The earth trembled.

Pain surged through his body, sharp and overwhelming, twisting violently inside him. His muscles tensed against his will as his vision blurred.

He groaned.

For the first time in a long while, the pain felt… unfamiliar.

Not distant.
Not dull.

Real.

Across the battlefield, Baron Kotei staggered back, breathing heavily. Sweat ran down his face as his arm trembled uncontrollably.

Damn it… I used far more mana than I should have, he thought.
And the fight isn’t even over…

The Baron clenched his teeth.

Slowly, the Nameless King pushed himself up.

His gaze lifted.

Cold.
Sharp.
More murderous than before.

A grin spread across his face as blood traced down his lips.

How amusing…
I can taste it. Blood flowing through my body.

He planted his bone sword into the ground and stood.

Kotei’s breath caught.

Impossible…
How did he recover so fast? Is this the true strength of a giant?

In the next instant—

The Nameless King vanished.

Kotei turned, eyes wide.

A violent gust exploded behind him.

The bone sword descended with terrifying speed, slicing through the air itself.

Instinctively, Kotei raised a magical barrier.

The collision released a shockwave that rippled across the land.

Something cracked.

The sword recoiled—and a fist followed.

Kotei barely registered the movement before impact.

Regina… I’m sorry.

A dull, heavy sound echoed as his body was sent flying, blood scattering through the air.

The Nameless King pursued without pause.

Kotei barely perceived a massive silhouette closing in.

He had no strength left.

No mana.

Only a single thought repeated in his mind.

I’m sorry… Regina… I may not be able to keep my promise.

Another strike sent him crashing into the ground.

Dust erupted.

The Nameless King landed smoothly, his smile wide—almost joyful.

It’s been a long time since I had a fight like this, he thought.
Entertain me more, pointy-eared one.

Within the settling dust, a small figure struggled to rise.

Kotei stood unsteadily, his body drenched in blood, posture broken, eyes hollow.

The Nameless King felt a brief surge of satisfaction.

How am I… still alive? Kotei wondered.

His arm trembled as he raised it weakly.

If I’m still alive, then…

Light gathered around him.

Golden sparks flickered in the air.

…I’ll fight. I’ll use this chance the Goddess gave me.

The Nameless King charged again, bone sword raised high.

The blade cut forward, splitting the air once more.

All my strength… all my mana…
Memories flashed through Kotei’s mind—his wife, his daughter, smiling.

…I’ll give everything.

He roared.

Magic erupted.

The wind howled violently, leaves tearing free as lightning surged toward the bone sword.

The clash exploded outward, force and magic colliding.

Kotei stared in disbelief.

He’s… smiling?

The lightning scorched the Nameless King’s body, pain spreading across his skin—

Yet it only drove him further.

This pain…
It proves I’m alive.

Blood spilled from Kotei’s mouth as his mana core screamed in protest. He knew the truth—if this continued, death was likely.

And even survival would cost him everything.

Still, he stepped forward.

The Nameless King broke through.

Kotei saw death rushing toward him.

The final strike descended—

And stopped.

The giant’s arm froze.

Kotei collapsed, unconscious.

The Nameless King closed his eyes against his will.

When he opened them again, the sky had changed.

Orange light spread across the horizon.

The sun hung low.

For a moment, he stood in silence, staring.

Beautiful…

Then the emptiness returned.

The battle was over.

He looked down at his fallen enemy.

There’s no reason to kill him.

Turning away, the Nameless King continued walking.

Aimless.

Why does every battle end the same way?
Why does this feeling always remain?