The Author's POV

"Ren, stay back."

Extending his hand towards my direction, Waylan pushed me back. His piercing, ice-cold gaze indifferently scanned Durara who was standing opposite him.

Holding onto a wooden staff double her size, a red orb deeply embedded at the very top of it. A soft, misty red hue shrouded the area around the staff, creating a mysterious feeling.

A heavy tension enshrouded the hall as both sides were locked in an intense stare-off.

WIIIIING—!

In a smooth motion, Waylan took out his broadsword and pointed it in Durara's direction.

Comparing the pressure he was giving off to Durara's, I could tell that he was weaker than her. In fact, it wasn't even a close match as his aura was swiftly getting suppressed by her.

Waylan also seemed to know this fact as a never-before-seen look of seriousness marred his face.

Without wasting any time, he channeled what little bit of mana he had recovered in his body towards the tip of the broadsword.

'…His psyon control is leagues above mine.'

I thought to myself as I observed him from the side.

From how he managed to freely control the psions to reach a certain point of the broadsword unimpeded, I could understand just how capable Waylan was.

But as Waylan was getting ready to fight, contrary to his expectations, Durara's attention wasn't directed toward him or Ultruk, who had still not made a move and was quietly observing Durara.

Her attention was in fact directed towards me. Durara mouthed slowly, in a tone I couldn't quite place my finger on.

"This familiar aura…"

Her chilly voice traveled through the ears of everyone present as my face couldn't help but change slightly.

Durara's expression turned from ice-cold to gloomy as her eyes that contained a faint black light shone even more fiercely. Her mind was slowly processing everything happening before her.

Seeing that she was slowly figuring things out, raising my hand, I waved in her direction, in an almost mocking manner.

"Hi."

Having been paying close attention to me for the past week or so, she was already familiar with my aura. Although I could hide it, I didn't feel the need to do so anymore.

She had already figured out what had happened so there was no longer a need.

Karl's role was done. He was no longer needed.

Might as well piss her off to disrupt her mentality.

"…It can't be. N-No, it cannot be possible…!"

Upon seeing me wave my hand in her direction, it finally dawned on her. A look of absolute shock and betrayal appeared on Durara's face as she tightened the grip on her staff.

But it didn't take long for her to calm her emotions down. Her face returned to its usual cold and indifferent one. However, everyone in the room could feel the tangible bloodlust exuding from her body.

She was angry.

'What a bummer…'

Seeing that my taunt did not work, I felt that it was a bit of a pity.

her into doing something stupid out of anger, we could've used

bad no

I finally get what you

words chilled the very air as a palpitating and almost suffocating feeling blanketed

VUAM—!

behind her small body, in the form of

my direction, directing the murderous aura revolving around her body towards where I was

will pay for

an unstoppable tsunami. Opening its mouth, the illusory

"Stay back, Ren."

regular palm in the direction of

the red skull, which was a tangible reflection of Durara's bloodlust, a small white

his hand down, a large gap formed and the skull split apart as though it was made out of water. What followed after was a strong gale that messed up my hair and clothes,

"Hmph."

worked, Durara snorted. She then proceeded to tap her staff

Crack! Crack!

beneath her feet completely shattered apart,

floor slowly rose in the air around her, encircling her

of mana suddenly materialized around Durara, surrounding her completely. She raised her staff

"I'll kill you, traitor!"

the whole building as a frightening power surfaced from above the top of the staff. Within seconds, a powerful ball of energy materialized in front

"Hieaak!"

But she wasn't done.

around Durara suddenly froze. Then, in unison, it agglomerated towards the ruby

completely converged on top of the staff, a second had passed and one more ball appeared in front

dozen or so duergars weren't standing still. Aiming their weapons in our direction, they

ready as a threatening energy expanded

a grave look, Waylan looked

you handle

to me," Ultruk

an rank himself, Ultruk was confident in defending against Durara's attack. Although he could

at least, that's how it

by, the energy gathered at the top of her staff became more threatening and

longer quantify the power

"Huuuuarg!"

reverberated throughout the hall, strongly shaking the surroundings. A devastating energy rooted

foot. His

became even colder. The enormous energy lingering atop

staff at a forty-five degree angle, the two spheres of energy revolving around her merged together to form an even larger, inconceivable mass of destructive mana that

Waylan's gazes to harden. However, Ultruk, who was standing at the front, did not dodge. Releasing the built-up energy in his calves, his body tore through the air at an extremely terrifying speed. Holding onto the large axe

than ever before, the axe was positioned lower, its head angled right below his waist. But this was no problem for him. Intensifying his grip on the axe, Ultruk's muscles bulged

the tip of the axe and ruthlessly smashed against

BANG—!

force emerged from the head-on collision, causing Ultruk to get forced backward. A

even

had Waylan for support. A

"Ugh…!"

attack, I could see Waylan struggling to diffuse

at the ensuing battle, Waylan's face couldn't be any more

is not a fight I can interfere

just took place, Waylan realized that the fight

gets closer to