CHAPTER 822: LORD FANG

The Royal Guard of the Xaos Kingdom continued their descent through the dungeon with unwavering focus. The lower levels were crawling with hundreds of Guardians, each clad in top-tier armor and trained in advanced combat techniques. Under normal circumstances, a mission like this would require an entire army. But Mirena, Frank, Roman, Clasius, and Amara moved like unstoppable forces of nature. Their movements were calculated, precise, and devastating.

Despite the overwhelming opposition, they advanced, cutting down enemy after enemy with efficiency born not just of skill, but of something deeper—something transcendent. The difference wasn’t just in their power levels, but in the very essence of their being. They were no longer mere warriors. After undergoing the evolution at the hands of Overlord, they had become something else entirely.

Nightmare Knights.

Infused with Pseudo-Depravitia Aura, their powers had evolved to a near-Legendary scale. They could summon a physical might superior to Warriors imbued by Force, wield destructive spells with more skill and dexterity than Mages, and unleash psionic waves that pierced through walls and minds alike. They didn’t just see their enemies—they felt their intentions, read their emotions, and predicted their moves with uncanny accuracy. It was as if time slowed in their presence, giving them all the advantage they needed to stay one step ahead.

Not to mention that they could tap into their wrath to empower themselves, breaking their physical and magical limitations.

Their onslaught continued. Blood stained the stone floors, echoing with cries and the crashing of armor. Cells burst open, one after another, and more and more prisoners began running to the surface. The mission was progressing faster than anyone could have imagined. Although the Royal Guard was operating alone inside the dungeon, they weren’t concerned. Outside, there was someone positioned to maintain order and security for the freed prisoners. Their safety was assured, as no one would be able to harm them.

...

Marion, making her way toward the surface, could hear the echoes of destruction growing fainter as the battle pushed deeper into the dungeon’s lower levels. More footsteps echoed behind her as fellow prisoners emerged from their cells and joined the ascent. She didn’t lose focus. Her mind was clear, her body restored thanks to the strange but effective vitality pill Frank had given her. It gave her strength and speed—everything she needed to get out alive.

Soon, she reached the surface.

To her surprise, there was no chaos. No stampede of panicked ex-prisoners. No screaming or fleeing. Everyone was still—frozen in place. Confused, she looked around. Why weren’t they running?

Then she saw it.

Standing in front of the main gate was a creature unlike anything she had ever seen. Towering over them, its body resembled a colossal reptile fused with draconic elements—wings of angelic light flickered with arcs of demonic fire. His very presence radiated an overwhelming aura of raw power, his breath distorting the air with searing heat and chilling energy all at once.

"A killing machine..." That was Marion’s first thought. Her instincts screamed at her to be cautious. Yet, when she looked into its eyes, she saw something unexpected—curiosity. There was no bloodlust, no desire to harm. Just a kind of naive wonder, like that of a child.

Still, the creature growled menacingly whenever someone tried to move beyond a certain point, as if warning them not to step too far. He didn’t attack, but made his message crystal clear: no one would leave without permission.

The ex-prisoners, now numbering in the hundreds, murmured in confusion. None of them recognized the five warriors who had fought their way in. None had ever seen the beast before. Their rescuers had liberated them—only to trap them once again?

That’s when Marion stepped forward.

"Everyone, listen up!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the growing tension like a blade.

The crowd went silent.

Marion was well-known among the prisoners. They respected her. She had endured more pain, more torture, more psychological torment than most. Yet she had never screamed, never broken. Her resilience had earned her the respect of everyone. And now, in this strange moment, that respect turned into obedience.

"We don’t know these people," Marion began, her voice calm but commanding. "We don’t know their true intentions. For all we know, this could be a trap."

Her words were direct, but necessary. Living as a rebel taught you to see betrayal around every corner. To always prepare for the worst.

"But," she continued, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the others, "they freed us. They took down elite forces under the Zanis Family. That alone speaks volumes."

She took a deep breath.

"So here’s what we do. We stay silent. We obey their commands. We follow them wherever they lead. They are too powerful. Even if we all attacked together, we wouldn’t stand a chance."

There were nods all around. The weight of her words settled into everyone’s minds. This wasn’t the time to be foolish. The ones who had freed them clearly held the power to destroy or protect, and testing their patience would only end badly.

Worst case? They ended up back in chains.

Best case? These mysterious warriors were truly liberators, sent by Cezar himself. If that was true, then maybe... just maybe... they would taste true freedom.

Minutes passed. The final group of prisoners emerged, gasping for breath, helping one another up the final stairs. Then, silence. The sounds of combat had ceased. Nothing came from within the dungeon anymore.

"They must have finished," Marion whispered. "No guards left..."

Her suspicion was confirmed when the five warriors rose from the depths, effortlessly floating into the air like gods descending from battle. They hovered above the prisoners, their expressions calm and unreadable, their armor soaked in blood and dust.

The silence was absolute.

All eyes were on them.

The eyes of the Royal Guards were sharp and focused as they stood above the freed prisoners. Their gazes were unwavering, not cruel but certainly not relaxed—firm and authoritative, establishing that they were clearly in command of the situation. There was no malice in their expressions, but neither was there friendliness. Their presence demanded respect, and the silence that hung in the air made that fact undeniable.

For a moment, the Nightmare Knights simply stood there, gauging the reactions of the people below. Only when they saw that the former prisoners were calm and orderly—none making a move to flee or speak out of turn—did they slightly ease their expressions. Subtle shifts in posture and softened eyes signaled that they acknowledged the discipline being shown. Their attention then turned toward the massive creature standing guard at the entrance.

With perfect synchronization, the five Knights turned toward the beast and respectfully clasped their hands in front of their chests.

"Thank you, Lord Fang, for your assistance."

"Well done, my Lord."

"An excellent job, as always."

The words of praise rang out in unison, filled with genuine sincerity. Marion and the rest of the ex-prisoners couldn’t help but exchange glances, confusion flickering across their faces. The sight unfolding before them was something none had expected. They had all assumed that the colossal beast was a living weapon, perhaps a pet or mindless monster under the control of the warriors who had saved them. But the reality was far more surprising.

These impossibly strong warriors were showing the creature not just respect, but reverence—addressing it as their superior.

The creature was no other than Fang. He did not speak, but a wide, pleased grin stretched across his massive maw, his jagged teeth glinting in the light. His wings shifted slightly as if to stretch in satisfaction, and his tail swayed slowly behind him like a contented cat. Though he didn’t say a word, the expression on his face made it clear—he was happy to be recognized and praised.

Fang was a Legend-class entity, a winged tyrannosaur of terrifying power and potential. Though young, he was growing quickly in strength, ability, and intelligence. Under the watchful guidance of Jormungandr and the leadership of the Xaos Kingdom, Fang was learning not only about the world but also about morality and justice. He was taught what it meant to be good—not simply to be strong. And so, after each successful mission, he was praised, not only to reward but to reinforce the moral compass slowly developing within him.

The Nightmare Knights smiled faintly as they watched Fang wag his tail like an oversized, deadly dog. But the moment of calm didn’t last long.

Their expressions hardened again.

Mirena turned her head sharply, her eyes narrowing as she peered into the distance. Roman stepped beside her, his hand already on the hilt of his weapon. Amara crouched slightly, her aura shifting to one of readiness.

From beyond the hills, the sound of marching boots reached their ears—heavy, deliberate, and fast approaching.

More than one hundred thousand soldiers were making their way toward them.

Their formation was disciplined, their weapons drawn, and their armor bore the unmistakable sigil of the Zanis Family. There was nothing but killing intent in those soldiers as they marched forward.