Chapter 720

〈Chapter 720〉 Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 14

The battlefield: Manchester.

Reduced not only to ruins but transformed into a wasteland of craters, the devastated city provided the perfect stage for ability users to unleash their full power against the Wind Dragon.

“As Directed, commence full barrage!”

Even before the Commander’s order was fully given, the Heroes already had their hands on Core Weapons, channeling Magic Power into them. Rifles and other ranged weapons unleashed torrents of energy, forming a fiery web across the sky.

BOOOOM!!

The Wind Dragon roared, unleashing its Breath—a devastating tornado that froze the Heroes in its path. Too fast to react, they were caught off guard as the Breath curved around the front-line tanks.

“Hmph.”

A brief chuckle echoed from above as lightning struck down from the heavens. The magical tornado was crushed by an even stronger gust of wind, dissipating harmlessly across the ground.

WHOOSH.

A gentle breeze cooled the sweat-drenched brows of the Heroes. They turned their gaze upward, shouting in gratitude.

“Thank you, Banargande!!”

“…Hmph.”

With an expressionless face, Banargande merely smirked. But the Heroes noticed her slightly upturned lips and perked tail, hinting at her satisfaction.

“If you’re grateful, keep fighting instead of standing there.”

At her words, the Heroes channeled more Magic Power into their Core Weapons. Though she was a stranger who suddenly appeared to give orders, her ally status displayed on the Magical Radar silenced any complaints.

Her team code: [BWP]. She was directly under the Commander’s command.

“Tch….”

One Hunter glanced at Banargande with a mix of admiration and frustration.

“She’s ridiculously beautiful.”

Her appearance seemed to blend Eastern, Western, and interdimensional beauty into an almost doll-like figure. Moreover, her cat ears and tail weren’t just for show—they emitted Magic Power far stronger than most Cores.

BOOOOM!!

“The Wind Dragon is spreading its wings! Not the usual aerial pattern—everyone beware of scattering!”

Her commands were as authoritative as the Commander’s. While the Commander analyzed patterns and devised strategies, Banargande adjusted the field to ensure accurate instructions.

FLAP!

The Wind Dragon spread its wings wide, poised to take flight. The Heroes quickly retreated to avoid being buried in dust.

Just as it prepared to soar vertically into the sky—

WHOOSH!!

It released massive amounts of dark Magic Power through its scales, forming a monstrous wolf-like creature near Big Ben.

KEEEEEEE!!!

Clearly mocking the Heroes who had struggled earlier in London, the Wind Dragon closed all its scales after scattering its offspring.

“Gotcha!”

And the Heroes immediately aimed their Core Weapons at the dragon.

“Destroy it—!!”

TUDUUUUUUDU!

Unrelenting, the Heroes’ attacks targeted the emerging monsters without mercy.

“We were careful in London so we wouldn’t damage it, but don’t think we’re scared of you bastards!!”

“My parents had to evacuate because of you!”

KEEEEEXX!!

Infused with rage, the Heroes’ gunfire swept away several monsters. However, not all were eliminated, and some new ones emerged from behind the fallen.

[Of course, after scattering comes the chance for a full assault, right?]

At the Commander’s signal, the melee fighters rushed forward in zigzag patterns guided by the Magical Gear radar.

POW!!

Behind them, Core Weapon fire rained down, narrowly missing the advancing Heroes thanks to precise coordination. No friendly fire occurred unless intentionally triggered.

Hundreds, thousands of magic bullets reached only the monsters and the Wind Dragon.

“This is the power of the Commander…!”

KABOOOOM!!

Seeing its summoned minions defeated so easily, the Wind Dragon let out a roar and raised its claws high. The Hero radar flashed warnings.

BEEP BEEP!

On the map, red trajectories appeared, marked helpfully with exclamation points. Realizing they were in danger zones, the Heroes quickly dove aside.

KRAAAASH!!

The Wind Dragon’s claws scraped the ground, precisely where predicted. The approaching Heroes charged their weapons with Magic Power.

“YAAAAAH!!”

With battle cries, they slashed at the Wind Dragon’s legs, gradually wearing down its tough scales with their sharpened Core Weapons.

KRAKRAK!!

Attempting to stomp them with its heavy body, the S-Rank monster proved formidable. Yet, every step it took was relayed to the Heroes via the Magical Gear map.

BOOM BOOM!

Even an S-Rank monster isn’t invincible. If each scale is like an A-Rank shield, then relentless pounding will eventually break through—and there were hundreds, thousands of people doing just that.

Even D-Rank Heroes could participate in this national crisis, armed with Core Weapons and possessing at least C-Rank combat ability.

“Commence synchronized bombardment before it takes flight.”

At the Commander’s order, artillery resumed. Melee Heroes safely retreated while the Wind Dragon, attempting to crush fleeing foes, was hit by direct fire instead.

FLAP!

The Wind Dragon tried to ascend into the sky. As it spread its wings wide, the Heroes hastily adjusted their aim upwards.

“Cease fire. Shield deployed.”

Following the Commander’s brief command, the Heroes reluctantly lowered their weapons. Around the Wind Dragon, a protective barrier formed, emitting Magic Power to restore its stamina—an attack would only feed it more power.

“Thanks everyone for following my directions. Sorry, but we’ll finish this.”

Confused murmurs rippled through the ranks. The Wind Dragon still looked ready to fight, shield intact.

“Everyone, focus on the sky.”

Lifting their heads, the Heroes saw a white-suited Hero floating high above, holding a massive spear of Magic Power aimed at the Wind Dragon.

“Divine Spear.”

Banargande muttered softly before announcing,

“Gungnir.”

With ease, she threw her emerald-green spear downwards. It spun rapidly like an arrow, descending toward the Wind Dragon.

What are you doing? It’ll just absorb the shield. Just as the Heroes began panicking—

CRASHHHH!!!

The spear shattered the shield like glass. Caught off guard, the Wind Dragon couldn’t react as the spear pierced between its wing joints.

And then, the storm began.

GOOOOOOOSH!!

As the spear disintegrated, a colossal gale erupted, tearing through the Wind Dragon with blade-like winds. The scales that once resisted sword strikes were effortlessly shredded.

CHUNK CHUNK CHUNK!!

The storm tore through the Wind Dragon’s entire body, slicing it into pieces. Even eggs within its scales cracked open, leaving nothing intact.

GOOOOOOOSH!!

The storm showed no signs of stopping, reaching heights beyond Banargande’s position and piercing through clouds into the heavens themselves.

Truly, this was divine territory.

Overwhelmed by such overwhelming force, the Heroes lost their fighting spirit. With Banargande handling things, they felt no need to continue.

This was the true might of an SS-Rank Hero—dominant, swift, and unstoppable.

In defiance of her debut performance, it was nothing short of spectacular.

“Enough.”

SNAP.

At the Commander’s sharp command, Banargande snapped her fingers. Instantly, the raging storm ceased, sparing Manchester further destruction.

Only the shredded remains of the Wind Dragon lay in its wake.

CRASH CRASH….

Its mutilated body collapsed with a final scream. Head smashed into the ground, wings drooping, tail dragging lifelessly along the floor—it twitched weakly but produced no more eggs. Nearby monsters also stopped moving as the main body fell.

“…”

The Heroes held their breath, aiming their Core Weapons cautiously from afar, waiting for the Commander’s next move.

Despite the silence, one thing was clear—the Wind Dragon wouldn’t stir again.

“Woah…”

But the undeniable truth remained: the Wind Dragon lay motionless.

“WOAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers at the arrival of their new hero.

* * *

“Phew.”

Penril whistled casually as she landed on the ground, savoring the attention. Fondling the leash personally tied by the Commander, she smiled smugly.

– To kill the Wind Dragon here as “Penril of Gale,” I’ll need a little deception.

While outwardly whistling nonchalantly, Penril secretly infused the Wind Dragon with Magic Power, reciting revival spells as a Dark Legion officer.

– It’s just a regular green Black Dragon at S-Rank. To make it ‘named,’ some prep work is needed.

Preparations were complete. During their sweep through London, Penril and the Commander had stolen not only A-Rank cores but specifically Wind Attribute A-Rank cores, burying them in Manchester.

For someone like Kim Penril, an SS+ Rank Special Ability user, traveling from London to Manchester was quicker than a bathroom break.

SWOOSH.

The vibrations emanating from the Wind Dragon ceased entirely. As the Heroes relaxed, Penril silently chanted her “magic spell,” timing everything perfectly.

– No long incantations needed. Let me teach you the ultimate chant to evolve beasts.

Penril whispered the forbidden spell—the strongest summoning chant taught directly by the Commander. She’d been dying to use it since learning it.

“Is it dead…?”

Aaaaahhhhh!!

Ignoring the Heroes’ gasps and cries, Penril shrugged nonchalantly.

If there was any excuse, it was simple:

The Commander ordered it. Directly.

Then…

CRACK. CRACK.

The Wind Dragon’s body began to split open…