Fire Mage-Chapter 639: Guardian

Chapter 639: Guardian

Azoth responded instantly—her sword flaring as it deflected the ray.

Then came another invisible blade. This time, Charles met it with [Sphere of Invulnerability] and blocked the attack.

At once, he activated [False Blink], vanishing in an instant, and reappeared before the illusion.

Before she could move, he cast Chaos Eye again—this time aiming for her eye—and simultaneously unleashed Soul Shock, targeting the hidden soul shard.

An invisible force tried to protect it, but his Soul Fire pierced through, dealing a precise strike.

The illusion froze.

Then, the chaos ray struck its forehead. A burst of fiery energy erupted. The illusionary Azoth fractured—dream essence dissipating like mist in the wind.

A slow clap echoed from above.

Charles looked up.

The real Azoth stepped out from the shadows, her face serene.

"Nice to meet you, Charles Nightwind," she said in the Blen language, her tone warm with amusement. "You’re not as disappointing as I feared."

She chuckled, turning back toward the palace.

"Come in. You may take one treasure from my vault as a gift. Use the teleportation portal to proceed to the next level."

Charles didn’t move. His body was tense.

She noticed his caution and smiled over her shoulder.

"I’m one of the twenty-fifth guardians of this Dungeon layer," she said. "Without my permission, you won’t reach the next."

"What makes you think I believe you?" he asked, gaze fixed on her back.

Azoth stopped and turned. Her expression soured.

"Tsk. Why do I always get the suspicious ones?" She sighed. "Fine. If I draw my sword again, I’ll gift it to you. Along with a contract. You’ll receive a new Key of Celestial—use it to enter and exit this dungeon once per century."

Even now, Charles couldn’t tell whether she was the true guardian or just another illusion.

If I’m lucky, I’ll kill her here and now, he thought, preparing for a surprise attack.

Azoth’s gaze sharpened. "Naive."

Suddenly, Charles’s vision blurred.

Then—darkness.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing in the courtyard once more.

But now, he was surrounded by seven Nightmare Guardians.

Before him, another raised its massive sword, aiming to split his skull open.

A cold chill ran through him.

A strange sense of déjà vu...

’What the heck? Time Loop?’ Charles’s expression froze.

[It’s not a Time Loop spell, Host. More likely, it’s a Nightmare Loop.]

’Nightmare Loop?’ Charles narrowed his eyes. The Rebirth Domain had already activated, intensifying his focus.

’So she wasn’t lying earlier... Tell me more about how this spell works, Genesis,’ he asked, casting Chaos Eye on the Nightmare Guardian ahead. A wave of chaotic fire surged forward, incinerating the guardian instantly.

[Unlike a Time Loop, where time resets, the Nightmare Loop creates a vivid illusion-based cycle. Both parties retain their memories upon death and respawn at a fixed point. This continues until one soul shatters. Time isn’t twisted—only perception.]

’So unless one of us has our soul destroyed, this loop won’t end...’ Charles clenched his fists. ’My Rebirth Domain won’t last long. Two and a half minutes at most.’ He exhaled sharply, gaze sharpening. ’Then I’ll have to end this quickly.’

Suddenly, all the Nightmare Guardians shifted away from him, raising their swords in unison.

Charles didn’t wait. He darted toward the main building. Blades slashed toward him, but he cast Shield of Invulnerability, blocking the strikes with shimmering barriers. In the same breath, he vanished with Flame Teleportation and reappeared at the palace’s entrance.

Startled by his sudden arrival, the illusionary Azoth raised her sword, ready to strike. But before she could move, Charles cast Soul Shock. She froze mid-motion, paralyzed.

Without hesitation, he activated Chaos Eye, focusing on her forehead. A searing beam of chaotic fire burst forth, burrowing into her skull. Her eyes widened as her mind erupted in a blast of fiery chaos.

An explosion rocked the palace entrance, shaking the ground with violent tremors.

Charles didn’t flinch. His eyes locked onto the real Azoth, standing beneath the portico’s shadow. He surged forward, retrieving his Moonfire Scimitar from his storage ring. It glowed with a warm, sunlit aura.

"Why the sword?" Azoth asked curiously, her tone almost casual. "You’re only at the intermediate level of sword aura."

She waved her hand. An invisible ripple swept toward him, hurling him back.

’Genesis. Time Stop, now,’ Charles ordered.

A surge from the core of his soul rippled outward. The world stilled. Even Azoth stood frozen, caught mid-step.

In that silent moment, rebirth flames curled around the edges of the Moonfire Scimitar, enveloping the blade and its aura.

Charles stepped forward, eyes set on her chest. He pulled his arm back and drove the scimitar forward.

Azoth broke free of the Time Stop a moment too late.

The blade pierced her chest cleanly and emerged from her back. Her eyes went wide—not from the pain, but the realization. The flame had scorched her very soul.

Charles withdrew the blade. Bluish blood hovered mid-air, suspended. He stepped back calmly.

’Deactivate Time Stop,’ he commanded.

A ripple pulsed from him again, nullifying the frozen moment.

Azoth staggered, clutching her wound, bluish blood trickling from her chest. Charles sheathed his sword with a faint grin, his form shifting back to human.

"Is this enough?" he asked, voice steady.

Azoth struggled for breath and nodded.

"I... I underestimated you, kid," she admitted. Her fingers gripped her sword, and in one swift motion, she unsheathed it.

Her wound vanished as if it never existed.

A sudden beam of eerie blackish-purple light shot from her blade and struck Charles.

In a heartbeat, countless sword essences tore through his body, breaking him down to blood, bone, and flesh. But they didn’t stop there—they surged into the Astral Plane, annihilating his soul.

"Unfortunately for you, you’re still under the Nightmare Loop," she said coldly, shaking her head with regret.

The illusion shattered.

Azoth now stood several feet back, as if time had rewound. She turned to walk away, about to sheathe her sword—then stopped, her eyes narrowing.

"...Why is his fire domain still active?"

She spun around.

The puddle of blood and flesh that had been Charles ignited in crimson flame and vanished.

Two seconds later, a single ember appeared where he had fallen. It swelled, reshaped, and reformed—first into a humanoid figure with horns and a third eye, then into a blue-haired young man.

Charles had returned.

Though nigh invincible against most Legends, Charles knew he had no chance in a direct fight with Azoth. Her physical prowess was unmatched—and her dream-based powers even more so.

’Thankfully, my little trick worked,’ he thought, exhaling the last remnants of lingering pain.

Azoth stared at him, visibly shaken.

She had seen many strange things in her lifetime—but never someone returning after their soul was shattered.

"...Who the hell are you?" she asked.

Charles only smiled. "I hope you’ll keep your promise."

She sighed.

"Of course. Take it." She sheathed her ancient sword and offered it, handle first.

"But be cautious. Her temper is volatile. When she’s angry, she can drive her wielder insane—or worse, drain your very blood essence."

"She? It’s an Intellectual Artifact?" Charles asked, examining the blade as he accepted it.

[Name: Grace

Title: The Madness Unbound

Rank: Intellectual Artifact

Details: Forged by a forgotten Rune Creator named Shepherd in an age long lost, this blade has passed through countless hands—each wielder ultimately succumbing to madness and a mysterious end. Though the method of its creation remains unknown, its temperament is infamous. It thirsts for blood and becomes unstable when ignored. Even the Gods once feared it.

Abilities: ?????, ??????, ???????.]

While Charles reviewed the information, Azoth nodded and continued, her voice gentle but somber.

"Eons ago, in a time swallowed by history, this blade was forged by the legendary Rune Creator Shepherd. It passed from hand to hand, leaving behind a trail of blood and insanity.

"No one knows exactly how it was created. But one thing is clear—it isn’t just a weapon. It’s a living being. Volatile, intelligent, and always hungry. If you draw her, you’d better be ready to feed her. Each swing might bring power—or madness."

Charles raised an eyebrow. "Sounds cursed."

The sword let out a shriek so sharp it ruptured his eardrums.

Azoth chuckled. "Told you. That’s just her way of talking. She’s not cursed—she’s powerful. The others who died weren’t victims of her—they were too weak, too arrogant."

She paused, then added, "After three hundred thousand years with Grace, I’ve uncovered three of her abilities."

"The first is Madness Berserk. Temporarily, it doubles your spells and innate abilities—but once it ends, you’ll either lose part of your lifespan or fall into madness. The second..." she hesitated, "...lets you relive past battles. You’ll see her previous wielders’ techniques in powerful nightmares. If you’re strong, you’ll learn. If not, she’ll take over your body. So don’t get cocky."