I had spent a lot of time watching anime with Bob, until at some point, I started to catch the patterns in almost all of those shows.

One of them was this, when a villain receives a new power or upgrade, the creator or author usually lets them wreak havoc first, just to show how strong their evolution is and to raise the stakes and tension.

That way, the main character's comeback feels even more impactful later.

However, at this moment, I had no intention of letting the villain show off his new power.

After equipping the SR class, Timeweaver, as usual, my equipment and hair all changed to green. My eyes included.

And without skipping a beat, I activated my skill.

"Chronolock!"

A green light engulfed Darkness Azul, suspending him in midair, as if he had been frozen in time.

At the same time, a wave of lethargy washed over my body. I knew this feeling all too well.

My MP was draining rapidly.

"Bob! Go!" I shouted.

Bob, who had been stunned for a moment, snapped out of it and immediately flew toward Darkness Azul, unleashing a full combo of Windpiercer Routine.

'What… what is this?' Darkness Azul thought. He couldn't move his body, not even a single finger. However, he was still able to move his eyes. He turned them to the side and saw me in a completely new form.

'You … I know it now. I need to finish you first! '

Rage boiled within him.

Bob closed in fast.

And there was nothing Azul could do about it.

THUMP! DUP!

Darkness Azul was struck multiple times by the combo unleashed by Bob. Bob slashed, thrust, and kicked him relentlessly while he was helpless in the air. After the final strike, Darkness Azul was sent flying several metres before crashing into the second floor, causing it to collapse and smash down to the ground below.

I dropped to one knee.

Chronolock only lasted five seconds.

I was breathing heavily. Without hesitation, I gulped down three MP potions consecutively. This was not the time to be stingy.

"Did you actually use time magic?" Linus said.

I looked at him. His face, along with Reymond's and Reika's was frozen in shock, and their mouths wide open.

I slowly raised my index finger to my lips and gave a weak smile, signaling them to keep it secret from others.

"Go… before he wakes up again," I told them. I knew this wasn't enough to defeat that man.

BOOM!

The collapsed floor suddenly burst apart. From the dust and rubble, Darkness Azul emerged and rushed straight toward me. His right hand had transformed into a claw, and his exposed left eye burned with pure fury.

"I will kill you first!" he shouted.

"Not so fast! Temporal Snare!"

I cast another skill.

This time, Darkness Azul's movements slowed drastically. Without needing an order, Bob immediately charged in and attacked him again, this time without holding back, he unleashing dozens of relentless combos.

Darkness Azul was battered and sent flying in slow motion as Bob continued his assault.

My breathing grew heavier. My vision began to blur, and my heart pounded violently in my chest.

"Come on, Bob… finish him…" I muttered under my breath.

My trembling hand raised the last three MP potions from my inventory. I downed them one by one in a single gulp.

BOOM!

Darkness Azul's face was smashed into the ground by Bob's rising kick.

Bob was exhausted as well. Still, he raised his leg, preparing to stomp down and finish Darkness Azul once and for all.

But it was stopped.

Darkness Azul grabbed Bob's leg and forced himself upright. Bob struggled with all his strength, but it was futile.

Darkness Azul raised his hand high, lifting Bob into the air before smashing him violently into the ground.

"Arghh!" Bob's scream echoed through the hall.

I clenched my teeth and began casting Chronolock again, but Darkness Azul had no intention of letting that happen.

Just a millisecond before my casting finished, Darkness Azul hurled Bob straight toward me. Instinctively, I raised my hands to catch him.

That was my mistake.

Suddenly, Darkness Azul appeared right beside me.

I couldn't react.

THUMPPP!

A heavy blow slammed into my abdomen. Saliva, and maybe food burst from my mouth as my body was sent flying.

Darkness Azul didn't stop there.

He appeared behind me while I was still in midair and kicked me hard in the back, bending my body unnaturally. I swore I heard the sound of bones cracking.

I was launched upward, my consciousness starting to fade.

Suddenly, another blow came down from above, smashing into my abdomen once more. I crashed into the ground below, cracking the floor and sending dust everywhere.

"Sir Alan!" Reika shouted my name.

She tried to run toward me, but Linus grabbed her hand and stopped her. He shook his head gently.

They were already close to the exit, near the massive hole in the wall.

Darkness Azul landed before me. I could barely make out his figure. My cheek was pressed against the filthy ground, blood flowing into my eyes, and the taste of iron filled my mouth.

"You are very interesting, Alan. I never imagined I would meet someone wielding one of the rarest magics, the Time Magic," he said calmly. "I think I will dissect you together with the princess over there. But first, I need to neutralize you."

A blade formed in his hand.

The Kaoslith Blade.

Reymond's eyes widened. He knew exactly what it was, and it was the very reason he had lost the battle.

"Stand up, Alan!" he shouted.

Linus noticed the fear in Reymond's voice. "What is that blade?" he asked.

"That blade strips away mana and renders the victim completely useless! I lose to him because of that weapon!" Reymond explained.

"Huh? Then this is dangerous!" Linus finally realized how grave the situation was. He immediately let go of Reymond and ran toward me, staff strapped to his back.

Darkness Azul raised the blade high into the air.

"Congratulations, Alan. The fact that I'm using this blade on you means you're at least my equal in terms of fighting ability," he said mockingly. "Now, just stay quiet and be a good boy."

I stared at the blade. I was too exhausted and too broken to move. My eyes drifted to the [Ring of Revival] on my right ring finger.

It seemed Bob was right after all. That ring really did bring bad omens.

Sorry, Bob… for not listening to you.

Even if I revived, it would be with only one HP. Against an enemy like Darkness-form Azul, it wouldn't change anything.

"Be gone," Darkness Azul said with a smile.

The blade fell.

I closed my eyes and accepted my fate.

SHREEEK!