Chapter 170: Death

The Gorilla Commander attacked from behind.

Its enormous fist came crashing toward the Nightmare King’s head.

But the King released the Headless Commander’s sword and turned around at the last moment.

CLANG!

He blocked the Gorilla Commander’s fist with both hands, yet the force of the attack still pushed him backward.

The Nightmare Giant immediately followed.

Its enormous body charged forward like a moving mountain, and its leg slammed into the King with tremendous force.

BOOM!

The Nightmare King was thrown several metres across the battlefield.

Before he could regain his balance, the Headless Commander charged toward him again.

Its skeletal horse kicking up dirt as the sword in its hand descended toward the King’s chest.

The King twisted his body and avoided the blade by a few inches.

The sword struck the ground instead, creating a deep crack.

The King grabbed the Headless Commander’s arm and attempted to pull it from the horse, but Edgar suddenly appeared beside him.

BOOM!

Edgar’s fist struck the King’s face.

The Nightmare King was forced to release the Commander as Edgar continued attacking without giving him any room to breathe.

His fists were covered in golden Solar Energy, and every strike produced a loud explosion whenever it connected with the King’s body.

The King blocked one punch, then another, but Edgar’s attacks were becoming faster.

The Nightmare Giant joined the assault.

Its enormous fist came from the side, forcing the King to duck beneath it, only for Edgar to strike him across the jaw.

The King staggered and the Nightmare Giant’s second fist came immediately afterward.

BOOM!

The King blocked the attack with both arms, but the enormous force pushed him several metres backward.

Edgar watched carefully through the Soul Network. ’Don’t give him a chance.’

The Commanders responded immediately.

The remaining Soul Guardian Commanders spread around the Nightmare King, attacking from different directions.

The King was surrounded.

For the first time, he was being forced to defend himself continuously.

A Commander attacked with a massive axe.

The King stepped aside and another Commander swung a hammer toward his ribs.

He blocked it.

The Headless Commander attacked from behind.

The King turned and caught the blade again but Edgar was already there.

BOOM!

His fist struck the King’s stomach.

The Nightmare King bent slightly as the impact forced the air from his lungs.

Edgar grabbed his shoulder and threw him toward the Nightmare Giant.

The enormous Commander was waiting.

Its fist slammed directly into the King’s chest.

BOOM!

The King was sent flying across the battlefield. He crashed through several Nightmares before landing on the ground.

The surrounding Nightmares stared in disbelief.

Their King had just been thrown around by a group of Soul Guardians and one human.

The King stood up just as Edgar reached him.

Their fists collided.

BOOM!

The shockwave spread across the battlefield.

Edgar continued attacking, refusing to give him any opportunity to recover.

The Nightmare King finally countered.

His fist struck Edgar’s shoulder.

The force sent Edgar spinning through the air, but he regained control before hitting the ground.

He landed on his feet and the King was already moving toward him.

Edgar raised both arms.

BOOM!

The King’s fist smashed against his guard and the ground beneath Edgar’s feet cracked.

The Nightmare King pushed harder.

Edgar’s arms trembled as he resisted the force, then the Nightmare Giant appeared behind the King.

It grabbed the Nightmare King’s body with both hands.

The King immediately realized what was happening.

He tried to escape but the Giant tightened its grip.

Edgar saw the opening and Solar Energy surged through his body.

He jumped forward and swung his sword.

SHING!

The blade passed through the King’s arm.

For a moment, nothing happened and the the Nightmare King’s arm fell to the ground.

Black blood sprayed across the battlefield.

Everything seemed to stop.

Edgar landed several metres away, his sword still glowing with Solar Energy.

The Nightmare King stared at his severed arm.

His expression had completely changed.

The faint amusement that had been present on his face disappeared.

His golden eyes slowly turned toward Edgar.

"You..." His voice was no longer calm.

The Nightmare Giant released him as the King suddenly erupted with terrifying energy.

BOOM!

A massive wave of black energy exploded from his body.

The Nightmare Giant was thrown backward.

Even Edgar was forced to shield his face as the pressure swept across the battlefield.

The King looked down at the stump where his arm had been.

Black flesh began crawling over the wound.

Within moments, a new arm started growing.

But the King didn’t wait for it to finish.

He charged.

He appeared in front of one of the Soul Guardian Commanders and struck it with such force that its body shattered instantly.

Another Commander attacked from behind.

The King turned and grabbed its head.

BOOM!

He slammed it into the ground.

The Soul Guardian’s body broke apart.

Edgar’s expression became serious. ’He’s getting faster.’

The Nightmare King rushed toward another Commander.

Edgar also rushed forward with every bit of Solar Energy he could gather.

Golden light covered his entire body.

He punched the King directly in the chest.

BOOM!

The impact tore through the King’s defenses.

Black blood spilled from his mouth.

The King was pushed backward, but before Edgar could attack again, he twisted away from the Giant’s grip and kicked Edgar across the battlefield.

Edgar flew through the air and the Nightmare Giant chased after the King.

Its enormous hands came crashing down.

BOOM!

The King blocked the attack, but the ground beneath him collapsed.

The Nightmare King was forced to defend himself against the enormous Commander while Edgar recovered nearby.

Edgar wiped the blood from his mouth and looked toward the King.

He could feel the condition of his Commanders through the Soul Network.

Edgar tightened his grip. ’We can kill him.’

He immediately sent the command.

Every remaining Commander attacked.

The Nightmare King was surrounded once again.

The Headless Commander struck with its sword but the King blocked.

The Nightmare Giant grabbed his leg and Edgar appeared above him.

The King barely moved his head and the blade cut across his cheek.

Black blood ran down his golden skin.

"You are troublesome," the King said.

Edgar pushed harder. "So are you."

The Nightmare King suddenly pulled the sword toward himself.

Before he could strike, the Nightmare Giant slammed its enormous hand against his back.

BOOM!

The King was pushed forward.

Edgar released his sword and punched him directly in the face.

The King flew backward. The Nightmare Giant followed and struck him again.

BOOM!

The King crashed into the ground.

Edgar and the Giant had done the most damage.

The Nightmare King slowly rose from the crater.

His golden skin was covered in wounds, and black blood dripped from several cuts across his body.

His breathing had become heavier but he was still standing.

Then he looked toward the Gorilla Commander.

The enormous Soul Guardian was already charging toward him.

The Gorilla Commander raised both fists.

The King waited and at the last moment, he moved underneath the attack.

His hand pierced through the Gorilla Commander’s chest.

The Gorilla Commander froze.

Edgar’s eyes widened.

The King pulled his arm back.

The massive Soul Guardian staggered backward.

Its enormous body began breaking apart.

Edgar could feel its presence inside the Soul Network fading rapidly.

"No!"

The Gorilla Commander dropped to one knee... its enormous body collapsed.

The Soul Energy that had formed its body scattered into the air like glowing dust.

Edgar stared at the remains.

For the first time since the battle had started, anger appeared clearly in his eyes.

The Nightmare King looked toward him.

Their eyes met across the battlefield.

Then a voice suddenly echoed from the Fortress.

"MY KING!"

Edgar’s head snapped toward the walls.

A figure stood on top of the Fortress.

Wavin.

The pale young man stood beside the edge of the wall, one arm wrapped tightly around Hera.

A knife was pressed against her neck.

Hera struggled against him, but Wavin held her firmly.

Wavin raised his free hand and shouted across the battlefield. "I finally brought you the human queen!"

Edgar’s entire body froze.

For a moment, he couldn’t understand what he was seeing.

Hera looked toward him.

Her eyes were filled with fear.

"Edgar!"

Wavin smiled and Edgar had never seen him smile like that.

The Nightmare King slowly turned toward the Fortress. His expression changed when he saw Wavin.

A faint smile returned to his face.

Edgar stared at Wavin.

Memories began rushing through his mind.

The sickness. The pale skin. The strange behavior.

The way Wavin had survived when others couldn’t.

The moments when Nightmares had somehow appeared at places where Wavin had been.

’What the fuck is he...?’

Wavin hadn’t betrayed the Fortress.

Wavin looked down at Edgar and smiled. "Did you really think I was human?"

The battlefield suddenly felt colder.

Edgar’s fists tightened.

The Nightmare King looked between Wavin and Edgar.

Then he smiled.

"Now..." His golden eyes returned to Edgar. "Let’s see what you choose to protect."