Schurke transformed into a werewolf with jet-black fur, resembling not a creature, but more of a spirit.

Some parts were transparent, while others were clear.

Ethereal.

【Bring My Love to Protect This World】

A light began to shine down from the sky, this time a pink light covered the Square.

Everything took on a pink hue.

It wasn't as bright as before, more like a dim light.

The fear effect on everyone was reduced.

For Sword of Love, it was nullified entirely.

This was Liv's skill.

Sword of Love looked over at Aldo.

"Hey you, do something! Have you just been standing there playing around!?"

Alex was sweating.

A player actually dared to shout at the Knight of the Far Lands?

Aldo glared at him, saying nothing.

"Aldo’s skill is very unique, he’ll use it when the time's right," Alex placed a hand on Sword of Love’s shoulder to restrain him.

"Young man, that counterattack technique, how many times can you do it?" Alex smiled at him.

Sword of Love grinned, raising his middle finger in front of Schurke.

"As many times as needed! And hey ! this gesture means say hello to your mom!"

Schurke charged straight at him, claws aiming for Sword of Love.

I understand what it means, you mutt.

Alex immediately used his arm to block the incoming claws.

Purple lightning flashed at the point of impact.

"Let's focus our attacks! Together now!"

Sword of Love had now turned his sword purple.

"Got it!"

The two charged at Schurke.

At that moment, Schurke looked at the system notifications.

【Interesting event, +100 points】

【Interesting event, +100 points】

【Interesting event, +100 points】

【...】

Ha...!

Taking a deep breath, Schurke bared his wolf-like fangs and smiled.

And with that, he lunged at the two of them.

Well, I shouldn't kill them too quickly.

.

.

.

Unholda Kaiser was still being attacked simultaneously by two forces.

The destructive flames of Blue Flame, and the tempting flames of Inner Demon.

"Lucas, what should I do with these players now? Turn them into zombies again?"

"No need... The Knights of the Far Lands are still here. In no time, they'll set everything right again."

"Conserve your strength to protect Unholda Kaiser and fulfill the great duty."

Lucas was struggling to take his last breaths.

Just a little damage at this moment could end him instantly.

Nightingale's healing spells seemed to have little effect.

Is Schurke imposing some debilitating effect on his body?

Lucas tried to stand.

"Temporarily hide and protect Unholda Kaiser. The Knights of the Far Lands may not reach him, but the players can."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Both nodded, and Nightingale disappeared into the black mist with Lucas's body.

The Sea of Flames right now wasn't large, barely a third of its original size, and it didn't require the vigor of someone like No One to cross it.

Many variables could come into play.

Lucas watched Unholda Kaiser as his body was carried away by the black mist.

Everything now depended solely on him.

Giovanni began summoning shadows to confront the players approaching the Sea of Flames.

He stood right there, guarding Unholda Kaiser.

Numerous groups of players continuously attacked.

They weren't recklessly rushing in because their current force was very important. They couldn't afford to waste it.

Furthermore, they feared being turned into zombies again.

Most focused on using long-range classes to unleash their skills.

The Clones of Unholda Kaiser had all been defeated by Alex, and at this moment...

Amidst the chaos of battle, a group of players was advancing toward the Sea of Flames.

Memories of Unholda Kaiser continuously surged.

In the sea of memories, where the flames were burning, Unholda Kaiser suddenly sensed another presence besides himself there.

It was him.

The armor identical to his, the black mist billowing from the body. Without a fault.

"You, are you my Inner Demon?"

"No."

The other self looked at him. Gently stepping forward.

"Impossible, I'm being incinerated by the Dusk Flame, if you're not the demon, then what are you?"

The two stood facing each other.

"No, I am indeed an Inner Demon."

Then suddenly, his hand gripped Unholda Kaiser's neck.

"But not your Inner Demon."

Unholda Kaiser struggled.

His steel hand formed a fist, striking hard against the Inner Demon's head.

He exerted more and more force, just as the Inner Demon tightened his grip on him.

Crack.

The helmet that covered his face shattered.

The mist from the mask dispersed, revealing a face all too familiar.

Unholda Kaiser couldn't believe his eyes.

"It's you."

The Inner Demon smiled.

"Become my pawn again."

"Unholda Kaiser."

Unholda Kaiser gritted his teeth, looking at that face with deep resentment.

"George."

The fury seemed to grant Unholda Kaiser additional strength.

His fist, stronger than ever, struck directly at George's face.

It was so powerful that his neck appeared to twist.

Unholda Kaiser's eyes were bloodshot beneath his armor.

"Graaaahh!!!"

Using all his might, he delivered punch after punch.

With one strike, the fragments of memories seemed to shatter again.

With the next, heaven and earth were fused as one.

Each punch affected the very time and space of this place.

The Inner Demon—he laughed.

The more he was punched, the harder he laughed.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"

Blood spewed from his mouth, and George's bloodied face looked at him.

Yet, George's face bore no scratches.

Every drop of blood on his face came from Unholda Kaiser's own hands.

So much that it even coated George's mouth.

"How does it feel, being my pawn all these years?"

Unholda Kaiser roared in anger and charged again.

George also swung a punch, roaring.

BANG.

Their fists collided.Gather the universe into a single point, then explode to create a galaxy.

Time seemed to fast forward a billion times.

From the universe, planets formed, creatures evolved into myriad species.

Finally, it stopped at the moment in the Tomb of the Demon God.

Unholda Kaiser wielded his great sword, swinging it at George.

George wore the attire of a Hero, along with a jewel-encrusted sword.

With each slash, they turned the heavens and earth upside down.

Every time the blades met, memories erupted.

Tears streamed down Unholda Kaiser's face.

His hands bled from the relentless slashing.

Meanwhile, George laughed maniacally, each swing of his sword tearing apart the armor.

"Give back...!"

"Give it back to me...!!!!"

George's laughter echoed throughout Unholda Kaiser's mind.

With every laugh, he pushed Unholda Kaiser's rage to new heights.

With each stroke of the sword, the anger grew stronger.

"Give back? What is there to give back?"

"From the start, you had nothing at all, hahahaha!!!!"

In Unholda Kaiser's blood-red eyes, the reflection of a woman appeared.

Holding a newborn baby.

"No name, no family, nothing at all!"

George's laughter continued to resonate.

.

.

.

"General! It's a girl!"

The midwife exclaimed joyfully.

"R-Really!!!"

A middle-aged man with a face full of beard, tanned skin from the sun, and scars across his face eagerly rushed in.

He seemed unable to wait another second to get there.

His massive body squeezed through the average-sized door, making it appear as if he was entering a dollhouse.

Overjoyed, he embraced both mother and child.

"Wife! Daughter! Hahahaha!!!"

He was so happy he couldn't form coherent words.

He simply held both of them.

CLANG.

That mid-memory was shattered by a clash of swords.

Unholda Kaiser was jolted back to reality.

He gritted his teeth.

"AAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

The great sword, filled with fury, ignited with black flames.

It swung down towards George.

George dodged, but the heavens and earth did not.

Reality itself around them shattered.

Both fell into a deep, dark abyss.

"General...! We can't protect the people anymore! The wall is about to break!"

"We must flee quickly! If we go in the opposite direction from the city, we can avoid them!"

Unholda Kaiser found himself standing on the city wall.

In front of him were countless monstrous beasts.

His hand tightly gripped the massive sword.

"You. Anyone who wants to save their own life, just run. I won't blame anyone."

"As for me, today, I cannot run."

Unholda Kaiser leaped from the towering city wall down to the ground.

"My wife, my daughter, they are both in the city."

"She just gave birth, still very weak, I can't take her away."

CLANG.

George's sword once again interrupted Unholda Kaiser's memory.

The two of them were still falling, but George relentlessly continued to attack him.

Unholda Kaiser swung a punch.

This punch struck George's face hard, driving him through the bottomless abyss they were falling into.

Breaking through to a vast grassy prairie.

"My love...?"

Unholda Kaiser looked around, bewildered.

Standing amid the prairie.

A girl with her hair tied high, a few strands still hanging down.

Her shimmering brown eyes were gazing at him.

"Emily..."

Unholda Kaiser could not help but stare at her in shock.

Thunk.He spat out blood.

"Don't look away during a fight, idiot."

George stabbed his sword straight through him.

Directly pulling him back into the bottomless abyss.

His hand still reached out, trying to grasp Emily as she grew distant.