Chapter 154: End of the Second Quest and the Start of...

The eyes of the enemy fighters lost focus, as if life had been drained from them. The sound of their bodies slamming against the cold floor echoed across the room as one by one they all began to drop dead until only Damon and his allies were left standing.

"It’s... over," Nyla said out loud, mostly to herself, but in the silence they stood now, it carried across almost the entire hall.

A moment of silence settled over the hall. Many faces flashed with disbelief, as if they couldn’t believe it was finally over.

Their doubts, however, wouldn’t last long as a loud sound suddenly resounded through the entire world, catching everyone’s attention and clearing all their disbelief in an instant.

[Second Phase World Quest — Battle of Three Citadels is now Complete.]

[Calculating rewards...]

A few sighs of relief spread among the crowd of fighters, which was now significantly lower. Despite the battle only taking a couple of minutes, the casualties were devastating. With the citadel’s debuff bearing down on them, even the heavy hitters struggled to survive, and among them was—

"Theodore!" Victor’s voice cut through the quiet.

The citadel’s strongest healer dropped to his knees before Theodore, who was now long unconscious. Numerous heavy wounds spread across his torso, cuts deep enough to penetrate from his chest to the back.

Victor started healing almost immediately, putting all of his remaining mana into his ability just as everyone else quickly approached.

Ivy stood above with a sour expression.

Theodore was long gone, his heart torn apart by the blades of the enemy fighters. The wound told a perfect tale of his last moments, the number of wounds made it seem almost impossible he lasted long enough to receive them, and his weapon was still clenched in his fist as if he was unwilling to let it go even in death.

He died as he lived, facing everything head-on.

"Come on... Come on!" Victor grimaced as the last of his mana left his body. He kept his hand raised a second after the backlash, until his consciousness slipped away as he reached his limit.

Damon watched the scene from afar.

He took a risk in this battle that he wouldn’t normally take. Face an opponent of unknown strength without preparation, walked straight into his trap and faced him all alone. The enemy leader was strong, stronger than he anticipated, and if it was Damon from merely a few weeks ago, he doubts he would fare well in their duel.

Still...

Despite the debuff and everything else that stood against him, he won regardless of circumstances.

It was clear that right now, he stood at the forefront of humanity as the strongest.

Suddenly, before he could dwell on any of those conclusions, the notification returned.

[Please accept your rewards...]

[You have received a class: Alchemist]

Damon raised a brow. ’A class?’

That surprised him. He expected some type of ability, maybe a relic but a whole class?

Were the rewards different for everyone? Or was this something unique to him and his ability to wield multiple classes?

As he looked around, he soon got his answer.

Some people summoned the newly received relics. Weapons, armours, bows and daggers materialised as each fighter wanted to show off what they received.

But that wasn’t all.

"New ability?!" Nyla exclaimed, a bright smile flashing across her face.

Beside her, Ivy stood with a thoughtful expression she wore when focusing on something others couldn’t see.

Even Victor’s sister, Ava, who, despite sitting beside his unconscious body, found herself lost in the notification she just received.

’So it’s just me then,’ Damon quickly concluded.

Although it didn’t feel like a powerhouse, Damon immediately recognised the potential of the class. Just like a blacksmith who was able to create relics, the alchemist had to be able to create something beyond the ordinary alchemy humans were used to.

Letting out a soft exhale, Damon dismissed his weapon.

He had no idea what the third quest would have in store for them, but right now, they should bury the dead and enjoy the moment of quiet as they could.

He took a step forward, wanting to regroup with Ivy and the others.

But the second his boot hit the ground, a loud notification echoed in his head, one that nobody but him could hear.

[You have been summoned as a champion in the Final Quest — War of the Six Divine Beasts]

[Do you heed the call?]

[Y][N]

Damon froze.

His heart hammered against his ribs as he read the words.

’War of Six Divine Beasts...’

He had to reread the part a dozen times until the words even registered in his mind, which scrambled for answers.

Divine Beasts.

They were beings from another world, standing at the pinnacle of their races. He knew of their existence, he knew of some in detail, and more than that, he spent weeks alongside one of them.

"Ayame..."

Damon’s expression hardened.

He had no idea what the meaning behind the ’champion’ was. He had no idea what the quest was about, other than it being a war.

But he didn’t need answers for any of those questions.

Ayame’s last words to him still echoed in his mind.

Too weak.

Back then, it was more than true. He was a liability, a weak spot she couldn’t afford to bring.

That person, however, was long gone.

He was no longer the weakling who couldn’t stand beside her.

Damon’s face locked into pure resolve.

For a second, his gaze moved toward his allies.

Ivy stood closest, her crimson eyes already narrowing as if she sensed something was wrong. Beside her, Nyla was still smiling over her newly gained ability, completely unaware of what he was about to do. Eve remained silent as always, while Ning Xiaoyu watched the room with quiet vigilance.

They were his most trusted companions, people who could rely on him as much as he could rely on them.

Damon’s jaw tightened.

The world of Divine Beasts was not a battlefield for mortals to attend. Accepting it meant a death sentence for most.

His fingers curled slightly before relaxing again. The sight of his allies brought calm to his racing mind.

They were strong, strong enough to deal with the aftermath of the second quest without his input.

With a single flicker of intent, Damon summoned the citadel’s managing screen and sent a final command.

[Your ownership of the citadel has been transferred to: Ivy]

The moment the system finished accepting the transfer, Ivy’s crimson gaze snapped toward him.

Her eyes flickered with confusion, searching his eyes for an answer which came only a second later.

Damon turned his attention back to the question burning in his mind.

[Do you heed the call?]

"Yes."

The second he replied, his body vanished.