>ZZZZZZZTTTTTTZZZ<


    The de on Nathan''s arms immediately buzzed, responding to his inner conviction.


    "Uohhhhhhh" Nathan let out, pouring even more concentration and power into his sword.


    sping the hilt, he tightened his grip on the vibrating katana due to the intense buzz it generated.


    White shes of light mixed with blue hue appeared and surrounded Nathan. The Balde Of Rupture glowed brilliantly, lighting up the whole area. The menacing figure of the Dragon could be perceived more vividly due to the luminous effect of the de.


    Its massive dark body, covered in scales seemed overpowering and its majestic wings hung behind its back.


    The party members grew even more terrified of the beast because of this, however... Nathan only strengthened his resolve more.


    "More... I need more... Give me everything!" He mumbled.


    Suddenly, an intense amount of energy surged from the de, causing everything around Nathan to be blown away.


    "Hyaaaa" Lydia, as well the rest of the party members got pushed back by the force around Nathan, sending them flying some distance away.


    The earth around him, sharp winds and don''t all dispersed about, leaving a nk spot where Nathan stood, with a glowing body filled with bustling white and blue energy.


    "Focus them all... On a single point..."


    The vast energy smelly condensed and formed on the de Of Rupture. Its blue color became filled up with all the taking energy that devastated the surrounding.


    >Clink<


    >Krrrrrk<


    The de cracked.


    Nathan noticed the sudden change in his Relic and knew the time was near.


    "It can''t handle this much power at once... But I have no choice! After this... I''ll lose this Relic forever!"


    Even with this conclusion, Nathan was prepared for the oue. So long as he protected those who were his friends and kept his word... He was ready!


    The de kept cracking as Nathan kept condensing the energy within it until the total power was sessfully trapped in the edge of his weapon, waiting to be released.


    In an instant, Nathan raised his hands, still gripping the de, and opened his eyes for the first time since he began preparation.


    The Dragon had already gained a lot of ground and would soon reach them.


    "Everyone, get back!" Nathan warned.


    This attack of his was deadly enough to blow everyone away at the least. Judging by the energy he had stored within his Relic, those he deemed to protect could die if they got too close.


    The crew immediately took his advice and ran back, as quickly as they could, using Carl''s barrier to shield them.


    The Dragon''s focus was transfixed on Nathan, as though wondering what form of attack he would release.


    "You made a big mistake underestimating me... Thanks for giving me enough time... You goddamn monster!" Nathan grinned nervously.


    "de Of Rupture..." He began.


    With this, it would all be over!


    "DEVASTATING STRIKE!"


    He brought his hand down in that instant.


    Space warped as soon as the de fell horizontally, sending the invisible strike toward the Dragon. Electricity surged and the entire path that led to the Dragon distorted as the sh passed through to reach the target.


    And then...


    >ZZZZRRRRRRBOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!<


    A massive surge of energy became released in an instant, causing a white sh of pure eruption, with blue sparks of electricity around it.


    Nathan''s immediate surrounding, being the eye of the storm, was unaffected by the blow, though the same couldn''t be said for everywhere else.


    The ground shattered, vaporizing after the light touched its surface. The powerful surge spread and the shockwaves shook the entire area.


    >KKKKRKKKK<


    Carl''s erected barrier cracked as a result of the energy wave that reached it. The dent increased, spreading throughout the orb of energy.


    >KKRRRKAKKAAAAA<


    In no time, the defensive done around them shattered, causing the devastating wave of power to push them away.


    After the explosion subsided, sizzling sounds of heated grounds and burning air filled the area. As the sounds echoed, a lone man stood amidst the destruction and debris.


    "Huff... Huff..."


    He had lost nearly all the strength he had left, with only his will to keep standing conscious.


    "No... Not yet..." Nathan''s thoughts rang.


    The attack he just unleashed wasn''t enough topletely kill the Dragon. All he did was buy his party enough time to escape.


    "Everyone, quick! Get up, we''re leaving now... Hurry!" Nathan turned back to yell at his party members.


    They all groaned from their shaken state, recoiling from the wave of attack that hit them.


    "S-Sir Nathan... You really..." Lydia muttered with a grateful and amazed smile.


    "Not now, that won''t keep the Dragon down for long. We have to keep moving forward!" He yelled, turning toward the caravan.


    If they turned back, they would only meet a dead end, meaning the Dragon would eventually catch up with them.


    However, even if it chased them to the Boss Room if they entered the room, it was impossible to open it again until the Boss Monster was defeated.


    Once they defeated the Boss Monster, they would quickly retreat to the next floor before the Dragon entered.


    "There''s no other choice!" Nathan muttered.


    They were all exhausted, and Nathan just used up all his power. He didn''t know how they would win the next battle, but he was most focused on survival.


    He would live... His friends would live too!


    "O-Okay..." Lydia muttered hesitantly.


    As the group rose from where they fell, aiming to flee their current position, Nathan quickly sheathed his cracked de.


    "Hurry u-"


    Before hepleted his sentence, a st of devastating mes burst forth from the smoke behind him and lunged toward the group of Adventurers.


    Since Jack, Lydia, and Lucy had progressed further than Carl, they were able to dodge the zing mes, though just barely.


    "Uarghhhhhhh!!!!" Carl screamed as his body melted within seconds in the mes.


    "W-Wha-?!" Nathan muttered, slowly tilting his head as he nced behind him.


    "Gurrrrr....." The Dragon growled,ing forth from the cloud of smoke that surrounded it.


    The beast''s body was unscathed by Nathan''s blow, and from the glean in its eyes, Nathan could see nothing but amusement and mockery of his wasted efforts.


    It was at that moment that the truth dawned on him.


    Even with all the power he could muster... His resolve meant nothing in the face of true terror.


    A crimson glow appeared in the mouth of the beast... More fire was iing.


    Once again, the feeling of powerlessness enveloped him, swallowing Nathan whole in despair.