Apocalypse: becoming the hidden Ruler

Meanwhile, the chromatic dragon gave a snarl of annoyance. The little human had burned it—barely—but still, that stinging sensation lingered.

It swept its spiked tail over its back, dousing the residual flame with one lazy flick.

The human was irritating.

The next hit needed to finish it.

BOOM! BOOM!

The fight resumed.

The dragon slammed Axel again—and again—and again.

But each time, Axel clawed his way out of the rubble, shaking dust from his hair and blood from his eyes.

From the rooftop, students watched in stunned silence.

"Why doesn't he run?" Drayke whispered, dazed. "Why the hell won't he just run?"

"Because if he runs," Blake answered, "someone else dies."

Cassia's fists were clenched so tightly her fingernails dug into her palms, drawing blood. She couldn't look away. She'd thought she was catching up to Axel over these last six months.

But now, standing here, watching him fight a monster alone—she knew.

She hadn't even scratched the surface.

Down below, the chromatic dragon hissed, its tail lashing furiously.

The man stood again, and again, and again. And always with fire.

It could barely feel the damage, but its instincts were screaming. This human is dangerous. Can't let this human attack him again!

"Roar!"

With a guttural cry, the chromatic dragon's massive body began to ripple and shrink, its scales shifting, reshaping—morphing.

In mere seconds, it had taken on a new form: the Snow Cat.

It was still Level 5—but faster now. That was the Snow Cat's signature. Its brute strength was slightly reduced, but its agility had just doubled.

Axel wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.

"Good. Makes things interesting."

"Lucky for me," he muttered, "my healing skill just evolved. Otherwise, I'd be eating dirt by now."

His body was battered and bruised, but his awakening skill *Abundant* kept his tissues stitching back together mid-fight. Every blow he survived, every time he got up, was because of that.

Swish!

The chromatic beast vanished in a blur.

Its new speed was terrifying—almost invisible to the naked eye.

But just as it darted past, Axel's body surged forward with a burst of speed that defied reason.

"Recharge!"

Boom!

He took the full brunt of the blow, sent flying again like a ragdoll through a broken wall.

But not before his outstretched hand *slammed* into its flank, a sudden flicker of fire erupting on contact.

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The chromatic dragon skidded to a halt, confused and growling as it slapped at the new flames licking its fur.

Again?!

Axel rose even faster this time, his grin bloody and wild.

"Thirteenth layer," he murmured, eyes glowing with purpose.

He could feel it—fire spirit had stacked thirteen times.

Every time he landed a blow, it left behind a thin layer of spiritual flame. Invisible to most, but lingering.

He'd been building this.

Because if he detonated too early, and the chromatic dragon didn't fall, it would flee. Or worse, go berserk and level the entire city.

He couldn't risk that. But now…

Now the bastard was finally showing fear.

The dragon took two cautious steps back, let out a bone-rattling roar—and turned to flee.

.......

"Target within two thousand meters! Approaching fast!"

On the outskirts of Dune, six elite figures vaulted between buildings, their pace relentless. All of them armed. All of them Awakeners. The Whisper Syndicate's rapid response team.

Luke ran at the front, his jaw tight, his eyes focused.

"This thing's in the city. If we don't contain it now, we're fucked."

"This time we came prepared," said one of the others. "We've got the force barrier."

A precious artifact. One of the Syndicate's trump cards.

"Christian, is it ready?" Luke barked.

"Locked in. Doesn't matter which way the thing bolts—it'll be pushed back into the kill zone."

"Good." Luke nodded. "We only get one shot."

Even Lilith, normally flirty and aloof, was dead serious now. Her high-heeled boots thudded rhythmically on the rooftop tiles, each step as precise as a blade. "You think that kid's still alive?"

Luke didn't answer right away. "Focus on the mission. Capture or kill. No mistakes."

"Eight hundred meters!"

"Six hundred!"

They reached the edge of a low building. Everyone dropped to a crouch, prepping their attacks. Spells, spiritual force, elemental energy—everything gathered at once, humming with tension.

Then—

"Wait!" Christian, the team's spiritual sensor, went wide-eyed. "Captain! There's someone behind it!"

"What?!"

"There's a human chasing the chromatic beast!"

Luke's eyes narrowed.

Lilith turned to him, stunned. "Another high-level awakener in Dune?"

"Everyone stand by! Be ready to move!"

"Contact in three… two—there it is!"

The psychic on the Syndicate team pointed toward a collapsing four-story building in the near distance.

A blur of white and silver burst through the debris—The Snow Cat.

But what really froze Luke was the figure chasing behind it. "…Is that Axel?!"

Even Lilith was momentarily stunned. "The hell?"

And when the Snow Cat leapt into the air, trying to make its escape—

Axel raised his hand and whispered: "Detonate."

In that instant, the flame seals he had silently planted—layer after layer—erupted in unison.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion echoed across the city. In mid-air, the beast's body ignited in a violent burst of energy. Crimson fire burst from under its fur, scorching skin and flesh.

It didn't even scream.

The Snow Cat flailed as it lost control, twisting mid-air before crashing hard into the pavement, smoking and charred.

Silence.

For a moment, no one spoke. The street was quiet, save for the settling dust.

Luke stared at Axel, dazed. He took down a Level 5 chromatic beast… alone.

Even Joseph, usually full of pride and swagger, looked like he'd been doused in cold water.

Lilith blinked, stunned into silence. At first, she only looked at Axel a few more times because Axel was Rosaline's team member.

The beast twitched, trying to rise.

Luke snapped out of it. "It's not dead. All units—finish it off."

The awakened team moved in, unloading everything they had. Ice spears, thunderbolts, a cascade of spiritual energy—until the monster finally lay still, unmoving.

It was over.

Axel staggered forward, his legs trembling under him.

The fire spirit detonation had drained Force he had left. His reserves were shot, life crystals nearly used up.

"Axel! Are you okay?" someone called, rushing to support him.

A crowd of Syndicate members gathered around him. Joseph, still in disbelief, muttered, "Is he even human? Didn't he just graduate?"

"How the hell did you kill it?"

Luke's team. Lilith's team. All of them were now surrounding Axel.

Lilith walked up, her voice low and sultry as usual. "Not bad. You're starting to grow on me."

Axel gave her a polite nod.

Moments later, Silas and Blake arrived at the scene.

"Thank you, thank you all," Silas said, out of breath and pale. "Without you, Dune would have been torn apart."

Luke stepped forward. "Mayor Silas, I'm sorry. Our plan was to stop it outside the city. We didn't expect it to force its way in. I'll be applying for emergency reconstruction funds to cover the damage."

Silas nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

Luke leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "One more thing. What happened here today stays quiet—especially when it comes to Axel."

Silas blinked, confused. Blake raised an eyebrow. Lilith simply tilted her head but said nothing.

Luke looked at them each in turn.

"Axel just graduated this year. The kind of talent he's showing is… exceptional. Not just in this region. In all of Krythos."

There was a brief silence before Luke continued. "And I've heard rumors—the Holy Light Organization is showing signs of movement again."

Silas stiffened. "I thought their leader was dead…"

Blake stepped forward. "You can count on our silence. We'll keep Axel's identity and strength confidential."

Silas nodded solemnly. "I'll personally ensure it. Blake, make sure the students understand too. No one says a word."