Chapter: 99.42%, 99.56%, 99.68%, 99.80%, 99.92%...
The numbers kept jumping, but Lisa's consciousness was continuously fading. The great joys and sorrows of the past few days had excessively drained the girl's spirit, pushing her to the brink of collapse. Now, the fusion of body and soul brought a double burden of exhaustion and consumption, leaving her without even a shred of strength. Lisa's unfocused gaze fixed on the numbers flickering before her eyes. She also noticed, high in the sky, the light still entangled with the darkness.
God.
Lisa's eyes gradually closed. She felt her consciousness sinking into darkness. It wasn't the cold darkness above the heavens, but rather something like a warm embrace... She seemed to hear her father's voice, her mother's voice, and the old dragonman's laughter. She felt she was about to fall asleep, to slumber forever in this warm darkness.
God.
If you can hear me.
Please, burn my life.
Just before her consciousness completely faded, the dragon girl closed her eyes for the last time. At that moment, only one final prayer remained in Lisa's heart, spoken to no one in particular.
—Please, burn my life.
Burn away those ordinary times, turning them into a heavenly blessing... so that I can become a hero like that.
High in the sky, the flash of the blazing sun suddenly burst through the darkness, bringing a glimmer of light to the Chronos Mountains. Though the mist gathered again, obscuring the sunlight, the warmth brought by that flash was not false.
One minute, even one second—I want to stand there... I want to become someone like that! I want to protect this world! Protect my homeland!
Please let me do this—
I am willing to give everything for it.
...
And just as the girl completely lost consciousness.
On the altar, a voice devoid of emotion rang out.
[Bloodline power guidance 100%]
[Ancient Dragon existence core construction complete]
[Beginning existence induction, beginning Steel Force link transfer]
[Ritual successful... shackles temporarily released]
[—May the light of victory forever shine upon us]
The calm, emotionless voices echoed in unison. The silver light from all directions fully materialized, transforming into a massive silver chain that coiled around the altar and wrapped around the girl's body.
In the center of the Divine Wasteland, the ancient dragon spread its wings. This time, no Steel Force chains bound it. The silver dragon let out a roar that shook heaven and earth, completely breaking free from the shackles that had plagued it. It began to soar into the sky, flying toward the darkness above the heavens and the sun that was flickering with light.
As the void passage in the sky opened and closed, the Chronos World fell into silence. All things were quiet, not a single sound uttered.
Deep underground, on the altar, Lisa lay with her eyes tightly shut.
Above, those great figures were fighting for dragons, civilizations, and worlds. Some fought for the desperate wish to save their own world, others merely sought power enough to reshape a world. Some came out of curiosity, others to redeem their own mistakes, arriving here to battle against their foes and the darkness among the stars. Each had their own reason to strive, to fight.
But Lisa's reason was simple.
She just wanted to move forward.
She just wanted to protect her homeland.
That was all.