill book and use it himself?

Perhaps even a class connected to true dragons, lizards or similar. For a moment, his gaze landed towards Boris’ lizard pet, Thorne.

No. That’s not possible. He thought.

Whatever it was, it wasn't something ordinary people, nobles and even high ranking adventurers could obtain.

Suri had already become a nightmare for anyone trying to evaluate the students from the academy. The girl had casually slaughtered hundreds of trained imperial soldiers with illusionary blades that turned out to be real. Kana was even worse. Entire operations were being organized around eliminating her before she reached the capital.

Now Boris had revealed a power that Ryle had never even suspected. The realization left a bitter taste in his mouth. The Empire's intelligence reports they were doing were entirely wrong.

Terribly wrong.

These students weren't merely talented. They were monsters capable of fighting against the four heavenly Jhings.

Another deafening crash interrupted his thoughts. Boris lunged forward with explosive speed, driving his spear downward like a falling star. The force behind the strike distorted the air around it.

Dante reacted immediately. His massive hammer rose to intercept. The collision sent a visible shockwave rippling outward.

For a brief moment, the entire gray area seemed to shudder.

Then Dante's feet slid. Not far. Only a short distance.

But enough.

One knee struck the ground.

Silence followed.

Even Chelle who was waiting for Boris’ signal stopped breathing for a second. Ryle's eyes widened. He was aware of their plan. But it looked like Chelle’s skill wasn’t needed in the first place.

It wasn't because Dante had fallen. It was because of the expression on his face. The casual amusement from earlier was gone.

Completely gone. 

The relaxed warrior who had sat drinking while waiting for instructions no longer existed. Now there was only focus. Seriousness. Respect.

Dante had finally stopped treating Boris like a child.

He was treating him like a threat. That realization disturbed Ryle more than anything else. Because if one of the Four Heavenly Jhings considered Boris dangerous, then the situation had already exceeded every prediction he had made.

Slowly, almost unconsciously, Ryle abandoned the plan he had been preparing.

Not permanently. Not yet. But he could no longer act with certainty. The battle between the two monsters had become too unpredictable.

Perhaps Boris would still lose. Perhaps Dante was merely testing him. Perhaps the older warrior had hidden abilities that would end the fight instantly.

Yet as Ryle watched Boris continue his relentless assault, forcing one of the Empire's greatest warriors into a defensive struggle, a thought surfaced that he could no longer ignore.

What if the Empire had underestimated them? 

What if Kana wasn't the one? What if it was Boris? What if it was Suri?

Ryle sighed as he folded his arms and continued watching in silence.

For now, observation seemed wiser than action. And for a man who had built his entire life around choosing the winning side, there was nothing more unsettling than realizing he no longer knew which side that was.

….

Rose Light abandoned any thought of pressing the attack and focused entirely on defense. Earlier, she had been waiting patiently for an opening, trusting that sooner or later the man before her would make a mistake. Everyone made mistakes. Fatigue slowed reactions. Confidence created carelessness. It was a lesson she had relied on throughout countless battles.

Now she wasn't so certain.

It was only the second time in her life that she had found herself unable to see a path forward.

The realization tasted bitter.

Rose had always trusted her preparations. She planned for disasters before they happened. She anticipated betrayal, ambushes, and hidden variables. Every operation she led was built upon layers of contingencies. If one plan failed, another waited beneath it.

She had thought she was ready for the Empire. Thought she was finally standing close to the level of the monsters that protected its borders and carried out its darkest missions.

The man standing before her shattered that illusion with every swing of his sword. He was simply too strong.

Worse, she still didn't know who he was.

Another strike came.

There was nothing fancy about it. No elaborate footwork. No overwhelming skill activation. Well, he couldn’t use skill in the first place. It was simply just a straightforward downward cut.

Rose raised her longsword.

Steel met steel.

The impact exploded through her arms. Pain shot through her shoulders and down her spine. Her feet lost their footing, and suddenly the gray floor rushed up to meet her. She crashed onto one knee, then both.

For a moment, she couldn't breathe.

Her chest tightened. Her heartbeat thundered inside her ears. Sweat dripped from her brow and blurred her vision.

Then she coughed. Warm liquid splattered onto the gray ground.

Blood.

The sight of it should have frightened her. Instead, it merely confirmed what she already knew. She had reached her limit.

Still, she tried to rise.

Her mind could but her muscles trembled in protest. The sword in her hand felt heavier than ever before.

No. I can not stop here..

Every second mattered.

Every heartbeat she stole from this man was another heartbeat given to the students.

Given to Kana. That thought alone forced her fingers to tighten around the hilt.

Kana. The girl's image surfaced in her mind immediately. The stubborn red-eyed student who never seemed to understand just how absurd she truly was.

Rose almost laughed. If anyone had a chance against this monster, it would be Kana.

Especially at night. And if Artin and Suri were with her...

Perhaps.

Just perhaps.

The two of them together could accomplish something impossible. That fragile hope was enough to keep Rose conscious.

Barely. Her vision blurred again. The world felt distant now, as though she were observing it through water. The man began walking toward her. His movements were calm.

Not in a hurry.

The confidence of someone who had never doubted the outcome. His battered thin sword rose slowly into the air. The weapon looked ordinary. Worn. Scarred by countless battles.

Yet in his hand, it felt more terrifying than any legendary dungeon items.

Rose tried once more to stand. Her body refused. The strength she had relied upon her entire life was gone.

For the first time in many years, she felt truly powerless. A strange calm settled over her.

Not acceptance.

Not surrender.

Simply understanding.

She had done everything she could. More than that would be asking the impossible. The sword above her began its descent. Rose closed her eyes.

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

The words echoed silently within her heart.

I failed the mission you entrusted to me.

Another face appeared in her thoughts.

Kana. Then Suri. Boris. Chelle. Ryle.

All the students she had sworn to guide safely through this journey. A faint smile touched her lips despite the blood staining them.

I'm sorry, kids. I hope you survive this. 

No. 

Please survive.

The blade continued downward. And in that final moment, Rose Light found herself praying that somewhere beyond these gray walls, her students were proving far more troublesome than their enemies expected.

Post note:Boris might have the most overpowered class out of the three. 

Yes. It’s just the 1st chap of the weeeek.

Hope you enjoy the chap! 🙂

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