I Ascend Alone-Chapter 122: The Birth of National Level

Leon's head snapped toward me. "...You're using that?"

His voice wasn't raised, but there was weight in it—concern, warning, maybe even awe.

Mirae blinked and looked between us, confused. "Wait. Use what? What are you two talking about?"

I didn't answer right away. My eyes stayed locked on Pyraethrax, whose wings had now begun to slowly curl inward, like a predator crouching before the pounce. Every instinct screamed danger. And yet, something in my core buzzed with the Abyss' hunger.

Leon stepped closer, lowering his voice so only the three of us could hear.

"Ryzen... are you serious right now?" he asked. "If you do this—if you use that form—you're going to blow everything open. No more secrecy. The Association won't be able to cover for you anymore."

I met his eyes, unwavering. "I know."

Mirae looked from him to me, frowning. "Wait, hold on. What form? What are you not telling me?"

Leon exhaled, glancing to the side. "You really never wondered how someone like him could summon that"—he motioned toward the shadow where Vorathos had disappeared—"or why no records of his mana signature exist?"

"I figured he was a special recruit," Mirae said. "Off-grid, maybe an unknown-type awakening with a classified background."

I almost smiled at that.

Leon just shook his head. "It's a bit more complicated than that."

"Then tell me what's going on."

I let out a slow breath, the tension simmering behind my calm like a coiled serpent. Mirae's stare burned with expectation, but I didn't meet it. My eyes were still fixed on Pyraethrax, watching the way its molten chest rose and fell with each thunderous breath. Every exhale sent ripples of heat washing through the air, and each second felt like the ticking of a countdown.

"Ryzen," Leon said again, more firmly now. "How about we wait."

I glanced at him.

He nodded toward the distance—where distant silhouettes of Association aircraft were beginning to streak toward us, their magical propulsion trails carving the sky.

"Reinforcements are inbound. We're not alone in this. We don't need to play the trump card now," he said, voice low. "We can take it down the conventional way—with you, me, Mirae, and the others once they arrive. If you use that form here and now... there's no turning back."

Mirae crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "Okay, so something big's going on. You're both dancing around it like it's a classified nuke. Just say it already—what kind of 'form' are we talking about?"

Neither of us answered.

The ground rumbled again as Pyraethrax snarled, a deep, guttural sound that made the air tremble. The dragon raised its head slightly, its molten eyes locking onto us with something close to curiosity. Or disdain.

"Ryzen?" Mirae asked again, softer this time.

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I didn't look at her. "You'll see when you need to."

Her eyes flicked between us, clearly frustrated, but she didn't press further.

The crowd behind the barriers erupted into gasps and cries of disbelief.

"Is that—?"

"No way... that's Orion Graves!"

"The Association's sending everyone!"

First came Orion Graves, the number-three ranked Hunter in all of City A.

A towering man in jet-black armor etched with battle scars, his very presence seemed to anchor the air. Slung across his back was the infamous Obsidian Greatsword, a weapon nearly as tall as he was—rumored to weigh as much as a battle tank and capable of cleaving through mana shields like paper. His silver eyes scanned the battlefield, calm and calculating. The gravity around him literally bent, distorting the ground beneath his boots with every step.

Beside him hovered Celestine Ardent, an S-Rank mage whose very appearance shimmered with arcane light. Her snow-white robes glowed with soft golden embroidery, layered with enchantments known only to the upper council. A crescent-shaped staff spun gently in her hand, suspended by nothing but her will. The air around her shimmered like a halo, warm and divine—yet ready to burn the world down if commanded.

And the last—stepping from the shadows with a grin sharp enough to draw blood—was Cain Voss, the strongest assassin in the Association.

Unlike the others, he wore no armor—just a sleek obsidian weave suit that clung to him like shadow. Twin daggers hung at his hips, glowing faintly with forbidden runes. His presence didn't ripple like Orion's or blaze like Celestine's—it disappeared. For a split second, it was like he wasn't even there, until your instincts screamed that death had already passed you by.

Together, they moved forward without a word, fanning out instinctively. The crowd behind the barricades lost it—gasps, screams, camera flashes. Everyone recognized them. Everyone knew what their arrival meant.

Then came another figure—landing with far less flair, but far more weight.

President Darius Vaughn.

His long coat fluttered as he approached, each step steady, grounded, as if the world shifted around him. A commanding aura flowed from him like the eye of a hurricane—controlled, absolute. His sharp eyes swept across the field, the gate, the dragon, and then finally landed on me.

"Report," he said, his voice like iron.

Leon stepped up immediately. "Mid-tier gate was a false read. There's a second convergence inside the dungeon. The Behemoth was only the start. The main threat's Calamity-Class—Pyraethrax the Ember Tyrant."

"Ancient dragon..." Celestine murmured, lifting her staff as if sensing something beyond the veil. "Its mana... it's not just fire. There's something else mixed in. Something older."

Cain grinned, eyes locked on the dragon. "Good. Been too long since I got to test these blades on something worth remembering."

Darius didn't flinch. His gaze snapped back to me. "I assume you were considering it."

Leon answered before I could. "He was. But I advised against it—for now."

Darius's voice dropped low. "If you reveal it here, Ryzen... the world will know. We won't be able to hide you anymore. The Association won't shield you from the consequences."

I nodded, slow but firm. "I'm aware."

He studied me for a moment longer. Then, he gave the faintest nod. "Hold the line. We're not letting that thing escape."

Behind us, Mirae crossed her arms, still frowning.

"Okay, seriously—what the hell is going on with you guys?"