Chapter 337: Coming to an End - Part 2
Chapter 337: Coming to an End - Part 2
With the Level 37 Greater Dune Scorpion finally removed from the battlefield, the three elite vanguards slowly turned their attention toward the battle unfolding to their left.
The Bone Crushing Wyrm was already riddled with horrific injuries. Its once imposing scales had almost completely vanished.
Large sections of flesh had been torn away repeatedly while blood poured from countless wounds without stopping. The crimson desert beneath its body had transformed into a pool of dark blood.
The giant beast was standing on the very edge of death. Even so, the creature continued struggling desperately.
Its massive body twisted violently across the battlefield. Again and again, it attempted to escape its encirclement.
Frequently, its enormous tail lashed outward with tremendous force. Many undead beasts were sent flying through the air.
Some crashed into distant dunes. Others rolled across the battlefield like discarded dolls. Yet none of those attacks reduced the intensity of the assault.
The undead legion continued advancing relentlessly.
Fear did not exist within their hollow souls.
Pain meant absolutely nothing to them.
Death itself had already claimed them long ago.
Shriek!
The Bone Crushing Wyrm released another miserable scream. Its voice carried frustration, fear, and desperation.
The beast understood its situation perfectly.
Every path of escape had been blocked completely.
Every attempt to retreat ended in failure.
Its death was approaching steadily.
Then something changed.
A shadow suddenly appeared high above the battlefield.
Whoosh!
A figure descended from the sky like a falling meteor. The figure landed directly before the giant maw of the Bone Crushing Wyrm. The impact shook the surrounding sands violently.
The giant beast immediately reacted, and its bloodshot eyes widened with murderous fury while its jaws opened widely.
Rows of terrifying teeth became visible.
Its intention couldn’t be clearer.
Devour.
Unfortunately, it was already too late. Before the Bone Crushing Wyrm could launch its attack, a terrifying blade flashed across the battlefield.
The sword moved so quickly that ordinary eyes could never follow its path, leaving only a faint silver streak behind while the air itself released a sharp whistling sound.
Thud!
The gigantic head of the Bone Crushing Wyrm separated cleanly from its neck. For several moments, the severed head remained suspended within the air.
Then gravity finally claimed it.
The massive head crashed heavily into the blood-soaked desert, creating a wet and sickening sound that echoed throughout the battlefield.
What followed was even more horrifying.
The enormous headless body remained standing briefly before blood erupted violently from the exposed neck. It resembled a broken dam releasing an endless flood.
A few seconds later, the corpse collapsed heavily upon the ground.
Boom!
The impact shook the battlefield once more. Fresh blood splashed across the surrounding sands.
Silence.
For several long moments, the battlefield became unnaturally quiet.
Nothing moved.
Nothing breathed.
Nothing spoke.
Even the desert wind seemed unwilling to disturb the scene.
The undead servants stood motionless. Their glowing soul flames flickered quietly. The corpses of the two mighty beasts lay scattered across the battlefield.
Everything appeared frozen in time.
Not far away, Solenne remained standing where she had fallen earlier.
Her jaw hung slightly open.
Disbelief filled her exhausted eyes.
She stared at the corpses of the two terrifying beasts.
Those same beasts had pushed her to the brink of death.
Those same beasts had nearly ended her life.
Yet they had been slaughtered before her eyes.
Not after a lengthy struggle.
Not after an exhausting siege.
They had simply been overwhelmed.
Completely.
Mercilessly.
Her thoughts became chaotic.
She tried to understand everything she had witnessed. Again and again, she replayed the battle within her mind. No matter how much she thought about it, the result remained impossible.
Her heart pounded violently against her chest. Every beat sounded like a war drum.
Terrifying.
Too terrifying.
The words echoed repeatedly within her mind. She had witnessed powerful awakeners before. Yet none of those experiences compared to what she had just witnessed.
This was not merely strength.
This was domination.
Absolute domination.
Suddenly, slow and steady footsteps echoed across the silent battlefield.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
The sound was calm.
The sound was measured.
Yet every step seemed to carry unimaginable pressure. Solenne instinctively raised her head. Her gaze locked onto the approaching figure.
Thoren.
He walked forward calmly.
His pace remained unhurried.
His expression remained unchanged.
The corpses of two Level 37 beasts surrounded him.
An undead army stood obediently behind him.
Yet his face showed no excitement.
No satisfaction.
No pride.
It was as though everything that had happened was completely ordinary. The sight sent another chill down Solenne’s spine. She watched him approach without speaking.
For the first time in many years, she did not know what to say. Her confidence had been shattered completely. Before this battle, she believed she could challenge him if necessary.
She believed she possessed enough strength to stand against him. Now that illusion had vanished entirely. The gap between them was larger than she had ever imagined.
Finally, Thoren stopped several feet away from her.
His gaze swept briefly across her injuries.
Then he spoke. "You should treat your wounds before they become infected."
His voice sounded calm and indifferent.
Almost casual.
As though they were discussing the weather instead of a battlefield drenched in blood.
Solenne blinked twice. The simple statement momentarily caught her off guard. Then she straightened her back slightly.
"You are right." She nodded slowly.
Fresh pain shot through her body immediately. A faint grimace appeared across her face, and she struggled to take a slow breath while gradually raising her eyes again.
"How is the battle on the front line?" Her voice carried genuine worry.
Despite her condition, her thoughts remained with the people defending the town.
Thoren looked toward the distant battlefield briefly. Then he returned his gaze to her.
"Since I am standing here, you already know the answer." His response remained calm and confident.
For a moment, Solenne stared at him silently. Then realization slowly appeared across her face.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
Of course. If the front line had fallen, Thoren would not be standing here so casually.
The town was still standing.
noffsinger