My Magical System

"EXTINCTION?!"

Even Eman was shaken by the word as it echoed inside his head, flashing red across his system interface.

<It wasn't just a threat now—but an alarming catastrophe to humanity. It was something capable of ending all life in its path.>

The system's cold voice repeated.

<Be careful, Host. Destruction radius upon rampage is estimatedly 2,500 kilometers.>

His blood ran cold upon hearing it.

"That's half the Empire…" he muttered in disbelief under his breath.

Little Sky was quiet when suddenly she spoke out in a shaky voice. "M-Milord, my body wouldn't stop shaking…"

He understood why. The queen was oozing with a very strong murderous aura that was invisible to the naked eyes.

"I understand. This one is far above all the enemies I've fought before," Eman muttered grimly.

He stared at the monster in the sky, now fully cloaked in pulsing black armor, wings wide like the gates of a cursed afterlife. She was more than a monster now—she was a force of nature twisted by malice.

Sphin growled low in his throat, clearly sensing the same thing—they were outmatched.

But Eman didn't have the luxury of retreat.

He took a slow breath, trying to steady his fingers as he tapped the system interface again. He browsed straight to his Market Section, scanning through every item he had access to.

Nothing.

Aside from the Lance Missile, he couldn't find any that looks like a game-changer for his current situation.

Worse—the queen's new form looked more tougher and refined.

He gritted his teeth, heart slightly racing. Called it uncertain but he had a strong hunch that even the Lance Missile could no longer break its defence.

'This is bad. There's no other item that looks better than the Lance Missile in my arsenal.'

For the first time since he'd gotten used to the system, a chill settled over him—not from the storm, but from the sheer helplessness.

No items looked better than the Lance Missile and no magic skill was strong enough.

The realization hit like a hammer. All his magic, his otherworlder tech—it might not be enough.

<This creature was resurrected through malice… no ordinary power could undo it.>

Then the system's voice rang again—calm and absolute.

<Malice can only be defeated with Purity. And the true symbol of Purity… is Spirit Energy.>

Eman froze.

His eyes widened slightly. "Spirit Energy…?"

That was a problem.

He didn't have it. Not even a drop. He did have a Legendary Spirit Sword, but that sword could only break a little its former carapace. What's more now in its upgraded version?

If this monster could only be slain by spirit-based power, then she wasn't just beyond his arsenal—she was beyond him.

This enemy was not meant to be defeated by him.

Eman glanced at Little Sky.

She had become a Spiritmaster recently. But she was still at the beginner stage—raw and untrained. Expecting her to bring down this monster was thoughtless. No—he had never even considered making her fight it. That wasn't her role.

And no one else in Rothsport Town had high-level spirit energy. At least… not that he knew of.

The Queen screeched again, and her massive wings buzzed through the stormy skies.

A second later—

CRACK!

A stinger multiple times bigger than a ballista bolt launched from her abdomen at terrifying speed.

Eman's eyes snapped wide. "Spin, dodge—!"

Sphin twisted violently in the air. The stinger barely missed, slicing a path of pure destruction behind them. Lightning struck where it passed—twisting reality itself.

Eman clenched his jaw, sweat pouring down his face.

They wouldn't survive a hit from that.

Fortunately, Sphin had released a shockwave mid-maneuver to shift the trajectory slightly—enough to barely dodge.

BOOM!

The ground beneath them trembled as though the world itself was about to collapse.

"What did those lunatics awaken? Are they trying to end the world?" He muttered, voice swallowed by the wind.

He had no time to relax. A second colossal stinger was coming.

Then suddenly—

A violent gust suddenly swept across the stormy sky.

The colossal stinger meant for Eman was shattered mid-air—sliced clean by a spiraling blade of compressed air.

Eman's eyes widened as the clouds split and a slender, radiant dragon glided into view, wings outstretched like blades of wind. Unlike the titanic Queen Bee, this dragon wasn't massive, but his presence rippled with ancient strength and grace.

"…The Guardian Dragon," Eman muttered.

The Guardian Dragon hovered beside Sphin, his silver-blue scales glowing faintly in the lightning flashes, his slit pupils narrowed with intense focus.

"You fought well against that thing," the Guardian Dragon spoke, voice echoing telepathically. "But this foe… exceeds you."

The Killer Queen Bee turned her attention to the newcomer. Her corrupted armor shimmered with dark energy as she let out an ear-splitting shriek and lunged again.

The Guardian Dragon answered with a roar and shot forward, unleashing blades of compressed wind from his wings. The two clashed in the sky—speed versus mass, elegance versus brute force.

Though smaller, the Guardian Dragon was agile. He dodged her strikes with narrow spins and sliced through her carapace—but the Queen was relentless, and every blow she landed sent the dragon reeling.

Eman and Little Sky could only watch as the Guardian Dragon struggled to hold his own.

A voice entered Eman's mind once again.

<Spirit energy…> The system reminded.

The Guardian Dragon beat his wings and backflipped mid-air, narrowly dodging another barrage of poisoned spikes. "I cannot hold her off for long," he admitted, voice strained. "Her corruption feeds on chaos. She has become something unnatural—something that must be stopped."

Eman gritted his teeth. "So even you can't do it."

"My power diminished greatly after thousands of years in slumber. But there is a way," the Guardian Dragon said, turning his golden eyes to him. "Form a contract with me."

Eman's breath caught.

"A contract?" Eman echoed.

"Yes. I will lend you my power—my wind, my spirit," the Guardian Dragon declared. "In return, you shall be my vessel. Together, we may become what neither of us can be alone."

Eman's heart pounded. "But I'm not… I don't have spirit energy."

"You have something greater—will. Resolve. A soul strong enough to bend fate," the Guardian Dragon said firmly. "That is all I need."

Another shriek from the Queen. She was charging again.

Eman looked down at his hand. It trembled, but not in fear. In decision.

'System, what benefits and risk will I get in making a contract with a Guardian Dragon?' Eman confided to the system—telepathically.

<The Host might be able to gain access to the dragon's ability. It could make you stronger.>

'I see. How about the risk?'

<The risk depends on which between you had the highest Soul Power. If the host is at the losing end, you'll become its catalyst—a source of energy to constantly resupply the dragon's energy. But if the host win, you'll gain full access to the dragon's power. And you might get a chance to access its full potential. Regardless, a 50:50 contract to which both of you are winning is the most desirable outcome. Each one of you will gain the same amount of power and also receive the same amount of compensation.>

'I see.'

The dragon told him he was lending him his power, so it was surely meant that he humbly relinquished his rights as the master. But still, Eman could not fully trust his words alone.

'But… there's no other way…'

Eman fell silent. Pondering. But he knows he had no time to waste.

"Why did you decide to help us?" Eman asked the Guardian Dragon.

"Isn't it obvious? If that creature brings ruin to the world, I'll fall with it—just like everyone else. Besides…" the dragon's voice deepened with regret, "I bear the blame for failing to stop those fools from bringing it back in the first place."

He understood.

"…Do it," he said.

The Guardian Dragon closed his eyes. "Then offer me your oath."

"How?"

"Just follow my lead."

"Alright."

"Milord…" Little Sky called.

"Ah, sorry, Sky. I have to send you back…"

"Eh? W-Wait, Milord—!"

Before she could protest, Sky's form vanished in an instant, her voice cut short.

Eman had returned her to his domain. He couldn't risk her getting caught in the aftermath of what was to come. He wasn't sure how things would turn out… but one thing was certain:

He owed her a delicious pizza the next time they met.

Suddenly, a glowing circle of ancient runes burst open beneath Eman and Sphin, spiraling with wind and light.

Eman clenched his fist. Hearing the Guardian Dragon's telepathic voice, he echoed every words he spoke.

"I, Eman, vow to uphold the bond between guardian and warrior. Lend me your strength, Ameross!"

Lightning cracked as the contract sealed.

A whirlwind erupted, engulfing Eman in silver wind and emerald light.

And from within that storm… a new power awakened.