Zagnat pursued Charles mid-air, its vicious claws slashing for his back.

Charles didn't even glance back—he already sensed the attack. Flames erupted beneath him as he spun mid-air, delivering a punch that struck Zagnat square in the head as it passed underneath.

The heavy blow drove Zagnat face-first into a nosedive.

Charles found Zagnat troublesome. But Zagnat, too, had no way to deal with Charles's overwhelming strength.

Against other adventurers, it could evade physical attacks with superior speed and reflect magical ones with its anti-magic shield. But Charles's Dragon Slayer magic, while including ranged attacks like the Dragon's Roar, was fundamentally about imbuing his body with the power of dragons—blending physical and magical might.

It couldn't dodge the speed of a dragon-empowered Charles, nor could its shield withstand his iron fists. Its usual advantages meant nothing here.

Flames surged under Charles's feet, accelerating him even faster than the falling Zagnat. He shot below it, then launched it back into the sky with a fiery uppercut.

This was Charles's strategy—Zagnat's speed relied on its unique limb structure, propelling itself through rapid jumps. But it couldn't fly. Without something to push off of, it couldn't build that speed.

So Charles took the fight to the skies—to finish it with an aerial combo.

From below, the onlookers could only see Zagnat suspended mid-air, with a streak of fire zipping around it.

Crack! Crack!

Fractures rapidly appeared on Zagnat's violet-blue shield. Its exoskeleton began to splinter under the barrage, like it was about to be shattered completely.

Sensing imminent danger, Zagnat let out a shrill, desperate shriek.

Then, to Charles's surprise, its entire shell burst off and scattered.

Of all things, Zagnat cast off its armor—breaking Charles's aerial combo.

As Charles quickly blocked or dodged the barrage of flying shards, Zagnat hit the ground.

It had escaped being combo'd to death—but at the cost of its anti-magic armor. It could no longer reflect spells.

Charles wouldn't let this opening go. In a flash, he was in front of the creature.

He batted aside the stabbing tail, slipped under Zagnat's massive body—which had grown even larger through the course of their battle—and moved with ease beneath it.

His target: Zagnat's limb joints.

The Draconic and Anti-Dragon gauntlets on his hands glowed, extending into a gleaming coiled dragon-blade.

Charles swung upward, slicing through the wrist joint of Zagnat's front left limb. The blade spun around his body, its arc slashing through the elbow joint next.

Taking two quick steps forward to dodge the collapsing body, Charles drove the blade deep into the reverse-jointed hind leg.

Fwoosh!

Flames detonated from the strike, sending shards of bone flying. Zagnat collapsed fully.

Charles walked to its rear, grabbed the tail, and hurled the beast high into the air.

Zagnat howled, its broken limbs and shattered exoskeleton already beginning to regenerate. In just minutes, it would be back to full power—stronger, even.

But Charles had no intention of giving it that time. Vast amounts of magic power surged into his hands.

"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Exploding Flame Blade!"

This time, he didn't hold back.

Compared to the version he used against Ottar, this one seemed quieter—less flashy. But the fire spiral was far more refined, burning with a searing white-hot glow.

Zagnat frantically tried to regenerate its anti-magic shield. A few seconds more, and it might've survived.

But no one was giving it even a second.

The flames engulfed Zagnat completely. In full view of the assembled Familia members, a massive explosion bloomed on Floor 20—like a flower of fire.

Charles exhaled, a stream of white mist leaving his lips. He turned toward the adventurers nearby.

Those just there to watch were fine. But the ones who had come alongside the Loki and Freya Familia to cause trouble all shuddered in fear.

Even as newly promoted Level 2s—considered upper-class adventurers—they had never seen what true top-tier power looked like.

That one Dragon Slayer Secret Art hadn't just obliterated Zagnat—it punched a hole through the ceiling of Floor 20.

Looking up at the edges of the glowing crater, magma dripping from molten rock, not one of them dared to speak.

Then—clap, clap, clap—someone stepped out, applauding.

Everyone looked over. The one clapping… was none other than the Braver, Finn of the Loki Familia.

Finn spoke loudly, "Everyone, what we've just witnessed is undoubtedly a legendary feat. Let us cheer the birth of a new hero!"

Even Riveria and the others stared at him in surprise. None expected Finn's brain to work this fast.

Applause erupted. Just like Finn said, the crowd cheered for the hero's valor.

Charles nearly lost control of his expression. Why did this feel so much like a certain Overlord's post-spell pose?

But he understood Finn's move.

With this declaration, Finn had massively reduced—maybe outright erased—the negative fallout from the Wiene incident for both Charles and the Hephaestus Familia.

He also gave other adventurers a chance to step back and soften their hostility.

That's why Finn was one of Orario's top tacticians—always able to make the right call.

So Charles accepted the gesture. He dispelled his Dragon Flame Battle Armor and Dragon King's Form, releasing the pressure he had been emitting the whole time.

Tsubaki and the others rushed over. She gave Charles a friendly punch. "Damn it, kid! You're way too strong! Did you even need our help?!"

Charles smiled. "Not true. Your support alone meant the world to me."

He meant it. He was sincerely grateful to those who had stood by him no matter what.

Tsubaki glanced around. "Hey, where's Stella?"

Charles replied, "She'll be fine. Don't underestimate her. When she's serious, she won't lose to anyone."

And it was true—both the Loki and Freya Familia were here. No one else in Orario could trouble her now.

…But not everyone knew that.

While Charles fought the Freya Familia, Stella had been moving toward the Dungeon exit with Wiene.

But when they reached Floor 12, a massive net dropped on them.

Of course, that level of trap wouldn't even touch Stella. She burned it to ash before it came close.

Then Dix of the Icarus Familia appeared, leading a smug group of followers.

They hadn't engineered this whole situation just to make trouble for Charles. Their true aim was to capture Wiene and use her as bait to lure more Xenos.

Afraid of Charles, they had dragged both the Loki and Freya Familias into things—finally succeeding in splitting him from Wiene.

Everything had gone according to Dix's plan. Charles was occupied, and this dragon girl only had a fragile-looking human girl for company.

Victory is mine! he thought, stepping proudly in front of Stella.

Three minutes later…

Trailing behind Stella, Wiene tilted her head and asked, "Stella, who were those people?"

Stella frowned. "Who knows? Just a bunch of disgusting creeps."

She hadn't even bothered asking. They'd used a trap—clearly enemies. So she'd launched them skyward without mercy.

Dix lay flat on the ground, clutching half of his shattered spear, staring into the sky with dead eyes.

The ground was cold—but not as cold as the despair inside.

What had just happened? In an instant, that seemingly delicate girl had broken his weapon and launched him flying.

No way. An adventurer that strong—how could she not have any reputation?

As Dix questioned his life choices…

Heavy footsteps echoed.

A shadow with horns fell over him.

A black Minotaur raised its axe overhead.

(End of Chapter)

[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Mutter"]

[Every 50 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]

[Thanks for Reading!]