It's chapter 11 guys! I took a long time to edit this one to make sure it is good enough. the first chapter of mine which reach 5k words so it took time for me to review, revise, and make sure it is good enough. That's why don't hold back to comment and tell me if there's something off or bad grammar or maybe bad sentence structure here.

Anyway, I will take a break soon(or really slow update). But don't worry, I'll finish this arc first. Because it seems I'm going to be busy and in progress of writing the next arc. As the next arc might be really freshly written, i wish you guys could point out the problem just like always (though, small number of people do point it out while some only read/said thanks... But hey, I'm grateful enough because people read my story! Thanks!)

* * * *

“Anyway, I mean who wouldn't be hyped? I finally get new power. With this even I can help.”

Shou clenched his fist in full spirit.

“Ah… yeah I guess…”

While Mao looks a bit gloomy. Of course she hadn't told Shou about her encounter with a certain someone. She also didn’t know why she hadn’t told him. While Shou is in high spirit because he might be able to help more, Mao didn’t think that his power could defeat easily.

“What’s up Mao, you haven’t been in high spirit since a while.”

Concerned, Shou comes to Mao side.

“…Are you still concerned about… er… after thinking a while I guess that’s… okay..?”

Mao then shook her head.

“No, it’s not about that. Un, I guess it’s nothing to worry about after all! I’m just feeling a bit down.”

‘I guess, I will tell him. Some other time, not now, but surely I will tell him.’ And Mao strengthens her will. Surely, one day will come when she will tell Shou about it. For now she will just keep quiet as it’s not the time yet.

“Now let’s go! Our destination is up ahead.” Shou cracked the silence.

‘I guess for now I just need to cheer up.’ “OK!”

Facing a cave in front of them, Shou and Mao enter with determination. Knowing that they will be facing a dragon ahead, both of them prepare themselves both physically and mentally.

“Shall we?”

Shou offered his hand to Mao as he inquired, checking if Mao had prepared herself.

“Un, Let’s go.”

Taking Shou's hand, Mao answered with determination. Now, in her eyes there is no more hesitation because she had cast away every doubt. She had determined that she will one day tell him. Of course this is just running away for now, but even running away will gives people some strength. So she had decided, to run away, to avoid problem just for now. She will not falter again, as she decided that she will face them forward one day.

“Haah.” Shou takes a deep breath. “Now, let's get ready…” he muttered in a small voice inaudible to Mao.

Shou also faced forward with determination. Because he had a promise. With Blaze… He will live and walk along with him, so he promised to himself to not falter. Myste and Eltain also will help him. Blaze also will lend him his power, no, he have lent him his power. That’s why he will not falter. Even if he is faced with dragon he promises he will trust in Myste and Eltain power. And of course he also trust Mao’s power.

These two people who have determination in their eyes, walked forward into the cave.

* * * *

“…Someone… two? No, should be more than two. I see, they’ve finally reach this place huh?”

In the darkness, a voice could be heard. Only a pair of eyes gleamed in the darkness. The pair of eyes is yellow colored and shaped like a reptilian eye.

“Interesting. Because you’ve piqued my interest, I shall entertain you people.”

The voice of silent laughter can be heard.

“Drake, calm yourself down.”

Then another voice cut down the laughter.

“Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”

“Hmm let’s see. Nothing in particular. I only want you to show your true power facing those people.”

“Khakakaka! Who do you think I am? Of course I will respect their braveness and will not holding back against them.”

Then the reptilian, no, the red dragon comes out from the darkness and walk into a bright room.

“This place seems good enough. Very well, I shall make this place to welcome them, and of course this place shall be the place where I say farewell and serve as their grave.”

“You better not underestimate them. I want to know whether they really are suited or not, especially that boy. And I also want to know how much the has grown.”

“Hmph, you may regret letting me to be their opponent.”

“Don’t worry, if they died, it means they are nothing to begin with. I expect many things from you, Yoshitaka Shou… well then, I need to do another thing so, farewell, Mr. Drake. I do hope that they stay alive.”

said so while holding Shou’s photo.

“I finally found something interesting after all.”

smirks and then disappears into the darkness. Leaving Shou’s photo behind, he went away without trace.

* * * *

“This place sure is dark.”

Shou complained while rubbing his forehead. His forehead is red because he bumped the wall a while ago. Because he can’t see well as there is no lighting, he can’t see a stalactite that was right before him and bumped his head.

“You sure complain a lot huh?”

Mao sighed.

“I don’t want to hear it from someone who usually complained a lot. But really, if only we have flashlight or something.”

“Flashlight? I think I picked up something like that.” Mao searched her belongings “Here, let’s use this.”

Mao brought out something cylindrical tube shaped. It certainly resembles normal flashlight but…

“I have a bad premonition, but let’s leave it at that.” Shou took the flashlight Mao offered. “Say… if I press the switch, this flashlight won’t explode right?”

Shou asked bewildered as he remembers about some explosive trap that shaped like a flashlight.

“… I don’t know.”

“…”

Silence fell on the two of them. In alert of the flashlight, Shou slowly touch the switch. His finger slowly traces the switch and--

“EIH!”

He pressed it.

“… nothing happened…”

“It’s not even lit up!”

Both of them relieved yet disappointed that nothing happened. Probably out of battery, the flashlight didn’t even light up properly. Feeling ridiculous for being in high alert before, both of them laughed.

“What the hell. It’s just some broken flashlight then? I feels like an idiot.”

“We sure are huh? Aa, now it ruined the mood.”

“Well, probably being easy-going like this suits us better, isn't it? Oh well--”

*pip*

“Huh?” “’Pip’?”

They both stay silent to hear the source of the sound more clearly.

*pip* *pip* now a red light also accompanies the sound.

“Oi oi, you must be kidding to think that it really is…”

“No way.”

The source of it was the flashlight Shou is holding right now.

*pip* *pip* *pip* the interval between the beep becomes shorter.

“Damn! Even for a joke--" Shou quickly throw away the ‘flashlight’ he holds. "THIS IS GOING OVERBOARD!!"

*BAAAAAM*

The ‘flashlight’ exploded. Luckily, it was a short explosion. The cave also didn’t cave in so the two of them still okay.

“… hey Mao, how much of it did you found?”

“… Excluding the one you threw, 5 of them.”

Shou turned to Mao and smirked cynically.

“Shall we keep it?”

And Mao answers Shou with a sly smile.

“Let’s keep it. It might prove useful later.”

To keep such a dangerous things with the intent to use it, both of them really hit off. Seeing such a villain-esque smile from both of them, you might even grant title, in a bad way of course.

By the way, even if the explosion didn’t make the cave to collapse, the wall that got hit by it now becomes a big hole and there’s a tunnel leading down.

“Um… so shall we get from the hole or walk with the normal route?”

“Do you even need to ask?”

“Hmph, you’re right. Let’s go.”

Both of them indiscreetly went inside the hole they formed. Really, these two make a good couple.

* * * *

They walked a bit and found that both of them inside some kind of treasury now and then...

‘Hmph, you may regret letting me to be their opponent.’

Both of them heard someone conversed.

‘Don’t worry, if they died, it means they are nothing to begin with.’

They are positioned not far from these two. Mao and Shou quickly hide their figure and try to peek inside.

‘I expect many things from you, Yoshitaka Shou… well then, I need to do another thing so, farewell, Mr. Drake. I do hope that they stay alive.’

Mao widens her eyes in surprise when she saw it was .

‘I finally found something interesting after all.’

“That’s… my photo from my world?! How is--"

Shou also surprised when he saw pulled out his photo.

Then, opened up a portal and disappears into it, only leaving Shou’s photo behind.

“A portal?! Does that connect to another world?”

Mao mumbled in inaudible voice, while Shou focused himself on his photo.

“Mao, it seems like we haven’t been noticed. The dragon seems like will be waiting for us to come from that door. It was dark and I couldn’t see clearly about the other guy but he seemed to be gone. For now, let’s sneak around.”

Shou sneak into the dark treasury without alarming the dragon, and then Mao slowly follows him. In the center of the treasury, they found a treasure chest differently colored than the others.

‘Master, it seems that this one hold something powerful.’

“Well I figure so. It is on the center of the room and shining unnaturally after all.”

“So? How about it Shou? Let’s just take the treasure and ditch the dragon.”

“I know right? Once we take the treasure, let’s go away.”

Shou lock picked and opens up the treasure chest. Truly just like a thief. But Mao and Shou gasped in confusion as the content is just a sword scabbard.

‘This is--! Master, take it!’

Myste raised her voice involuntarily and makes Mao and Shou panicked.

“I-idiot! Don’t raise your voice.”

Shou quickly took the scabbard. While he turned around--

“To think that you people are already here, how did you get in? I didn’t even notice. Very well, I might be negligent but… I won’t let you guys go away before defeating me!”

The dragon has already blocked their path.

Red scales, muscular body, two horns on its head, bat-like wings, sharp claw, lizard-like tail, and hint of fire from its mouth. A red colored dragon is standing on their way.

‘Uwaaaaa, this is bad. I hope this red dragon isn’t the last boss from--'

“I, the King of Dragons, -Hannibal Drake shall entertain you.”

‘And I was hoping he’s not! So unfortunate!!!’

“!!”

A jet black lance thrown from Mao’s hand to the dragon’s head. Unstoppable, swift, destructive, but it wasn’t enough to harm Hannibal. Mao still hasn’t awakened yet so her powers still not enough. Hannibal stopped the black lance with his fingers.

“What?!”

“He’s the dragon’s king you know? It won’t be an easy opponent. Neither fire nor ice effective against him, thunder wouldn’t even scratch him, he have darkness and holy resistance, seriously such a troublesome enemy.”

Shou already readied his sword, Eltain, and his left hand, Myste, seems to be glowing signaling she’s ready to fight. Seeing that, Mao also prepares herself.

“!!”

Shou slashed the air with Eltain filled full of magic creating an ‘X’.

“Send it away!” he took a pose like a baseball player trying to make a homerun swing “!!”

“Naive!”

The dragon slammed his right hand to the flying cross Shou created. The cross disappears only leaving a little scratch to the dragon.

“!!” Mao continues the attack.

“Hmph!” The dragon caught Mao’s scythe, with his hand.

“He caught it?! Seriously? 's scythe are that shouldn't be able to touched physically you know? This dragon always making me surprised here.”

“Mao, get away! !! Property, random!” Shou slashed his sword several time to the air creating several waves with different color, red, blue, yellow, black, white, brown, grey, violet, green, and some others. Of course each of them carries different element such as fire, ice, lightning, and some others element combinations.

Mao let go of her scythe and then it disappear. Still in the air, Mao casted magic once again.

“!!” then she melded something into her hand while still mumbling about something. Then a small ball created in her hand, she nodded and the ball disappears.

As the name implies, it was spell alchemy. A spell to meld and combine spells property, element, behavior, and appearance.

“Take it! !!”

7 lances created besides her, coated in fire, ice, lightning, earth, plant vines, dark aura, and white aura each ones. Fired randomly, but tracking the dragon like homing missiles, the lances danced in the air.

“Useless!”

The dragon withstood Shou’s wave while Mao’s lances leaving not even a scratch.

“Do you think such an attack will hurt me? Hah! Not even a scratch!”

Shou smirked.

“You think that was the real attack?”

“!”

Shou’s left hand already glowing brightly. Yes, just like that time, a wave that devour everything on its way. A destructive wave with only magic power being compressed and shot…

“Kameha--ah not that… !!”

A wave bigger than the one he shot at magic shop directed to Hannibal. Yet Hannibal only stood there without any intention to neither block nor avoid the wave.

“Khahahaha! Interesting! Very well human, I shall receive your attack!”

The magic wave hit him. But Hannibal still not staggering even a bit nor the magic wave passed through him. It’s just like Hannibal is a great wall that block the wave from passing through. Even though it devours trees and building in its way, Hannibal is still there. After the wave stop there is a little hint of damage on Hannibal’s body but--

“Hmph, it was pretty good but not enough. I acknowledge your power but that’s all.”

Yes, it was not enough to fatally wound him. Hannibal is still standing strong in front of them blocking their way.

“Now, it’s my turn!”

Hannibal opened his mouth. From his mouth can be seen red glow, he is readying his final attack.

Shou and Mao smirked. Yes, both of them are actually waiting for this moment.

“Idiot~ you think I will just wait for you to charge your attack? Mao!”

“Got it!”

Mao takes out 5 'flashlights' from her small pouch.

“! Wha-what’s that?!”

Surprised Hannibal was taken aback, but he couldn’t stop charging his attack.

“If you are that curious, I’ll let you taste it yourself! IT’S SHOW TIME!!!”

Shou and Mao threw the entire explosive to Hannibal, of course switched on.

*Baaaaaaaaam*

“Gyaaaaaaah!”

Hannibal screamed.

“Uwah… he said ‘Gyaaah!’…” Shou retorted in monotone.

This time the explosion is bigger, of course because it was 5 of them it makes bigger explosion than one. Hannibal defense is magic resistance but not very high on physical resistance, so of course he wouldn’t be able to go away unscratched from explosive as it isn’t magic. When the smoke disperses a fatally wounded Hannibal is down on the floor.

“…To think… that you humans would use such a… dirty trick…”

“Huh? Dirty trick? You must be dumb huh? Why would we wait for you to finish your attack? This phrase has become mainstream lately, but I’ll say it, this isn’t some kind of manga or anime where you wait for the enemy to finish charging their attack you know?”

Shou complained as he mock Hannibal who is down on the floor.

“Uwaaah, these kinds of idiot still exist huh?”

Mao also voiced her opinion with emotionless eye.

“Kuh, a hero or knight with pride wouldn’t dare to do that.”

Hannibal still protested refusing to fall down in unsightly manner.

“Sorry, but I’m no hero nor knight with pride and also, she is the , queen of all evil.”

Shou responded while takes out his gun and aimed it at point blank to Hannibal’s head.

“Good bye.”

Shou pulled the trigger. Echo of the gun’s voice reverberates inside the treasury. For a little while, when he pulled the trigger, Shou’s eyes changed. No not just that, even his atmosphere changed. Not just a bit, it was like a totally different person.

The dragon, who was fatally wounded, now has become a corpse. Shou who killed the dragon could only stares silently with a little sorrowful feeling inside him.

“As I thought, killing living things first hand leaves a bad taste after all…”

“…”

‘Master…’

To the sorrowful Shou, Mao and Myste can only offer a silence. After all she couldn’t do anything. Kill or be killed, that's the rule. Mao already suspected that Shou's world probably mostly at peace or he might be rarely exposed to battle between life and death.

‘Even though I know that in this world I would be killed. Even though I know that this is kill or be killed. Even if this is for surviving, as I thought it really isn’t easy to experience it first-hand, different from a game.’ “Oh well--"

Suddenly a flash comes from the dragon’s body, not allowing Shou and the others to calm down.

“Tch! Second stage?! Are you serious?”

Yes, this is probably a hint of second stage. As a classic final boss, there should be at least two or three stage to defeat.

“Well done, you humans. To defeat my dragon form, I commend you.”

This time, from Hannibal’s remnant comes out a humanoid form. It was humanoid yet its form would be closer to dragons. To make it more clearly, it was like a lizardman’s body with dragon wings and horn, and also his body is covered with supple muscle yet firm. At first glance it wasn’t as oppressive as his dragon form, but his aura felt more dangerous than before.

The dragon form before was undoubtedly very strong, then this form will be even stronger than the one before even though it has it pros and cons.

Hannibal’s dragon form can’t be hurt with magic, but it can be wounded considerably with physical attack. Thus, the explosive which deal a very strong physical damage could manage to fatally wound Hannibal. While indeed this form lowered his magic resistance a little, but this form has a considerably, no, excessively better agility than before. Not just agility, his physical resistance also gone up to a level where the explosion before would only wound him. Not to mention, there is also regenerative ability added, truly the last form of a final boss.

“In short, he becomes more troublesome the before huh? What should we do, Shou?”

“Attack him savagely. Hopefully we can damage him faster than his regeneration could heal him. Are you guys ready, Myste, Eltain?”

‘Right up!’

‘Ready.’

Their answer gives Shou a bit more reassurance. Without their help, who knows what kind of useless surplus he had already became. Shou readied his stance on guard.

“And Mao?”

“Needless to say.”

Answering without any hesitance, Mao sharpens her eyes. Seeing this Shou couldn’t help but to felt assured from the bottom of his heart, to have reliable allies. Once again he muttered.

“…I will also borrow a bit of your power, Blaze…”

His eyes also begin to concentrate. Taking out the gun he got from Blaze he holds it in his left hand which Myste resides, alongside with Eltain sword form in his right hand. His left hand began to burn, but he wasn’t scared, the fire wasn’t burning him, it was enveloping his left hand, it was Blaze’s protection. Taking a deep breath he then signals the start of a showdown.

“Let’s go! It’s SHOW TIME!”

This is his catchphrase. Whenever he said it, it gives him courage. And also, signal for his determination.

As soon as he said it loudly, Mao charged toward Hannibal with her magic and in her right hand. Shou also charged forward firing his gun and using Eltain creating sword waves toward Hannibal. Both of them released an all out attack to the unflinced Hannibal, many spells, sword waves, and bullets flew towards him. Despite the situation, Hannibal only shifted his position to barely avoid all attacks toward him.

“! As expected of Hannibal’s second form. Such an agility and also that composed behavior.”

Shou smirked. Their distance is reaching a head on melee battle. Shou readied Eltain while Mao also readied her . Both of them started attacking at the same time but--

*Klang*

A sound of metal clashed each other. It wasn’t Shou’s and Mao’s blade that clashed, they were sure their attack wouldn’t clash, so what was that sound? When both of them realized, it was Hannibal who obstructed their attack. He is holding a weapon, and iron halberd. He was parrying their attack with the halberd he held.

“I guess you wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.”

Hannibal swung the halberd. It didn’t actually hit them. It was 50 cm apart at least. And it was just a simple swipe and he clearly hold backs his power. But disregarding that, there was an unbearable force from his halberd that threw the both of them away with just one swipe.

Shou’s shirt’s lower left arm got torn away. While his right arm covered to almost his wrist, his left only reaches to his upper arm now and his left arm also got a little cut wound from it. His right leg also got cut and bleeds but it seems that the wound wasn’t much. Mao’s cape was torn a little bit while her waist got cut and bleeds a little, other than that there’s no other wound.

“Mao, Are you okay?”

“Hmph, it’s nothing I could still go on. What about you?”

“Same here nothing--"

Just right before he finish his sentence, something pierced into Shou’s left chest. The location where it pierced was where his heart is.

“…”

“Shou!”

“Hah, to thing that this is the human that cornered me, you really only good with your petty tricks.”

It was Hannibal.

It was Hannibal’s attack.

He threw a sharp lance towards Shou’s heart in an instance. There was nothing he could do to avoid or protect himself with.

“Ha… Hahahaha! Too easy! Too easy I say! You think this attack would do me in? You are too naive yourself Hannibal!”

Shou suddenly spoke like nothing happened. Then he pulls out the red lance that Hannibal threw from his chest. Mao and Hannibal looked at him with surprise.

“Hahaha! I really was lucky, to think such a classic gag help me.”

He rummaged his left pocket inside the vest and takes out a small black box. It was the remains of the Rubik’s cube like black box.

“This really makes me laugh! To think that such a scenario would help me!”

He lets out a smug smile to surface on his face but Hannibal still in silent while Mao’s face becomes pale.

“Human… You better look carefully…”

“Shou…”

‘Ma-master!’

Shou became confused seeing this. Why is Mao’s expression is growing more worried? And why even Hannibal’s eyes become that of pitying eye? Why is Myste..? And… why is he himself becoming more tired..? And then… he saw it…

“… No way… the cube is…”

Unscratched.

There is not even a scratch on it.

‘Then, the spear didn’t blocked by the cube?’

He thought.

‘Ah… I see… I even bled. So… Ahahaha! Damn, that was stupid. And I thought that some situation like out of film would help me? I was being a fool.’

“I see--” he lets out a sound and then he fell down limply on the ground. Like a doll cut off from its strings, he just fell down lifelessly. Like a standing stick without anything to hold it, he just fell down to the ground easily.

His body fell down. Blood flowed from his body. His vision becomes blurry. His energy left his body. He can’t move anymore. His voice refuses to come out.

‘Ah… am I going to die here? If only I could respawn… nah… I guess this is ‘dead end’? Oh right, this isn’t a game…’ Such a thought ran through his mind.

“SHOU!” Mao quickly reaches out to him. “Oi! Don’t you dare die on me! Shou! This is a joke right?! You could still stand up right?! Shou!”

But her voice grew more and more distant as Shou become more lifeless.

‘Ah… your voice makes me dizzy, shut up… ah no, I guess if you stop talking I would feel lonely. Ah, sorry for being so demanding. Now that I think about it, why does this girl fell in love with me? Is it really only because of what happened that time? I never really think much about it, but it sure is weird. I guess its useless now, I mean I’m about to die anyway.’

Then he fell into darkness…

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