Journey to Become the Zenith

Chapter 279: The Ring’s Hidden Guardian

The Ring’s Hidden Guardian

After destroying the body of the undead dragon until all its bones turned into ashes, Isabella felt her consciousness flickering. Not only was her stamina drained even her mana was nearing its limit.

’Tsk, I’ve become so much weaker.’

The pillar of fire that had pierced the heavens gradually faded.

Ash drifted through the air like black snow.

The battlefield that had nearly become a graveyard moments ago was now eerily silent.

The torrent of wind surrounding the dragon’s remains slowly dispersed as well.

Only scorched earth remained.

Isabella stood in the middle of it all.

Alone.

Victorious.

Yet somehow looking more exhausted than anyone present.

She lifted a trembling hand and rubbed her forehead.

"Seriously..." she muttered weakly. "One oversized skeleton and I’m already running on fumes."

A familiar voice immediately answered.

"What’s happening to you Isabella?"

Zoella’s playful expression disappeared.

For the first time since her summoning, genuine concern appeared on the Spirit Queen’s face.

The flames covering her body dimmed slightly.

She floated closer.

Her crimson eyes narrowed.

"This isn’t normal."

Even Kheter frowned.

The usually calm Spirit King studied Isabella carefully.

"You are unstable."

"I’m fine."

"No, you’re not."

Isabella laughed weakly.

"I appreciate the concern."

"You look like you’re about to collapse."

"I said I’m fine."

Her vision blurred again.

The ground beneath her feet seemed to sway.

The victory that had seemed effortless from afar had cost far more than anyone realized.

Two released seals.

Two Spirit Rulers.

Several high-tier spells.

The burden had nearly emptied her reserves.

Zoella crossed her arms.

"You’ve never looked this exhausted before."

"That obvious?"

"Worse."

Kheter glanced at Isabella and nodded.

"Your mana reserves are nearly depleted."

"Wonderful."

Isabella let out a tired sigh.

"Exactly what I wanted to hear."

The Spirit Queen frowned.

"You pushed yourself too hard."

"An undead dragon isn’t exactly something you deal with half-heartedly."

"Still."

Zoella clicked her tongue.

"You released two seals and summoned both of us at the same time. What did you expect?"

"I expected the dragon to die."

"And yourself?"

"I’m still standing."

The moment the words left her mouth, her knees nearly buckled.

Kheter shook his head.

"Barely."

Isabella wanted to argue.

Instead, her vision suddenly blurred.

The world tilted.

"Hah... this is troublesome."

Hearing Zoella’s worried voice, Isabella couldn’t help but click her tongue as she fainted.

"Seriously..."

That was all she managed to say.

Her body tilted forward.

The world became dark.

"ISABELLA!"

Zoella immediately rushed forward.

Even Kheter’s calm expression stiffened slightly.

The Spirit Queen caught Isabella before she hit the ground.

"You idiot!"

Zoella shouted.

"You always push yourself too far!"

Kheter landed beside them.

"Her life is not in danger."

"Then wake her up!"

"That is not how unconsciousness works."

"Not helping."

Far away, Videl and the others watched everything unfold.

The dragon was gone.

Only scorched earth and drifting ash remained where the battle had taken place.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

The fight had ended so quickly that it hardly felt real.

Videl stared at the distant figure of Isabella.

The Guild Master had faced a creature that nearly wiped out their entire group and defeated it alone.

Without suffering a single direct hit.

"That’s ridiculous..."

Clara finally broke the silence.

"How is someone supposed to become that strong?"

Ruby folded her arms.

"Years of experience. Talent. Hard work."

"And probably being a monster."

Natalia nodded.

"That too."

Brinda looked toward the battlefield with unconcealed admiration.

"She’s incredible."

Videl silently agreed.

No matter how many times she replayed the battle in her head, she couldn’t understand how Isabella made something so overwhelming look so effortless.

The difference was simply too large.

Throughout the battle, Isabella had controlled everything.

The undead dragon never managed to dictate the pace.

Every spell, every movement, every exchange unfolded according to her rhythm.

Most importantly, she never even gave the dragon an opportunity to unleash its Dragon Breath.

Yet what lingered most in everyone’s minds were the two beings she had summoned.

They looked similar to elementals.

But only at first glance.

Their presence was completely different.

The mana surrounding them felt denser.

Older.

More refined.

Ruby narrowed her eyes.

"They weren’t ordinary spirits."

Natalia nodded.

"I felt it too."

"Their presence was... ancient."

Brinda looked confused.

"You know what they were?"

Natalia shook her head.

"No."

"But whatever they were, they weren’t simple summons."

Videl continued staring at the fading figures in the distance.

They had spoken.

Joked.

Argued.

Reacted.

Like real people.

Not magical constructs.

Not puppets.

Living beings formed from pure mana.

The thought alone was unsettling.

Then she noticed something wrong.

Isabella’s complexion had turned pale.

Her breathing had become noticeably heavier.

"Something’s wrong!"

Without hesitation, Videl broke into a run.

The others immediately followed.

As they closed the distance, Zoella’s irritated voice echoed across the battlefield.

"Damn it! And I just got released!"

The Spirit Queen threw her hands into the air.

Beside her, Kheter simply smiled helplessly.

Moments later, both spirits began dissolving into streams of light.

The contract was ending.

Without Isabella’s mana sustaining them, they could no longer remain.

"Damn it! And I just got released!"

After shouting her final complaint, Zoella vanished alongside Kheter.

Fire and wind scattered into countless glowing particles.

At the same moment, Isabella collapsed.

"Isabella!"

Videl’s heart skipped a beat.

She immediately increased her speed and sprinted toward the unconscious Guild Master.

As she got closer she noticed Isabella’s face was unusually pale.

Almost lifeless.

"Please don’t be dead..."

Brinda whispered.

"She’s not dead."

Natalia immediately answered.

"She’s breathing."

Everyone visibly relaxed.

But before they could reach her, something unexpected happened.

A faint silver glow emerged from one of the rings on Isabella’s right hand.

Videl immediately slowed.

"So it wasn’t over..."

The light rapidly intensified.

Within seconds, it became bright enough to force everyone to shield their eyes.

"What is that?" Clara asked.

Nobody had an answer.

The surrounding mana suddenly became chaotic.

The air trembled.

Dust and loose pebbles rose from the ground as an invisible pressure spread outward.

"What now?!" Brinda shouted.

"Everyone be careful!" Ruby warned.

Natalia immediately reached for her weapon, her eyes fixed on the source of the disturbance.

Then the ring released a dazzling flash.

A massive magic circle instantly unfolded across the battlefield, its glowing runes spreading in every direction.

By the time the radiance faded enough to see again, a twenty-meter-wide formation had already materialized around Isabella’s unconscious body.