Chapter 12: Forbidden Spell
The battlefield advanced under the relentless assault of the monsters.
The Stone Plant Guardian's heavy footsteps cracked the ground beneath his feet.
The Assassin's shadows moved like serpents, waiting for a chance to strike.
The Sniper's bow-arm was ready to shoot Ank at any moment.
Ank's chest felt heavy with every attack. His wooden sword started cracking, its tip stained with his blood.
The countdown ticked mercilessly.
57 seconds before unconsciousness
56 seconds before unconsciousness
55 seconds before unconsciousness
He clenched his fist, forcing his trembling legs to hold.
"Just one more swing… just one…" he muttered, while his body was screaming.
The Guardian roared, raising its colossal stone arm high. The air trembled as it came crashing down.
Ank rolled sideways, dirt and stone exploding where he once stood.
But before he could counter, the Assassin emerged from the shadows, its thorned vines piercing his heart.
Stab!
Pain surged through his body. Venom spread into his bloodstream.
His healing factor activated at once, making the poison disappear from his body, knitting the wound, healing his heart.
His vision darkened.
And then—
Whizz!
The Sniper's arrow struck. It pierced Ank's thigh, embedding deep into the muscle.
Blood spurted before his flesh began repairing. But it wasn't fast enough.
40 seconds before unconsciousness
39 seconds before unconsciousness
38 seconds before unconsciousness
The system's cold reminders were like knives. He cursed it, cursed the destruction, cursed himself.
"Once, I destroyed galaxies without moving a finger," he whispered to himself. "And now—I can't even kill low-level monsters."
As if mocking him, the earth cracked open again.
From within the ground, a new figure rose.
The creature was wearing heavy armor made of intertwined moss, bark, and metal plates with glowing green runes. It was holding a large sword and shield, and he pointed his sword on me after coming to the surface.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Knight]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]*10
[Energy: 50000]*10
[Strength: 50000]*10
[Constitution: 30000]*10
[Stamina: 100000]*10
[Charisma: 100]*10
[Intelligence: 100]*10
[Skill : Knight]
[Spells: Dark Atmosphere, Blade Vine Slash]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into a Knight, armored and ruthless. Its Dark Atmosphere skill make the surrounding dark that break opponent will to fight.
The Knight unsheathed its vine-blade, the air around it twisting into a suffocating darkness.
Ank's chest tightened instantly. His breathing grew shallow, as if the oxygen itself had been devoured.
His arms felt like lead, his legs like stone.
And then, from above the treetops—
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
Arrows rained down, exploding upon impact. The trees destroyed, flames started where explosive seeds landed.
Another window appeared before Ank.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Archer]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]*10
[Energy: 50000]*10
[Strength: 50000]*10
[Constitution: 30000]*10
[Stamina: 100000]*10
[Charisma: 100]*10
[Intelligence: 100]*10
[Skills :Archer]
[Spells: Rapidfire Pebble Shot, Explosive Seed Arrow]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into an Archer, striking swiftly from afar.
Five.
There were five of them now.
Guardian. Assassin. Sniper. Knight. Archer.
Each one a high-class monster. Each one radiating the oppressive aura of predators encircling their prey.
His wooden sword cracked under his grip. His mind screamed for him to run.
But Maya's unconscious form lay behind him, defenseless.
There was nowhere to run.
30 seconds before unconsciousness
29 seconds before unconsciousness
28 seconds before unconsciousness
The Guardian stomped forward, shaking the ground.
The Assassin slid through shadows.
The Sniper aimed another lethal shot.
The Knight raised its blade.
The Archer drew back its bow.
Five monsters attacked at once.
Ank's eyes burned with fury.
"I am Ank," he growled. "I am no coward.
I was once Emperor of the Universe, ruler of universes. I will not lose."
He took one piece of broken sword in his hand. He swung it forward, pouring every ounce of willpower into one desperate strike.
"COME!"
Clang!
The Guardian blocked with its Stonewall Shield. The impact sent shockwaves rippling, trees snapping nearby.
Ank staggered but refused to fall.
Slash!
The Knight's blade sliced across his chest, blood spraying.
Whizz!
The Sniper's arrow buried into his shoulder.
Stab!
The Assassin's thorn pierced his ribs.
Boom!
The Archer's explosive arrow struck at his feet, throwing him back, his body scorched and torn.
Ank slammed against a tree, coughing blood. His healing activated again, knitting his broken ribs, forcing the venom out of his body, repairing burnt skin—but his stamina bled away with every second.
20 seconds before unconsciousness
19 seconds before unconsciousness
18 seconds before unconsciousness
The monsters advanced, their forms moving like executioners.
Ank's eyes dimmed. His breath rattled. His body was at its limit.
Is this… the end?
For a brief moment, he saw flashes of his past.
Armies kneeling.
Stars burning.
Galaxies destroyed by his sword.
His throne of eternity.
His empire spanning infinity.
And now, he lay in the dirt, bleeding, holding a broken wooden sword.
A bitter smile spread across his lips.
"…How far the Emperor has fallen."
His knees buckled. The system's merciless timer rang again.
10 seconds before unconsciousness
9 seconds before unconsciousness
8 seconds before unconsciousness
The Guardian raised its arm for the finishing blow.
Ank closed his eyes.
Then—he opened them wide, a fire igniting within his gaze.
"No… not yet."
He had no other option besides using a forbidden spell that could cost his life.
But then he remembered—he was giving his life to protect someone.
So, without hesitation…
He spread his trembling hands, summoning power buried deep within his soul.
Words he had vowed never to use escaped his lips.
"Forbidden Spell: Atomic."
[Description: Within 100 meters, all existence is vaporized into nothingness.]
The ground trembled. Air distorted. Reality itself seemed to waver around him.
The monsters froze. Even they sensed death.
The Guardian roared, charging to interrupt him.
The Assassin lunged from the shadows.
The Sniper fired desperately.
The Knight swung.
The Archer rained arrows.
But Ank roared louder.
The energy exploded outward.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The mountain shook. Trees disintegrated. Stone shattered. The very air warped. Within a hundred meters, everything—soil, rock, monster—was reduced to nothingness.
Bright light consumed the battlefield.
3 seconds before unconsciousness
2 seconds before unconsciousness
1 second before unconsciousness
The explosion faded. Smoke and silence remained.
Ank's body collapsed. His wooden sword crumbled into ash.
Darkness swallowed him whole, leaving his body covered in countless wounds.
And finally, he closed his eyes and lost consciousness.