So... um...
Crocus was standing right in front of me.
He looked completely different. Actually, let me rephrase that—he looked wildly different.
His physical form hadn't changed much, but he was wearing a human disguise.
Even so, I'd recognize his voice and aura anywhere. His aura wasn't just strong; it had become something else entirely.
A little over four years ago, when we first fought, he wasn't anywhere close to this level.
Seeing him now, I realized he must have been holding back immensely back then.
So this is the true power of the Hunter Dragon.
I subconsciously swallowed hard. What was his motive?
Oddly enough, I couldn't sense much malice from him.
Compared to Haidoro's suffocating toxic energy, Crocus almost looked like a saint.
[Pratik]: What... what are you doing here?
I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
[Crocus]: It seems you've regained control of your body. To answer your question, my presence here was purely coincidental.
Coincidental, my foot.
[Pratik]: I... I see. So you helped us?
I tried to sound composed, but I knew I was failing miserably.
[Crocus]: In a manner of speaking, yes. The energy surging from your body was disturbing the region where I was standing alongside two Sorcerers. I simply came to investigate the source.
[Pratik]: Ah. Sorry about that.
I let out a weak, embarrassed laugh.
Yikes... I really went overboard, didn't I?
Regardless... what did he want now?
[Pratik]: So... what do you want from me?
I asked, trying for a casual tone.
I mean, he wasn't completely evil, right?
He probably had his own reasons for doing what he did.
As he stood there staring down at me, I thought... he must have his own story.
Maybe he's actually a decent Dragoling after all.
[Crocus]: I wish to spar with you.
I take it all back. He is evil incarnate—a supreme final boss whose malice makes Haidoro look like an amateur.
[Haidoro]: Nothing dwarfs my malice!
Shut up, lizard, I snapped back at Haidoro in my soul realm.
[Pratik]: How about... we take a rest for now, sir?
I offered, trying to sound as feeble as possible.
There was zero chance I was fighting this monster right now.
[Crocus]: A pity. In that case, the next time we meet shall be a formal duel. I expect you to honor it.
[Pratik]: Of course!
Yes! And I hope we never meet again as long as I live!
Before I could say anything else, he vanished into thin air. He really was in a league of his own.
Leaping off the ruined moon, I began my descent back toward the Ka77 Kingdom.
I was naive enough to think everything had settled down nicely.
The moment I landed, Mala delivered a brutal kick straight to my groin.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
I doubled over, clutching myself in agony as tears welled up in my eyes.
Not there!
[Mala]: I hope that knocks you back to reality.
She said with a smirk.
I wanted to punch that smirking face so badly, but I was too busy crawling on the ground in total agony.
Still... she wasn't wrong. I was the idiot who dug his own grave trying to meet up with her so soon.
[Kel]: Now that things have settled, I can clearly sense Haidoro's presence residing within him.
Stop talking! You're just digging my grave deeper!
[Grimori]: It is entirely possible Haidoro's soul has been dormant in his body for the past four years.
Stop it already! You guys are digging my grave deeper than the Mariana Trench!
[Mala]: Is that so?
Mala's smile turned terrifyingly dark.
[Mala]: So many secrets... In that case, it seems he deserves a far grander display of our appreciation.
No... please... no...
On that day, I genuinely regretted being born.
*
Two days later,
the Royal Guards of the Supreme Ruler arrived to investigate the aftermath.
The Supreme Ruler? Someone like that actually exists?
When I asked Yuwah about it, he just stared at me with a look of utter disappointment.
Turns out he had already explained it to me once before. I just completely forgot.
Not my fault, by the way!
As a reward for liberating the kingdom, the Supreme Ruler personally invited us to his palace.
While there were a few loose ends I wanted to investigate, I decided to put them on hold for now.
Meeting the Supreme Ruler was too big an opportunity to pass up.
What kind of ruler would he be? What kind of power did he possess?
*
Monster Realm — The Burning Capital, Burning Palace
Kae was playing table tennis with Kara. With a final, effortless stroke, Kae closed out the match with a decisive 11–0 victory.
As Kara let out a quiet sigh, the table shimmered and vanished into thin air.
[Kara]: It appears I am no match for you, my lord.
[Kae]: Heh, who can truly speak for the future? Perhaps a day will dawn when you triumph over me in a game of chance or skill.
Kae's tone remained tranquil, his habitual, unreadable smile resting gently on his face.
[Kae]: Ah. It seems we have a guest.
He turned his gaze toward the massive grand doors.
Kara followed his eyes just as Crocus stepped into the hall.
[Kara]: Entering unannounced is hardly fitting conduct, Crocus.
Kara said, his voice deep and rough.
[Crocus]: Pardon the intrusion. I am merely here to offer my greetings.
[Kae]: Greetings received.
Kae replied, his serene expression unchanging.
[Crocus]:As requested, I have discreetly slipped the letter you entrusted to me into Pratik's pocket. I trust I was not delayed.
[Kae]: Haha, not in the least. Everything unfolds precisely within the bounds of expectation.
Crocus raised his eyes slightly.
[Crocus]: May I inquire as to what was written within that letter?
[Kara]: That knowledge is not yours to seek.
Kara interjected coldly.
[Kae]: It is no matter, Kara. The letter contained fragments of truth regarding an ancient warrior—Ashoka Tribhuja, the first leader of the Immortalus Society. Four years ago, the Asura Emperor Shayya laid a mandate upon me: to seek out any living bloodline descended from Ashoka Tribhuja.
Kara's eyes widened with quiet surprise.
[Kae]: Speak what lies upon your mind, Kara.
Kae said softly, without even turning to look at his servant's startled face.
[Kara]: Disclosing such intelligence regarding Ashoka Tribhuja... how does this serve your search, Your Majesty?
Kae leaned back into his throne, his constant smile reflecting an inner, inscrutable depth.
[Kae]: Call it the flutter of a butterfly's wing, or the falling of the first domino... it matters little. All things that breathe and burn spiral bound to the currents of fate. We do not command the river; we merely choose the precise moment to lend it a gentle nudge.
Crocus observed the exchange with a passive, stoic expression.
Such grand designs held little weight for him—he was merely an instrument passing through.
Offering a final gesture of respect, Crocus turned and departed the grand hall.
[Kara]: My Lord... I sense presences approaching the palace grounds.
[Kae]: Ah, that would be Team PALGMK. I extended an invitation for them to audience with me, the Supreme Ruler.
Kara looked toward the western horizon, his expression darkening slightly.
[Kara]: I sense another group converging from the west as well.
[Kae]: That must be Krishna and the others—Team GATSKALTT. Uninvited, yet stepping precisely into the weave I have laid out.
Kae's smile widened ever so slightly.
[Kae]: Let the convergence begin.
To be continued...
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