Ascent of Hero on the Dragon Throne

"Are you really not afraid of death?" asked Rocky. He was disturbed by Woods' action, rather the lack of it, as he was about to kill him. Woods was strangely composed as though he had accepted his fate.

"The fear of death does not make me immune to it. So why not accept it as a part of life and die peacefully?" Woods replied with a reassuring smile.

"Well, you at least resent me, curse me, haunt me till the end of my days. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be here in the first place," Rocky said, still confounded by Woods' calmness. He knew what Alston was planning. He was just a bait to lure Woods into the trap. Woods should have known this as well. He should have hated Rocky for it, but still he didn't.

"Maybe I should hate you. But then again, if I didn't insist on catching you, things might not have ended like this. But who knows? There is no 'if' in this world. And what has happened is already in the past. It's impossible to go back in time. Plus, you are doing this to save the person you care for. It's one life for another," answered Woods in a tranquil tone.

"If I don't die, I owe you my life," said Rocky. He then stretched his hand into his arms as his spiritual power began to rise. He made his way to Woods.

The faces of Woods' three bodyguards changed when they saw this. They wanted to rush forward in order to save him, but they were tightly surrounded by their opponents. All they could do was watch helplessly.

Just as Rocky was in front of Woods, he suddenly shouted and pulled out his hand from his arms. Strong waves of beast-like energy shrouded Woods, and a bright, dazzling light appeared out of his chest.

Blood spurted out of Woods' mouth as he howled in pain. He was sent flying b

rned inside him, giving life to his frozen body.

"You? Kill me? Ha-ha! You must be joking!" Alston didn't falter at the threat made by Rocky.

"Hey, foodie! You're not my spirit-manipulated beast yet. I don't want you to get caught up in this battle. If I die, then you'll be set free. You're grown up now, and you can take care of yourself," Rocky said to the Rainbow Glow Unicorn. After he was done speaking, he forcefully closed the Magic Spiritual Space. Although he knew its ability would be somewhat of use during a fight, he knew that the battle did not favor him. The chances of him surviving the battle against a spirit manipulator at the Supernal Stage and five at the Heavenly Stage were slim to none.

At the same time, Alston's four spirit manipulators at the Heavenly Stage rushed to Rocky after getting rid of Woods' three bodyguards.

"You have two spirit-manipulated beasts? It turns out the rumor is true, but so what? I'll let my men play with you first," Alston sneered. He then turned to the four spirit manipulators and gave them a look with his eyes. "Just beat him half to death. His life will be left at the hands of Alyssa."