The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years

Book 2: Chapter 245

Shuk.

Kaz looked down, his eyes wide. Although he had done his best to dodge, he’d failed to do so.

His arm had been cut off cleanly from shoulder to armpit. Not only his scales but even his bones had been sliced with ease.

Pfft.

A moment after, blood spurted from the cut. An intense pain struck him like a bolt of lightning, but he didn’t even have the chance to scream.

This was because Lukas started attacking once again.

He didn’t have any room to attack. All he could do was dodge.

The previous cut had made him realise something. And he couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t noticed it sooner.

Kaz observed Lukas closely.

Only then did he notice the pain hidden within his eyes, the cold sweat that covered his body, his skin that was gradually becoming dark red, and the blood that dripped from the corner of his mouth.

‘His condition is not good!’

He didn’t know the reason, but Lukas’ body was dying.

Why had it taken him so long to notice?

There was only one reason for this.

Lukas’ expression was too calm. He did not look like someone on the brink of death.

Nevertheless, even if it was a bit late, he still noticed.

And from then on, there was only one decision that Kaz had to make.

‘Buy time.’

It was obvious that if he just left him alone, he would die on his own accord.

Therefore, he decided to avoid direct confrontations. Lukas was already pushing himself to the extent of abandoning his body. It would be foolish for him to continue fighting him. If he continued running and dodging, Lukas would self-destruct without him having to do anything.

“…”

Unlike Kaz, whose expression eased after realising he had a chance of winning, Lukas’ expression wasn’t good.

He immediately noticed when Kaz’ movements changed. Kaz was no longer moving in fear.

Although he had lost an arm, he had noticed Lukas’ condition. And he realised that he could win as long as he bought enough time.

He should have ended it with that first attack, but he hadn’t been able to do so. Kaz had managed to barely dodge the attack and he only cut off one arm as a result.

Now, it was Kaz, not Lukas, who was in an advantageous position.

‘It’s too early to give up.’

But his chances of victory hadn’t completely disappeared.

Lukas openly spat out the mouthful of blood that flowed up his throat. Since his opponent already knew his condition was a mess, there was no need for him to hide it anymore.

The fight had reached its final stages, and now, it became a contest of endurance.

Would Lukas’ body be destroyed first?

Or would Kaz suffer a lethal blow before that?

The end of the battle would probably be decided by a narrow margin.

* * *

Dodge an attack. Dodge, dodge, and dodge some more.

…how long had it been?

‘Why?’

Kaz looked at the being in front of him. In his eyes, his agitation and fear could not be hidden.

Quite a while had passed. He never faced him directly.

He was going to faint soon. He was going to die soon.

He’d had these thoughts countless times already.

But… How long has it been since the first one?

Paht!

He dodged Lukas’ attack once again. Was he slower than before? He couldn’t tell. His mind was a mess. He had used too much energy.

Kaz clenched his teeth.

Lukas’ condition could no longer be called bad, it was horrendous. His discoloured skin dripped off of his body like wax, and his gait was unsteady. He was probably even more messed up on the inside. His internal organs had probably become completely liquefied long ago.

He shouldn’t be able to move in his condition. No, he shouldn’t even be alive.

And yet, he was still moving.

Kaz had had enough. He was tired of looking at Lukas’ calm eyes and expressionless face.

He realised that this zombie-like bastard would not fall unless he finished him himself.

Kaz looked at Lukas. By now, his fear was not as pronounced. Avoiding his attacks had allowed him to regain his composure.

He used his calm mind to analyse the current situation.

Although he had lost an arm, he was definitely the one with the upper hand.

Just one attack would be enough. Then he would be able to sever the thin, tough life thread of this terrifying bastard.

He could no longer use his Dragon Breath. If he wanted to finish it, he would have to do it with his own hands.

‘He should have lowered his guard by now.’

Kaz hadn’t attacked for a really long time, so his opponent probably wouldn’t expect him to counterattack now. That was a gap he could aim for.

Lukas came towards him once again, fist outstretched. Maybe it was just him, but he felt that his movements were even slower than before. Naturally, this meant that the opening was even bigger.

He dodged again. But this time, instead of immediately widening the distance between them, he got closer.

His chest was completely open. Kaz raised his claws. He didn’t have much strength left, but it was enough to pierce his fragile skin and rip his heart and lungs to shreds.

‘It’s time to die…!’

As he had this thought Kaz looked up at Lukas’ face.

And instantly became terrified.

[You…!]

He saw Lukas looking down at him calmly. He didn’t appear even slightly shocked. Almost as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time…

‘He was waiting for me to attack…?’

Kaz realised that something was wrong, but it was already too late to retreat. Now that he had come this far, attack was his best defence. Gritting his teeth, Kaz thrust his claws into Lukas’ chest.

Squelch!

His skin split.

But that was it. Kaz’s claws didn’t go any further. This was because Lukas leaned back at the last moment before his attack arrived.

And at the same time, he stuck two fingers into the wound on his shoulder.

Puk!

[Kuk!]

Kaz immediately let out a grunt of pain.

“…a place that has already been wounded is like a vital point for you. Just like your mouth, this means that if energy is forced into it, you have no way to stop it.”

[Wh-, what…?]

“You were a very persistent and troublesome opponent.”

[You son of a bitch…!]

Kaz was terrified by the tone that made it seem like the fight had already come to an end.

What was he going to do?

Kaz tried to struggle, but it was already too late.

Fwoosh!

Like the outlet of a dam, divine power rushed out of Lukas’ fingers and into Kaz’s body. Kaz’s struggles stopped immediately.

Starting from his severed arm, the fierce power was able to reach Kaz’s heart in an instant.

Puk-

And then his heart exploded in his chest.

[…]

Kaz, who was standing there like a statue, coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Then, blood began to flow from every one of his orifices.

[U-… ur-…k…]

Kaz stared at Lukas in disbelief one last time before falling backward.

“…”

The wind blew gently, but this wind was enough to almost push Lukas over, but he forcefully straightened his staggering figure.

—He defeated Kaz.

By using every single means available to him, he managed to kill a being who was close to an Absolute.

However, Lukas’ body had also been torn apart in the process.

In fact, his outward appearance was worse than that of Kaz, who had already become a corpse.

He had absolutely no energy left.

But he couldn’t let himself faint. He knew that if he were to lose consciousness like this, he would die.

He couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he were to die in the Great World.

He didn’t know, but he was certain that the concept of death wouldn’t be taken lightly just because this world had been created specifically for the Great Game. In fact, it was possible that it would have been even more severe.

Because it might give the Rulers control of his very existence.

He knew that.

He knew that, but his consciousness was still fading, and he had trouble remaining on his feet.

His knees buckled, and his body tilted forward.

“…”

However, Lukas couldn’t help but feel that the texture of the ground was much softer than he expected.

No. Did he even fall down?

It was warm and soft.

-You really can’t help yourself.

He seemed to hear a voice laugh bitterly.

It sounded familiar.

Curious about what was happening, Lukas tried to open his eyes, but he couldn’t.

Instead, his consciousness slowly descended into darkness. ????????????????e????????. ????????????

(Note: A familiar voice? Who do you guys think it is?)