The mountain cavern shook violently.
Dust rained endlessly from the ceiling while deep cracks spread across the black stone floor beneath overwhelming pressure. Crimson crystal formations flickered chaotically as mana storms erupted throughout the gigantic chamber.
And at the center of it all—
Kel stood alone.
One hand raised toward the restrained female drake.
The other gripping Reina's silver-black sword.
The female drake remained crushed beneath invisible telekinetic force, her gigantic body trembling violently while furious roars echoed endlessly throughout the cavern. Black scales cracked beneath the pressure while her claws desperately tore against the stone floor trying to move.
Yet she could not advance even a single step.
Because Kel's mana pressure pinned her completely.
Meanwhile—
The male drake arrived.
BOOOOOOOOM!!
The gigantic predator crashed through the cave entrance like a living catastrophe. Stone exploded outward beneath its massive body while its roar shook the entire mountain range.
Unlike the female—
The male drake was larger.
Far larger.
Its dark crimson scales resembled volcanic armor while enormous black horns curved backward from its skull like sharpened spears. One of its wings carried old battle scars while golden eyes burned with pure killing intent the moment they locked onto Kel.
Predator.
King.
Destroyer of mountains.
And now—
Enraged father.
Several explorers immediately lost color in their faces.
"…We're dead…"
One scholar whispered unconsciously.
Even veteran mercenaries tightened their weapons with pale expressions.
The pressure radiating from the male drake alone felt suffocating.
Yet Kel remained unmoving.
The crimson crystal light reflected across his calm face while cold mana surged violently around him like invisible storms.
Then—
The male drake attacked.
BOOOOM!!
The gigantic creature launched forward with terrifying speed despite its size, claws tearing through the cavern floor while flames gathered within its throat.
FWOOOOOOSH!!
A torrent of crimson dragonfire exploded toward Kel.
The heat distorted the air itself.
But—
Kel disappeared.
The flames smashed into the cavern wall behind him, instantly melting stone into burning liquid.
The next moment—
Kel appeared above the drake.
SLASH!!
A condensed aura blade descended toward the monster's neck like falling moonlight.
BOOOOM!!
The male drake twisted violently at the last second, blocking the strike with its wing.
Black scales shattered.
Blood exploded through the air.
Yet the drake retaliated instantly.
Its massive tail swung across the cavern like a collapsing tower.
KABOOOOOM!!
Entire stone pillars exploded apart.
Kel blocked with telekinetic force midair, but even then the impact blasted him backward across the cavern.
The black-haired man landed smoothly against the ground while stone beneath his boots shattered from the force transfer.
And still—
His left hand never moved.
The female drake remained pinned.
Several explorers stared blankly.
Because Kel was doing two impossible things simultaneously.
Suppressing one drake completely.
While fighting another head-on.
Sairen's voice echoed sharply through the soul-link.
"…Kel, enough."
The guardian's tone carried rare seriousness now.
"Your mana consumption is becoming absurd."
Kel calmly wiped blood from the corner of his lips with his thumb.
"Still manageable."
Then—
The male drake roared again and lunged forward.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Each step shattered the cavern floor while overwhelming killing intent flooded the chamber.
Kel raised his sword.
Aura condensed instantly.
No delay.
No preparation.
This time—
Black-blue energy spiraled around the blade so densely that even the surrounding air screamed faintly from pressure distortion.
Then Kel moved.
The battle erupted completely.
The cavern transformed into a warzone.
Kel's figure flashed across the battlefield like black lightning while the male drake's monstrous claws and flames destroyed everything around them.
SLASH!!
A deep wound opened across the drake's shoulder.
BOOOOM!!
The drake retaliated with a crushing claw strike that shattered half the cavern wall.
Kel vanished again.
Appearing above.
Below.
Beside.
Every movement carried terrifying precision.
Meanwhile—
The explorers could barely follow the battle anymore.
"He's fighting it equally…"
One mercenary whispered in horror.
"No…"
A mage corrected shakily.
"…he's controlling the fight."
And they were right.
Despite the drake's overwhelming physical power—
Kel continuously manipulated positioning.
Pressure.
Movement angles.
Like a hunter cornering a beast larger than himself.
Then suddenly—
Kel shouted without looking away from the battle.
"FASTEN THE CREATURE-CONTROL BELT OVER THE FEMALE!"
The explorers snapped back to reality instantly.
The creature-control belts.
Heavy enchanted restraints originally prepared for capturing high-grade wilderness beasts.
No one expected to use them on drakes.
Several mercenaries immediately rushed toward the restrained female drake carrying massive black-metal belts covered in glowing runes.
Their hands visibly trembled.
Because even restrained—
The female drake radiated horrifying pressure.
One wrong move—
And they would die instantly.
Meanwhile—
Kel continued fighting.
The male drake roared furiously seeing humans approach its mate.
It attempted charging toward them—
But Kel intercepted instantly.
BOOOOOOM!!
Kel's telekinetic force smashed against the drake's skull like invisible mountains.
The creature staggered sideways violently.
Then—
SLASH!!
Kel's aura blade carved another deep wound across its chest.
Black blood exploded across the cavern floor.
The male drake roared in fury and pain while flames erupted wildly from its jaws.
Meanwhile—
The mercenaries finally reached the restrained female.
"NOW!"
Massive enchanted belts locked around the drake's neck and forelimbs while glowing suppression runes activated instantly.
KRRRRRMMMM!!
The female drake thrashed violently.
The entire cavern shook.
Several mercenaries were thrown backward from sheer force alone.
Yet the restraints held.
Barely.
One explorer shouted desperately—
"THE FEMALE IS SECURED!"
Kel immediately turned his gaze back toward the male drake.
The creature's golden eyes burned with absolute hatred now.
Blood dripped endlessly from multiple wounds while black smoke escaped its nostrils violently.
Yet it remained terrifying.
The drake spread its gigantic wings fully.
The entire cavern darkened beneath them.
And then—
It charged again.
This time—
Kel charged forward too.
BOOOOOOM!!
The collision between man and drake shattered the cavern floor entirely.
Shockwaves exploded outward violently while nearby explorers nearly lost footing.
Kel's sword clashed directly against the drake's claws.
And for the first time—
The male drake stopped moving.
Because Kel's strength now matched it directly.
The black-haired man's expression remained calm despite the overwhelming force pressing against him.
Yet beneath his boots—
The stone floor continued collapsing endlessly.
Then—
Kel suddenly smiled faintly.
Not mockingly.
Not arrogantly.
Like someone finally confirming a calculation.
And he shouted toward the expedition once more—
"PREPARE ANOTHER BELT!"
Silence.
Then realization spread across everyone's faces.
He intended to capture the male too.
Alive.
The explorers stared at Kel like they were witnessing madness itself take human form.
Meanwhile—
The male drake roared directly into Kel's face while crimson flames gathered once more inside its throat.
And still—
Kel did not retreat even a single step.