The smell of blood filled the air.
The Nameless King walked forward, his feet soaked in dark, sticky pools. The ground that was once beautiful was now stained beyond recognition.
He looked down at it in silence.
Something approached.
Without hesitation, he swung his sword, cutting through a streak of green magic. The glow dispersed into nothing.
Raising an eyebrow, he glanced at his blade, then at the elf before him.
Strange… I thought the wind itself was attacking me. So it was just this.
The elf stared in disbelief.
H-how…? How did he cut magic… with a bone sword? That should be impossible…
The Nameless King moved again.
A single, clean strike.
The elf fell.
Without another glance, the giant continued walking, the distant sound of a collapsing house echoing behind him.
He had no direction. No destination.
Only destruction.
The King of Death had given him a task—but no number. No limit. Just two weeks.
The sky darkened. Daylight faded.
Then—
Movement.
He turned.
Horses? No.
Elves, riding toward him.
He gripped his sword and dashed forward.
A shockwave followed his movement, the ground cracking beneath his feet. His eyes burned with intent.
With one swing—
Half the army fell.
Silence followed.
The once green field was now painted red.
The Nameless King smiled.
This… was beautiful.
At the rear of the formation stood a man.
The Baron.
Watching the aftermath, his expression hardened—shock mixing with cold resolve.
He stepped down from his horse.
"Advance," he ordered, his sharp gaze locked onto the giant.
"Yes, Baron Kotei!"
The soldiers obeyed without hesitation.
They charged.
The Nameless King's smile widened, twisted with excitement.
Yes… come. I will bring you all to your end.
Above them, the dark sky split—
A beam of golden light descended like lightning.
Fast.
Very fast.
He raised his bone blade to block.
Fragments chipped away under the impact.
The giant gritted his teeth—smiling.
The golden glow illuminated his blood-covered body as the force pushed against him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the battalion moving past him.
He smiled again.
All of you… will die.
With a sharp motion, he redirected the beam—
Toward the elven army.
Kotei's face turned pale.
His own magic… wiped out his men.
Damn it…!
Without wasting time, he grabbed his weapon and rushed forward, mounting his horse.
Wind roared past him as he charged.
"Giant!!!" he roared.
Golden light surged around his body.
The Nameless King lifted his sword.
The blade came down—
But before it struck—
A flash.
The impact forced his arms upward.
"Huh?!"
His body was pushed back.
Then—
A burst of radiant energy.
"May the Goddess of Life show you mercy… Giant."
The force struck his abdomen.
Pressure built—growing, crushing.
The Nameless King's body tensed.
His vision blurred.
Far away—
Kotei gritted his teeth.
I have to survive… I need to see them again… my family…
The giant crashed into the ground with a heavy impact.
Pain spread through his body—raw and unfamiliar.
He trembled.
On the other side, Kotei was barely standing.
Sweat dripped from his face. His hands shook.
Too much mana… and it's not over… damn it…!
The Nameless King slowly rose.
His gaze locked onto Kotei—
More intense than before.
This… is fun.
He licked his lips.
Driving his blade into the ground for support, he stood up completely.
Kotei felt a chill run down his spine.
Impossible… how is he standing already…?
Then—
The giant disappeared.
Kotei's eyes widened.
Nothing.
No presence.
No sound—
Behind him.
He turned—
Too late.
The blade came down, cutting through the air itself.
Kotei raised a barrier at the last second.
The collision sent a violent shockwave outward.
Then—
Crack.
The defense shattered.
The sword pulled back—
A fist came forward.
Kotei froze.
Regina… I'm sorry…
The impact struck him.
His body was thrown across the battlefield, crashing through the air.
Blood scattered behind him.
The Nameless King launched himself after him.
Midair—
Another strike.
Kotei couldn't react.
I'm sorry… I couldn't keep my promise…
He was slammed into the ground.
A massive impact shook the area.
Dust rose.
The giant landed.
Smiling.
It's been a long time… this is entertaining.
Through the smoke, a figure stood.
Small.
Unsteady.
Kotei.
Covered in blood, barely holding himself up.
Yet—
Still alive.
The Nameless King's smile deepened.
How… am I still alive…?
Kotei raised his trembling hand.
If I'm alive… then—
Light gathered around him.
Golden energy surged once more.
I'll fight… with everything I have!
The giant rushed forward.
Sword ready.
Kotei roared.
Memories flashed—his wife, his daughter.
His eyes sharpened.
Everything… I have…!
The magic exploded outward.
Wind howled.
Leaves were torn from the ground.
Lightning clashed against the descending blade.
The impact shook the battlefield.
Kotei stared—
He's… smiling?
Even as the energy burned his skin, the Nameless King laughed silently.
This pain… proves I'm alive.
Kotei felt his mana core crack under the strain.
Blood ran from his mouth.
He knew—
If he continued, he might die.
Even if he survived…
He might never use magic again.
Still—
He stepped forward.
The giant's body began to burn under the pressure—
Then—
The magic split.
The Nameless King broke through.
Kotei saw it.
His end.
The blade came down—
But—
It stopped.
His arm froze.
Kotei collapsed, unconscious.
Silence.
The Nameless King closed his eyes.
…
When he opened them again—
The sky had changed.
Orange light filled the horizon.
The sun was setting.
He stood there, unmoving.
For a moment—
His eyes lit up.
Beautiful…
Then—
Empty again.
The feeling vanished.
The fight was over.
He looked at the fallen elf.
There's no reason to kill him.
Turning away, he walked forward.
No direction.
No purpose.
Only silence.
Why… does every battle end like this?