The battle quickly reached its climax as Adrian relentlessly struck at the lizardman's weak points. By targeting the gaps in its thick hide, he severed its tendons, making its movements sluggish. No matter how much the monster tried to adapt, it failed to keep up with Adrian's unpredictable attack pattern.
During the fight, Adrian grabbed one of Veryn's daggers and plunged it deep into the lizardman's body while it was focused on his sword. As its senses dulled and its body weakened, its survival became less and less likely. It was a miracle it remained alive even after being stabbed in the eye.
Perhaps things would have been different if the monster had remained primitive. If it had lost its senses, it might have gone berserk, rampaging uncontrollably and destroying everything around it. But this lizardman had evolved. It had learned, adapted, it could think.
And because of that, it could also feel.
Helplessness. Powerlessness. Fear.
It understood, logically, that it could not win. The moment its head was severed, this fight would be over.
The lizardman staggered, barely able to see, its body covered in wounds. From an outsiders perspective, battle has reached its conclusion.
But in battle, nothing was certain until the very last moment. If either side had an ace up their sleeve, the tide could still turn. There was a well-known fact among seasoned fighters. "Enemy is most vulnerable when they certain of their victory"
And the lizardman timed for this exact moment in one last attempt at victory
Something it had been reluctant to use—until now.
With no other choice, it took out a small pill and swallowed it.
Immediately, Adrian sensed danger and leaped backward.
All at once, the wounds on the lizardman's body began healing rapidly. Its eye glowed a deep purple, its muscles swelled, and its body expanded, becoming larger and more powerful than before. Its tail morphed, the end hardening into a brutal flail made of bone fragments.
Adrian narrowed his eyes. It evolved even further…
The lizardman no longer wore the mocking grin it had when they first met. Now, its expression was one of solemn fulfillment.
"Human, you are strong. I am honored to have fought you. If it were any other time, I would have gladly accepted my death. But this battle is not just about me. It concerns my brethren and our future king. I cannot afford to fall here."
It exhaled slowly, raising its now-monstrous arms.
"But rejoice. In this battle, you are the clear victor. And now, you shall die for the glory of my kin."
Despite the overwhelming aura of raw strength radiating from the lizardman, Adrian remained calm.
In fact, he looked like he had expected this outcome.
"That drug… It temporarily raises your stats in exchange for your lifespan. What a convenient method."
Adrian smirked.
"It's unfortunate that humans can't use it. Well, whatever. You're right, the outcome was already decided the moment I stepped forward. Now, let's send you to the afterlife along with that 'glory' of yours."
The lizardman let out a low chuckle.
"Hah… If that's your final speech, it's rather weak. I expected more from you, human."
It raised its fist, preparing to crush Adrian.
"Goodbye, unknown ghost. You and your entire party—"
BOOM!
The lizardman's words were cut short as two blurs shot toward it at impossible speed.
"Saint Swordsmanship—Hazy Moon."
"Hardening—Steel Body."
Before it could react, its right arm was severed.
Then, an instant later, an unstoppable force smashed into its body, sending it crashing through several stone pillars before slamming into a wall with a thunderous impact.
Standing in front of Adrian were Rod and Kleines.
Rod's eyes glowed with golden aura, his sword radiating pure power. His mana had taken shape, manifesting in response to his single-minded dedication to swordsmanship. His body and weapon were both clad in aura, enhancing his strength and speed beyond human limits.
Kleines, on the other hand, stood like a fortress. His entire body was encased in steel, an advanced combat technique from his kingdom. By infusing his mana with his element, he had transformed his skin into unbreakable armor—the path of Hardening.
His element was steel, a rare variation of earth.
"Sorry we took so long." Kleines cracked his knuckles. "Had to heal up and purify the mana in our system."
Adrian scowled.
"Don't give me that crap. I saw you two sitting back and watching the whole damn fight!"
Rod grinned.
"Oh, come on. You know how much we enjoy watching you fight."
Adrian sighed.
"Whatever. Just end this quickly so I can finally get some sleep."
The lizardman, struggling to rise, stared in disbelief.
"Impossible…! How are you using mana?! I… I removed it from your bodies! They told me… if I did that, you wouldn't be able to fight!"
Elara crossed her arms, smirking.
"Your strategy was good. Without mana, most warriors would be defenseless. But did you really think that alone was enough to take us down?"
She held up a small vial filled with a deep blue liquid.
"This potion is my masterpiece. I made it as a failsafe for Adrian. Once consumed, it forcefully gathers a certain amount of mana, causing it to explode and circulate through the body for a limited time. Sure, when the mana runs out, the backlash is painful… but all I needed was a single burst."
She gestured toward the ground, where two magic circles glowed faintly.
The first circle, cast by Elara, purified the corrupted mana in the air.
The second circle, cast by Marla using holy magic, healed and detoxified everyone within its range.
The lizardman didn't understand every detail, but it had grasped enough.
"Tch… It doesn't matter. I'll tear all of you apart with my own strength!"
It charged forward.
Rod readied his sword.
"I'll finish this quickly."
Kleines cracked his knuckles.
"Oh no, you don't. I barely got to fight in this whole damn exploration. I'm smashing that lizard into oblivion!"
As the two bickered, the lizardman suddenly felt something strange.
The scenery around it changed.
It was no longer in a dungeon, it stood in a dark forest, surrounded by trees with black leaves.
Vines slithered around its body, tightening like shackles. It couldn't move. It couldn't even breathe.
And before it could process what was happening—
SLASH!
Its head separated from its body.
Standing behind it, holding a bloodstained dagger, was Veryn.
She smirked.
"Sorry, boys. You snooze, you lose."