Jack’s undead hordes flooded the forest, overwhelming in number.

Even Typhon wouldn’t be able to stop them all from reaching its Core.

The two were waiting for the undead to find something when the monsters in the forest sensed their presence.

They attacked the undead, and a fierce battle erupted.

Neo was about to intervene when he sensed a familiar presence.

“Is it him?” Jack asked, feeling the presence.

“Looks like it,” Neo nodded. “You handle your task. I’ll deal with him.”

Neo leaped lightly, moving through the forest at breakneck speed.

The surrounding trees swayed gently in the breeze.

Their leaves rustled softly as the ground shifted beneath his swift steps.

The familiar aura radiated outwards, allowing others to locate its source.

It guided Neo to Apollo, seated beneath a large tree, his posture relaxed despite the chaos nearby.

“You are here,” Apollo said.

He brushed the dust off his clothes with an unsettlingly calm expression.

“Are you sure you want to fight? Even Ares and Emma couldn’t stop me. You would meet a meaningless end,” Neo said.

Instead of answering, Apollo spoke of something else.

“I was saved by Niles Radcliff when my city was attacked by a giant phoenix.”

“….?”

“He used to be a rising hero, a Necromancer who could raise his enemies’ corpses to swell his army.

“Doesn’t that sound powerful? Everyone had high hopes for him. But power corrupted him, and… the rest is history,” Apollo said, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Why are you telling me this?” Neo asked.

“Emma was kind,” Apollo continued, speaking to himself. “When Zeus awakened, he destroyed an entire city in a fit of rage and battled Kronos.

“Zeus could move in stopped time, but he could barely match Kronos. He would have been killed right there, if not for Emma’s arrival to save him.

“Zeus remained stubborn even after that. He craved nothing but battle, and his violent nature warranted an execution order from the Titans and the Awakener Association,” Apollo continued.

Experience tales at empire

“Zeus would have been killed if not for Emma taking his side. She helped him control his rage and trained him to become much stronger. But do you want to hear something funny?” Apollo asked.

“….”

“Emma’s family lived in the city Zeus destroyed. She should have been the one most eager to kill him, yet her kindness recognized that Zeus acted out of error, and she instead helped him.” Apollo chuckled.

“But now? Emma is a manipulative fiend. She always seeks ways to control those around her. I know she does it to help us. But it doesn’t change the fact that she uses the wrong methods for good.”

“What are you trying to say?” Neo asked.

“It’s that Darkness element, isn’t it?” Apollo spat. “That wretched evil always corrupts people. That thing should be forbidden.”

“…”

“You were kind too. But look at what you’re doing now. You’re going to rescue the Child of Mana and awaken Typhon because of your selfishness. The Darkness has changed—”

“Apollo,” Neo interrupted, drawing his sword. “Don’t force your ideals on me. I’ve never acted with kindness. It was all selfishness. If it helped someone, it was just a coincidence.”

Apollo glared at Neo.

Seeing the hero he had begun to admire say such things infuriated him.

“It’s useless talking to you,” Apollo said. “Don’t worry. I’ll save you.”

Apollo unleashed his first attack.

A blinding arrow of holy light shot towards Neo.

The intense heat of the arrow scorched the ground, raising steam from the cracks.

Neo dashed forward.

His figure blurred as he moved at an impossible speed.

He ducked, and the arrow flew past him before exploding, sending molten shards flying.

Neo reached Apollo’s range.

Divine Swordsmanship Second Stance—

His blade swung upward in a swift, devastating arc, aiming for Apollo’s chest.

Tsubame Gaeshi.

Apollo summoned a light bow and blocked.

The clash of weapons sent shockwaves across the battlefield.

Neo’s momentum forced Apollo back a step.

Gritting his teeth, Apollo retaliated with rapid, powerful chants.

Light elements swirled in the sky, and dark clouds parted as energy surged.

They fused, forming spears of light that rained down.

Each impact left craters, sending dirt and debris flying.

Neo weaved through them.

He moved like a blur in the chaos.

“You’re faster than I expected,” Apollo admitted.

He raised his hand, and a sphere of solar fire began to form, growing brighter and hotter.

“Let’s see how you handle this!”

Neo planted his feet and slashed at the miniature sun.

Divine Swordsmanship Fifth Stance—

His sword clashed with the sphere of solar flare.

Seigetsu.

His sword flowed like water, calmly diverting the attack back to Apollo.

Apollo dodged the attack by quickly moving away.

Neo didn’t waste the opportunity.

He slid the blade back into the sheath.

His hand rested lightly on the hilt.

Divine Swordsmanship First Stance—

Suddenly, with a flash of motion, Neo drew the blade in a single fluid movement.

Issen.

His sword flashed.

One moment it was sheathed, the next it was inches from Apollo’s neck.

“-God Step.”

Apollo’s form shone brightly as he completed his chant.

His form shattered into light, and Neo’s sword passed through empty air.

The light gathered far away and reformed into Apollo.

Neo didn’t immediately pursue him.

He shifted his weight, a frown appearing on his face.

‘That attack should have beheaded him before he completed his chant.’

Neo had no intention of holding back in battle, even with Apollo as a friend.

‘I feel sluggish, and my movements are slow.’

His eyes narrowed.

‘He has infused Life and Light elements into our surroundings. They are weakening me like a debuff.’

“So you noticed it,” Apollo said, “but it’s too late.”

He raised his hand toward the sky and completed his chants.

“O Great Spirit of Mine… Descend.”

The sky released a piercing cry.

The eerie sound echoed across the battlefield.

The barrier of the Savage Expanse was stopping Sunshine from descending.

But it could not withstand the overwhelming might of the Spirit.

The invisible barrier shattered, and a giant sun appeared in the sky.

Its radiant light threatened to blind all who gazed upon it.

Neo’s limbs grew heavy.

The heat from the descending sun intensified, suffocating the air.

He felt as if a mountain was placed on his back.

The heat continued to surge until the trees and ground began to burn.

Neo’s clothes caught fire.

His skin began to sizzle from the intense heat.

The forest around them blazed.

The air filled with smoke.

Trees crackled and fell as flames spread rapidly.

“You’ve lost, Neo,” Apollo said. “Stop here, or I’ll unleash the full power of Sunshine.”

The moment Apollo had successfully summoned Sunshine, his victory was assured.

The ground trembled, and the oppressive heat warped the air.

“Are you sure about this?” Neo asked. “Summoning Sunshine here will disturb Typhon and increase the chances of him waking up.”

“I have no other choice. If I want to stop you, this is the only way.”

A corner of Neo’s lips curled.

Even as his body burned,

Even as his body refused to move due to the immense weight,

He was confident.

Apollo frowned, not understanding the source of Neo’s confidence, when suddenly Neo chanted.

“Black Dawn of Despair.”

Darkness surged from Neo like an exploding volcano.

It consumed everything.

The sky, the ground, the forest.

The vibrant forest turned pitch black, and the smoke-filled air stilled.

Apollo felt an intense headache, and countless voices echoed in his mind.

He groaned, clutching his head.

“What did you do…”

His words caught in his throat as he looked at the sky.

The horizon was divided.

The sun shone in one half, and night had descended on the other.

‘He pushed back Sunshine…?’

Apollo couldn’t believe the sight.

The half of the forest where he stood was bathed in Sunshine, and the half where Neo stood was shrouded in night.

…

“Looks like Neo is getting serious,” Jack said.

He stared at the sky, divided into day and night.

The wind howled through the trees, but there was no warmth.

The night side was chilling, and the air thick with foreboding.

“I knew the Tremor-ranked Spell was supposed to be strong, but this is beyond my imagination,” he chuckled bitterly.

He wondered. If Emma saw the scene, would she still call Neo weaker than Jack?

He shook his head, dismissing the useless thoughts.

“Now, are you guys going to come out, or will you keep staring at me?” he addressed the empty air.

The gazes he felt were still there.

They didn’t belong to Apollo.

Jack had an idea who was the source of those gazes.

“If you aren’t going to come out, then I’ll have to force you.”

Jack snapped his fingers.

The forest trembled as thousands of undead, who had infiltrated the Savage Expanse, exploded, and a wave of fire spread, consuming everything in its path.

It engulfed the forest, scorching everything within its reach.

The flames twisted and churned.

They devoured hundreds of monsters in the Savage Expanse.

More monsters appeared to replace their fallen brethren and attacked Jack.

Jack grinned.

The Darkness beneath him stretched.

It enveloped the corpses of the dead monsters, consuming everything but their bones.

He used his Unique Skill.

Giant magic circles materialized in the skies.

Black lightning descended from the magic circles, striking the skeletal remains of the monsters.

The darkness bubbled on the ground.

Suddenly, the bony corpses trembled.

They slowly rose, now under Jack’s control, and began to attack the living monsters.

The more Jack killed, the larger his undead legion grew.

Using his Unique Skill to create such a large number of undead at once would normally be a huge burden.

But Neo’s Spell, Black Dawn of Despair, strengthened Neo’s allies and weakened his enemies.