Chapter 121: The Fire of Annihilation

Rode a wyvern to Bangkok in the middle of the night. Took about ten hours to get there—by the time we arrived, dawn was already breaking.

I gave orders to the other members and circled around toward the planned location.

The Thai landscape below looked nothing like it used to. Jagged, ashen大地 rose up, and existing buildings were shattered into ruin—just a grotesque mess.

"Damn... "

As卡尔 said, this wasn’t even close to the Thailand from just a little while ago.

We landed on a building far from the main road in front of the UN facility where we’d fought the Black Knight, and took cover.

"Let’s wait here until sunset. Karlo, Freyja—go scout the surroundings."

Freyja took off on the wyvern for reconnaissance, while Karlo summoned a few monsters and sent them soaring into the sky to gather intel.

"Alright… what now, Leo?"

Karlo asked, voice a little tired.

"Strategy’ll wait till Freyja gets back, but I’ve got a rough idea on troop placement. Everyone gather around."

Everyone flocked to me.

"In this fight, me and Elias will pin down the Black Knight. The rest of you— I’m counting on you to be the Leader."

Noah raised his hand.

"What is it?"

"About troop placement— I think we can handle the Leader role ourselves. Attacking the Black Knight with everyone together might be more efficient…"

"Wow, all grown up, huh?"

Karlo said, a little amused.

"Flattering, but you two really think you can handle that alone? Not likely."

"Emily’s with us. I’m certain her strength is equal to Leo’s—or even greater!"

Noah sounded confident. Yeah… maybe he’s right.

"Gres, give me an assessment."

Got it, boss!

Gres activated his assessment.

"...Leo's superior in stats, but the dark magic level is off the charts, and she's got a unique skill too. Not just all talk, then."

If she's got a unique skill, she's a bad match for the Black Knight. But as a Leader... maybe I'll trust her with this.

"Got it. I'm assigning the Leader role to you and Carlo. The rest of you stick with me—against the Black Knight."

Everyone stares at me with sharp eyes.

"This fight isn't about taking down the Black Knight or the Leader. The real goal is destroying the black gem."

"Who's gonna do the destroying?"

Carlo asks, but I already know who.

"I was thinking of asking Freyja. Ride the dragon and attack from above. Luca, cover her. Noah, help out if you can."

"Got it."

"I'll give it everything I've got."

After a while, Freyja returns. We hash out the final details and wait for sunset.

"Man, those weapons are something else."

Carlo's impressed by the kids' gear. Yeah, their weapons really do look a lot like Salman's.

"With the twins Rafael and Gabriel's 'Creation' ability, my 'Arcane Tome,' and the right materials, I could craft some seriously advanced gear."

"Are those twins in England?"

"Yeah, they're probably safe in a shelter with everyone else."

Noah answers my question. Maybe if those twins are around, we could patch up the missing pieces from Salman's lost weapons and armor...?

We don’t move until full dark—

When we finally reach the spot where the black gem is visible, I scan the area...

"Yep. She's here."

The Black Knight and the “Leader” were positioned directly beneath the gem.

“Looks like guarding that thing’s their job, huh?”

Callo was right. That’s probably exactly what they’re here for… The problem’s the “Leader,” though.

No idea what kind of abilities she’s got.

The only info Grece managed to ID was “Lavana, Rakshasa, Lv. 4356.” That’s it. Besides the fact she controls lightning…

“Anyway, we’ve gotta split them apart. Otherwise Emily’s Unique Skill won’t activate.”

We split into two groups, each heading toward our respective enemies. Freyja and Luca, waiting in position, should be able to destroy the black gem while we’re busy.

Me and Elias, Anna against the Black Knight. Callo and the kids going after the “Leader.” As long as we draw their attention—done.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

On the rooftop with Rinto.

Once the fight starts, I’ll go straight in and smash that black gem. The Dragon by my side ignores my nerves, as usual, leaning in close, nuzzling me.

I rub Rinto’s head, drawing courage.

Then—thunder cracks across the sky.

“It’s started…”

A violent explosion rips through the air, swords clashing, ringing out. I mount Rinto.

On another rooftop, Luka’s aiming with her bow. No fear. No hesitation. Pushed forward by everyone’s support, I glide with Rinto toward the battlefield.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Facing off against the Black Knight—still, the difference in power is huge. Anna and I charge in together, but we’re easily scattered, sent flying by a single, brutal slash.

Elias used Barrier Art to shield us, tried to block the enemy’s movements… but then—

『Dimension Slash』

The light barrier surrounding us shatters under the Black Knight’s strike. Of course—without fully focused deployment, we can’t withstand his attack.

Next moment—

A single streak of light cuts across the sky. Luca’s magic arrow.

It flies straight toward the black gem, hits dead center, and explodes. …But when the smoke clears, the black gem floats untouched in midair.

"Still an enchanted barrier…?"

The Black Knight shows no panic, even though the gem he’s guarding is under attack. He’s clearly betting we can’t break it.

But that’s exactly what we expected. The real move is—

Freyja riding a flying dragon, streaking through the sky at impossible speed. If her light magic sword can cut through the barrier, it should slice right through the black gem too.

Is that the “Leader’s” lightning attack from above?! Yeah, kids are definitely not gonna hold this off… Freyja dodges the lightning bolts, closing in on the black gem.

Just a little more—when suddenly, a tornado of lightning erupts around the gem, swallowing Freyja whole.

"AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

"Damn it!"

I told Leo I’d handle it… but now he’s struggling to contain the “Leader.” The main reason? The Black Knight’s too close—Emily can’t use her unique skill, “Black Sun.”

And…

Dozens of arms float in midair. Those are the “Leader’s” limbs—each one casting a different spell, attacking from all directions.

The one coming at me is a reinforced arm, defense boosted by Enhancement Magic—no matter how many bullets I fire, it doesn’t budge. I’m being pushed back—

“Dark Bind!”

Emily’s dark magic shackled my arm. I tried to pull it into the darkness—but another arm, crackling with lightning magic, shot toward Emily.

I fired wildly, trying to blast it off, but even without Enhancement Magic, its defense was too high. It wouldn’t budge.

In that moment, a lightning strike hit near Emily. She was thrown back, breaking the Dark Bind.

My teammates weren’t faring much better.

Sara and Lewis were barely holding their own against arms wielding fire and earth magic—just keeping one arm pinned down was all they could manage.

Arthur and Victor were teaming up against a single arm.

Which left Carlo bearing the brunt.

Facing the Leader head-on, juggling multiple arms and the main body. Carlo’s summoned Amon was barely blocking attacks…

The Leader swung his crescent-shaped sword with full force.

Amon split clean in two, vanishing in black smoke. The golden weapon in the Leader’s left hand swung—crackling lightning arced across the field, sealing off every approach.

It’s not even fair! We’re done for like this!

I linked my two pistols together, forming a rifle-like shape. I aimed at the black gem floating above, gathering magic into the barrel.

“Fall down!!”

The bullet shot forward—sucked straight into the target. Five times the power of a normal round… but the magic drain was brutal. Come on, work this time!

The bullet detonated—fire and debris scattered across the ground.

I looked up, praying. The gem above me just hovered there, untouched. No effect… We’re out of options.

Only Emily’s “Black Sun” could pierce that magical barrier… but it can’t reach that far, and worse—her innate skill’s sealed right now.

What do I do………

—— Combined Magic ——

“Thunder God Annihilation!!”

A single bolt of lightning pierced through the “magic barrier,” shattering the black gem into pieces.

Where the lightning struck, a hole opened—bottomless, surrounded by raging flames. I didn’t know what the hell just happened, but I only know one person on this planet who could pull off a spell like that.

On the rooftop overlooking the plaza where we were fighting, a man stood. Holding the “Dragon Ash Blade” I’d given him that day…….

“Teacher!!”

“Oh, Noah! Haven’t seen you in a while—look at you, all grown up.”