The Undead High Drake's claw descended. The Bone Dragon's crystal horns pierced upward.

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

The first layer shattered. Then the second. Then the third. The barriers collapsed one after another like fragile glass. Each collapse released violent shockwaves that flattened the mountains below.

The female Demigod screamed as blood poured from every pore. She desperately pushed more power into the formations.

For one brief instant, the final barrier actually held.

The two dragons stopped. But only for a heartbeat.

Then the Undead High Drake roared. The Bone Dragon answered with a silent surge of energy. Their combined strength increased once more.

CRACK!

The last barrier finally gave way. Two colossal claws descended simultaneously. The female Demigod disappeared beneath them.

The impact distorted the heavens themselves. A circular shockwave spread across the horizon, erasing everything in its path. Even the clouds hundreds of kilometers away dispersed instantly.

When the blinding light finally faded, the female Demigod was falling. Her body tumbled helplessly through the sky.

For the first time since the battle began, she did not immediately recover.

Michael's eyes sharpened.

The opportunity had finally arrived. If his undead dealt one more overwhelming blow, she would either be knocked unconscious or killed. Either outcome worked for him.

His fingers instinctively tightened. His eyes gleamed with excitement. He was just about to give the command when his actions came to a sudden halt.

"Young man."

A calm elderly voice suddenly echoed across the battlefield. It wasn't loud, yet somehow it carried clearly directly to his ear.

Michael's expression changed. His head snapped toward the source.

Far away, standing upon empty space several kilometers from the battlefield, was an elderly man with snow-white hair tied neatly behind his head.

He wore simple gray robes that looked no different from ordinary clothing.

Yet Michael's pupils contracted.

Every instinct in his body warned him.

Danger. Extreme danger.

Although the old man had restrained his aura almost perfectly, the tiny amount naturally escaping was enough to make Michael deeply uncomfortable.

Another Demigod.

"…"

Michael's face remained expressionless. Internally, however, he wanted to curse.

Seriously?

Wasn't it said that the stronger someone became, the rarer people of the same level were supposed to be?

Then why was it that every single time he climbed a bit in power, these supposedly legendary existences suddenly appeared one after another?

Rank Three. Rank Four. Now Demigods.

It was as though the universe had specifically chosen to direct its malice at him whenever he was involved. One Demigod trying to kill him.

Another arriving before the battle had even ended. At this rate, would Rank Five experts start appearing in groups once he advanced again?

His expression remained calm while his thoughts raced.

Friend or enemy? From the Federation, maybe? Or a demonic supernatural?

He couldn't afford to make the wrong judgment.

The elderly man looked toward Michael before shifting his gaze to the blood-robed woman still falling through the sky. His voice remained calm.

"Young man."

"I know your anger is great."

"But I ask you to show mercy."

"Please do not kill her."

Michael remained silent. His eyes never left the old man. One thought from him was all it would take for both dragons to continue their assault.

The elderly man continued.

"I am from the Federation. I know she intended to kill you. I also understand your anger. But that woman holds far greater value alive than dead. There are many things we need to learn from her. So let us talk this through first."

Hearing that, Michael relaxed. Only internally.

So. Federation. That was at least better than another hidden enemy appearing. From the old man's posture and words, he didn't seem to harbor any hostility.

Still, Michael did not lower his guard. Perhaps the old man truly belonged to the Federation. Perhaps he genuinely wanted to negotiate.

Or perhaps he simply had no desire to fight two Demigod-level dragons. He could also very well be feigning goodwill to buy time.

Either explanation sounded reasonable.

But did he honestly think a few words were enough?

This was a Demigod, for crying out loud. One who had descended with the intention of killing him and had caused countless innocent deaths.

And now, just when victory was finally within reach, he was expected to simply stop?

Even if the Federation later offered compensation, could anything they provided compare to obtaining the corpse of a complete Demigod?

No. Not merely a corpse. A future Demigod undead. Its value was immeasurable. How could he possibly abandon such an opportunity simply because someone politely asked?

Wait. Wasn't this old man essentially trying to steal his loot? But what was he supposed to do now?

A thought flashed through Michael's mind. Then he made his decision.

His expression twisted. The hesitation disappeared. In its place appeared naked fury.

It was real enough that even Michael himself almost believed it.

He pointed toward the distant elderly man.

"You demonic bastard!"

His voice exploded across the battlefield.

"So that's your trick? You think pretending to be from the Federation will fool me?"

His eyes burned with killing intent.

"You really think I'm that stupid?"

"DIE!"

The elderly man's calm expression froze.

"What?"

At that exact moment, Michael's order reached both dragons.

The transformed Undead High Drake immediately abandoned the blood-robed Demigod. Its colossal head turned. Its emerald eyes instantly locked onto the elderly man standing far away.

The next instant—

ROOOOOOAAAR!!

The heavens shook. The dragon disappeared.

The old man's pupils shrank.

BOOOOOOM!!

A gigantic claw descended from the heavens toward him, tearing apart the surrounding space as it fell.

At the very same moment, Michael issued his second command.

"Bone Dragon."

"Finish her."

The Bone Dragon's loyalty remained absolute. Its enormous skeletal wings spread wide as it dived straight toward the heavily injured blood-robed Demigod like a divine executioner.

The exhausted blood-robed woman's eyes widened. The elderly Federation Demigod's composed expression changed entirely.