He who Bends Time

Through the rippling distortion of space, Auran and Clara reappeared, landing a short distance away from the Protectors. Dust and fragments of stone rained around them as the trembling earth slowly settled.

"Short-range teleportation," Auran said, glancing at Clara. "It's good that you used it, but… I wouldn't recommend doing it often. That spell must consume a huge amount of mana—and something tells me your mana will be crucial later."

His gaze drifted past her, fixing on the inhuman figure in the distance… or more precisely, on the staff it had driven into the ground, pulsing with ominous energy.

---

"I was wondering why Night Hunter never came to meet me as he promised," Marian said as she slowly approached, her blood-stained aura flickering faintly. Her eyes locked onto the vice-captain of the Protectors. "Turns out, he's with you after all."

"He is facing punishment for attempting to mislead us," the vice-captain replied curtly, her voice firm despite the exhaustion weighing on her frame.

"But enough about him…" She turned her sharp gaze back to the distant figure looming amidst the fractured kingdom. "I am far more concerned about that thing."

She took a deep, steadying breath before continuing.

"From our battle so far, we've learned three crucial things.

First—it is overwhelmingly strong, beyond what ordinary unity magic can subdue.

Second—it does not respond to our words. It can only produce unrecognizable sounds… if it even understands us at all.

And third—it seems to possess absolute mastery over earth magic, far beyond human capability."

Her eyes narrowed as the inhuman figure shifted, its claws twitching around the staff as if preparing for another catastrophic strike.

"This creature wields earth magic with catastrophic precision and raw strength, making it nearly impossible to bring down even with our combined might," the vice-captain admitted grimly. Then she turned her full attention to Marian.

"As the Protectors of this world, we are asking for your aid… Bloody Queen."

She straightened her back, her tone carrying the weight of authority that left little room for refusal.

"If you lend your strength to defeat this enemy, we will overlook the… unauthorized manner in which you entered this world."

The statement felt less like a request and more like a command.

The violent shaking of the ground finally ceased, leaving only the faint rumble of distant collapsing ruins.

"Urghhh…"

A guttural, muffled sound escaped the inhuman figure. The staff it had driven deep into the earth pulsed with energy, sending waves of power back into its body. As it absorbed the energy, its frame swelled, muscles tightening, scales hardening—it grew larger and more fearsome before their eyes.

Auran, who had been closely observing every movement, immediately noticed this change.

"It's… getting stronger," he muttered, his expression darkening.

The grim realization washed over the Protectors as well.

---

Swish!

Out of nowhere, a spear cut through the air, moving so fast it howled like the wind itself. It struck the inhuman figure, forcing it to step back for the first time.

And right behind the spear came a man—a figure of such perfect, honed physique that even Octo, with his monstrous might, couldn't help but be impressed. He landed with almost casual grace, his armor gleaming in golden light, engraved with the visage of a fearsome beast that seemed to roar silently across its surface.

"That's enough of your rampage, inhuman," the man declared, his deep voice cutting through the tense air.

He gripped the spear with one hand, pulling it free from the earth, and turned his piercing gaze on the towering figure.

---

"Captain of the Royal Guards," Auran heard the nobleman say, which explained who this man was to him.

---

Swish!

The Captain swung his spear in a smooth, deadly arc, its tip shining like a shard of the sun as it carved through the air. He brought it down upon the inhuman with the precision of a master.

Clang!

The impact rang out like colliding metal, echoing across the shattered land. The spear's point struck the inhuman's crystalline scales—so hard that sparks burst on impact—and the weapon was forced back by sheer resistance. The inhuman itself only staggered back a single step, its body uninjured.

---

The Captain gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening around the shaft of his spear. He shifted his stance, lowering his body and gripping the weapon with both hands.

"This one…" he muttered, voice low but resolute. "I cannot afford to hold back. If I do, we'll all die here."

He exhaled once, steadying himself, and then slammed one foot into the ground, his armor gleaming as his mana surged.

He took the stance of a predator, his spear drawn back like a bowstring ready to fire.

---

[Weapon Magic Theory – Penetrating Spear]

---

In the next instant, the Captain launched himself forward, his body becoming a golden blur. His speed was like an arrow loosed from a bow, and the distance between him and the inhuman vanished in the blink of an eye…

Once the Captain closed the distance, he drew his arm back, gathering momentum, and thrust his spear forward with lethal precision.

The tip of the spear began to glow brighter than ever, radiating a razor-sharp brilliance. A strange energy rippled along its shaft, distorting the air around it, enhancing both its speed and its piercing power with every passing second.

"Die, inhuman monster!" the Captain roared.

He had full confidence in his spear art—if this strike landed, no armor or scale in existence could remain unscathed.

---

The inhuman's crystalline eyes flicked toward the incoming spear. For a moment, it almost seemed… cautious. Then, with inhuman reflexes, its legs tensed and its body twisted.

Swish!

The glowing spear sliced past, leaving a blinding golden arc in the air, but the inhuman narrowly evaded the strike.

The monster's fist lashed out in the same motion, moving like a blur.

BOOM!

The impact shook the battlefield as the inhuman's strike landed squarely against the Captain's waist, sending a paralyzing shock through his body.

"Ugh…" the Captain gritted his teeth, feeling a burning pain radiate through his torso. This thing… it's far stronger than I imagined.

---

From a distance, the Vice Captain of the Protectors watched with grim determination.

"That monster is too strong. Even the Royal Guard's Captain alone can't bring it down. Marian—what's your decision?" she asked,

Marian's crimson gaze locked on the inhuman figure. "I'll join," she said firmly. This world is her homeland, and it's her responsibility to defend it.

Then she turned to face the battlefield, blood energy already beginning to swirl around her fingertips.

---

"Auran, we should help too," Henry urged, his eyes never leaving the towering inhuman.