The demonic beasts that had invaded the Open Clash were unlike anything the people had expected.
This was not some accidental breach.
Not some wandering creatures from corrupted lands.
This was an attack.
Organized.
Planned.
And merciless.
The markets surrounding the arena had become battlefields within minutes. Merchant stalls burned beneath black flames of demonic energy while civilians fled in panic through streets now painted with blood.
The guards stationed around the island were quickly overwhelmed.
Most had been prepared for thieves, smugglers, or drunken fighters—
Not powerful demonic beasts.
Screams echoed everywhere.
Children cried while families became separated in the crowd. Ships at the docks were overloaded with terrified civilians trying desperately to escape the island.
The Open Clash had transformed from a celebration into hell.
Yet amidst the chaos—
Many chose to fight.
Adventurers who had once come seeking fame now drew their weapons to protect civilians.
Mercenaries who usually fought only for money formed defensive lines near evacuation routes.
Even pirates from the Three Flags joined the battle.
Whatever conflicts existed between nations or factions no longer mattered.
Because everyone understood one thing—
If the beasts were not stopped here, thousands would die.
Through the rapid response of the fighters, many civilians managed to escape toward the docks.
The casualties were terrible—
But far less than they could have been.
Then—
Something worse arrived.
BOOOOOM!
The walls of the arena exploded inward.
Stone shattered.
Dust erupted across the battlefield.
And from the smoke—
A gigantic demonic beast stepped into the arena.
The creature towered over ordinary beasts. Its body was covered in black scales that pulsed with dark energy, while crimson cracks spread across its skin like molten lava beneath stone.
Its roar shook the entire island.
The remaining guards immediately lost formation.
Panic spread completely.
People screamed and rushed toward every exit.
The arena became chaos.
The beast swung one massive arm across the stands, destroying entire sections instantly.
Henry's expression darkened.
This creature was different.
Far stronger.
Far more dangerous.
If it remained inside the arena—
Thousands would die.
Without hesitation, Henry leapt forward.
His sword flashed.
The strike landed directly against the beast's face, forcing its attention toward him.
"HEY!"
The beast roared furiously.
Henry immediately ran toward the broken arena gate.
"Come after me!"
The monster charged.
The ground trembled beneath every step.
And thus—
Henry dragged the beast away from the arena itself.
The fight began across the ruined streets of the island.
Buildings collapsed from the creature's attacks while Henry barely evaded blow after blow. Every strike from the monster carried enough force to flatten houses.
Henry retaliated relentlessly.
Steel clashed against black scales.
But the creature's body was unnaturally durable.
Even Henry struggled to wound it deeply.
Then—
Another figure joined the battle.
The old veteran from the tournament.
The same warrior Henry had barely defeated earlier.
The old man landed beside him with his massive blade resting over one shoulder.
"Well," the veteran laughed, "this is far more exciting than a tournament."
Henry almost smiled despite the situation.
"You always fight monsters this large?"
"Only on good days."
Together they faced the beast.
Experience and adaptability.
Age and youth.
Their combined assault slowly began pushing the monster backward.
Meanwhile—
The Shadow Guards surrounding King Dan urged him toward evacuation.
"Your Majesty, you must retreat immediately!"
The King looked unwilling.
The people were still dying across the island.
But remaining there would only worsen the situation.
And so—
The royal family began moving toward the docks where the royal vessel had already been prepared.
The sea itself had become crowded with evacuation ships.
Soldiers shouted orders desperately while civilians climbed aboard anything capable of floating.
The atmosphere at the docks felt no less dangerous than the battlefield.
The royal ship stood ready.
Shadow Guards secured the area while elite royal knights formed defensive positions.
King Dan approached the vessel slowly.
Irene remained beside him, sword already drawn.
Her usual playful expression was gone.
Only focus remained.
Max, the First Prince, had earlier departed with elite forces to suppress the beasts spreading through the city.
Reports claimed he was successfully pushing them back.
Even amidst disaster—
The royal family fought.
King Dan stepped toward the boarding ramp.
Then—
Something fell from above.
THUD.
One of the ship's crew collapsed onto the deck.
Dead.
Before anyone fully reacted—
Another body dropped.
Then another.
Blood spread across the wooden deck.
The Shadow Guards immediately moved.
But it was too late.
A man slowly emerged from the shadows of the ship.
At first glance—
He looked human.
But the moment he stepped forward, everyone felt it.
Demonic energy.
Dark miasma poured from his body like smoke.
Yet he was no demon.
He was human.
A tall muscular man covered in scars and deep cuts across his body, as though he had survived countless battles through sheer brutality alone.
His eyes were empty.
Cold.
Broken.
And terrifying.
The moment he moved—
Chaos erupted.
Several royal guards were cut down instantly.
The speed was monstrous.
Even the Shadow Guards struggled to react.
One by one they fell across the deck.
The man fought like something beyond human.
A beast wearing human skin.
Irene immediately stepped forward beside the King.
Her sword trembled slightly—
But she did not retreat.
"Stay behind me, Father."
The attacker looked at her briefly.
Then smiled.
Not kindly.
Cruelly.
"So this is the royal family…"
The remaining Shadow Guards attacked together.
Most were defeated within moments.
But one still stood.
Juliene.
Blood ran down one arm, yet she forced herself upright.
Even after taking heavy blows, she remained between the attacker and the King.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"A shadow guard still conscious?"
Juliene said nothing.
Her blades lowered into stance.
The air around her became silent.
Deadly.
Even Irene glanced toward her in surprise.
The man laughed softly.
"Interesting."
Then he vanished.
The deck exploded into motion.
Steel clashed faster than ordinary eyes could follow.
Juliene intercepted strike after strike despite being injured. Her fighting style was unlike Henry's direct combat.
Silent.
Precise.
Every movement aimed for death.
But the enemy was overwhelming.
His attacks carried monstrous force fueled by demonic energy.
One strike shattered part of the ship's railing.
Another nearly threw Juliene across the deck.
Still—
She stood.
Because behind her stood the King.
And because somewhere on this island—
Henry was fighting too.
Far across the city, Henry and the veteran finally managed to wound the massive beast deeply.
Black blood exploded across the streets.
The monster roared in agony.
But before Henry could finish it—
He suddenly froze.
Something felt wrong.
A terrible feeling struck his chest.
Not fear.
Instinct.
As if someone important was in danger.
Far away—
On the royal ship—
Juliene was finally forced to one knee.
Blood dripped onto the deck beneath her.
The mysterious attacker slowly approached the King.
Irene tightened her grip on her sword.
The remaining guards prepared themselves for death.
And the man covered in demonic energy smiled as he raised his blade.
The true target of this attack—
Had never been the tournament.
It had been the King all along.