# Chapter 164. Ancient Serpent (5)
With Guardian's Blessing buff, MeleeSpy's area-of-effect buff, and all kinds of Paladin buffs, Rake defeated all the high-ranking demons.
She took down seven high-ranking demons without taking a single effective hit. She allowed a few attacks to land, but they all dissipated against the divine power enveloping her body.
Unless they could manipulate small amounts of divine power like the Night Stalker demon, high-ranking demons were no match for Rake.
"...I used quite a bit of power."
Rake exhaled heavily after defeating the last high-ranking demon. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She must have pushed herself too hard in the fight.
"I need to catch my breath for a moment."
It looked like she needed more than just a moment. A good rest would be better.
- Lean on me.
The "Healing Totem" was still active.
Rake needed to be in good condition for me to use Incarnation with peace of mind.
In a situation where I'd be fighting those dragons, I couldn't spare attention for the Tribal Alliance headquarters. Rake, MeleeSpy, and Dina would have to handle things well.
I might be the one defeating the enemies, but protecting people was her role. The true meaning of "Guardian," you could say.
"...May I?"
Rake brightened and leaned against Totem #1. She could feel its warmth.
Slowly, Rake lowered herself until she was sitting on the ground. Despite trying to look strong, she was clearly exhausted.
"We'll hold the line for now!"
The Fallen Power Knight and other paladins filled Rake's position. All the high-ranking demons that had fallen from the sky were dead, so there weren't many threatening enemies left.
Just occasionally some agile mid-level demons climbing up the walls.
"A healing skill with area effect. And it even has purification properties. Totem healing... completely breaks the balance."
MeleeSpy, who had somehow approached the totem, was also enjoying my healing.
"Need to cool off a bit."
Even while saying that, he still wouldn't take off his helmet—typical of this madman.
"Paladin, did you just speak to Lord Mallak without honorifics?"
Rake spoke up, unable to ignore MeleeSpy's muttering. Ah, I thought something like this might happen, but I didn't expect it on the battlefield.
"Does this ignorant barbarian not understand the concept of 'talking to oneself'? Besides, I wouldn't bow even to a god—"
This bastard's about to spout nonsense again.
- He's mentally unstable from being alone too long. Don't engage with him.
I shut him down completely.
"Understood."
Rake, who had been glaring at MeleeSpy, turned away.
"..."
MeleeSpy looked awkward, smacking his lips. At least he wasn't saying anything more, which suggested he didn't actually want to fight with a god.
[DinoFist: Hey! Look at that! A demon with a head like a battering ram!]
ㄴ [DinoFist: (photo of a big-headed demon with what appears to be a very hard head)]
ㄴ [Kilimanjaro: You mean battering ram. What's a "battering chun"?]
ㄴ [DinoFist: Is that really important right now? We need to stop that thing!]
ㄴ [PrincessDina: I'm on my way.]
ㄴ [PrincessDina: Taken care of.]
They seem to be handling things well at the base of the fortress.
Now I should rest a bit and prepare for Incarnation...
"Lord Mallak!"
I quickly turned at Luna's call. Luna was aiming her magic wand.
"Now's the time!"
Right, I can at least drop some lightning. It doesn't consume much mental energy anyway.
RUMBLE!
Another high-ranking demon turned to ashes.
Oh, there goes another one.
CRACK!
Harry, riding the Titan, grabbed a massive high-ranking demon's neck and ripped it off. Ugh, its spine was dangling. This is like a fatality move.
I was worried when he struggled against the manta ray demon, but that was unnecessary.
'That was because I wasn't used to it. Everything was new then. Now it's different. I've figured out how to handle this massive steel beast.'
I thought he was just showing off, but he was telling the truth.
After watching the decapitated high-ranking demon turn to ash, I checked the Seven-Headed Dragon demon's reaction. We must have taken down about fifteen high-ranking demons by now.
They should be starting to feel threatened... huh?
- ...!
I locked eyes with the Seven-Headed Dragon demon. It wasn't my imagination. It was staring directly at Totem #1.
The creature slowly opened its mouth.
SHAAAAAA!
It exhaled hot breath. Perhaps its mouth was full of fire.
That was the signal. The dragons surrounding it all took flight at once. Twelve in total. Each one larger than a Titan. Their shadows covered the ground.
These were the creatures that burned down the mage tower completely. They probably also destroyed the capital in an instant and brought down the Empire.
"The dragons are moving!"
"Those are the lizards that burned down the mage tower...!"
Everyone, both possessed and natives alike, was terrified.
"Finally, their main force is engaging."
"Damn it...!"
Rake and MeleeSpy stood up.
Now was the time to use Incarnation. I would slaughter all of them and rip off the Seven-Headed Dragon demon's head.
"I'll be waiting for your return."
Rake was confident in my victory.
It feels good to have someone who supports me unconditionally, even at a time like this.
- Rake, I'm counting on you.
I used Incarnation. Lightning struck Totem #1, and I took on Mallak's physical form.
GROOOOAR!
I let out a massive roar to establish dominance.
The dragons flinched slightly but quickly narrowed their eyes as if nothing had happened.
You little punks. I saw that. For a moment, you had the expression of frightened puppies.
SCREECH!
I grabbed the neck of the first dragon that came at me with my small front paw. It scratched at my scaled body with its two longer front legs, but couldn't leave a single scratch.
CRUNCH! I bit into its neck. When I applied pressure, it caved in. I tore off a chunk of flesh.
The dragon fell without even being able to scream. Only then did I spit out the flesh.
KIUUUU...!
The other dragons circled around me, not daring to approach. They were intimidated by my aura.
They might have had a good fight one-on-one with a Titan, but not with me.
SHAAAAA!
THUMP! THUMP!
After watching my one-sided battle, the Seven-Headed Dragon demon got excited, whipped its tail on the ground a few times, and finally lifted its heavy rear.
The crown-shaped horns on its heads glowed green. Though not enough for ascension, they contained powerful divine energy.
I faced the creature as it took flight. It was about 1.5 times my size. Maybe because of the wings.
...All seven pairs of eyes had a strange look in them. Like "At last, I've found my worthy opponent!"
This creature was definitely a battle maniac.
GROOOAR!
SHAAAAA!
BOOM!
The creature and I headbutted each other simultaneously. A massive shockwave erupted as our enormous bodies collided.
Neither of us was pushed back. Our strength must be similar.
Now, let's see a battle between the strongest beings in this world.
***
While Mallak and the dragons engaged in a spectacular aerial battle, Hanna and the special forces were fighting desperately at the base of the wall.
"Kheuk!"
Jackson, a paladin skilled with dual swords, rolled across the ground.
'Damn it!'
Hanna cursed inwardly.
The moment Mallak went up with the Seven-Headed Dragon and the other dragons, the high-ranking demons moved to the front line. As if they no longer needed to be cautious.
Without Mallak to suppress them, the void he left felt enormous. Hanna thought that if he hadn't immediately transformed into a dragon and faced the Seven-Headed Dragon, the Tribal Alliance might have collapsed long ago.
Within minutes, the demons finally breached the section of wall Hanna was defending.
Two high-ranking demons played a decisive role in breaking through the wall. All that stood against them were Dina's special forces without Dina herself and dozens of native warriors.
Hanna requested help from Dina through the Community, but she was too busy fighting high-ranking demons elsewhere to respond. In the end, they had to hold with the personnel they had.
After much struggle, they managed to defeat one demon by using every skill they had while under various buffs. But the other one... there was no way to handle it.
"No, no! Sister!"
Bella's younger sister clutched her convulsing sister and wailed. The older Bella, whose jaw had completely melted away, couldn't respond.
A pitiful end for a high-level paladin.
"Bella! Hey!"
Hanna shouted several times for her to pull herself together and fight, but Bella had already lost her mind.
"Haa, haa."
The paladin who used the nickname "PuPuPung" in the Community, Gukbap, was leaning against the wall with a severe injury to his left foot.
With Jackson just blown away, only Hanna was left to stop the demon.
"You son of a bitch."
Hanna raised her sword and aimed it at the high-ranking demon. Her opponent was a monster slime wielding thousands of blade-like tentacles.
'...Can I hold out until reinforcements arrive?'
Hanna tried to shake off the creeping fear of death by glaring at the creature.
Click. Click. Clickclick.
A mocking sound came from the mask attached to the center of its body.
This was how truly desperate facing a high-ranking demon was, though the exploits of Mallak and other powerful beings had somewhat diminished that impression.