The chamber trembled violently.
The ancient crystal surrounding the silver-haired woman continued to crack.
CRACK!
CRACK!
Dust rained from the ceiling as the entire mountain shook.
From the abyss beneath the crystal…
A pair of enormous crimson eyes slowly rose.
The pressure alone forced several students to their knees.
Victor struggled to breathe.
“What…”
“…is that thing?”
Even Professor Roland’s face turned pale.
“I’ve never felt mana this terrifying…”
The silver-haired woman’s warm smile disappeared.
Instead…
Her expression became one of absolute seriousness.
She looked directly at Kael.
“Listen carefully.”
“You cannot allow the seal to break.”
Kael frowned.
“What’s beneath you?”
She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
Then answered.
“The last survivor…”
“…of the Abyss Dragons.”
Silence filled the chamber.
Inside the Infinite Sword Archive—
Scarlet immediately stood.
“So that’s where they imprisoned him.”
Fenrir growled.
“I had hoped that prison would never be found.”
Kael looked at them.
“You know this dragon?”
Solis nodded solemnly.
“Once…”
“He was the Guardian of the Northern Heavens.”
“But the Abyss corrupted his soul.”
Another deafening roar echoed through the mountain.
ROOOOOAAAAARRRR!!
The walls shattered.
The massive crystal shook violently.
A notification appeared before Kael.
World Event Detected
Hidden Boss: Abyss Dragon King
Seal Stability: 91%
Objective: Prevent Complete Release
Cedric staggered backward.
“Forget the mission!”
“We have to leave!”
Several students nodded in panic.
“This thing is impossible!”
Professor Roland clenched his sword.
“Retreat!”
Before anyone could move—
The silver-haired woman raised one hand.
Golden chains erupted from the floor.
The chamber doors slammed shut.
BOOOOOOM!!
Everyone froze.
Kael looked at her.
“You sealed us inside?”
She nodded sadly.
“If the dragon escapes…”
“The kingdom will fall within a single day.”
“So…”
“It wasn’t a coincidence.”
Kael glanced at him.
“You expected this?”
Lucien shook his head.
“No.”
“But I expected history to become worse.”
Suddenly—
The crystal exploded.
Not completely.
Only its lower half.
A gigantic black claw burst through the opening.
Its scales were darker than obsidian.
Each claw was longer than a castle tower.
It slammed into the ground.
The impact created a massive shockwave.
Students were thrown backward.
Victor crashed into a pillar.
Cedric barely remained standing.
Even Lyra’s ice barrier shattered instantly.
Kael activated Sovereign’s Insight.
Golden lines covered the dragon’s claw.
Then…
He noticed something strange.
The corruption wasn’t natural.
It resembled…
Chains.
Tiny black chains wrapped around the dragon’s soul.
Kael’s eyes widened.
“Someone corrupted him.”
Inside the Archive—
Aurelius’ voice echoed once more.
“You noticed.”
Kael nodded.
“It isn’t the dragon.”
“It’s being controlled.”
“Correct.”
Aurelius continued,
“Remember this, Kael.”
“The greatest enemies are rarely born evil.”
“Most…”
“…are made.”
The dragon’s voice shook the chamber.
“Release…”
“…me…”
Its words sounded painful.
As though two different voices were speaking simultaneously.
One begged for freedom.
The other demanded destruction.
The silver-haired woman closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry…”
“I couldn’t save you.”
Scarlet looked unusually serious.
“Master.”
“We can defeat the claw.”
“But not the dragon.”
Fenrir added,
“Not at your current Synchronization.”
Solis nodded.
“Even Aurelius would have struggled against a fully awakened Abyss Dragon King.”
Kael remained calm.
“I’m not trying to defeat him.”
Everyone looked at him.
“I’ll save him.”
Scarlet blinked.
“…Seriously?”
For the first time…
Hope appeared in her silver eyes.
“You…”
“You intend to purify him?”
Kael nodded.
“If corruption can be placed…”
“It can also be removed.”
Astra smiled proudly.
“That’s our Master.”
Scarlet sighed.
“I swear…”
“He always chooses the hardest path.”
The dragon suddenly roared.
The black chains surrounding its soul tightened.
Its crimson eyes turned pitch black.
A terrifying voice echoed through the chamber.
Destroy…
Everything…
The giant claw swung toward the students.
Time seemed to slow.
Professor Roland couldn’t react.
Victor was too far away.
Lyra’s mana was exhausted.
Mira froze in fear.
Kael stepped forward.
Not with Scarlet.
Not with Astra.
Not even with Solis.
Instead…
He reached toward a quiet corner of the Infinite Sword Archive.
There…
Rested a slender sapphire-blue sword surrounded by flowing water.
The blade had remained silent since Kael first entered the Archive.
As his fingers touched its hilt…
A soft feminine laugh echoed through the endless armory.
“Oh?”
“So you’ve finally found me.”
The oceans of the Archive began to stir.
Even Scarlet looked surprised.
“You awakened her already?”
A young woman with long sapphire-blue hair slowly emerged from the water.
Her azure eyes sparkled with quiet elegance.
She smiled warmly.
“My name is…”
“Nerina.”
“The Fourth Sovereign Blade.”
“The Keeper of Tides.”
A notification appeared before Kael.
Fourth Divine Sword Awakened
Name: Nerina
Attribute: Water
Synchronization: 0%**
Primary Ability: Ocean’s Mercy (Sealed)
Nerina gently took Kael’s hand.
“Master…”
“Shall we save an old friend?”
Kael smiled.
“Let’s bring him home.”
At that exact moment…
The dragon’s second eye opened.
Unlike the first…
It wasn’t black.
It was a brilliant sapphire blue.
A single tear rolled down its colossal face.
End of Chapter 18