The elite-class Adventurers, second only to the heroes, never expected to witness a sight beyond their imagination. Moreover, this scene involved the Great Mage, who was not only using magic but also his own body like an orc. And who would have thought—his body was not that of a frail old man, but a massive, muscular physique with hardened muscles that could put even a Barbarian to shame.
When they heard the battle erupt, they rushed out, intending to help. However, after witnessing the fight before them, they reconsidered.
It wasn't out of fear but rather the concern that they would only become a burden to the Great Mage.
The entire capital had already been placed on high alert, meaning all citizens were ordered to evacuate into the royal underground shelters, with hidden escape routes leading elsewhere. A path they never expected would ever be used—and not because of the demon race, but because of a single man with strange powers.
"I can't sense any mana from him," one of the Adventurers muttered in shock. "But he's using a power like forbidden magic."
"I'm actually more surprised at the Great Mage himself—who would have thought he could fight with his bare hands? And at his age, too, when he's already at death's doorstep," another replied, watching in awe as the Great Mage combined magic with close-quarters combat.
He was shocked too.
In comics, it was usually the protagonist who wielded such techniques, leaving everyone in disbelief. But thinking about it logically, this made perfect sense.
Someone who had mastered magic for so long would eventually seek new ways to utilize it. And who else but the Great Mage?
At the same time, he found this battle far more thrilling than fighting heroes or even Cerno. They relied too much on long-range abilities, while he much preferred trading punches and kicks—just like what was happening now.
Each time their fists or kicks clashed, massive shockwaves rippled outward, sending gusts of wind so strong that bystanders had to shield their eyes from the debris flying through the air.
That side of the capital had already fallen into chaos.
The streets were in ruins, buildings were unrecognizable, and there was still no sign of them stopping.
Why was the Great Mage willing to do this?
Because they could see it with their own eyes—the man he was fighting truly possessed such power that destruction was inevitable. The Great Mage had already tried to lure him away from the capital to minimize damage, but he kept returning, almost as if he was using this battle as an excuse to level the city.
The Adventurers, who initially wanted to help, ultimately decided to protect the citizens from stray attacks and falling debris instead.
Even that alone was enough to nearly cost them their lives.
They couldn't even imagine what would happen if they joined the fight.
Of course, not everyone backed down—like the man wearing only a red leather vest, unbuttoned, with a massive sword resting on his shoulder. His fiery orange hair was slicked back like a hedgehog, matching his fearless and intense expression.
For the past two minutes, he had been watching the battle, analyzing the power of this unknown attacker before deciding—this was a worthy opponent.
After all, life in the capital had been unbearably dull. He had almost died of boredom—until now. This moment reignited the fire in his heart.
The Great Mage turned to him, questioning, "Are you sure you want to do this, boy from the Berserker Clan? You should know the enemy before us is no ordinary man. I don't even know if he's human."
He only grinned. "Even better, right? Finally, I get to stretch my muscles after this boring life." He lowered his sword from his shoulder, gripping it tightly in his right hand.
The sword, glowing crimson with flame-like patterns, was instantly engulfed in fire—a sign that he had mastered the highest level of fire-element magic. He was no ordinary man.
"Oh? Who would've thought 'The Burning Star' was bored," the Great Mage replied, grinning wider. "Good. The two of us will take him down together."
"We?" He burst into laughter. "Don't get your hopes up, old man. I'M THE ONE WHO'LL TAKE HIM DOWN!"
As he dashed forward, flames erupted from his body, propelling him toward the enemy at high speed.
"YOU'RE DONE FOR!" he roared as he swung his sword—only to find that his target had vanished.
A devastating kick struck his right side, launching him through a building and burying him under its collapsed roof.
The Great Mage could only sigh in disappointment at Burning Star's reckless nature. "No wonder you weren't nominated as a hero," he muttered before bracing himself and stepping forward.
One step shattered the ground behind him, leaving a deep crater as a thunderous noise echoed. His fist met the open palm of his opponent, the impact unleashing a blinding light that obliterated the surrounding area.
The Great Mage chuckled nervously.
"What the hell are you?"
There was no answer. Instead, the man flung the Great Mage into the air, leaped after him, and kicked him back down, carving a massive crater into the ground.
"I don't even know myself," the man finally replied, glancing toward the orange-haired warrior, who was already emerging from the rubble with blood dripping from his forehead. Yet, his grin remained as wide as ever, and the flames on his sword burned even hotter, melting everything nearby.
"You bastard, you almost killed me," he spat in irritation.
"You volunteered. Don't blame me—I only granted your wish."
"You won't be saying that when I smash that smug face of yours!"
Once again, he lunged forward, swinging his flaming sword in a massive arc that carved a blazing trench through the ground, splitting a building clean in half like a hot knife through butter. Then, he plunged the blade into the earth.
Suddenly, magma erupted from below, forcing the Great Mage to strengthen his protective magic. "Control your power!" he shouted.
But the orange-haired warrior didn't care. "Mind your own damn business, old man!"
With the sword embedded in the ground, he slammed both fists down, causing the earth to crack with a bright red glow. When he lifted his hands, twin gauntlets of molten rock had formed around them.
"You like fighting barehanded, don't you? Then let me show you what someone who has fought with his fists every day to survive can do!"
The man grinned. "Go ahead—but don't blame me if your hands are useless after this."
And with that, he charged again—just as the Great Mage stepped forward, ready to strike from the opposite direction.