*** MC’s POV ***

‘It’s ready!’

I held my supercharged sword with both hands. When all the light had been absorbed, the sword flashed and illuminated the night.

“Ex-” I shouted the skill name I had in mind, “caliburn!”

I swung the sword downward with all my might. The ground split and a searing hot sword beam was emitted at the speed of light. It burst forward and annihilated everything it touched.

The shield didn’t even last an instant as it shattered and evaporated to nothingness, along with the black mage who screamed in agony from beyond. Then, the beam hit the dome and brightened the entire dome. Fortunately, even such a strong attack wouldn’t be able to break the dorm, so there was no harm to civilians.

After a few seconds that felt like hours, the beam finally stopped bursting from the sword. Everything returned to normal. It was only after I double-checked that the black mage had died that I finally relaxed and fell on my back.

The sword strike just now drained me. Since I even used the second power strike, even my mana took a hit.

The second art itself was called [Falling Moon Slash], a simple downward slash that got stronger by manipulating gravity. The sword strike just now used too much gravity, I guess. Even [Gravity x10] was enough, but since I even used [Gravity x1000], it was no wonder that my mana reserves were running low.

That’s why, before my mana got sucked even more, I had to lift the rune formations at once.

The runes received my intent and stopped shining. Then, the dome disappeared along with the other formations. Now that any source of light had gone, the darkness returned and filled the night with black.

‘I should go back and rest at an inn.’

I knew I should, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk at all. However, it’s something that would easily get solved if I just let Raon’s gift take over.

‘5 minutes. Let’s just rest for 5 minutes.’

I tried my best to stay awake, however, I couldn’t help but close my heavy eyelids. I have told Fatty and the mercenaries to pick me up after the fight, so it should be fine to rest for a bit, right? I justified my action and fell asleep.

Back then, I was careless and didn’t know the threat wasn’t over. For one, the Prophet and his underling hadn’t come. Even worse, the black mage flipped causality and did something absurd at the end. It was something I later knew because that girl told me. However, that was a story for a later date.

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*** Black Mage’s POV ***

[You sacrificed everything to twist the fabric of reality]

[Warning! You have sacrificed your afterlife. Eternal hell awaits]

[Warning! You have sacrificed your beloved’s soul. Their claws will tear you for good]

[Warning!...]

...

...

...

[You have came back to life]

“Heok?!”

My evaporated body reassembled and I knelt on the ground from the excruciating pain. It felt like every cell in my body was burned by searing hot flames. However, since I was a black mage, this pure light was more painful as it even burned my soul.

It was only after getting annihilated so completely that even necromancy couldn’t revive me had I finally made a deal. However, the price was absurd.

I looked down at my trembling hands. Was this fear in my chest? I, the black mage who once struck terror into legions? How low have I fallen?

However that fact only fueled my hatred. I would fulfill my revenge, no matter the price I had to pay.

I gripped my hands and forced the trembling to stop. It was no longer the hand of a healthy adult male, but the wrinkly and bony hand of an old man. Everywhere else was the same. I had even lost all of my skills, gifts, magic, and more.

The only thing I didn’t sacrifice was a small piece of my ego to take revenge on the boy. And with that ego driving me, I came back to take his life.

My legs ached as I crept closer, but the sight of his slumbering form reignited my glee. At last, fortune presented an opportunity for vengeance.

‘I should kill him while I can.’

I picked a piece of sharp stone and frowned.

‘Not strong enough. I need to find something I can use to kill the boy even with my bony hands.’

It was then that I remembered. The boy had thrown a dagger at me when we first met. If I could get my hands on that dagger, I could kill him.

I looked around. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for me to find the dagger.

My withered lips curled into a sneer as I grabbed the dagger's hilt. At last, I had the means to send this annoying whelp to his doom.

Slowly, painfully, I dragged my legs back towards his unconscious body. Raising the dagger with trembling arms, I leaned over his prone body.

One swift stab was all I needed to repay this humiliation a thousandfold. A few more seconds and his soul would be gone from this world.

Revenge shall be mine. I would make sure of it.

'Blame yourself for letting down your guard, brat. Let’s meet again in hell.’

I swung the dagger with both hands and was about to stab at his neck. However, before the killing strike could fall, a small voice shattered my moment of dark triumph.

“Oppa! No!”

“Heok?!”

My body flew back to a wind blast and hit a tree. It was not a strong magic by any means, but it was too much for my new self who can no longer use magic to endure.

I saw my assailant and widened my eyes.

‘A brat? Didn’t she use magic?’

For such a small-looking brat to be a magician. What has the world come to?

The girl's interference vexed me. This was not how my vengeance was meant to unfold.

I glared at the unwelcome whelp disrupting my plan. No matter, I would eliminate any who dared to oppose me.

Gripping the dagger until my knuckles ached, I fixed her with a glare that once sent brave men running. "Out of my way, brat, if you value your life." I spat. "You've no idea who you are dealing with. Let me finish the boy before I finish you!"

The girl was checking the boy's condition. However, when she heard me, she froze and glared at me.

"You want to harm Oppa?" She said, quiet but unyielding. "I won't let you."

I gritted my teeth at the humiliation. Her insolent stare and defiance seared like a brand upon my battered pride. Did this wretch not realize whom she challenged?

"Then you will share his fate, wretch!"

My trembling fingers tightened upon the dagger hilt, twisting with intent both murderous and maniacal. How dare this tiny little girl look down upon me?

"I will pluck your eyes from your insolent skull and feed them to the crows!"

My rage turned into madness. I vowed, whether it’s this brat or that brat, I would make them pay for shaming me!