[Nightmare’s Domain]
A shroud of darkness began to engulf the battlefield.
It was Luminous’ barrier that stretched across the scene, beginning to devour even the Brightness Dragon Lord’s brilliant radiance.
The situation was turning unfavorable.
‘How do I escape this?’
However, the sound of footsteps echoing through the darkness abruptly interrupted his thoughts, leaving him with no time to strategize.
A figure emerged—the one accountable for this dangerous predicament.
Was this woman Luminous?
The Brightness Dragon Lord furrowed his brows sharply.
But he didn't remain idle for long; he knew he had to act fast.
“Do your worst...Ugh!"
He roared, but suddenly felt his body growing heavier, as if a weight beyond his own size pressed down upon him.
It was the heavy debuff that was applied to him inside the barrier. Realizing this, he growled loudly.
“Do you really think such a trivial trick would bring me down?”
“Oh?”
Noting that the Dragon Lord was preparing another move, she and Mare instinctively widened the distance between them and him.
The Brightness Dragon Lord activated his Wild Magic, strengthening his entire body. Though its effects would be temporary, it allowed his body to endure in this domain of darkness.
His body began to radiate once again.
Luminous watched him carefully, scrutinizing every change in him.
“So, is it enhancement magic?”
“There’s no point in telling you. You won’t leave here alive. I’ll make sure you regret ever mocking me, the true Brightness Dragon Lord!”
Little by little, Luminous’s own barrier showed signs of being pushed back.
A bright glow of seven colors shone from the Brightness Dragon Lord’s body—a light that seemed to pierce darkness surrounding him.
Despite this, Luminous remained calm as she watched this lizard's antics. Right now, she just wanted to evaluate his strength and abilities.
If his magic had the power to penetrate her barrier, it would be cause for concern. But with how things were going, she didn't think that would ever happen. Now, she was simply getting bored.
“Mare, buy me a second.”
“Leave it to me!” Mare replied.
At the same time, a massive magic circle, nearly piercing the sky, began to form around a luminous, glowing blue.
‘No! I can't allow this.’
Despite not knowing what it was, the Brightness Dragon Lord, sensing the almost eerie danger, prepared himself and rushed to intercept Luminous.
But before he could, Mare stepped forward, raising his staff upward.
[Starfall]
Casting the 10th-tier spell, Mare summoned a meteorite from the darkened sky above.
Zoom!
In a second, it tore through the thick, swirling clouds, crashing down toward its target.
The sudden increase in pressure stopped the Brightness Dragon Lord in his steps, and he turned his gaze skyward at the incoming meteorite, growing larger and fiercer with every passing second.
‘Shit!’
He cursed and realized that the instant this thing struck the ground, the entire area would be obliterated in a flash.
Reacting quickly, the Brightness Dragon Lord used Wild Magic, aiming it directly at the meteorite rather than at himself.
His target was clear. Using Wild Magic, he wanted to send the meteorite elsewhere, far from its intended impact point.
[Mystic Reposition]
In an instant, as though vanishing like a mirage, the meteorite disappeared, scattering into particles of light, leaving only faint remnants glittering in the sky.
Seeing this, Mare's face was filled with confusion, but Luminous was intrigued by the Brightness Dragon Lord's Wild Magic.
“Interesting,” she murmured. “So, it can also be done this way.”
She let out a small laugh, but her tone was almost mocking.
But this time, the Brightness Dragon Lord had no time to be irritated or feel insulted, as he could sense the immense surge of momentum spiraling around Luminous like a storm.
“Thank you, Mare; with the time you bought, I was able to activate the Super-Tier Magic without interference.”
A blinding wave of power began illuminating the darkened world. Starlight, even brighter than the Brightness Dragon Lord's own light, covered the transformed battlefield.
—Naaaa!
The Brightness Dragon Lord looked up, unable to believe his eyes. Or rather, he refused to believe it.
"Oh, how can this be?!"
How could anyone outshine him in this world?
In the center of the battlefield, Luminous mocked him.
"Now, I’ve assessed your abilities and strength," she said calmly. "Let’s put an end to this needless battle. Your efforts were commendable, lizard."
"Nooo!"
He screamed, but Luminous responded by casting a small spell, temporarily blinding the Brightness Dragon Lord's vision with a blinding light. He had previously blinded Luminous in a similar manner. Now she was merely returning the favor.
Women are truly vengeful creatures.
But as the Brightness Dragon Lord's vision retured after a split second and he regained his bearings, he heard words and witnessed a scene he would never forget.
[Super Tier Magic: Celestial Judgment.]
In an instant, stars filled the sky in daylight.
Each one briefly sparkled before they drifted, converging directly above the Brightness Dragon Lord and coalescing into a singular, radiant point before falling down!
“Ahhhhh!"
The beam of starlight came crashing on the Brightness Dragon Lord; his eyes widened, and he screamed at the top of his lungs as unbearable pain tore through him. The light’s devastating power bore down, making his scales feel fragile, almost brittle, under its overwhelming force.
For the first time, a rush of fear swept through him—a feeling he’d long believed himself above.
In that instant, all he wanted was to escape. But it was already too late.
——!
There was no sound, no warning—just the brilliant beam of light that poured down from the heavens, engulfing the dragon in blinding radiance.
When the light faded, what was left was a battered body that resembled a disgusting giant lizard rather than a majestic dragon in a huge crater. His entire body bled, wings lay torn apart, scales shattered, and limbs mangled. It was a grim sight.
Since his HP had dropped below 10% after the impact and he was judged powerless, he was bound by the shackles of starlight and was left entirely at the mercy of Luminous for the next 30 hours.
Of course, he tried to struggle, but his strength had vanished. Even breathing was a laborious task, let alone any attempt to break free.
All his pride, arrogance, and aloofness vanished away as Luminous appeared before him.
Reluctantly, he braced himself for the final blow that would end his life and closed his eyes.
But the strike he anticipated never came. Instead, he overheard a conversation that shook him to the core.
“Big sister Luminous, w-what do we do now? He’s almost dead. Would Aurelius-sama be angry?”
“Ugh! I knew this would happen; that’s why I tried to hold back. But who would’ve thought he couldn’t take a single hit? Sigh! Anyway, what’s done is done. Luckily, he’s still alive, and we’ve captured him. We should give him some healing potions and take him to Aurelius-sama.”
Dumbfounded, the Dragon Lord opened his eyes. His surroundings, which were once a peaceful mountaintop, were transformed into a battlefield marred by the intensity of their clash. And after such devastation, these two were regretting not holding back enough?
Yet, what was even more baffling was their mention of a “lord.” Why would such formidable beings serve anyone?
If these two, who had brought him—the Brightness Dragon Lord—to his knees with little effort, followed a “lord,” then the strength of that individual...
The mere thought sent a chill down his spine, casting a dark shadow over his future. For a fleeting moment, he wanted to end his life.
But even that was no longer in his hands.