The restricted zone fell into a suffocating silence as Malachar’s laughter echoed across the enormous crater. Standing with one hand resting casually behind his back, the towering man gazed at Elder George Hale as though he were looking at an old acquaintance instead of an enemy he had once fought beside. His eyes drifted toward the gigantic war hammer buried deep within the earth before returning to George, and the corners of his lips slowly curled upward. “What an amusing twist of fate,” he said with a low chuckle. “To think my weapon would crash right into your little nest. George Hale… or perhaps I should call you by the name everyone once feared…” His eyes sharpened. “…the Fortress of Azure.”George’s aged face remained expressionless, though the Dragon Guards standing behind him could clearly sense the tension rising around him. He slowly stepped forward, his robes fluttering beneath the pressure radiating from Malachar’s body. “Leave, Malachar,” he replied calmly, his voice car

“We’ll see about that.”The moment Reign finished speaking, both men disappeared from where they stood.Boom!A violent shockwave exploded across the restricted zone as their swords collided once more, sending powerful gusts of wind in every direction. The sheer force of the clash cracked the ground beneath their feet before both men vanished again, reappearing dozens of meters away as another deafening explosion echoed through the battlefield.Clang!Clang!Clang!The sound of steel colliding rang endlessly throughout the restricted area.Neither Jonathan nor Reign gave the other a moment to breathe. Their swords flashed repeatedly, each strike carrying enough force to split boulders apart. White and crimson aether intertwined in the air like two furious dragons tearing into one another. Every collision released another terrifying shockwave that forced nearby Dragon Guards and Children of Judgment to retreat farther away, afraid of being caught in the aftermath.To ordinary warriors,

Reign smiled.Nothing more. Nothing less.Then—BAM!Jonathan’s eyes widened.A fist suddenly buried itself deep into his stomach before his brain could even register Reign moving.The impact folded his entire body.His mouth opened soundlessly.Boom!A violent shockwave exploded from his back as his body shot across the battlefield like a cannonball, smashing through layers of reinforced concrete before finally crashing into a collapsed building several hundred meters away.The battlefield fell silent.Even the fighting between the Dragon Guards and the Children of Judgment slowed as everyone instinctively turned toward the unbelievable sight.Jonathan slowly climbed out from the rubble.Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.His entire stomach felt numb.His eyes remained locked on Reign.“…Impossible.”He could barely believe what had just happened.“…Did he…”His breathing became heavier.“…become stronger?”Reign slowly lowered his fist before calmly walking toward him.His e

George’s eyes narrowed.Without hesitation, he twisted his body and unleashed another devastating strike toward Malachar’s ribs.Boom!The punch landed squarely.The impact echoed like thunder.Yet…Malachar didn’t even flinch.He looked down at George’s fist resting against his side before shaking his head almost disappointedly.“I expected more.”George instantly sensed danger.Before he could retreat—Malachar slowly clenched his right fist.Dark violet energy immediately spiraled around it.The surrounding air suddenly became unbearably heavy.George’s pupils contracted.“Gravity…”The force around him changed instantly.His body, which had been moving backward, suddenly stopped.Instead…He was violently pulled forward.It was as though an invisible giant had grabbed hold of him.George struggled to resist, his feet carving deep trenches into the ground.But it was useless.The gravitational force surrounding Malachar’s fist became overwhelming.Within a split second, George’s bo

He unleashed a barrage of punches so dense they appeared as countless afterimages filling the sky.Every blow struck with terrifying force.Malachar’s expression finally became serious.Gravity erupted around his body.Dark violet energy condensed into invisible layers that absorbed much of the incoming attacks, yet George refused to stop.Punch after punch rained down relentlessly.Boom!Boom!Boom!The surrounding landscape collapsed under the bombardment. It looked like the entire foundation of the restricted zone was collapsing.For several seconds…It actually appeared as though George had gained the upper hand.Several Dragon Guards cheered loudly.“Elder George is pushing him back!”“We can win!”But then…Malachar smiled.“…Impressive.”His voice echoed through the dust.“For a Dragon Lord.”George instinctively sensed danger.Too late.The gravitational field surrounding Malachar expanded explosively.Boom!George suddenly felt his entire body become impossibly heavy.His mov