Kang Oh's appearance had changed the situation at the top of the wall.

"We have to take them out as soon as possible," Irene yelled, pointing at the Alliance's all-star team.

They were in danger, but this could also prove to be a valuable opportunity for them. It was a chance to kill Kang Oh. At the same time, Kang Oh could easily turn the tables on them.

Thus, they had to defeat the Alliance's power houses as soon as possible, isolate Kang Oh, and then throw everything they had at him. That would be the best possible scenario.

"Let's go!" Moby Dick yelled, and attacked the nearby rankers.

Bart looked as though he'd found a ray of light amidst the darkness.

'There's always an opportunity after every crisis!'

Kang Oh versus the Empire's strongest.

Surprisingly, he was beating them. What if they survived until Kang Oh defeated them? They would become a stepping stone that'd allow the Alliance to climb the wall.

"We have to hold out for as long as possible! Stay alive until Mr. Kang Oh wins!" Bart yelled.

The eyes of the Alliance's all-star team ignited with ambition. They started to work together, and began to watch each other's backs.

However, Kang Oh's appearance wasn't all good news. Dukeram's Invincible Army had come along with them.

The all-star team had to fight even harder than before.

They did, however, have a monster that fought against Tainos, Ridgeley, and their soldiers simultaneously.

"I'll kill you all!"

The Tuslam Champion, Kuharap!

He had come to take revenge for his sworn brother's death, and he was showing a level of combat prowess that befitted his tribe.

Kuharap used Weapon Bombardment with his two weapons, and also possessed ridiculous physical strength. Even the Empire's Masters marveled at his power.

Bart gritted his teeth and gave it his all. He was surrounded by three giants (ice, fire, and rock) that swung their fists at his enemies.

Roar! Bam! Boom!

The sand soldiers completely crumbled under their might. It would probably take several minutes before they could reform.

However, there was also an arrow that flew through the gaps between their fists. Bart quickly turned his body, but he was a little too late.

Thwock!

It was the Red King, Kuskal. He shot several arrows in quick succession.

Bart created a barrier with one hand, and used the other to point his dagger at him.

Lightning Arrow + Sacred Spear!

Thunder God's Spear!

Crackle!

A blue lightning bolt flew towards Kuskal.

Kuskal disappeared into the shadows, and the spear devoured the nearby soldiers.

Then, a thick shadow appeared.

Buzz!

It was the unpleasant sound of an insect's fluttering wings. Bart could see the Insect Queen's giant body.

Bam!

Insectura opened its mouth and spat powerful acid at him.

Helena stepped forward. Her magic was at its strongest right now, amplified as it was by Overload and Double Casting. She immediately cast two spells, one after another.

Fire Harpoon! Mysterious Wind!

Ice Drill! Lightning Axe!

The flames travelled along the wind and devoured the acid. Then, pillars of ice rose from the ground, and lightning fell from the sky.

However, a swarm of nearby insects gathered like a cloud and took Helena's attacks for their queen.

Tap.

Ghost Spear Taker, who'd been waiting for his opportunity, kicked off the floor and rushed forward like a tempest.

Excise Heart!

His spear was aimed right for Helena's heart.

"I'm your opponent!"

"I'm going!"

Spear King Hernandez and Black Lion Raon stood before Helena.

Hernandez took on Taker, while Raon moved across the battlefield, switching between offense and defense.

Soldiers made up of glittering sand, as well as the Empire's rankers, came rushing at them.

The Alliance's power houses didn't sit idly by. They gritted their teeth and counterattacked.

At that moment...

A flag appeared above Irene's head.

Flag of Absolute Victory!

She had activated one of her flag's five abilities: explosively increase her soldiers' attack power for 30 seconds!

The Empire's rankers glowed red.

"Break through!" Irene yelled firmly, and the Empire's power houses pushed through like a tsunami.

Crumble!

The Alliance's all-star team was swept aside.

* * *

Kang Oh was feeling relaxed as he fought against Dukeram, Erik, and Dalton.

There was no one stronger than him in this world aside from Valan at his prime, a dragon, or a few mythological creatures.

He was mankind's strongest!

Kang Oh was the champion that held this honorable title.

Moreover...!

Erik, who'd transformed into the Great Wind Spirit, and Dalton, who had become a Sun's Warrior, were easy pickings for him. To be more specific, they were easy pickings for Ubist!

After all, Abyss Blade allowed him to cut through the immaterial, whether it be a ghost or a spirit.

A single cut from his jet-black greatsword made Dalton and Erik become wary of him. That single cut had taken so much of their HP that it made them gasp.

Ultimately, Dukeram was the only one who could really keep Kang Oh at bay.

He wasn't sure why, but Abyss Blade couldn't cut through that mysterious sand of his.

Plus...!

Kang Oh had his Hyper Intuition.

It would warn him of any potential danger beforehand, and pinpoint his opponent's weaknesses for him!

This was extremely useful in a battle between experts. Kang Oh was able to predict the three's movements ahead of time, and take advantage of it.

Finally, Kang Oh used the power of his three demon swords to their fullest.

He was the most skilled, had an affinity advantage, and also had ESP!

Though he fought against the three representatives of the Empire, there was no reason he wouldn't be able to win. In fact, he wanted to compliment Erik, Dukeram, and Dalton for lasting as long as they did.

Contrary to his assured victory, however, the siege wasn't going well; the shadow of defeat was looming over them.

The Alliance's power houses were killed by the Empire's rankers one or two at a time. That caused a domino effect, in which the Insect Queen's minions dealt even more damage.

Thus, there weren't any soldiers that'd made it up the wall. Though there were plenty of soldiers or orcs that had been killed while making the attempt.

They had plenty of troops left, but it wouldn't matter if they couldn't get to the top of the wall.

Even Kang Oh wouldn't be able to defeat all of the soldiers that were in Saw Rock Fortress. If it were possible, then he would've done it already.

In the end, he would win the battle, but lose the war.

'At this rate, that is. I won't let it go on like this!'

Kang Oh deflected Dukeram's blade, and swung Ubist in a wide arc, forcing Dalton back.

Then, he pulled out a fist-sized scarlet egg from his inventory. A small flame design adorned its surface.

"Come out, Rudy!"

Chirp!

The egg cracked in half, and a bright yellow chick came out.

Rudy's feathers shined. This was because it'd had plenty of rest following its battle to protect the airships, and had also eaten plenty of high quality flames.

Swoosh!

Dukeram thrust his sword at Rudy.

He remembered hearing about it from Black Wolf.

Black Wolf had told him to be careful of the chick Kang Oh carries around with him. He had told him that it was actually a Phoenix.

Thus, he needed to take it out before it transformed.

Kang Oh opened his eyes wide.

'How dare you attack my cute little Rudy!'

Kang Oh sharply swung Sarahoff, deflecting Dukeram's attack, and then stabbed his neck.

However, the mysterious sand blocked his attack again.

"Aim for the chick!" Dukeram yelled urgently.

However...

"It's too late!"

Rudy's body emanated intense light, and it opened its fiery wings.

Garuuuu!

Then, it unleashed a clear, brilliant cry and revealed its body, coated in whitish red flames.

The true form of a Phoenix was both beautiful and noble.

"Rudy, time to eat!"

Food!

Rudy opened its mouth, and began sucking in any nearby flames.

"Guaahk!"

Dalton, whose body was made of flames, felt like he was being ripped apart. A ton of shards flew into the air, and then he returned to his human form.

Stab!

Kang Oh's jet-black greatsword pierced through Dalton's breastplate and shredded his heart.

Dalton widened his eyes and used the remainder of his strength to grab Ubist's hilt.

"N-Now!" Dalton yelled.

Dukeram and Erik rushed at Kang Oh.

Sword that Brings Victory!

Great Wind's Sword!

They both used their most powerful attacks.

Golden energy cleaved through the world, and an emerald whirlwind raged.

In spite of that, Kang oh didn't look worried in the least.

Rudy forcefully fluttered its wings.

Fire of Life!

Warm flames engulfed Kang Oh's body like an egg. Erik and Dukeram's attacks struck the surface of the barrier.

A short while later...

Their attacks disappeared, but the egg was still in the same place, completely safe and sound.

The flames gradually dissipated, revealing an unhurt Kang Oh. He had come out with a dead Dalton.

'That's 500,000 gold for me.' Kang Oh smirked.

Erik and Dukeram didn't blindly rush in. There was a Phoenix with its wings outstretched above his head.

However...

"Guildmaster."

"We're here."

Kuskal and Irene had appeared.

Irene, who'd been overwhelming the Alliance's powerhouses, came rushing over once she saw the Phoenix.

Kyaaahk!

She had come with the Insect Queen too!

Dukeram's eyes gleamed.

They had Irene's secret move, Kuskal's sniping, and the Insect Queen!

Although he couldn't be sure of their victory, they had enough people to keep him at bay!

"Insectura will deal with the Phoenix. The rest of us can take care of Kang Oh. We have to turn this into a battle of attrition; we have to buy as much time as possible," Irene said.

Dukeram, Erik, and Kuskal nodded their heads.

Kang Oh scowled. 'Says who!?'

He pulled out a scroll from his inventory. It looked extremely luxurious.

'I really didn't want to use this! I need to borrow 'his' power if I want to win. At least while Rudy's in its true form.'

He spread open the scroll, revealing a dragon bone inscription.

Bone Dragon Akite's Summoning Scroll!

Kang Oh immediately ripped it.

Whir.

A giant magic circle appeared.

[You have used Bone Dragon Akite's Summoning Scroll.]

[You must offer proper tribute in order to summon Bone Dragon Akite.]

[It costs 1 million gold, or treasure equivalent to 1 million gold to summon it.]

"Stop him!"

"Stop Kang Oh!"

Dukeram and Irene yelled, noticing that something was off about the magic circle.

Dukeram, Erik, Irene, Kuskal, and Insectura rushed at him.

However...!

Rudy didn't just sit idly by.

Eternal Flame!

These were everlasting flames that'd never go out!

The flames rippled outward like a wave, forcing them to lay flat on the ground.

Insectura's body was too big, so it couldn't avoid it. Instead, it spat out as much acid as it could.

Bam!

Hundreds of thousands of its minions were burnt to a crisp instantly.

The Insect Queen didn't remain unscathed either.

As soon as its acid touched the Eternal Flame, it burnt up in a plume of smoke, and the Insect Queen was engulfed in flames.

Its giant, transparent wings were the first to go.

"Keheok!"

"Ugh."

200 Insect Mages, who were barely holding on, cried out in pain. It was like they were overloaded engines that'd finally exploded.

Kang Oh sighed as he saw the grand show.

"Phew, you bastard." His hand trembled as he pulled out a gold scroll worth 1 million gold.

Bone Dragon Akite!

As if everyone didn't already know that it was a money grubbing dragon, it forced him to pay a huge sum to summon it.

It would've been fine even if it cost him. But it was way too expensive! What the hell is up with 1 million gold!?

But in any case... He definitely needed its strength right now.

"Phew!" Kang Oh sighed again, and then arduously let go of the gold scroll.

As soon as it touched the magic circle, it disappeared and the magic circle radiated intense light.

[You have used 1 million gold.]

[Summoning Bone Dragon Akite for 10 minutes!]

Thud!

A giant, bony leg came out of the magic circle. Then, it revealed its skull, as well as the purple flame that blazed within its eye sockets.

'Now then, let's end this battle for real!'