Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 456: Vlad vs Draco Leviathan Lord (II)

Chapter 456: Vlad vs Draco Leviathan Lord (II)

"BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!"

The explosions continued reverberating across the sky until Vlad managed to drive the Draco Leviathan Lord into a nearby forest. Their crash generated such a massive shockwave that entire trees were uprooted and sent flying away, splintering into shards of wood and leaves. A colossal crater formed around them, and for a moment, silence reigned beneath the overcast sky. The stillness lasted but a second before a new wave of blows echoed outward, shaking the earth.

"BOOM!"

Vlad landed a ferocious kick right into the head of the Leviathan Lord, the sheer force of the impact enough to suggest it might send the monster flying once more. However, the Draco Leviathan Lord simply clenched its teeth and counterattacked. Its massive fist crashed straight into Vlad’s chest.

The Depravita of Wrath felt his already cracked ribs fracture further under the tremendous blow. The pain was agonizing, but Vlad refused to yield. He remained firm, responding with an uppercut coated in lightning and fire. The electrified flames danced across his knuckles as he struck, landing the blow squarely on the monster’s jaw. The strike sizzled against its scales, and sparks flew as the Leviathan Lord’s head snapped back.

The two remained locked in a cycle of attack and counterattack, each refusing to give ground. Vlad had just landed a blow to the Draco Leviathan Lord’s chest, pushing the creature a few steps back when it swiftly recovered, refusing to stumble. With a deadly fluidity, the monster revolved its body, bringing its tail down from above with overwhelming strength. It aimed to replicate the trick that had previously dislocated Vlad’s shoulder, but the Depravita was prepared this time.

Vlad twisted his torso to the side at the last instant, reaching out to grab the descending tail before it could smash into him. Without losing momentum, Vlad slammed the Leviathan Lord’s body into the ground with such brutal force that the earth itself shattered, sending rocks flying in all directions.

"RRAAAGH!"

Vlad roared with unbridled rage, pushing his Heart of Wrath to its utmost limits. Wrathful energy coursed through his veins, granting him the strength to keep twisting his opponent’s tail and flinging it from side to side. Each time the Draco Leviathan Lord’s colossal frame slammed into the ground, shockwaves tore through the forest, leaving deep scars in the earth. The Leviathan Lord coughed up mouthfuls of blood as each impact shook its internal organs. It could feel its strength waning with each crash against the hard soil, yet it would not remain powerless for long.

With a desperate surge of effort, the Draco Leviathan Lord twisted its massive body, managing to wrench its tail free from Vlad’s iron grip. Immediately, it retaliated by striking with both of its powerful legs, the claws raking across Vlad’s torso and sending him hurtling upward into the sky. Vlad clenched his teeth as the pain in his ribs grew worse, but he could not afford to falter now and immediately raised his arms. The Leviathan Lord flashed upward with astonishing speed, tackling Vlad midair and making it feel as though he would be split in half by the crushing force.

Yet again, Vlad reacted without hesitation. He smashed a knee into the Draco Leviathan Lord’s chest, pushing it back just enough to free himself. The two warriors now soared into the sky once more, their battle raging above the ruined forest. Neither side could overpower the other completely. They inflicted severe wounds on each other, their blood and ichor staining the skies. It seemed their fight would carry on indefinitely, a brutal display of violence that could lead only to a pyrrhic victory for whoever emerged triumphant. Both were approaching the point of no return, where their wounds would be near-fatal regardless of the final outcome.

Then something changed.

"ZNNNN."

A sizzling sound echoed through the air, causing the Draco Leviathan Lord’s eyes to narrow. The creature had learned from its previous mistake and tried not to let its attention waver from Vlad. However, this time it should have. The next second, a blast of explosive spells landed on its back. While these strikes did not carry the immense power needed to kill the Leviathan Lord outright, they still inflicted pain on its already battered body. Burning wounds opened along its scaled armor, blood seeping through fresh cracks.

Snarling, the Draco Leviathan Lord beat its wings, putting some distance between itself and the young man. Only then did it glance downward and finally understand what was happening on the battlefield below. The massive Leviathan swarm had been all but shattered by this point. More than three-quarters of its numbers had been massacred. The ordinary soldiers on the ground were cleaning up the remaining drones, cutting them down with ruthless efficiency. Meanwhile, formidable figures like Major General Theodoro and the 13 Bloodline Soldiers were channeling their strongest attacks skyward, unleashing spells and energies toward the Draco Leviathan Lord to assist Vlad in his struggle.

The Leviathan Lord’s eyes glowed with monstrous killing intent as it stared down at the 13 Bloodline Soldiers. Under normal circumstances, it would not have been hard for it to descend and slaughter them all. Yet now was not the time. The battlefield’s reality had become dire. On one side was Vlad, who refused to die and was ready to lunge at it again, his body crackling with lightning and flame. On the other side were these powerful human soldiers, preparing to unleash more spells and attacks.

Pure rage and reluctant acceptance glowed in the Leviathan Lord’s eyes as it took in the broken battlefield. The humans and Depravita forces had turned the tide, and no reinforcements would appear anytime soon. Before Theodoro and the 13 Bloodline Soldiers could fire another volley of spells, and before Vlad could close the distance for another furious exchange, the Leviathan Lord made its decision.

It beat its immense, jagged wings and flashed into the distance at full speed, heading back toward the south of the Wendy Country.