Previously on Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill...
Volcanus was overwhelmed by spells until Ethan intervened, striking the molten construct with a blade of light. Volcanus then focused his attacks on Ethan, who retaliated by partially transforming into a dragon. The two clashed fiercely, with Ethan also utilizing arcane energy and exploiting Volcanus's slowed movements due to the continuing spells. Volcanus noticed Ethan's rapid healing, infuriating him.
"Just you wait and see," Ethan scoffed, continuing his relentless assault without pause. If this onslaught persisted, he would be utterly exhausted. A menacing glint appeared in Volcanus's eyes.
"Enough." The flames surrounding Volcanus suddenly surged, rising to unprecedented heights. Ethan immediately sensed the shift. Something had changed. The ambient temperature escalated drastically, and the air itself began to warp more ferociously than ever.
Volcanus ceased all movement. He tilted his head slightly, his expression grave. Ancient words, deep and resonant, emanated from him, carrying a peculiar pressure that made the very space tremble with each utterance. Ethan's face altered as he observed. "What is he doing..." Dark crimson clouds rapidly coalesced overhead, forming layer upon layer, exuding a terrifying aura that radiated outward. Even the space within the formation shuddered under the immense pressure. A chill coursed through Ethan.
"This isn't right." Without a moment's hesitation, he charged forward, accompanied by the magic construct, attacking from both flanks simultaneously. However, just as they closed in, a barrier materialized. A shield of condensed flame enveloped Volcanus, forming a protective encasement. Ethan's strike impacted it violently.
*Boom!* The resounding impact jolted the barrier, yet it remained unbroken. The construct's spells joined the assault.
*Boom! Boom!* The barrier still held firm.
The ancient chant continued unabated. Ethan redoubled his efforts, striking repeatedly with increased intensity, but to no avail. The shield remained utterly intact. Above, the dark clouds thickened, and the oppressive pressure became unbearable. Volcanus's voice intensified.
Then, he opened his eyes. "You should have finished it earlier." A cold light flickered in his gaze. "Now... burn." The clouds above suddenly stirred. Enormous pillars of condensed flame formed within them, and in the next instant, they descended.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!* The entire area was engulfed. The flames rained down like a cataclysm, consuming everything, leaving no avenue for escape. Where they touched, even the air seemed to incinerate.
Annihilation! Unending destruction!
Sensing the terrifying power contained within those fiery pillars, Ethan's expression shifted dramatically. Despite his draconic transformation, possessing immense defensive capabilities and potent magic, he knew with absolute certainty that he could not withstand this onslaught. A direct hit would undoubtedly mean his demise.
"FUCKKKK!" Ethan cursed through gritted teeth. His immediate instinct was not self-preservation but the protection of his people. The Battle Frenzy Art activated instantly, its effect immediate and violent. The crimson markings etched across his scales flared outwards like incandescent fractures, and the golden patterns beneath them blazed with blinding white intensity. His aura doubled its density, then doubled again, constricting tightly around his form like a secondary skin crafted from raw power. Every muscle in his draconic frame thrummed with a force that felt less like energy and more like sheer pressure, as if the surrounding air was being violently expelled in all directions. His eyes, once dark, now glowed with a steady, cold luminescence.
*BOOOOM!* In the following moment, he vanished, hurtling towards his companions with a speed that left only a distortion in the air.
Wales and Randall had observed the entire engagement from a distance, their silence stretching for a considerable time. There was little to be said. The sheer magnitude of the events unfolding had rendered words irrelevant hours prior.
"Dad can turn into a dragon too?" Ray inquired, his voice a mixture of shock and apprehension as he gazed at the colossal crimson dragon clashing with Volcanus. "Who knows," Randall murmured, slowly rubbing his eyes as if hoping the scene might magically alter.
The surrounding knights fared no better. They had witnessed the terrifying battle unfold over nearly a full day. While they managed to maintain their composure, the native monsters of this region had not. The creatures that dominated these lands through fear and reputation had fallen utterly silent and still, with several appearing to be in a state akin to prayer. The prevailing sentiment among them was palpable, even unspoken: Please, take these two menaces elsewhere.
Then, Randall noticed Volcanus cease his movement and raise his head. A subtle shift in his posture sent an immediate jolt of unease through Randall's chest.
"I have a bad feeling about this," he stated, his voice dropping to a low tone.
The very next moment, before any of them could even process what was happening, Ethan had already arrived. His hand shot forward, and brilliant chains of light burst forth from his palm, ensnaring the group in a single, swift motion. There was no time for anyone to utter a word before they were violently pulled through the air. Ethan then dramatically departed the scene, leaving behind a searing, incandescent trail.
Wales's mouth opened, about to pose a question, when the world behind them erupted into pure white light.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A colossal, mushroom-shaped cloud billowed upwards, illuminating the entire sky with its dense, roaring inferno. In the ensuing second, innumerable pillars of dark, violet fire rained down from above, transforming the confined space into a veritable hellscape. The intense heat caused everything to disintegrate. Within a mere three seconds, the spatial sealing magic array constructed by Ethan completely crumbled under the overwhelming force of the descending flames. Mountains vanished into thin air, and the very ground beneath them was obliterated. An area spanning thousands of kilometers was reduced to a desolate, scorched wasteland.
The sheer power of that assault had undeniably surpassed the mythical rank.
As waves of fiery destruction rolled outwards towards them, Ethan reacted instantly. Ice and water magic spells erupted from his hands in a rapid barrage, working to counteract the advancing flames. He pressed onward through the oppressive heat, sweat beading on his brow from the immense exertion required.
It had been an incredibly narrow escape. Even a moment's delay would have resulted in his death alongside everyone else, leaving behind no trace of their existence. If it had only been himself, the outcome would not have mattered as much, given he possessed three additional lives he could fall back on. However, the situation was entirely different for the others.
That single fact had made all the difference in the world.
