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The volcano erupted.
Scorching lava flowed down, setting everything ablaze. The entire conical peak glowed dark red—an apocalyptic sight.
Adventurers forgot the Butcher entirely, fleeing for their lives—get as far from the erupting volcano as possible! The Archdruid conversed with rocks through flying insects again. The earth split open, forming a canyon that blocked all escape routes!
Before them yawned a bottomless abyss; behind, relentless lava chased. Despair! True despair! Adventurers stood stunned or wailed in terror.
“Who will save us?” cried the huntress, tears streaming.
“Aio will save you!”
Aile descended from the sky!? She landed smoothly before all the adventurers.
Everyone stared at the blonde girl in silver armor, her hair tied in a single ponytail.
“You are—? Aio’s Holy Knight?”
“Witness the one true god! Behold Aio’s miracle!” Aile raised a finger toward the sky—as boiling lava drew terrifyingly close! No joke! Only someone with absolute divine faith would dare this.
Yes, Aile believed unwaveringly!
A... gigantic hand, as large as a playground, scooped up all four hundred adventurers! It leaped over the abyss! Not a single one missed! Transporting everyone to safety!
A miracle! A true miracle!! Unbelievable! That night, Aio’s name spread far and wide—some adventurers immediately knelt before Aile, begging for blessings.
Among them was the Butcher.
“You! Look what you’ve done!” roared the furious Wildwalker Farion. He transformed instantly! A ferocious face emerged—mouth elongated, between canine and rodent. Arms became massive claws! Legs turned kangaroo-like! His size multiplied many times over! Glossy fur covered his body!
The Butcher, with a 10,000-silver-coin bounty, lunged at Aile with bared fangs—
Meanwhile, Leon and the Archdruid met again atop the crater!
Their plan to eliminate adventurers and balance nature was ruined. The Archdruid’s rage defied description.
Leon crossed his arms, drawing the jet-black Light Roar Sword and silvery-white Mystic Silver Sword from his back.
Naya imbued Leon with the aura of the Shield of Light.
“Go, Leon,” she whispered softly.
Leon shot forward like an arrow—!
Vines coiled around the Archdruid, forming a wall.
“Stop this now!” Leon shouted, swinging both swords to shatter the vines.
The Archdruid wouldn’t surrender. Unlike his four disciples, he’d drunk the essence blood of Nature’s Will—and eaten its flesh. Tonight was the full moon—Nature’s Will at its peak!
Scarlet light exploded over the Archdruid!
Behind him, a giant wolf skeleton materialized! Glowing crimson like crystal.
The Archdruid, possessed by ???, Challenge Level — ????
“Then I must tear this continent in two. Nature demands it,” the Archdruid spoke—as the wolf skeleton echoed his words. Two voices merged into one fused sound.
He called upon the continent’s “inner” power! Raising both hands, nature’s energy flowed endlessly into his palms! Condensing into a sphere—
The crater’s lava swirled into a massive vortex!
“Do you seek to destroy the world?” Leon stared in disbelief at the Archdruid’s madness.
To be continued.
