Five years after their meeting with the Priestess, their group of eight managed to barely reach the peak of their abilities.

Although they were late and still lacking compared to the Players who reached the peak for quite a long time now, their threat could still not be ignored.

"Kaiden… Are you sure you're ready?"

Fey, the only female elf in the group, inquired.

This would be their last mission and their failure means death…

"I should be the one asking that…"

Kaiden replied as he looked at everyone.

They discovered that the Players were just normal people like them, their physical qualities were not different from humans and many of these Players doesn't appear to be fit in combat.

In truth, the Priestess was just referring to them as foreigners. People from a different land and not some blessed being just like how the Players claimed for themselves.

However, they can't change the fact that the Players had an advantage against them, it was their broad knowledge about superpowers.

For some reason, they were adept in using these powers unlike them who were like walking blindly in every step.

No one was there to teach them and could only explore the limits of their powers by spending many years of trial and error.

"Rainart, Mile… Whatever happens to me, just focus on your mission to protect Kaiden…"

Helvi, a previous knight of the Kingdom, reminded the two.

Her mission was probably the most difficult one as she's the only person here with defensive Fourth-Tier ability.

"We know… Just buy us some time…" Mile replied in a serious tone. Many of them will surely die in this dangerous mission but once Kaiden reached the Throne, it will be their win.

Kaiden didn't say anything as he looked at Arial, his best friend, who stayed with him ever since his family was killed.

There were also the twin brothers, Raizen and Reese, who helped him a lot when he was still growing and mastering his First-Tier abilities secretly.

The two will be leading the members of the Resistance that was formed to fight against the Players. Although the resistance's members were weak. They might help him distract the players and buy him some time to reach the Throne.

"Let's go…"

He felt that everyone will get emotional if they didn't end their conversation here… They have to focus on their mission.

'I can't fail…'

Kaiden muttered to himself as he took the pressure of saving their land.

***

Finally, after escaping death several times, Kaiden saw the Throne that will give them hope in this wretched world...

"It's beautiful…" Kaiden said in a weak voice. He knows that 'beautiful' is not enough to describe what he was seeing right now, however, he couldn't find another befitting word for such a masterpiece.

"Haa… Haa… Haa…"

Kaiden breathes heavily as he was full of injuries. It wasn't easy to arrive at this place at all... He lost too much blood and his body was about to give up.

At this rate, he was sure that even a single First-Tier spell would kill him instantly.

Boom!

A chaotic battle was still ongoing outside the palace, summoned Meteors are falling, Demons are creeping out of the abyss, the undead is rising, thunderstorms are coming, and even Earthquakes were a common occurrence.

It was like the end of the world as various Fourth-Tier Skills were being used by his comrades including the Players.

No one was saving their abilities in this final showdown.

Graaa!!!

Kaiden heard a Dragon's roar as he clenched his fist tightly.

It wasn't just one but there seems to be five or more of them.

Dragons were not creatures that can be summoned easily. Even though it is only a Third-Tier Ability, the drawback can be detrimental to the summoner.

Even the players were trying to avoid it, especially when summoning multiple of them.

However, there was one person in their group who wouldn't hesitate to do it even if it would cause permanent damage to their bodies…

'Arial…'

Kaiden's weakening body gained some strength as he hurried to the throne…

Three steps… Four steps… Five steps…

It was taking too long. Kaiden was worried that a player would suddenly appear…

However, it seems that they're too confident with themselves and they didn't set up any other defense in the throne room except for the guards outside.

Thud!

He finally reached the Throne… He couldn't even take a seat on it and could only touch one of its ornate legs that are carved with angel wings.

However, it didn't go unnoticed. It was sensed by the powerful Players and many of them hurried to his location…

Kaiden pulled out a medallion from his chest pocket and muttered some words…

Bang!

A Player crashed from the ceiling as he made his way into the Throne room.

There, he saw Kaiden filled with blood as he stares coldly at him.

The Player recognized the man as his face paled… He had a bad feeling about this.

"Move!!"

The man shouted. He could cast a spell to move Kaiden but dashing on him and dragging him away would be faster…

However, it was too late. He saw Kaiden with a relieved expression as he smiles at him.

This is not a good sign for them.

The Players were not too sure about the power of the Throne, but they know that it was something that could threaten them if it was used by the right person.

Soon, his vision was blinded by a bright light and he couldn't do anything.

***

Kaiden opened his eyes after some difficulty…

He saw a familiar ceiling but he couldn't remember where he had seen this…

He's currently lying on a wooden bed so he quickly stood up.

"Urghh… Where am I?"

He looked at the surroundings and after a couple of seconds, his face lit up…

"Ahhh… I really came back!"

Kaiden exclaimed and looked at his arms and legs.

He then touched his face to confirm his appearance. Unfortunately, there's no mirror in this house so he can't take a look at it.

The young man closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself…

'I did it, everyone… Thank you… I will not waste this opportunity…'