Chapter 454: Dark Demon’s Armed Evolution (64.5/233)
The ranger’s body did not fall.
The large hole in his chest seemed nonexistent as he stood pale-faced but without any trembling.
Instead, the small wooden cabin they were in began to violently shake as a beastly roar suddenly echoed overhead.
In just a few seconds, the shaking intensified, and the roar exploded above them.
Dark rushed out of the cabin and saw a giant claw descending from the sky, crushing the cabin beneath its weight.
Two shadows instantly shot out from the collapsing cabin.
The Vampire Noble, holding an umbrella, landed gracefully beside Dark.
Meanwhile, the ranger rapidly retreated toward the edge of the Gray Mist Forest.
Dark slowly raised his head, finally seeing the monstrous form that emerged from the forest—a colossal creature akin to a T-Rex!
“Armored Dragon Beast!”
Dark’s mind raced, recognizing the origins of this massive creature.
The Gray Mist Forest was well-known within the kingdom.
It was constantly shrouded in mist, harboring many species thought to be extinct.
However, those species quickly perished once they left the mist.
The persistent mist acted like dust from time, reviving past life.
Yet, recent experts believed these extinct species within the mist were merely illusions.
But regardless of which theory was true, these creatures existed, touchable, growing, hunting, and even fighting—no different from real life.
The “Claire Travels” clearly documented the situation in the Gray Mist Forest and mentioned its rangers.
Being a ranger in the Gray Mist Forest was a lucrative position, passed down through generations.
They guarded the forest with the help of a centuries-old Armored Dragon Beast!
As a dragon subspecies, the Armored Dragon Beast naturally had a long lifespan. This one seemed particularly special.
Dark squinted at the Armored Dragon Beast, unable to suppress a mocking smile.
The beast showed no signs of intelligence, only brutality.
“Ranger,” Dark suddenly called out loudly.
The ranger, who had retreated to the forest’s edge, looked up sharply, his expression unreadable.
Curious, Dark asked, “I see your dedication to knowledge in your eyes, yet why do the beings you create lack intelligence?”
Half of the ranger’s face twisted into a demonic visage.
With Dark’s question, he felt a shift in their positions.
He had created this environment, and it should have been him interrogating the other party from a superior position.
But the young magus had never followed his lead, causing his already unstable emotions to spiral out of control.
Now, events had surpassed his expectations.
Should he fight or flee?
This thought flashed through his mind.
But the ranger’s gaze flickered, choosing to continue the fight.
He wanted to uncover the secrets of the summoned golem from the battle!
Thus, the fight continued.
The ranger didn’t give verbal commands, yet the massive Armored Dragon Beast acted swiftly.
It roared at Dark on the ground, its breath repulsive enough to make him cover his nose.
“Mana Spirit!”
The dream spirit floating above Dark wobbled from the breath, grimacing.
“This Armored Dragon Beast should be around eight or nine stars when at full strength, right?”
Dark manipulated his golem card, fully understanding the situation.
The ranger’s goal was clear—to uncover the secrets of Dark’s golem.
Summoning other golems would only cater to the ranger’s wishes.
“Since that’s the case… Vampire Noble, the ranger is yours.”
“Okay.”
The Vampire Noble nodded vigorously, cherishing this hard-earned opportunity.
In the next instant, she burst forth with wind-like speed, circling around the Armored Dragon Beast and attacking the ranger.
Meanwhile, Dark activated another golem card in his hand.
“As for this Armored Dragon Beast, I’ll handle it myself!”
He raised the golem card, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
This rare combat opportunity was too good to miss.
“In the name of Dark Demon, Mana Summon!”
“Armed, evolve!”
Moonlight poured down, and the shadow of the Moon Goddess appeared behind him, holding a silver mirror high.
From the mirror, pure light burst forth, enveloping him entirely.
He could feel his very being transforming!
His body, originally not tall, surged in height, aging from twelve to eighteen years old. A sense of pride emanated from his core.
Around him, silver armor materialized, each piece exuding the aura of the Moon Goddess.
In an instant, the armor adhered to his slender frame, and evolutional light flowed over him.
The sudden surge of power made Dark realize—he had successfully evolved into the “Moon Goddess”!
His ears stood erect, forming a V-shape with his chin’s curve. A purple mask covered half his face, revealing only thin lips and a delicate jawline.
At the center of the silver armor, a mysterious rune-etched shield was embedded.
Six-star golem—Moon Goddess—made her grand entrance!
…
“What kind of armed transformation is this??”
The ranger’s eyes widened to their limit after witnessing everything.
Dark Demon, being the son of a Valkyrie, having an “Armed Card” was unsurprising. But the bizarre feeling of this transformation nearly overturned his worldview.
But he had no time to ponder further; the Vampire Noble’s umbrella was already thrusting towards him.
…
“Roar!”
The enraged Armored Dragon Beast slowly lifted its massive foot, casting a dark shadow.
With a powerful force, it stomped down!
But the foot, which had crushed the cabin, halted mid-strike!
A silver moon-like glow emitted from beneath it, soft and sacred.
As the dust settled and the light dimmed, Dark Demon’s “Moon Goddess” form revealed itself.
Standing casually, he held the dragon’s foot with a single hand.
“Is this ‘Divine Rank Armed’?”
Dark felt surprisingly at ease. The Armored Dragon Beast’s strength was far weaker than he anticipated.
With the six-star “Moon Goddess” providing 3000 points in both attack and defense, plus the passive boost of the “Divine Rank Armed” ultimate skill, his stats reached 4000 points at the peak of eight stars.
However, the estimated strength of the Armored Dragon Beast was around eight or nine stars.
And creatures of similar strength were typically more formidable than golems.
Unlike golems, which were fragile and easily defeated when their mana depleted, these creatures usually possessed strong life forces and resistance, making them harder to kill.
“But if that’s the case, isn’t this Armored Dragon Beast also just a shell?”
Dark’s eyes flashed, lifting his second hand to firmly grasp the dragon’s foot. With a burst of energy, he roared.
“Haah!”
The mountain-sized Armored Dragon Beast was thrown to the ground with a crash.
Dark’s figure didn’t stop. Fearlessly, he charged into the swirling sand, his fists striking the dragon’s chin like hammers!
“Bang!”
Despite the vast size difference, the power was reversed.
Each punch from Dark Demon left a gaping hole.
The once mighty Armored Dragon Beast now resembled a helpless chicken.
Dark felt his muscles and bones release pent-up energy, exploding with power.
“Boom!”
With the final punch, the Armored Dragon Beast was obliterated!
Blood sprayed across his face, sliding down the smooth armor.
Dark turned slowly, his gaze like that of a sinister demon god, looking at the ranger still battling the Vampire Noble.
Then, he stomped on the ground, leaping out with a silver bullet-like trajectory, piercing the ranger’s chest in an instant!
The ranger, already wounded, was torn almost in two.
But he didn’t fall, only staring in shock at the still “Moon Goddess”-form Dark Demon.
“You!”
Dark ignored him, delivering a straight punch to his face!
“Bang!”
Blood exploded in a mist.
The world spun violently, overturning instantly.
…
Dark slowly opened his eyes.
The roar of the golem train filled his ears, as if the entire world had come alive.
The others in the compartment were still sleeping, their murmurs audible from the adjacent room.
Dark felt no surprise.
He knew he had been in a dreamlike place, so he immediately summoned the Mana Spirit.
He then confirmed it was indeed a dream, not an illusion.
If it were an illusion, he would have been more cautious.
But if it was just a dream, he could escape at any moment.
“Mana Spirit—”
The Mana Spirit brushed against his cheek, sending a chill.
Among the summoned Mana Spirits in that dream, only the “Mana Spirit” was real.
The other Mana Spirits and golem cards were illusions, including the Imp Beast, which remained motionless on the table.
But Dark had always maintained composure.
Having composure didn’t mean he was indifferent.
“The ranger was probably just a disguise.”
“But if he truly thinks this ends here, he’s being naive.”
Some people, though dead, still live on.
Some, though living, are already dead.
