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Chapter 23 — The Dragon’s Vengeance
The battlefield stank of scorched earth and iron. Ash drifted in the wind like smoke from a dying fire. Hirauka and Sayaka stepped onto the ruined coast, blades and trident at the ready, senses alert to the chaos around them.
Sayaka’s voice cut through the clamor. “Now tell me—what happened between you two?”
Hirauka shrugged, focusing on the horizon. “Nothing, Sayaka. You worry too much about her.”
“You think I’m a fool?” Sayaka snapped. “Tell me.”
“I told you—nothing happened.”
“Do you trust me or not?”
“I trust you. But you don’t trust me.”
“I do trust you, which is why I know you’re lying.”
Hirauka sighed, the weight of honesty pressing down. “Okay… she confessed her love for me, and I refused.”
Sayaka softened. “So that’s why she looked so sad.”
“Yeah.”
“She seemed perfect—anyone would be lucky.”
“She is.”
“Then who do you love?” Sayaka asked quietly.
“I don’t love anyone except my mother. Now focus on the raid.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Sayaka blinked, then bowed her head. “Fine.”
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They moved into the fray. Armored demons swarmed the coast; winged beasts streaked overhead, spitting fire that hissed against the sand. Hirauka danced through them with twin blades, cutting arcs of silver light, while Sayaka’s trident carved lines of burning radiance through the enemy. Together, they pushed forward, clearing the field, protecting nearby settlements from annihilation.
A massive dragon ripped through the sky, jaws open for Hirauka. “A dragon—no problem,” he muttered, summoning the Dragon Slayer. With a flash, the blade cleaved through scales and bone; the beast fell, sulfur filling the air.
Elsewhere, a dragon charged Sayaka. She hurled her trident; it pierced the creature’s gut and pinned it to the ground. The beast shrieked before going still. Rejoining Hirauka, the two moved as one, cutting down wave after wave of demonic minions.
“They’re too many,” Hirauka warned.
“You know what to do,” Sayaka replied, eyes fierce.
She planted her trident in the sand and struck twice. A shockwave of blinding light erupted, washing over the battlefield. Demons screamed, fire fizzled, and when the dust settled, nothing moved.
Hirauka wiped his blades, a grin forming. “Well done. Now—time for the boss.”
The air shifted. A voice rolled over the field like thunder.
“Well, well. You wiped out my army. Impressive. But you cannot kill me.”
A colossal figure descended from the sky, scales glittering like molten metal. Ryujin, King of Dragons, stood before them.
“You both came by your choice,” Ryujin said, voice shaking cliffs, “but you will return by mine.”
“Stay alert,” Sayaka warned. “He’s the Dragon King. His claws are lethal, and his transformations—”
“I’ve got it,” Hirauka said, tensing.
Ryujin’s eyes scanned him. “So you are Hirauka. Ah—you wield a Dragon Slayer. How quaint.” He reached out and snapped the sword like a twig.
“You are nothing against me,” Ryujin growled.
Hirauka slammed his remaining blade into Ryujin’s claw. The dragon twisted; again the sword broke under inhuman strength.
“You see?” Ryujin paced, predator-like. “When you killed my kin, rage filled me. Not just any dragon—you killed my son, mortal. Now I will spill your blood.”
Ryujin’s tone dropped to a bitter whisper. “When I told my mate, she wept at my feet—pleading for our child. Do you know how that felt?”
“Don’t listen to him,” Sayaka shouted, stepping forward.
“Silence!” Ryujin bellowed. Flames erupted from his maw, slicing toward Sayaka. They struck her chest. She screamed as fire burned through armor and flesh, collapsing onto the sand, badly wounded.
“Sayaka!” Hirauka roared, fury igniting inside him. He lunged, blades flashing—but Ryujin was liquid speed and stone strength combined, striking back before Hirauka could land a hit.
“Why don’t you use your legendary weapon?” Ryujin taunted. “It failed before.”
“I don’t need it!” Hirauka spat, charging with everything he had. His fists and blades struck the dragon, but Ryujin shrugged them off as if they were insects.
“Last chance,” Ryujin warned. “Use it.”
Hirauka’s jaw clenched. He focused, calling upon the forge within, summoning the Infinity Axe, blazing with blue aura. He hurled it like a comet.
Ryujin caught it effortlessly, tossing it aside as if it were paper. The axe vanished into the sea.
“My legendary weapon—” Hirauka muttered, stunned.
Ryujin’s eyes gleamed. “Even that cannot pierce me. Lord Makugan has blessed me with the power of the Third Gem—Guardian of Emergence. Your weapons are useless.”
With a roar, Ryujin lunged. Claws arcing like scythes, he struck. Hirauka staggered, sand and blood flying, the faint cry of injured Sayaka echoing behind him.
Then Sayaka’s eyes snapped open. Her hands clenched the trident. With a strength carved from sheer willpower, she pushed herself up—and stepped directly in front of Hirauka, shielding him from the dragon’s fury.
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(End scene — the tension is set for Hirauka and Sayaka to face Ryujin together, pushing both their powers to the limit.)
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