Chapter 359: Fierce Battle

Ovakain had actually been avoiding Punk and Ben Lajie all along. This wasn’t because his strength was inferior to that of two Master-Level Casters below level 18, but because the Dragon Roar Kingdom couldn’t withstand targeting by a Legendary organization. From this perspective, Punk’s previous provocation against Ovakain could be considered an unintentional case of “bullying with backing.”

But now, Punk’s scheme of using the Graybone Virus to create biochemical troops was simply too vicious – so vicious that the Dragon Roar Kingdom risked mutual destruction with the Maple Leaf Kingdom if caught off guard. Under such pressing circumstances, Ovakain naturally had no time to worry about the Thought of Truth’s reaction anymore. Now, the furious black dragon had only one thought in his mind – absolutely, absolutely, he must crush those three reckless insects!

Well, when “bullying with backing” turns into “pushing too far,” disaster often follows. Though Punk actually wanted to sit down with Ovakain and discuss “why don’t we let bygones be bygones and team up against that bastard Jiaoni,” considering the immense hatred stemming from nearly destroying the other’s entire kingdom, Punk wisely dismissed the idea of negotiation.

If negotiation was impossible, then only battle remained. Just how powerful a peak level-19 caster could be, Punk was finally about to experience firsthand.

The moment Punk leaped out from the Anywhere Door, he was horrified to discover that Ovakain’s body had suddenly ignited with massive magical fluctuations – this black dragon, larger than a small mountain, had actually cast a spell on himself. Then, using the powerful propulsion generated by the spell, Ovakain forcibly made his enormous body abruptly translate toward Punk at thirty times supersonic speed.

Indeed, numerous magical runes swirled around the massive form. The ground beneath the dragon cracked inch by inch, unable to bear the black dragon’s weight. For a moment, cloud-like dust was blown away by spatial vibrations, while high-pressure air formed a substantial wind wall ahead of Ovakain’s body.

“Turn to dust in my corrosive breath, you little insects!As Punk turned in alarm, Ovakain’s enormous dragon head just arrived beside him. Deep within the black dragon’s gaping throat, breath as terrifying as the Abyss had finished gathering.

“Damn it, ‘Rapid Shift’? Dragon version?”

Seeing the dark green breath about to erupt from the dragon’s mouth, cold sweat drenched Punk’s azure hair. He truly never imagined Ovakain could be this outrageous – actually managing to modify the Master-Level spell “Rapid Shift,” originally designed for humanoid creatures, into a “dragon version” usable by dragons. Though it was clear this modification still had many flaws, such as Ovakain’s terrifyingly large mana consumption just now, one must remember that even Punk with his Netheril inheritance hadn’t completed modifying a single ancient spell yet!The rapidly changing battle situation left Punk no time for contemplation. In truth, Ovakain’s intense hatred toward him had taken Punk by surprise. Regardless, the fact remained that this great lizard would rather ignore the nearby Joni Zordas and expend massive amounts of mana to pursue him relentlessly. With no other choice, Punk immediately activated the “Anywhere Door” spell solidified in his Mage Robe, preparing to distance himself from the battlefield once more.

However…

“Insignificant mage… there is… nowhere to run!”

Just as the colorful portal beside Punk began to materialize, the killing intent in Ovakain’s pupils intensified dramatically. A small gem embedded in the dragon’s neck scales flashed with brilliant light, and simultaneously, the deadly black dragon’s breath arrived in an instant.

“Master-Level Conjuration Magic – Spatial Anchor.”

As the space-freezing spell energy emanated from the gem on Ovakain’s neck, the half-formed “Anywhere Door” beside Punk instantly shattered into fragments.

“Truly troublesome. This is getting dangerous!”

Witnessing the corrosive breath that could dissolve space itself approaching rapidly, with his “Anywhere Door” destroyed by Ovakain’s “Spatial Anchor,” Punk had to hastily alter his strategy to evade the black dragon’s breath.

“Master-Level Conjuration Magic – Kinetic Propulsion!”

Metamagic – Mana Compression.

Metamagic – Dualcast.

Master-Level Summoning Magic – Summon Shield Beast!

To counter Ovakain’s sudden assault this round, Punk employed two spells consecutively! The “Kinetic Propulsion” was enhanced with Mana Compression, and with massive mana expenditure, Punk’s speed reached unimaginable levels in an instant. This sudden acceleration within a mere hundredth of a second even caused the outermost “Kinetic Shield” around him to distort visibly.

Additionally, the summoned “Shield Beast” deliberately positioned its massive form in front of Punk to deflect the black dragon’s breath as much as possible.

Yet even so… when the terrifying breath descended, the fearsome energy-infused acid nearly struck Punk directly.

The black dragon’s breath was inherently extremely potent, and Ovakain lived up to its “Acid Throat” epithet. Against this super-compressed acid, the Shield Beast Punk hastily summoned lasted less than a tenth of a second before its spell matrix dissolved. Then, the horrific acid penetrating through the Shield Beast surged toward Punk without pause.

Ovakain’s breath was too fast and covered too wide an area. Even with “Kinetic Propulsion” significantly boosting his speed, the dark green breath still grazed past Punk’s arm.

“Hiss!!”

Even a glancing contact was enough for the powerful acid to bore two large holes through Punk’s dual-layered defenses. The energy of the outermost “Kinetic Shield” was completely corroded away by the acid.

Finally, the acid that swept past Punk and struck the ground instantly created a massive, smoking crater on the battlefield. Only then did Ovakain’s first wave of attack come to a temporary halt.

“Don’t think of escaping! You cannot escape!”Seeing his breath fail to hit the enemy, Ovakain refused to give up. At his fastest speed, he opened his massive, fang-filled maw and thrust his head forward with full force to bite Punk.

It was clear that even a level nineteen black dragon dared not be careless when simultaneously facing three Master-Level powerhouses. This creature had already resolved to eliminate the opponent’s strongest spellcaster right at the onset of the battle.

But… Ovakain’s wish was destined to be shattered.

Just as the black dragon lunged his head forward to bite the rapidly flying Punk, a tiny yet blinding point of light—like a falling meteor—slammed fiercely toward Ovakain’s neck.

“Ovakain Acidmaw, savor the agony of having your limbs severed!”

Without a doubt, Joni Zordas had fiercely struck!

This man, whose every drop of blood burned with the fury of vengeance, had not lost his reason. Calmly seizing the opening exposed when Ovakain pursued Punk, Joni unleashed his full power at the very start of the battle. Disregarding the strain on his body, he simultaneously executed “Leaping Slash” and “Charge.” Under his explosive might, even the radiance of Mila paled in comparison to the glow of the Holy Warrior’s Battle Aura.

(End of Chapter)