The dragon twisted its massive neck, unleashing a torrent of fire. Within this chamber that mirrored the heart of a volcano, flames that defied human understanding crawled through the air, their searing heat far exceeding the ambient temperature of the cavern.
A fanning spread of hellfire rushed toward Ren’s eyes in an instant.
"Wha—!?"
It felt as if time itself had ground to a halt.
As the breath closed in, Ren remained unexpectedly composed. Facing the wall of advancing flames, he took a deep breath.
"How much longer are you going to stay half-asleep, Red Dragon!?"
He swung his Wooden Magic Sword high over his head, using the vines he had sprouted along the cavern wall to launch himself upward.
Brilliant sparks cascaded from Asval’s titanic frame, and a gale of ultra-high-temperature wind accelerated toward Ren. Even standard magic was a supernatural phenomenon, yet everything about Asval—even the aura surrounding its massive body—was cruelly legendary.
『Weakling. To mimic a mere insect is comical.』
"Which of us is the fool? You, who ended up as a Mana Stone and wanted a fight so badly you had to drag a girl into it—which of us is more pathetic!?"
The world wavered before Ren as he took flight. The overwhelming heat pressed in, seemingly ready to incinerate him at any moment. However, Ren thrust his fist forward with a single, sharp conviction.
Before the glowing wind could sear his exhausted face—
"I can't afford to be picky against the likes of you! Call it cowardly if you want!"
From the tip of his outstretched fist, a Mana Shield expanded to cover his front. Having just leveled up for the first time, the shield was far sturdier than before, expanding wide according to his will.
I thought so.
Ren, forcing his posture into alignment mid-air, looked ahead. He gave a sharp nod when he saw that the Mana Shield hadn't shattered instantly, though the immediate appearance of cracks across its surface served as a grim reminder of Asval’s power.
Breaking through the glowing wind, he pulled an unremarkable small vial from his pocket and hurled it at Asval’s chest.
It was just an ordinary vial.
It contained nothing but a specific liquid, but just before it could impact Asval’s body, the intense heat radiating from the dragon melted the glass. The liquid evaporated instantly, but the resulting vapor brushed against Asval’s scales.
『Gu... o...!?』
In that instant, Asval wavered.
The heat surrounding the dragon subsided slightly, and it fixed its gaze on Ren, who was closing in. Just being the target of those eyes was enough to make one's blood run cold, but Ren pulled out another vial and downed its contents.
"Does that hurt, you undead monstrosity!?"
『...You insect, do you dare insult me!?』
"It's the truth! You’re Undead, and a Potion is nothing but poison to your kind!"
The logic was simple. Potions used for healing injuries or restoring stamina had their effects reversed when applied to the Undead. What acted as medicine for the living became a source of agonizing pain for the dead.
However, his stockpile was dangerously low. Having used most of his supplies on Fiona during their journey, only a few bottles remained. To be blunt, it wasn't nearly enough to win.
As he leaped, closing the distance while Asval was momentarily flustered, Ren continued to think, literally betting his life on his next move.
This is just a temporary fix.
But he didn't need to despair yet. Ren had engaged Asval with a theory: that the dragon was far weaker than it had been in life. He recalled that the Undead were inherently inferior to their living counterparts. Furthermore, Asval was currently manifesting through Fiona’s power. Since it had only just awakened, its movements were still sluggish.
Her power alone isn't enough to fully reconstruct something like Asval.
That being said, Ren felt that fighting both Maydas and Kai at once would have been far easier than this.
『Faint. How very faint you are, insect.』
Inside the Mana Stone partially exposed at Asval’s chest, a crimson light flickered repeatedly. With every flash, Fiona clutched her upper body as if in pain. Her mana was being forcibly siphoned to fuel the dragon’s form.
I'm running out of time...
Immediately after that declaration, Asval spread its wings to their full extent. The wing membranes were tattered and riddled with holes, yet the brilliant crimson light they radiated was awe-inspiring. Shaking its muscular, arched body, it flapped its wings with tremendous force.
The resulting pressure was immense. Asval easily blew Ren back with the sheer wind—
『Be reduced to cinders.』
Amassing an explosive flame faster than the wind in its maw, the dragon prepared to unleash it as it lowered its head.
"Too bad! I don't plan on dying yet!"
Even as he was being thrown back, Ren resisted the momentum and threw his weapon. Aiming the Iron Magic Sword directly at Asval’s eye, he swung his arm with everything he had.
Flying just above the explosive flames about to be unleashed, the Iron Magic Sword caught the fire's reflection, soaring like a streak of lightning. A weapon that would normally be nothing more than a splinter to the dragon was transformed into a holy spear that defied common sense.
『————, ————————!』
A wordless roar tore through the chamber as the explosive flames were scattered. Asval, who had stood as an overwhelmingly powerful master of the flames, was now groaning like an infant in pain.
Only three bottles left.
Ren thought as he used his Wooden Magic Sword to create a makeshift foothold on a wall untouched by the lava. He had splashed a Potion onto the Iron Magic Sword just before throwing it. It had dealt significant damage, but his remaining supplies were unreliable at best.
Ren downed one of the three bottles right then. He wanted to save them all for offense, but his body would have reached its breaking point first otherwise.
During this brief interval, he considered several tactics. He wondered if he could use the Thief's Magic Sword to steal Fiona back, but that was too much of a gamble. Since that power was based on probability, there was no guarantee it would work, and he couldn't afford to waste the mana.
『Kuku... Hahaha...!』
Asval suddenly let out a cheerful, booming laugh.
『I do not dislike this. I find a certain endearment in watching a weakling struggle with all their might.』
Ren felt a surge of disgust. An irrepressible sense of irritation washed over him. Perhaps to an outsider, it looked like he was putting up a good fight, and some might even wonder if Asval was truly the legend the stories claimed.
But it was all a misunderstanding. Asval had only just awakened; it would surely regain its instincts as the battle dragged on. Furthermore, with only Fiona as a power source, the mana required to sustain its legendary form was insufficient.
That was why Fiona was writhing in pain inside the Mana Stone. The dragon was likely draining her even more violently now. Everything up to this point had been mere entertainment for the beast, and the real battle was only just beginning.
Yet, there was still hope.
『...?』
The feet of the Red Dragon, which was forcibly drawing power from Fiona, suddenly buckled. Looking closely, the scales covering its massive body were peeling off weakly in places. The flesh visible beneath them was rotting further, liquefying and staining the dragon's hide.
Is its body unable to withstand its own power?
Ren realized the truth. The Asval of legend, the one defeated by the Seven Heroes, was an existence Ren wouldn't normally be able to stand before. The only reason he could fight like this was because Asval was fundamentally incomplete. While he didn't know the exact nature of Fiona's power or how it was reacting to the dragon, one thing was certain.
Its body can't take any more strain.
Asval had been resurrected in a flawed state. That would also explain why it had lost its memories and was acting on pure, rampaging instinct.
Facing that glimmer of hope, Ren took several deep breaths. He couldn't afford to stall. Fiona was in danger, and Ren’s own body was reaching its limit. But how could he wear the monster down?
『Why... will my body not obey————』
Then, suddenly, Asval vomited jet-black blood instead of fire.
However, the dragon wouldn't stop. Stripped of its memories and its former pride, the Red Dragon intended to fight until its physical form collapsed.
"Asval. I'm going to stop you."
『...You foolish boy who dares claim the name Ashton. You still show such a composed face?』
"Say whatever you want. I'll get her back no matter what I have to do. If it’s for her sake, I’ll even take you down."
Ren steadied his breathing and pierced Asval with a gaze brimming with determination.
"I can't stand to watch you tarnish your own legendary pride any longer."
Ren was surprised that Asval recognized the name Ashton, but he had no intention of asking for details. Asval claimed it couldn't remember, and the situation didn't allow for a chat. The only problem was how to defeat such a monster.
If he got too close, the heat would destroy him, making the Iron Magic Sword difficult to use. On the other hand, he had no long-range attacks. He also felt that a surprise attack with a Potion would be less effective now that Asval was fully alert.
『With so much forgotten, my body feels wrong. However, I do not dislike a daredevil like you, weakling.』
Sound vanished.
Dense mana that distorted the very air filled the underground chamber, yet the figure of Asval, enthroned at the center, remained vivid. The lava dripping from the ceiling stopped in mid-air and began to float upward.
It was then that Ren noticed something prominent on Asval’s head... its single, unbroken horn.
There it is again. The horn is glowing.
Asval’s horn shone with a brilliant, red light, far more dazzling than before. The light seemed to grow in proportion to the power the dragon was amassing.
That gave Ren an idea.
Is that horn the source of its flames and heat?
He remembered reading in a book long ago that horns were vital to dragons. If he could shatter it and temporarily suppress the heat radiating from that massive body, he might be able to reach the Mana Stone where Fiona was trapped.
Though reaching the horn itself would be a suicide mission.
Seeing the look in Ren’s eyes, Asval sneered.
『Perish as if falling into a deep sleep.』
Sound returned with a vengeance as the dense mana exploded into a crimson shockwave. A vortex of wind and explosions drew in the surrounding lava and fire, creating a Crimson Wall that expanded throughout the entire chamber.
There was no escape. Ren didn't think his Shield Magic Sword could block a hit of this magnitude. Having regained its instincts and siphoned power from Fiona, Asval’s current strength was undeniably legendary. Even in this weakened, undead state, its flames made the Mana Eater’s fire look like a flickering match.
But just as he prepared for the end, the situation changed.
The air around Ren froze, and a brilliantly shining block of Lapis Lazuli ice enveloped him. The radiating cold was so intense it froze the encroaching lava, protecting him from the Crimson Wall.
"This is——"
Eventually, the ice melted away. The steam that would have normally scalded his skin was neutralized by the lingering chill. A stunned Ren looked toward Asval’s chest, straining his eyes to see Fiona.
『Please... run...』
For a split second, he felt as if her eyes had opened. Her gaze pleaded with him to escape, and Ren’s heart surged with renewed fire. But the moment passed, and she clutched herself in pain once more.
Knowing he had been protected by her, Ren tightened his grip on his sword.
"I can't just run away and leave you behind."
Besides, something was wrong with Asval.
『Guo... o... what... is this...』
Its face distorted as its massive frame shook. Scattering rotten scales, Asval cried out in agony. Seeing his chance, Ren used every trick he knew to close the distance. He scrambled along the walls, leaped back to the ground to dodge lava, and ran with everything he had.
Fiona is still conscious. She's still in there.
Knowing she was fighting back gave him the strength he needed to be reckless.
Don't be afraid.
The current Asval was weak. He didn't know exactly how much weaker it was than the original, but this incomplete resurrection meant it couldn't regain its true power or maintain its form for long. Most likely, Fiona's resistance was the only reason Ren was even able to stand his ground.
『Nothing goes as I wish——and yet!』
Asval raised its voice in a roar, swung up its massive arm, and made its horn glow with blinding intensity. It struck the path ahead of Ren, shaking the very foundations of the cavern and sending a wave of lava rushing toward him.
As Ren evaded with a series of acrobatic leaps, Asval arched its neck toward him.
『I am Asval!』
A merciless breath was unleashed. The heat was unimaginable. Seeing the torrent of fire approaching with enough force to gouge the earth, Ren sprouted vines with Nature Magic, grabbing them to swing himself through the air. He skillfully changed direction mid-flight, attempting to dodge the scorching blast.
However, the heat grazed his arm.
"Ugh...!"
The pain was beyond words. It had only been for a fraction of a second, and only the very edge of the breath had touched him, yet the damage was severe.
『The flames bless me!』
This time, the dragon didn't swing down but swept its head across the ground, scattering the lava flow. The droplets were crystals of pure heat that would melt flesh on contact. Dodging the falling molten rock, Ren desperately pressed on.
『Do you not feel terror, weakling?』
"Yeah! I'm not afraid of you!"
『Brave. However, that is a mere delusion. If your heart falters for even a second, your body will shrink, and you will be consumed by fear.』
A Crimson Flash erupted from Asval's spread wings, striking the chamber in a chaotic barrage. One of the flashes streaked right past Ren’s side.
"Gu...!"
A searing heatwave erupted inches away. The explosion and the resulting lava blocked Ren’s path forward, while the overflowing molten flow approached from behind. His footing was rapidly disappearing as the Red Dragon’s encirclement tightened.
『Did you finally feel fear, weakling?』
"...I'll say it again. I'm not afraid."
Bluffing against the voice echoing through the chamber, Ren took a deep breath. His lungs screamed as the hot air entered them, but he forced himself to swallow and focus.
『Then what will you do? What can one who is merely waiting for death hope to achieve?』
"I'll show you!"
He raised his Iron Magic Sword against everything blocking his path.
"I'll do this!"
Mimicking Asval’s own display of power, Ren swung his sword down with a brute-force strike. The sheer pressure from the swing cleared the heatwave, and the impact of the blade hitting the ground split the lava to the left and right.
Ren threw himself into the narrow path, ignoring the lingering heatwaves.
It's so hot I'm going to lose it. I hate this. I want to run.
His scorched skin screamed at him, but he ignored the pain and charged. He downed another precious Potion with one hand and tossed the empty bottle into the lava, where it melted instantly.
『All flames obey my command.』
Suddenly, the surface of the lava flow bulged, and Vortexes of Flames rose like undulating arms with a will of their own. They lashed out at Ren from all directions. Knowing he would be incinerated if he stayed still, he used Nature Magic to dodge through the split-second openings. Using vines and roots for leverage, he spun and leaped through the air, closing in on the dragon.
『To endure my pressure and run this far... you have done well.』
Asval seemed to have regained some of its legendary composure. It had clearly recovered its instincts.
『Just as a man cannot defeat a god, a weakling cannot defeat me. There is no point in even discussing it.』
Ren was almost there. Before him, Asval flapped its wings and lifted its head high.
『Crawl upon the earth and burn. I will not leave even your shadow behind.』
From far above, an Infernal Breath spread in a wide arc. Just before it reached him, Ren entwined a thick bundle of vines at his feet, creating a ramp. He didn't retreat, nor did he dodge.
Ren accelerated directly toward the dragon’s maw.
Seeing that Asval still hadn't moved from its spot, Ren pushed his exhausted body to the limit.
『How foolishly reckless. You know nothing but charging forward.』
"Reckless? Sorry, but I'm dead serious!"
If he dodged, he would burn. If he retreated, he would be erased. If he was going to vanish from the world either way, his only choice was to bet everything on this one charge.
『Accept your end, weakling.』
The vines he had used for a ramp burned away, leaving Ren suspended in the air with no further support. His overextended legs had carried him to the height of Asval’s head, where he was about to meet the breath head-on.
Ren smirked defiantly.
"I knew it... you can't move much, can you?"
Asval's brow twitched. Ren had already seen through the dragon's limitation. It was nursing its incomplete body. That was why it had stayed in the exact same spot since the moment it awakened.