Yan Yi finally snapped out of his daze, realizing he’d been staring at the sky this whole time—I’m actually flying!

It wasn’t that he’d passed out. This was just too sudden. Anyone would need a moment to process their first flight, right?

He gazed blankly at the white clouds above, listening to the wind rushing past his ears.

Time for a nap soon…

"Holy crap—wait!"

The urgency of the situation jolted him awake. This was no time to close his eyes. He nearly rolled his eyes in frustration.

"I really jinxed it earlier… too many flag trees…"

Yan Yi sighed. He finally understood how dangerous setting flags could be. Just then, his body began to descend. He glanced down—and saw ordinary trees below!

"Holy crap! I actually flew out of the Bone Forest! Are those two okay?"

Before landing, Yan Yi slammed his palms onto the ground. Instantly, the earth cracked in a wide cone-shaped area behind him. Trees tilted wildly, roots tore free from the soil, and chunks of turf flew into the air!

He flipped backward. The moment his feet touched the ground, his body rebounded like a spring. The shattered earth exploded beneath him—nearby trees splintered, rocks blasted outward in every direction!

By then, Yan Yi had already reappeared a hundred meters away!

"Hold on, you two!"

…

Juben felt warmth in his left hand. Suddenly, his fear vanished. His trembling stopped.

He turned his head. Luris stood beside him.

"Luris…"

Luris smiled faintly, tightening her grip on his hand.

"We’ve been tricked again. Just like back then."

Juben remembered clearly. His eyes flicked to Luris’s once-injured shoulder. Guilt twisted in his chest.

"Sorry. Even this time… I couldn’t protect you."

Luris, who had been smiling, suddenly burst into laughter.

"Pfft—hahaha! Do you really think I need *your* protection?"

Her teasing tone reminded Juben of the girl who’d shoved him aside without hesitation. He blinked, then felt his own lips curl upward.

"Yeah. In my memories, it’s always been you protecting me. But—"

Juben raised his sword, pointing it straight at the Bone Dragon in the sky.

"I swear I’ll never let you get hurt again. That’s exactly why I keep getting stronger!"

As long as you’re by my side, I won’t retreat! I won’t let that regret repeat itself!

Luris looked at Juben. Joy shimmered in her eyes. She was glad she’d held this hand.

I won’t run away. I won’t give up. Because you’re still here with me!

Just then, Luris sensed a ripple in the air. Her eyes widened. She felt a familiar presence—water! Even here in the Bone Forest, where no lakes or rivers existed, she sensed water. The feeling grew stronger. Stranger still, it carried a trace of familiarity.

The Bone Dragon stared down at the two ants below, surprised they’d withstood its aura head-on. And…

"Class A. Class B. Just broke through, huh?"

*Interesting. So interesting. I’ll indulge myself for once.*

A bone spike materialized before the dragon. Class S mana erupted. The spike shot downward like a meteor, aimed straight at them!

They sensed the spike’s overwhelming power. Both smiled. If the dragon had used its full Demon Ascension strength, they’d have zero chance—just a shared death. But if it wanted to play? That changed everything.

The longer this dragged on, the better their odds.

Wind Blades instantly coiled around Juben’s sword. But before he could release them, Luris’s voice rang out:

"Water Shield."

Her whisper was soft, yet the shield formed instantly. Even the Bone Dragon paused—the shield, cast without incantation, was over five times stronger than a fully chanted Class B Water Shield!

Luris didn’t understand it either. The water in the air seemed to guide her, urging her to gather it. The words "Water Shield" had slipped out instinctively. Yet her mana felt untouched.

The bone spike pierced the shield. Class S mana would break through even a shield ten times stronger. But the water within the shield twisted violently, deflecting the spike over their heads. An explosion roared behind them, wind whipping their hair—but Luris still didn’t grasp what had happened.

Juben’s eyes widened. Luris had dodged that attack so easily!

"So strong…"

The Bone Dragon instantly understood. A term surfaced in its ancient memory: *Unique Magic*.

A magic that made elements feel kinship. Ranked among the most powerful in recorded history: Affinity!

*Unique Magic: Water Affinity!*

A mere Class B wielder possessing such potent Unique Magic!

Amusement surged within the dragon. One spike. Three. Five—materialized at once!

They shot downward!

Juben and Luris exchanged a glance. Wind Blades gathered on his sword. Luris’s spell was already flying.

"Multiple Water Arrows!"

"Multi-Stage Wind Blades!"

Their spells collided with equal force against the five spikes. Five thunderous booms echoed. The spikes veered wildly, exploding in different directions.

Seven more spikes followed instantly.

Juben flicked his sword. Six Wind Blades shot out. He lunged forward.

Luris supported him—seven water arrows struck the spikes. Six veered off course. The last one, Juben slashed directly.

*Clang—BOOM—*

The spike ricocheted. Juben flew backward. Nine new spikes rained down!

"Tch!"

Juben swung his sword fiercely. A Wind Blade, many times larger than before, surged forth. He used the recoil to land. Simultaneously, Luris shouted:

"Raging Tornado!"

A water tornado erupted without delay, merging with Juben’s Wind Blade to smash into the spikes.

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—*

Mist exploded across the sky. Their combined magic had shattered the spikes!

But not all. One spike pierced the water curtain, streaking straight for Luris!

"Damn it!"

Juben pushed off the ground, lunging toward Luris—but he wouldn’t make it in time!

Luris watched the spike closing in. Her expression didn’t flicker. Because—

*He’ll protect me!*

"Azure Wind Sword!"

Wind coalesced into solid blades along Juben’s sword. He slashed at the spike’s tip!

*CLANG—*

The shockwave whipped Luris’s hair upward. Her twin tails came undone, blue strands dancing around her face. Yet no fear touched her eyes.

"AAAAAH!"

Ignoring the burn in his arm, Juben deflected the spike with Azure Wind Sword. He twisted his body, the sword growing larger as it swept upward—slashing all eleven spikes mid-air!

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—*

Eleven explosions tore the sky. The Class S mana shattered the spikes, ripping the earth apart. A massive crater formed ahead. Trees and bone-wood around them had long since been blasted to splinters.

Juben blurred back to Luris’s side. They stared unflinchingly at the dust cloud from the explosions.

No more spikes came. Instead, a shadow grew larger.

The Bone Dragon’s form emerged, descending slowly.

Hands clasped together, they stood their ground, not retreating a step.

"Hahaha! Fascinating! Mere ants who haven’t even entered the S Realm—yet so entertaining!"

The Bone Dragon’s voice boomed, majestic despite its skeletal frame.

They said nothing, only watching it.

The dragon landed. Red light flickered in its eye sockets, amusement dancing within.

"Don’t glare like that. You know I could kill you both in an instant."

They exchanged a look. Juben spoke:

"Elder, what do you truly want? You attacked us first without reason."

*Stall. Only stalling gives us a chance to survive.*

"Heh. So what if I did? You trespassed first, didn’t you? Hmph. And you… looks like those Spirits failed to kill that girl after all."

Remembering Xiamu’s injuries, Juben almost charged forward. Luris cut in urgently:

"Then what do you want, Elder? This is the human world. Even you can’t stand against the Five Deans."

"Snort. If I were restored, they’d be nothing. What can the human world stop? And do you think I *wanted* to be here?"

The Bone Dragon scoffed. It truly looked down on human strongholds. If not for needing to recover its body, it wouldn’t be stuck here.

The memory seemed to sour its mood. Impatience flared.

"Enough. The flesh I need is enough. You two—die together."

The dragon raised its bone claw. Mana from the Realm of Magic surged outward, pressing down slowly toward them.

Juben watched the unavoidable strike. The fear he’d expected didn’t come. He turned to Luris, voice soft:

"Sorry. Looks like we’ll die together. At least…"

*Let me be selfish. Let me stay in front of you.*

He plunged his sword into the ground, spun around, and pulled Luris into his arms.

Luris froze for a heartbeat. Then she buried her flushed face against his chest, feeling his warmth. She murmured:

"Idiot…"

The air groaned under pressure. The bone claw descended!