But even chaos had limits.
His body couldn't keep up.
[Mana Remaining: 9%]
His mana at the end. Even his light mana was near its end.
Throughout the battle he had converted his light mana into shadow mana.
His body screamed. Each of his muscles ached. His lungs felt like they were filled with broken glass. He had no time to process how many wounds he'd taken.
One eye was swollen shut. One arm limp.
Blood pooled at his feet.
Gravius lifted him by the throat.
"Was this what you planned, hero?" he whispered. "To gamble on luck, skill, and sentiment?"
His grip tightened.
"You are not some protagonist, boy. No one is."
"We're just some miscast extras playing in the wrong story."
Alden's vision went white.
His fingers trembled.
The katana dropped from his hand.
Gravius lifted him higher.
"This is mercy, boy. Be proud. You struggled more than most."
Alden tried to pull away. But his body wasn't responding.
Gravius smirked. "Goodbye."
His fingers closed into a spearpoint.
