Chapter 240: Chapter 240 - The Dragon’s Roar
The man’s expression barely shifted, but it was clear. He was far from entertained by Atlas’s rejection.
Well, wasn’t that inevitable?
Not every lord had the spine to spit in the face of a massive alliance. Many would have bowed their heads without hesitation. Yet here Atlas was, once again rejecting another offer of submission.
Why is it always more alliances I have to cross?
He had just escaped one threat, only to stumble into another. Though this one, at least, was nothing like Kareem’s overwhelming dominion.
"I am not one who finds amusement in rejection," the old man finally said.
Atlas didn’t answer. Instead, Bolin drifted backward, sword sliding away. His forces mirrored the motion, their formation pulling back as well.
Luna stepped closer, standing beside Atlas, her eyes fixed on the old man’s next move.
Then, with a subtle gesture of his hand, everything changed.
A roar split the air, shaking their ears and rattling the protective barrier itself. The sound echoed like thunder across the skies.
Above the host of sword riders, light condensed. Brilliant white, threaded with a furious crimson aura.
A dragon emerged.
Its serpentine body coiled and twisted in the night sky. The dragon’s roar ripped through the heavens, turning the night into blazing daylight.
Atlas’s instincts screamed. Air around them twisted, drained as if stolen away. He clamped his hands over his ears, as did the others.
Then the beast exhaled. A cannon-like blast of light tore forward, slamming into the protective barrier with an earth-shaking crash.
The sound hammered their skulls, the brilliance forcing Atlas to squint against the glare. The barrier trembled, the blast trying to swallow it whole, a collision of raw force and immovable defense.
The roar. The blinding light. The thunderous impact. It lasted only moments. Then silence.
The dragon dissolved into the night, the sword riders vanished. Gone, as if they had never been there at all.
"Damn it," Ember muttered, breaking the silence with a strained laugh. "That old man has one hell of a temper. He’s only Rank-3, right? But he looked ridiculously strong."
Atlas exhaled, shaking his head. "I can unleash a similar effect with my spear. Honestly, it’s probably just flashy visuals. The actual damage... who knows?" He grinned faintly.
"Yes," Ember shot back, smirking. "But your rotten mouth has way more destructive power than that. I believe it."
Her laugh rang out, light and teasing, and even Luna, was forced to soften her expression, letting the sharp edges of fear slip away.
The carriage descended back to solid ground. Their "guests" had left, but not without planting yet another looming threat in their path.
"Luna would never handle it like that," Ember remarked once their feet touched the ground again.
Atlas turned to Luna, watching her closely.
Luna met his gaze, her voice steady. "No, Atlas. Don’t let the choices I might have made bother you. You’re the alliance leader. As long as I feel things are at least acceptable, we continue."
Atlas narrowed his eyes. "But... you wouldn’t have done the same, right?"
Luna shook her head slowly. "I’m not sure. I might have refused him as well. But not as bluntly as you did. Still, in the end, the result would be the same. Domination is domination. Survival in this world only comes through defeating others. So no matter how we spin it, this path is the only one. They will target us regardless. Their forces are clearly larger."
Ember clapped Luna lightly on the shoulder. "It’s okay, Luna. Atlas handled it just fine."
Atlas frowned, suspicion flickering across his face.
"What? I’m obviously supporting you," Ember replied innocently before breaking into laughter.
They continued the discussion as they regrouped with the other lords.
It might complicate things when they tried to hunt on neutral floating islands, but there would always be ways around it. Especially now, with so many lords gathered in their alliance, each with unique system abilities that could support and cover one another.
**
Atlas decided to return to Gacha Haven that night, collapsing into his own bed for the first time in what felt like ages. Nothing urgent demanded his attention on the main island or even in Shattered Ember, so sleep came quickly.
By the next morning, refreshed at last, he joined a short discussion with Edrik and Baldric in Shattered Ember. Around them, the island’s residents enjoyed their breakfast. A spread that, unsurprisingly, featured yet another hearty carrot-based dish.
Baldric reported on the progress of the Soulbinding Armor project. Resource gathering was moving smoothly, and monster hunts were equally productive, helping the people level up while feeding materials into the forges.
The drawback, however, was clear: Baldric could no longer produce explosive devices. The blueprint was locked to his personal expertise; while other blacksmiths could manage minor components, the core design relied on him alone.
For the coming one to two weeks, the team’s focus would be divided. Edrik would lead structured leveling rotations for the citizens of Gacha Haven, ensuring steady progress. Meanwhile, tasks in Shattered Ember would be distributed among the workforce.
As for Atlas... with the new Lord Battle season drawing dangerously close, he had another priority. His class quest remained unfinished. The question burned in his mind, would three days be enough to see it through?
That same day, he resolved to continue the mission. His companions were already chosen: Serenith for aerial support, Kurogasa for scouting and battlefield training, and Lyrassa as a safeguard should things spiral out of control.
**
After every preparation had been checked, double-checked, and locked in place, Atlas finally felt confident enough to leave. Every project and plan was running smoothly, thanks to the people he trusted to keep them moving forward.
The Nimbus Carriage was ready. He and his chosen elite subordinates climbed aboard, the hum of energy beneath their feet already stirring.
Their islands still floated over the vast ocean, far from the mainland. But with the Nimbus Carriage, distance was no obstacle. They would soon reach a place suited perfectly for Atlas to tackle his class quest.
It was a brutal region by most standards. Hardly anyone ventured there without a very specific purpose. And survival itself was often uncertain.
The Nimbus Carriage surged forward, lightning cracking along its frame as it shot from Shattered Ember into the open skies. Morning sunlight glittered against the arcs of storm energy, a collision of brilliance and thunder as they tore through the horizon.
The coastline came into view, then quickly vanished behind them. Atlas opened his system map. Estimated time: forty minutes. They were heading into Middle Kingdom territory.
"Hopefully those lords from last night aren’t stalking me all the way here."
Still, the carriage’s unmatched speed gave him a measure of reassurance. As they flew, the scenery below unfolded into a wild landscape. Thick forests stretching endlessly, jagged hills and steep cliffs tearing the earth into chaotic ridges. It was a world far different from the Saharasia Continent they had left behind.
And then, in the distance, massive walls rose that made even Atlas pause.
Not walls, not truly. More like nature itself had forced the earth upward, carving colossal jagged spires that pierced into the clouds. Lightning storms raged in between the pillars, violent and unstable, painting the sky with chaotic fury.
This place had a name whispered with both awe and dread: The Shattered Tempest Peaks.
And it was here, amid this storm-wracked chaos, that Atlas would forge the missing piece of his Tempest Warden class.