Chapter 285: I Know The Feeling
Raegar reentered the real world only to see a Goblin King attacking an exhausted Yuki. He rushed to block the strike, and his daggers caused sparks to fly everywhere when the weapons connected. The two Fusion Knights began slaughtering the enemy as he turned to the pink-haired cat woman.
’’Hello Yuki, sorry I took so long to reappear. It’s been a while. I was trapped in the Gate and only managed to get out. I’ll explain once I’ve dealt with this idiot,’’ he expressed, holding back to the enemy.
Just as those words left his lips, the fight was on, and he began blocking the strikes the enemy was throwing his way. He gritted his teeth after feeling the strength of the Goblin, forcing him to use Fusion Overdrive to boost his own power to the same level as his foe, so he could at least beat this humanoid.
Once Raegar did this, he could keep up with the monster. The two traded blows that shook the garden around them, as they moved so fast that no one could keep up with their moves. His muscles burned as he parried another bone-rattling strike. The creature’s eyes glowed, and its sword slashed through the air, tearing furrows in the earth where it just stood.
With his skill pulsing through his veins, his reflexes sharpened, allowing him to weave through the attacks. The garden around them was a battlefield. Trees splintered, their branches crashing to the ground, and flowerbeds were reduced to craters. He ducked under a swipe aimed at his throat, countering with a blazing uppercut.
This sent the Goblin staggering back. It roared, a sound that shook the air, and lunged forward using unnatural speed, its blade aiming for his chest. While this happened, he turned his Aether into a shield, deflecting the attack with a burst of light that illuminated the shattered garden.
He seized the moment, launching a barrage of Aether-infused strikes. The monster snarled, its own aura flaring as it matched him blow for blow, their clash sending out shockwaves. As the battle raged, Raegar’s mind raced. With questions. ’What the hell is thing thing?’
The monster’s strength was unnatural, its movements fueled by some dark force. He noticed a faint shimmer around its chest, a pulsing core of shadowy energy. That’s the key, he thought. Gritting his teeth, he feinted left, dodging a crushing blow, and sprinted toward a fallen tree trunk.
Using it as a springboard, he launched himself skyward, twisting mid-air to deliver a kick aimed directly at the monster’s head. The impact echoed like thunder, and it howled, its form flickering as cracks of light spread from the point of contact. But it wasn’t done yet, as a surge of even more dark energy rushed through its body.
Seconds later, the Goblin King unleashed a wave of shadow Aether that lashed out at Raegar, forcing him to dive and roll to avoid being ensnared. He rose, panting, his Fusion Overdrive flickering under the strain. This fight was far from over, and he knew he’d need every ounce of strength to bring the monster down.
Raegar’s chest heaved as he pushed his skill to its limits, the energy coursing through him like fire. His body glowed with a brilliant azure light, and the air around him crackled. The Goblin King sneered through jagged teeth, its eyes blazing. The core in its chest pulsed, fueling its monstrous strength.
Moments later, the creature lunged so quickly he couldn’t keep up, its massive hand closing around his body with bone-crushing force. Pain seared through him, but he refused to give in. With a roar, he summoned daggers and drove them toward the enemy’s face, aiming for its eyes.
The beast snarled, swatting the daggers away, and the weapons scattered across the ruined garden. Raegar’s eyes narrowed. Drawing deeper on his power, he focused, ordering the daggers to return to his hands. They materialized, sharper and brighter than before, humming with energy.
Following that, the Goblin King tightened its grip, its claws digging into his sides, but Raegar held firm. With a burst of speed, he twisted free, leaving a trail of afterimages as he darted behind the creature. The garden trembled as the giant spun, unleashing a torrent of shadows that tore through the air.
Raegar dodged, his movements a blur, and leaped onto a pillar. Using it to propel himself toward the beast, daggers raised. The Goblin King swung a massive fist, but he predicted the move, flipping over the strike and plunging both daggers into the creature’s left eye. It howled, a sound that shook the earth, and dark ichor sprayed from the wound.
Enraged, the enemy flailed, its remaining eye glowing brighter as its power pulsed wildly. Raegar landed, skidding across the scorched ground, and pushed his skill beyond its breaking point. His body glowed white-hot, the energy threatening to consume him, but he channeled it into one final assault.
He sprinted forward, dodging a barrage of blasts, and leaped, driving both daggers into the beast’s remaining eye with a scream. The monsters’ roar cut off abruptly as the daggers pierced its core through the eye socket, the energy within it fracturing. Light erupted from the wound, spreading cracks across its body.
With a final bellow, the creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into a cloud of ash and shadow. He stumbled back, his Fusion Overdrive fading, leaving him gasping amidst the wreckage of the garden. The Goblin King was defeated, but the cost of the battle weighed heavily on him as he surveyed the devastation.
More Goblin Knights appeared, trying to avenge their leader, but he summoned the Fusion Soldiers led by Arthur and the Black Knight, who skillfully killed dozens of creatures as they rushed around the battlefield. The fight didn’t last long as the remaining beasts were slain by his warriors.
Raegar smiled just as Dahlia appeared beside him, covered in blood. ’’Hello, handsome, it’s good that you closed the Gate; it was causing chaos across the empire.’’
’’I’m glad I could help,’’ he replied, breathing heavily before motioning to their surroundings. ’’Sorry about the garden, I made it worse.’’
The older woman laughed at this and waved him away. ’’Don’t worry about it, I’ll help the staff repair it using my Aether, but I need to rest.’’
’’I know the feeling,’’ Raegar agreed, chukling, which hurt his ribs. ’’That Gate was good but tough to beat, the bosses were strong.’’
Just then, the girls rushed at him, and Yuki was the first to wrap her arms around his shoulders before pressing a passionate kiss against his lips. A shiver ran down his spine while he held her waist. The two continued this until the catwoman moved out of the way, and Zahara took her place.
The blonde Half-Elf kissed him, followed by the others. Once all the greetings were over, Selene and Dominique grabbed his hands, dragging him toward the palace as Dahlia commented. ’’Get some sleep, darling. We’ll meet later after you’ve rested.’’
Raegar quickly agreed before entering the building, getting led toward the bedroom as Yuki spoke up. ’’Thank you for saving me again, young master.’’
’’You’re welcome,’’ he replied, giving the catwoman a charming smile. ’’Sorry I took so long, it was a difficult fight in the Gate.’’
’’What are those blue soldiers?’’ Alice asked from behind.
’’Those are Fusion Soldiers,’’ he revealed. ’’I got them from the Gate after defeating the monsters inside.’’
’’Why do they feel like you?’’ Lilith, the Devil Princess, commented while glancing at Arthur and the Black Knight.
’’Because they use my Aether to stay in the real world,’’ Raegar answered. ’’It’s part of me being the Fusion King.’’
When the girls heard this, their faces lit up as Selene exclaimed. ’’Can I fight them?!’’
He chuckled at this, causing him to nod in agreement. ’’Yes, but let me rest first to recover my Aether.’’
As the group reached the bedroom, he dismissed the soldiers and knights with a curt gesture. Once inside, he shed his clothes, revealing a body marred with bruises that drew gasps from the girls. Drusilla rushed to his side, her voice trembling. ’’Rae, what happened? How did you get these bruises?’’
’’Oh, those,’’ Raegar looked at his body, seeing the aftermath of his fight with the Black Knight, and explained. ’’Those come from my fight with my Fusion Knight; he was tough and managed to get a few blows on me before I defeated him alongside Arthur.’’
Just then, a warm glow enveloped him as Zahara began casting her healing magic, her book hovering above her outstretched hand. The Half-Elf’s eyes shimmered, Aether pouring out from her. Raegar felt the energy surge through his body, the bruises fading away as the refreshing wave mended his wounds and eased his pain.
Soon the blonde finished casting her spell and the book vanished, she gave him a warm smile. ’’I hope you feel better now?’’
Raegar couldn’t help but smile at her words before giving his lover a sudden hug, making her melt into his embrace.