The moment the crimson sword was summoned from the circle of blood, an invisible wave swept through the arena. Everyone felt that something was wrong—something beyond their understanding.
The air changed.
The heat intensified.
Egologia's eyes burned, not just with their dark red hue, but with something deeper—something that made the King of Vardisia himself narrow his eyes, silent, observing the scene without comment.
As for the iguana monster, it unconsciously took two steps back, its grip on the hammer loosening for a moment, but its pride wouldn't allow it to retreat further.
"What is this?... Pathetic human magic! I'll crush you until you're nothing but scattered guts!"
But it didn't realize that Egologia was faster than its words.
In an instant. He disappeared.
A red flash, a single step, the ground beneath his feet cracked, and then—
His crimson sword cut through the air toward the monster's body, aiming to pierce its skin… or so it was supposed to. But the moment the radiant blade touched the iguana's hide, it was forced to stop.
It only pierced slightly…
Egologia's expression darkened.
'My maga… isn't enough? Damn, I should've known.'
With a single step, he retreated quickly, leaving the iguana standing there… trembling… its eyes still staring into nothingness, as if it hadn't yet processed what had happened.
Fear.
'He was too fast.'
It didn't realize when he had appeared in front of it, nor did it understand how his sword had touched its skin.
Then—
"….!"
Something warm trickled down the monster's legs.
Its lips trembled, and everyone stared at the scene in shock.
The iguana monster… had wet itself.
"That bastard…?!"
"Damn it, this isn't fair!"
"We want him in the arms of death!"
Suddenly, a monstrous roar erupted from the crowd, pointing directly at the King.
"Your Majesty! This piss-soaked lizard won't do anything! Allow me… allow us, your soldiers, to tear him apart!"
It was one of the soldiers, seething with anger, trying to stop himself from jumping into the arena:
"That damned human… he killed my brother, Your Majesty!!"
But the King raised his hand to stop any interference. His glowing eyes remained fixed on the arena, and his voice weighed heavily on everyone:
"Calm down…"
Then he added…
"Don't worry, ambitious ones… this human will die now. He's weaker than he appears!"
Monstrous laughter rose, and the sound of pounding on the ground shook the place once more.
The feeling that they had misjudged him.
'According to the logic of all the lives I've lived… I'm already dead now.'
'The Blood Sword didn't even pierce its skin. The only evolution I've brought here is my speed… and perhaps my intelligence.'
'But strength?'
'No!'
'I don't have enough.'
'I need to escape…'
The monster laughed, swinging its hammer around its wrist as if it hadn't wet itself moments ago.
"Shehehehe… I suppose the King knows what he's talking about after all."
Then it continued maliciously, its steps heavy as it approached:
"You're weak… you fraud."
Egologia ignored the change in the monster's demeanor; it didn't matter. His glowing crimson eyes were scanning something else—
The monsters.
Do they have wings? Can they fly?
Scanning alone wasn't enough to judge, but it gave him a chance.
And above…
The hazy sky called to him.
It promised freedom.
Then… the heavy wind disrupted his analysis. The dreadful hammer was aimed directly at him. He dodged it smoothly, then retreated with long strides, continuing to widen the distance.
[Maga-Crimson]
The blood circle appeared again, small on his raised hand, and from it emerged red projections, forming and shaping until they took the appearance of a crimson shield.
The monster charged at him. The hammer shook the ground in every direction, and Egologia continuously evaded, sometimes blocking attacks with the shield, but the pressure was increasing.
'Damn… this thing won't calm down.'
'It's getting faster and stronger with every strike.'
The hammer came down on him, vertically this time.
Egologia sidestepped, the hot air currents scraping his face, stinging his skin like sharp blades.
But he wasn't just retreating.
[Crimson]
His other hand was ready to retaliate.
The moment the iguana left an opening after its strike, his hand shot forward, his nails transforming into ruby claws, growing rougher rapidly, and aimed directly at the inevitable target—
The eye.
Seventeen strikes for each eye crushed the sensitive tissue, embedding themselves deep, tearing blood vessels, and warm fluid exploded in every direction.
It screamed with all its hatred and savagery, a howl from the depths of hell. The iguana's head shook violently, its massive body convulsing, its powerful legs sinking into the ground up to its knees, as if trying to cling to life itself from the sheer pain.
"You're a simple target…"
Then he jumped—no, his body launched into the sky at a speed that stunned everyone, almost reaching the level of the watching crowd.
[MAGAAAA…!!!]
Everyone held their breath, their eyes following his ascending body, anticipating the next attack that would come from that terrifying height.
The blood circles appeared again, but behind him, behind his back…
Then the glow emerged… slowly taking shape,
Wings.
Radiant wings burst forth from the bloody chaos, flapping with radiant energy.
'Wa!…Wait!!'
At that moment, the King moved.
He placed his hand on the scepter's handle.
His narrowed eyes followed the scene sharply, as if he had realized the truth before everyone else.
'Could it be that he…?'
He flew.
He flew swiftly, leaving behind the envious screams that gradually faded, leaving the arena…
He had given them a stunning performance—he no longer looked back.
After all… he wanted to live.