Reincarnated as an Elf Prince-Chapter 41: The Dark King (3)

Lindarion’s thoughts swirled as his teammates desperately tried to hold back the King. But without him, they had no chance. It was as if their efforts were meaningless.

His arms throbbed with pain, his ribs trembled with every breath, and he could hear his heartbeat pounding in his head.

’Move, you useless body… I have to move.’

His vision blurred, but surrendering wasn’t an option. Not even close.

The King dodged every attack effortlessly, not even needing to try. Without Lindarion, the fight was dull to him. He knew only Lindarion had even the slightest chance of opposing him.

Lindarion crawled across the ground, his broken hands refusing to support him. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up using his knees, pushing off the floor with sheer will.

The sight made all his teammates turn toward him. Some looked at him with admiration, others with concern, fearing he would push himself too far.

’Everything… I’ll put everything into this.’

Darkness writhed inside his Mana Core, an unstoppable force surging like a train with no brakes.

The King’s gaze snapped to Lindarion as if he had immediately sensed the abyss within him.

Lindarion locked eyes with Twelve. No words were needed. They understood each other perfectly.

"WE NEED TO BUY TIME FOR THE CAPTAIN! GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU’VE GOT!"

With a war cry, they charged at the King, while Lindarion gathered his energy.

Twelve struck first, his sword slicing through the air in rapid arcs. Wind engulfed his body as he activated his affinity, his movements becoming faster, more precise. But sweat soon covered him, and his breathing grew heavy—he wouldn’t be able to maintain this for long.

Eight followed up, her spear blazing with an inferno as she lunged at the King. The King stepped back to evade, but Twelve was already attacking from behind. A single slash cut through the air—Eight barely dodged it, retaliating by driving her flaming spear into the King’s abdomen.

The armor cracked.

But then, the King moved again. His speed—almost like teleportation—was too fast to track.

He was targeting Twelve.

Then—he froze.

A voice rang through the hall, an absolute command that resonated in every soul present.

A voice that demanded obedience.

[Thronebearer, King’s Command]

"Stop."

Everyone in the chamber stopped moving the moment Lindarion’s words echoed. His teammates collapsed to their knees. The King remained motionless.

Slow footsteps echoed in the silence. Lindarion walked forward, an unknown energy swirling in his hands.

[Realmwalker]

An absolute domain. Where only Lindarion had authority.

Blood poured from his nose. His vision started darkened. But he couldn’t stop now.

Void energy coiled in his grasp, flickering ominously. His teammates watched, wide-eyed, as he approached the frozen King.

The King did not resist. He stood, waiting for death.

Lindarion raised his trembling hands—

And uttered a single word.

"Die."

The void energy erupted from his hands, consuming everything in its path. A massive explosion rocked the chamber, sending Lindarion and the others flying backward.

The King’s armor shattered.

A thick cloud of dust blanketed the battlefield.

As it settled, Lindarion’s fading vision made out his teammates—alive.

Then, he looked to where the King had stood. Or rather, where he should have been.

A black crown clattered to the floor.

No sign of the King.

As if the void had disintegrated him entirely.

The crown spun on the ground before coming to a stop, radiating an ominous darkness.

Then, Lindarion’s world faded to black.

—

Eight

Eight stirred, her body covered in bruises and burns. The moment she regained her senses, she searched for Lindarion—

And found him, lying motionless against a pillar.

"Captain!"

She and Twelve shouted at the same time, rushing toward him as fast as their battered bodies allowed.

The others were already gathering themselves, stumbling to their feet.

Twelve lifted Lindarion’s limp body as if he weighed nothing.

"We need to get him medical help, now!"

His voice echoed through the ruined chamber.

The trainees exchanged glances, still reeling from what had happened. But in the next moment, they sprang into action, carrying their fallen comrades.

Eight pulled out her communicator, activating the link to Magnus.

{Instructor Magnus! The team captain is unconscious! We successfully cleared the dungeon! Requesting immediate assistance at the portal!}

Magnus’ response was instant.

{Healers are on the way. Get to the gate—now.}

The trainees broke into a run, carrying Lindarion and the others through the dungeon.

The moment they crossed the portal, it was as if reality itself shifted—

They were back in the middle of the dense forest.

But this time, others were waiting for them.

"Lay him down now!"

A woman’s voice rang out. Twelve hesitated for only a moment before carefully placing Lindarion on the ground.

The healers’ eyes widened at the number of bodies.

"How… how can there be this many casualties?"

"Wasn’t this supposed to be a low-level dungeon?"

Eight had no idea what they were talking about.

A healer knelt beside her, gently guiding her down and beginning to mend her wounds.

Meanwhile, a group of healers surrounded Lindarion, working frantically to stabilize him.

Then, Magnus arrived.

He stepped through a portal, his gaze sweeping over the trainees.

"Instructor Magnus—"

Twelve began, but Magnus cut him off.

"I’ll hear everything from the captain when he wakes up. For now, all of you—go back to the trainees through the portal."

The trainees exchanged glances before looking at Lindarion.

They knew they couldn’t disobey Magnus. He was their leader.

But leaving Lindarion behind—after everything he had done to save them—felt wrong.

’He’ll be okay…’

Eight placed a reassuring hand on Twelve’s shoulder. Their eyes met, and they nodded.

Then, they stepped through the portal—returning to Everhallow.

"Take him back to Everhallow and continue treatment."

Magnus’ voice carried authority, and the healers immediately complied.

—

Magnus

Magnus examined Lindarion’s unconscious form.

Burns. Lacerations. Bones on the verge of breaking. His Mana Core—overloaded.

’You did it, kid.’

Suppressing a smile, Magnus clenched his fists as he gazed at Lindarion.

The boy looked as if he were simply sleeping.

—

Lindarion

He woke in an unfamiliar bed, sinking into sheets so soft they felt like clouds.

Then—

A loud voice shattered the silence.

"He’s awake! The Captain’s awake!"

Before he could process anything, a woman practically threw herself onto him.

’The fuck…?’

Blinking, Lindarion recognized her face.

And the faces surrounding him.

The trainees who had fought with him in the dungeon.

They were all here.

’So… this is how many of us made it.’

Eight, Twelve, Thirty, Seventy-One, and One-Eighty-One.

Only five remained from the original ten. Well, six including him.

Not a great result.

But better than losing everyone.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed.

Lindarion’s body tensed. His arm twitched involuntarily.

A memory—

The King’s looming presence.

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The way he slaughtered his comrades.

The faces of his slaughtered teammates..112’s innocent eyes even after her head was severed.

His stomach churned.

Then, he vomited continuously in a bucket next to him.

’Shit.’

A firm hand patted his back. As he wiped his mouth, he looked up—

And met Magnus’ amused smirk.