In that brief moment, Wood's thoughts raced, and he made a shocking decision—to confront Dragon God Orsted head-on!
From their earlier exchanges, it was clear that there was a vast gulf in power between them and Dragon God Orsted.
Even if they managed to dodge the first attack, they wouldn't be able to handle the second or third.
Since there was no way to dodge or block the attacks, Wood decided to abandon defense entirely and go for an all-out, do-or-die attack!
Even if he died in the process, it might create an opening in Orsted's "net," giving Rudeus and the others a chance to escape. Wood believed he could at least achieve that much!
After all, this was just a "simulated life" for him. Even if he died here, it wasn't real death, but Rudeus and Eris only had this one life.
As the rune on Wood's chest, marking the "Heart of God," began to glow, an overwhelming surge of magical power erupted from him and rapidly channeled into his twin blades.
Wood's swords, forged from materials of the Nine-Headed Dragon by the finest craftsmen in the Holy Milis Kingdom, were not just weapons but also highly conductive magical tools, able to be used as wands.
With an immense flow of magic now flooding into the blades, the swords began to tremble, emitting a sound akin to a dragon's roar.
The surrounding temperature soared rapidly, and the ice beneath Wood's feet began to melt.
Flames of a magnitude comparable to "Emperor-level" magic suddenly erupted from Wood's sword, spreading like fiery wings.
"Hyakki Yagyō Sword Style—Elemental Dual Blades: Phoenix Fire!"
This was Wood's newly evolved sword technique, blending the flexibility and speed of swordsmanship with the raw power of magic, creating a new style!
Wood had long contemplated how magic, despite its power, often required long incantations and slow casting times, limiting its effectiveness in fast-paced combat. Even with his mastery of chantless magic, the time it took for a magic circle to appear and the spell to release was still more than enough for him to swing his sword dozens of times.
Magic was undeniably powerful, but it was slow, and the body of a mage was typically weak.
In contrast, swordsmen were fast but had a limited range of attack.
Wood, having mastered both high-level magic and swordsmanship, constantly sought a way to combine the speed of swordsmanship with the destructive power of magic.
But for years, he had struggled to find a solution.
That changed when he fought his grandmother Claire in the Latreia family mansion. From the weapon she used, a sword that also functioned as a staff, Wood found his inspiration.
Through Claire's introduction, Wood sought out the craftsman who had made her weapon and explained his idea, using the materials from the Nine-Headed Dragon to forge the twin blades known as "Dragon's Fangs."
Thanks to the unique properties of the materials, these swords were not only incredibly durable but also had excellent magic conductivity, able to withstand the full power of Wood's magic.
By channeling his magic into the swords and using the blade as a conduit for spells, Wood retained the speed and precision of his swordsmanship while adding the devastating power of magic.
Wood was no longer merely a "swordsman" or a "mage." He had become the world's first Magic Swordsman.
A Magic Swordsman—one who uses magic to fight with a blade.
Orsted was too fast for Wood to avoid his attacks, but knowing the direction and target of the strike gave him a chance. By focusing all his strength, Wood could at least avoid a fatal blow.
His fiery blades moved like the wings of the mythical Phoenix, their scorching heat capable of incinerating all in their path!
Seeing Wood's blazing attack, Orsted's expression finally showed a flicker of surprise.
To be honest, Orsted had never been concerned by "Emperor-level" mages or "Sword King" level swordsmen. After all, he was a true "God-level" being.
But Orsted had to admit that Wood was the most impressive human he had encountered in his countless reincarnations—without question.
Throughout history, only a handful of people had ever created their own sword style.
Yet, at such a young age, Wood had not only done that but had also achieved the unprecedented feat of fusing magic and swordsmanship into an entirely new power!
Moreover, Wood wasn't just exceptionally talented and strong; he had remarkable courage and decisiveness.
Through Rudeus's warning, Orsted realized that Wood had the ability to dodge this attack.
But instead, Wood chose not to. In the blink of an eye, he had decided to confront Orsted directly.
"A truly remarkable individual. Even after countless reincarnations, I've never met someone like you.
Even as an enemy, I can't help but respect you. But that's exactly why, as a follower of the Human God, you must die here."
The more extraordinary Wood's talent and strength, the more determined Orsted became to kill him.
In Orsted's eyes, Wood was a follower of the Human God. Given his current potential, if allowed to grow further, he would become an even greater threat in the future.
Orsted's hand shot forward, aiming straight for Wood's heart.
At the same time, the runes on Wood's chest blazed brightly, and the intense heat from his twin blades carved a path straight toward Orsted's chest.
Neither of them made any attempt to dodge. Both were intent on destroying the other with everything they had.
Wood didn't fear death. He knew it was inevitable, and even if he managed to evade this strike, it wouldn't matter in the end. His goal now was to create an opportunity for Rudeus and the others to escape.
As for Orsted, despite the power behind Wood's attack, dodging it wouldn't have been difficult. But as the son of the First Dragon God and the current Dragon God, how could he retreat from an enemy who stood before him?
The pride of the Dragon God forbade Orsted from backing down. And for such a worthy warrior, this was his final show of respect.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed through the Dragon King Mountains, and the entire range trembled as if struck by an earthquake.
The moment their attacks connected, an invisible shockwave rippled across the land, splitting the frozen ground into massive cracks.
Wave after wave of destructive force swept outward, obliterating everything in its path.
Rudeus, Ruijerd, Eris, and even the massive Magic Wolf King were all blown back, sent tumbling dozens of meters by the overwhelming blast.
The only person left standing amidst the chaos was the girl who had been with Orsted.
Despite having no noticeable magical aura or remarkable physical traits, she remained untouched. Whether it was thanks to some hidden treasure or Orsted's protection, the shockwaves vanished before they could reach her.
Wood's clash with Orsted had reshaped the entire Dragon King Mountain Range.
The battle's aftermath continued for several minutes before the storm of magic and force finally began to settle.
As the dust cleared, Rudeus and the others rushed to the scene, craning their necks to peer into the massive crater left behind by the impact.
The blizzard began to subside, revealing the figures of Wood and Orsted standing face to face.
Rudeus and Eris's eyes widened in horror at the sight before them, and they charged toward the crater, ignoring Ruijerd's attempts to hold them back.
Wood stood opposite Orsted, the twin blades known as "Dragon's Fangs" still radiating heat as they pierced an inch into Orsted's chest, steam rising from the wound.
But Wood's own situation was far worse. Orsted's arm had pierced clean through his chest, blood pouring onto the snow, staining it bright red.
Anyone could see that in this exchange of blow for blow, Wood had come out the worse.
While the wound Wood inflicted on Orsted wasn't superficial, it was far from fatal—not even serious.
Meanwhile, Wood's injuries were clearly life-threatening. Even if he somehow survived, he was already on the verge of death.
This was why Rudeus and Eris had lost all reason upon seeing the scene, charging recklessly at Dragon God Orsted.
Orsted, feeling the pain from the wound in his chest, glanced down at Wood, still clinging to life, with a look of admiration.
Thanks to the power of the "Heart of God," Wood's last sword strike had been elevated from "Sword King" level to that of a "Sword Emperor."
And combined with the "Emperor-level" fire magic infused into the strike, the attack had approached the realm of "God-level."
A twelve-year-old boy delivering a strike on par with the "Sword Gods"—who would believe it?
Orsted, his expression cold, withdrew his arm from Wood's chest, causing a fresh spray of blood to gush from the wound as Wood collapsed to the ground.
Pulling out the twin blades lodged in his chest, Orsted placed them beside Wood—a final gesture of respect for the fallen warrior.
Looking at the blood on his hands, Orsted couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. He had forgotten how long it had been since anyone had managed to wound him.
If this boy wasn't a follower of the Human God, Orsted might have considered recruiting him.
As Rudeus and Eris leaped into the crater, Orsted's expression quickly returned to its usual indifference.
The only one who had posed a true threat to him, Wood, was no longer a factor. As for the rest… they hardly mattered to him.
"You killed Wood! I'll destroy you!"
"You bastard! We had no grudge against you! Why are you targeting me and my brother?"
Eris, charging with her dagger aimed at Orsted's head, was easily sidestepped. With a swift grab, Orsted flung her back toward the oncoming Ruijerd, sending them both flying a hundred meters away.
Meanwhile, Rudeus, now consumed by rage, activated his Magic Eye, blood still dripping from it, and summoned a Water King-level spell, hurling it at Dragon God Orsted.
At this level of magic, even Orsted, not in his peak form, had to acknowledge the threat. He flashed out of the way, only for Rudeus's magic to seemingly anticipate his movement and intercept him.
Seeing the spell home in on him, Orsted's expression flickered with surprise before he countered with his own spell of equal level, negating Rudeus's attack.
Thanks to Orsted's retreat, Rudeus managed to reach Wood's fallen body, gripping his staff, "Prideful Water Dragon King," and glaring defiantly at the Dragon God.
"An impressive Magic Eye, an unusual amount of magical power, and remarkable talent with magic.
You may not be as strong as that boy, but you're no ordinary child either.
Still, as long as you have ties to the Human God, you must be eliminated. Hopefully, the next time we meet, I will reach you before the Human God does."
By "next time," Orsted was clearly referring to the next cycle of reincarnation. He hoped to encounter Rudeus and Wood before the Human God could influence them.
However, Orsted hadn't considered that both Wood and Rudeus were unique to this particular timeline.
Even if he lost to the Human God again in this world, he would never encounter Wood or Rudeus in any other timeline.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 400+ at p@treon.com/Betek (@->a)
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SO this is the end of the free chapters so 500 power stones?