'I will have to take a deeper look into it when I get the chance. But, for now, I can't afford to let my thoughts wander.'

While numerous theories entered Izroth's mind, he was forced to set them aside as the time limit was quickly ticking away.

​​

There were less than twenty seconds remaining until he was forcibly ejected from the platform. At that point, it would be considered his loss!

Izroth swiftly scanned his surroundings; however, because of Tal'Nis' overbearing sword intent, he was unable to use his Energy Vision Sense.

Swoosh!

〈Battle Alert: Your protective aura has absorbed a hit.〉

The "water" created by Tal'Nis' sword intent distorted near Izroth, causing him to receive a hit. Fortunately, he was well protected by not only his Dragon's Scales but also the new ability he acquired, Dragon's Soul.

*«Dragon's Soul» - The user gains the following benefit(s) for 30 minutes or until their «Dragon Force» runs out:

Dragon Force: 1

-The user can now utilize «Dragon Force». (Not Recommended with user's current level and Dragon Force)

-All stats are increased based on the user's «Dragon's Force». (Not Recommended with user's current level and Dragon Force)

-??? (Dragon Force Insufficient)

-??? (Dragon Force Insufficient)

-??? (Dragon Force Insufficient)

-??? (Dragon Force Insufficient)

-??? (Dragon Force Insufficient)

«Dragon Force» - A natural force unique to the dragon race that empowers their physique and abilities. This ability is understood naturally by those of the dragon race as it is akin to breathing for them.

Cooldown: None

'One... I'm not sure how low or high that is for Dragon Force, but it's likely the lowest it goes. Even so, my body feels incredibly light and sturdy. Even that attack just now—I couldn't feel it.'

Before when Izroth protected himself with his defensive skills, he still suffered from the impact of the blows. But, Dragon's Scales, paired with the physical enhancement that Dragon Force provided him, shot Izroth's overall power to an entirely different level!

'Dragon Force... It sounds somewhat similar to Essence; however, its description is a little too broad. Then again, it is a power meant for the dragon race.'

How did humans teach each other to breathe? They didn't. It was something that came naturally to them—an instinct carved into their being. So then, how would one go about explaining to someone who has never breathed before, how to breathe? Izroth believed that this was the case with a human using Dragon Force.

Still, just from having the Dragon Force present in his body, Izroth benefited greatly.

'With this, it may be possible. Whether or not he is correct, however...'

Not too long ago, Izroth got a sudden message from Niflheim. But, it was strange.

One of the important things brought up during their conversation before the battles started was maintaining a party chat silence. This meant that while someone was in the middle of a battle, they would not send messages over the party chat. This was for obvious reasons such as not distracting the one fighting or throwing them off.

As for merely muting their party chat before their turn was up—this was not a good idea. After all, there may be more to the third stage than Tal'Nis admitted. If that was the case, in a situation when one or two seconds could be the difference between life and death, it was important for them to be able to alert everyone as soon as possible.

Therefore, if Niflheim himself was willing to break this rule and send him a message, Izroth knew that it had to hold a great deal of importance. And, upon reading its contents, Izroth confirmed that he was correct. To win without winning—Niflheim's approach to this intrigued Izroth. But, after acquiring Dragon Force, Izroth decided to take his own approach.

It was not often he met an opponent he could go all out against. How could Izroth pass up such a rare opportunity?

Do not try to win? To win without winning? None of it mattered. Right now, there was only one thing on Izroth's mind. No matter what, he would reach Tal'Nis with his blade!

"Oh? He survived? Even if I held back quite a bit, I did not necessarily go easy on him. It should have been enough to kill him five times over. Also, that power... If I am not mistaken, he is using Dragon Force. Strange, I'm certain that he is fully human. How can he use a force unique to the dragon race? He continues to surprise me." Tal'Nis internalized as her lips curled into a smile.

Tal'Nis extended her arm as the flood of sword intent started to withdraw from the platform. In less than half a breath, the sword intent gathered before Tal'Nis and reached a point of extremity.

"You continue to earn my respect, Izroth. Although I wish to give you more time, it would not be fair to keep the last participant waiting. That is why I will show you—the true form of my Nine Cycle Cloudburst." Tal'Nis said calmly.

At the same time, the sword intent in front of her morphed into a single sword.

The sword that appeared was an untainted white and without flaw. And, the instant that sword materialized, the blues flames that made up Tal'Nis' hair also turned white.

"I'm glad you think so highly of me," Izroth said in a carefree manner as he slid his right foot forward and slightly lowered his stance.

He held the Sword of The Storm at his front with the tip of the spear in his left hand pointing towards the ground behind him.

When he took his stance, a deep and saturated loosely flowing mantle formed of the lightning element covered Izroth from head to toe. The only thing visible besides the weapons in his hands was his dragon-like eyes now infused with a violet aura.

The purple electricity continually pulsed throughout the mantle as the currents contained within resembled a living heartbeat.

Izroth had chosen to use his Second State: Heavenly Cloak, Full Mantle!

'Thanks to the Dragon Force, the threshold damage from Dragon's Scales was contained. Now, even the strain Full Mantle places on my body is negligible. It's a shame the effects are only temporary. But, since that's the case, I will have to make the most of it while it's here.'

Suddenly, Izroth's figure began to warp and bend as a small flash of purple light flashed and he vanished.

At first, there was silence as the area of the platform where Izroth stood broke apart; however, a few moments later, the sound finally managed to catch up to his movements.

Crrrckle... BOOM!

An implosive thunderclap rang throughout the third stage as Izroth had already arrived within striking range of Tal'Nis!

When Izroth arrived, he was greeted by the sight of a white streak that was mere centimeters away from his face. However, Izroth did not panic.

Located near the palm of Izroth's hand clutched around the hilt of his Sword of the Storm, was a colorless ring.

The colorless ring rapidly expanded and covered a radius of twenty meters in every direction.

For a fleeting moment, less than a fraction of a second, the energy that made up Tal'Nis' sword protected aura wavered.

Though just before the colorless ring expanded, Izroth employed Zakra's Harmonic Spear of Causality. But, he did not use it against Tal'Nis. Rather, Izroth used it on himself! Or, to be more precise, his Boundless Nullifying Expanse.

Normally, the Nullification Zone produced by the Boundless Nullifying Expanse placed harsh restrictions on those caught inside the area's range of effect. It not only removed buffs but also rendered things like weapon effects and skills that used any type of energy source useless. Even Izroth was not spared from these restrictions.

However, Izroth manipulated the causality between himself and the Boundless Nullifying Expanse.

In simple terms, Izroth was able to momentarily circumvent the Nullification Zone's restrictions.

Since he could not yet exert perfect control over causality, Izroth chose to go a different route. Instead of trying to completely change the underlying principles of the Nullification Zone, he used a method of the utmost simplicity—he delayed the time period when he would be affected by the restrictions!

Of course, this was not without its risk. For one, with his current mastery, Izroth was only able to delay it by two seconds. And, the moment he activated the Nullification Zone, it had already shown signs of breaking due to the huge energy gap that existed between himself and Tal'Nis.

By the time the two-second delay was over, Izroth knew that Tal'Nis would no longer be affected by the Nullification Zone. When that moment arrived, the delayed effect would catch up to Izroth as he would be placed under the restrictions of his own Nullification Zone. At that point, his Dragon Force and Full Mantle would end and he would be left at the complete mercy of Tal'Nis.

That's why there was no backup plan or next move. For Izroth, this next strike would decide everything!

Izroth poured every remaining ounce of Essence he had remaining into his Sword of The Storm as the Dragon Force in his body raged on!

'Third Baneful Sword... Annihilation.'