The lady froze, the tips of her ears flushing red. Instead of pushing Skyler away, she let out a shy sound, leaving the already furious and stunned onlookers even more shocked.

"En."

The instant her body pressed against him, the wings on her back immediately folded into her shoulder blades, as if not wanting to make him uncomfortable. This gesture wasn't excessive, but her companions, who knew their beautiful, cold princess disliked physical contact, were truly bewildered.

A tall man fighting just behind her—who was the strongest member of their group and exuded arrogance—gritted his teeth at Skyler's arm, which was snugly wrapped around her waist, and shouted angrily.

"Stop touching the princess!"

He was the same person who had looked solemn when she had thrown her spear to someone else—worse, to a weak human.

Now, he couldn't believe his eyes.

That same human now appeared far more powerful, almost unrecognizable, and had returned the very spear she had given him!

Still, Nate was furious—and who wouldn't be, seeing their crush in another's arms?

His eyes darkened as he fought off numerous enemies and shouted again.

"She hate physical contact!"

Skyler, of course, didn't release the beauty in his arms. Instead, he tightened his grip and pulled her closer, making her turn even redder. Then, he arched a brow at the man.

"Oh, really?"

His actions made Nate see red.

He snarled through clenched teeth.

"I'll skin you alive! Mark my words!"

However, to everyone's shock—including Nate's and the others fighting—it was the princess who lightly tapped Skyler's hand.

"It's okay. I don't hate it."

The smile in Skyler's eyes deepened, and in the next moment, many towering ice giants crashed down from the sky with loud bangs as he unleashed his skill, Glacier Wrath. The land trembled as the colossal giants swung their massive arms, easily sending enemies hurtling through the air with sheer force.

She hesitated while Skyler battled the villains, even casting spells to aid him, before finally speaking softly.

"What about your friends…?"

Her worried, crimson eyes shifted to the distance, where five people were already restrained. But Skyler merely chuckled.

"I trained them. They'll be fine."

Just as he said this, Yuris vanished from his position and punched the nearest Dark Light squarely in the face, cursing fiercely.

The man who was controlling many dead bodies to battle was caught off guard and died on the spot when Yuris used his skill.

Breathing heavily, Yuris shouted at Skyler.

"I swear I'm cutting all ties with you!"

Austin was the second to break free from his restraints, flames blazing around him.

Zack was third, even helping Charles break free, as they ran forward to fight the villains, putting all their power and lives on the line.

Yet, no matter how many corpses they struck down, even more kept rising! So, reaching the Dark Lights was difficult!

Isaac stared at their backs in disbelief and murmured a curse under his breath before hurriedly scrambling away from the chaos. Had these bastards forgotten to untie him?

Skyler noticed their movements and finally let go of the beautiful lady. Then he rushed forward, a dark gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Time to unleash hell!"

Following his words, a sea of light and silver lightning erupted across the scene.

His figure moved like a flash of lightning, teleporting effortlessly, and wherever he appeared, many bodies fell in his wake.

Nate was stunned.

That human was this powerful…?

But just a few months ago, he had been nothing more than a feeble weakling!!

Shaking off his disbelief, he rushed toward the princess alongside the others from his race who had freed themselves after Skyler eliminated most of the enemies near them.

"Princess, let's get out of here!"

But to their dread, she shook her head, her crimson gaze locked on Skyler. Who would have thought they'd meet again so soon?

Her eyes suddenly narrowed at the chain around his wrist, holding a small gem. Ah, it seemed he had somehow discovered a part of her—she could feel it instinctively, though she had no idea if he understood what that seemingly ordinary gem truly contained.

She wanted it. She had indeed marked him as her mate, but she wanted that gem. Even if she had to fight him or steal it, it was her only way to find a means to prolong her life.

So, she didn't hesitate to stay.

"We will help."

Nate's expression tightened.

"But these people are humans, just like the ones who captured us! All humans are the same! Don't be fooled by them, Princess!"

But she just stared at him indifferently.

"Then you all can leave."

With that, she spun the spear in her hand and attacked the nearest Dark Light. Nate's expression turned ugly. Ultimately, he and the others with him could only follow her.

Skyler watched everything, and his eyes danced with mirth. Then his eyes turned dark, yet he stayed in control of his body.

It was as if the power of the figures in his subconscious was gradually merging with him. They had even stopped interfering.

The space he pointed at collapsed as he invoked the spell Cosmic Collapse, leaving behind a void that drew in the Dark Lights standing there and tore them to pieces.

Agonized cries echoed through the air, momentarily freezing everyone in place.

But the villains soon regained their calm and directed all their attacks at the man responsible, certain he was the strongest among the humans who had just arrived!

If they took down this anomaly, the rest would fall easily! But before their attacks could strike him, he let out a murmur.

"Shadow Shroud."

Immediately, a thick cloak of darkness completely enveloped his body, creating a barrier that easily absorbed their attacks before unleashing a devastating blast.

The blast surged from him in a sweeping wave, engulfing many people, followed by crimson flames that enveloped the space around the floating youth. The blazing red and darkness that engulfed the sky finally startled the boss of the villains, who was leisurely watching everything from afar.

The old man in a cloak drifted backward.

He had already inscribed an inscription within the village and begun the ritual to gather sacrificial life force into the blood crystal in his hand. With just a few more offerings, he would have finished his part.

But who would have thought that a brat would destroy the inscription that was absorbing the life force of the dying?