101. Rebellion 4
A house-sized black dragon flashed its eyes. Centered on it, black magi spread in all directions like a dust storm.
Saaaaak.
Soon, black smoke filled the surroundings. People looked around with wide, shocked eyes, mouths agape.
“……!”
Bin raised one hand to block the black magi and stared at the black dragon.
Considerable magi. To unleash this much with a single breath.
Compared to other monsters, its murkiness was on another level. The air around them thickened with magi, quickening everyone's breaths. Even as the black magi brushed over his body, Bin cracked a smile.
As expected, Enderlin.
His eyes burned with confidence. The black dragon had appeared just as anticipated, and he was certain his preparations would pay off.
Overwhelmed by the black dragon's magi, one of the Reaper Faction members gasped raggedly.
“Huff... huff... Vicious magi!”
His breaths came short and labored, chest tightening. Having faced other monsters' magi countless times in Taia territory, he knew without doubt—this was a true 1st grade monster.
Just then, as that Reaper Faction member scowled—
Thud. Thud. Thud...
Most of the family members collapsed unconscious on the spot. Only the executives remained standing.
Dazed by the black dragon's majesty, the Reaper Faction scanned their surroundings.
“One burst of magi, and over a hundred family members down...”
“A 1st grade monster is no joke.”
“If only the family head and Yellow Dragon were at full strength... that bastard Enderlin...”
Grit.
In this hopeless situation, the Reaper Faction gnashed their teeth, seething with frustration at their inability to stop Enderlin's rebellion.
Meanwhile, Enderlin perched atop the black dragon's head, exuding leisure.
Heh.
“You lot, forever chasing Endaran's heels... For the new Taia, I'll uproot every last weed.”
Enderlin's tone had grown rougher, the Medina Parasite within him stirring his bloodlust.
Hoo.
Enderlin extended a hand toward the Reaper Faction and their Reaper Beasts.
In that instant, the black dragon's black breath stretched long toward them.
“Fwaaaaaak!”
Black flames hurtled forward in the blink of an eye. The Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise urgently shielded the Reaper Faction.
Chiiiiiik.
But as the Reaper Beasts clashed against the black flames—
“Ugh...”
“Kuh...”
They grimaced, their feet planted on the ground slowly sliding back.
Ziiiiiik.
The Reaper Beasts were cloaked head to toe in magi. Yet blocking a 1st grade monster's assault proved impossible.
Ultimately, the Reaper Faction and Reaper Beasts were engulfed by the black breath and sent flying.
Thud. Thud...
“Kuuk!”
“Damn it...!”
Their bodies had charred black like coal, eyes rolled back in their heads.
And that wasn't all. Countless surrounding stalks burned away. Lush greenery vanished without trace, leaving scorched earth in the breath's wake—a perfect wasteland.
Watching the Reaper Faction get brutally crushed by the black dragon, Endaran's face hardened.
Enderlin, you bastard... to Trist...
Endaran scowled and stepped forward.
Thud. Thud...
Injured as he was, he paid it no mind. As Taia's family head, he couldn't stand idly by.
Irin's face darkened at the sight of her father.
“Father...”
Zeke's expression soured too.
“Family head...”
If his body were whole, perhaps—but those visible wounds made for a heartbreaking sight.
Endaran bellowed at Enderlin.
“Enderlin! Enough needless sacrifices. Settle this with me. Am I not the root of your grudge?!”
“Hah, if you're begging for death, be my guest.”
Black flames flickered in the black dragon's maw. Endaran countered, silver light surging across his body.
Rumble. Rumble.
As the ground trembled under Endaran's mana—
“Urk...!”
Endaran doubled over, vomiting blood. His wrecked body couldn't handle unleashing mana.
He clenched his fist tight.
His brother's rebellion. He loathed his own frail state for failing to stop it.
Sensing Endaran bow his head, Enderlin smirked.
“What a pathetic show. To think the current family head would end like this—so disgraceful. Let me put you out of your misery.”
As Enderlin finished—
The black dragon charged Endaran at blinding speed.
Swoooosh.
It closed in before Endaran's eyes in an instant. Impressive velocity for such a massive frame.
“...!”
Endaran's eyes bulged.
“Not on my watch!”
Zeke hurled himself toward Endaran.
Crunch!
The black dragon snapped its jaws, chomping Zeke's green legs.
Crunch. Crunch.
Before it stood Zeke's severed upper body and Endaran sprawled on the ground.
“Ugh...”
The black dragon seized the opening.
“Fwaaaaaak!”
Black breath rushed toward Endaran's face.
In the desperate moment, Irin cried out.
“F-Father!”
“...!”
As Endaran's eyes flashed against the oncoming breath—
Swoosh.
A black shadow darted in front, none other than Bin.
Chiiiiiik.
Luminare clashed against the black dragon's breath.
Irin shouted at the sight.
“Young master!!”
Her voice frantic—she feared Bin's body would melt away.
But against her expectations, blue light bloomed from Luminare.
In that instant, the blue light swirled clockwise, absorbing the black breath.
It was the Great Sickle's ability, once Hobas's weapon.
Endaran stared in bewilderment.
“The breath of a 1st grade black dragon...”
Bin whipped his head around, eyes icy cold.
“I told you to stay put.”
“...!”
Endaran's eyes widened. The foe was undeniably a 1st grade monster. Yet Bin's gaze held no tremor—only iron resolve to cleave it apart right then.
Where does this confidence come from against a 1st grade monster...?
As Endaran gawked blankly at Bin—
Enderlin scowled.
“Bascon, you just have to throw cold water till the bitter end.”
Bin replied flatly.
“You started it. See it through.”
“That end will be your last breath.”
“Might be yours.”
“Bascon... I'll feed you to the black dragon if it's the last thing I do...”
Enderlin's scowl deepened, and the black dragon eyed Bin, brewing breath in its maw.
Fwaaaak.
Point-blank range—too close to evade. A direct hit would reduce him to ash.
Swoosh.
As the black dragon lunged to exhale—
“Does a mere lizard dare touch the king?”
A voice rang from the ground, a purple barrier blooming around Bin. It was Queen, clad in her yellow uniform, radiating seductive poise.
As the black breath slowly eroded the purple barrier—
Bin slipped away amid layers of shadows.
Swoosh.
He rejoined King, Queen, Jack, and Codic—now standing firm on two legs.
“All units, protect the lord!”
King, Queen, and Jack were already battle-ready.
Enderlin sized up the monsters and struck at the heart.
“All fired up, eh? But 2nd grade trash against a 1st grade?”
Bin brushed it off.
“Then how about a fellow 1st grader...”
“What?!”
Enderlin faltered at Bin's assured tone.
A 1st grade monster—the apex predator, rare as they come. One alone could topple a family.
Bin casually invoking one was hard to swallow.
“...”
Bin's eyes gleamed at the stunned Enderlin.
“I'll even the odds.”
His unwavering gaze made it clear: no bluff.
Three avian monsters—Wind, Rain, and Thunder—approached Bin.
Bin swiftly revealed the Mirror of Truth. The trio shimmered silver and merged as one.
Irin gaped, speechless.
“...”
Even Family Head Endaran's eyes flashed.
That bird couldn't be...!
Taia held one legend: in the family's darkest hour, the mythical bird would descend.
Silver light faded from the air, unveiling a colossal avian monster—akin to a giant primordial bird. Electricity crackled across its form.
Crackle. Crackle.
It was Taia's legendary Thunder Bird.
The Thunder Bird took to the skies, Bin, King, and Jack astride its back.
Enderlin rejected the Thunder Bird's crushing aura, spurring the black dragon.
Th-Thunder Bird? No... the one to lead Taia right is me, Enderlin!
“Think cheap tricks like this will fool me?!”
Enderlin roared. The black dragon tried to breathe—but its prey's speed let it only whip its head around.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
Endaran watched in disbelief.
Too fast to track with the naked eye...
Swoosh. Swoosh.
The Thunder Bird, weaving around the black dragon, materialized before Enderlin.
As the two titans locked eyes—
Enderlin whipped toward Bin, bellowing.
“Burn them to ash now!”
The black dragon reared to blast Bin and the Thunder Bird—
Crunch.
Its body jolted backward. Turning, it saw a skull latched onto its tail: Codic, legs planted firm.
“Gotta crush lizards from the tail first!”
Codic gripped with his massively enlarged arm, unyielding. The black dragon thrashed, but his legs braced strong—unlike before, distributing the force let his arm clamp harder.
“Kuh... Kuh...”
As the tail-trapped black dragon twisted wildly—
Bin grinned.
Heh.
Pleased with Codic's hold.
Seizing the moment, Bin commanded.
“Go, Jack. King.”
Instantly, Jack and King vaulted from the Thunder Bird toward the black dragon.
“Those who defy the king's will shall be executed.”
“I shall lend my power.”
Stab! Thud! Thud!
Jack plunged his blade into the black dragon's left foreleg from on high. King erupted flames on its right.
The black dragon thrashed its head, roaring.
“Kuuuuuh!”
Bin struck in the opening, leaping skyward with a swing.
That instant—
Fwaaaaaak.
The black breath Luminare had absorbed earlier slammed into the black dragon's head.
Hoo!
“Kuuuuuh!!”
As the black dragon writhed in agony—
Enderlin scowled, sensing the shift.
The black dragon's own breath...!
“You bastard!!”
Enderlin's face flushed crimson. His long-laid scheme crumbling at Bascon's hands—like an eternal foe—boiled his rage beyond endurance.
Swoosh.
The Thunder Bird closed in on Enderlin in a flash.
Bin, manifesting a lime-green gorilla arm, seized Enderlin's head.
Hoo.
“Enderlin, your plan ends here.”
“Kuuuuuh! Bascon!!”
As Enderlin convulsed in the gorilla arm's vise—
Bin drew the Mirror of Truth and shone it upon him.
“...!”
The heirloom pierced not just sight but the soul itself. Enderlin's body froze rigid.
A larva peeled slowly from his form. The black dragon's bulk shrank in tandem.
The watching Thunder Bird's eyes gleamed silver.
Soon, clouds massed, blackening the sky.
Sensing it, Enderlin shuddered.
N-No way. A single monster altering the weather...?!
As Enderlin registered the chaos—
Rain poured, blue lightning and whirlwinds converging on him.
Swoooosh! Swoooosh!
“......!!”