I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 177 Shattered Stars, Rising Horizon

Cedrick, the once-proud mage of the Kingdom of Stars, was on the brink of utter collapse. His face twisted in agony, but his pride flared, keeping him defiant.

"You'll regret this!" Cedrick spat, his voice strained but venomous. "Do you really think the Kingdom of Stars will let you walk away after this?"

Horizon's response was silence, save for the faint whistle of his blade as he swung it again. Cedrick's scream echoed once more as his leg was severed at the knee, his body collapsing onto the blood-stained ground.

"Next is your other leg," Horizon said, his voice devoid of malice yet heavy with finality. "You can still restore them—if you get out of here alive. But I'd choose my next words carefully, if I were you. They may very well be your last. Either way," Horizon added, his smirk returning as the Dracolich and Giant Dragon Hawk loomed behind him like harbingers of death, "I'll be taking the flag . . . whether it's from your hand or your corpse."

Fear gripped Cedrick's heart. He tried to steel himself, but the sight of the Dracolich's burning crimson eyes and the Dragon Hawk's predatory gaze robbed him of the last shreds of his resolve. His guild, the Kingdom of Stars, was supposed to be unbeatable, its members untouchable. But here he was—broken, bleeding, and powerless.

The onlookers were frozen, unable to look away. The tension in the air was suffocating. What would it be? Would Cedrick cling to his pride and meet his end, or would he cast aside his arrogance and admit defeat?

"I . . . I . . ." Cedrick's voice trembled as he fought to speak.

Horizon's blade shifted slightly, glinting ominously. "Decide quickly," he said.

Cedrick's pride waged war with his survival instincts. But when he caught the menacing glow of the Dracolich's maw and the Dragon Hawk's talons curling as if ready to strike, fear overtook him completely.

"I . . . admit defeat . . . ," Cedrick finally whispered, the words scraping against his throat like shards of glass.

Horizon tilted his head, as though he hadn't heard. "What was that?"

"I admit defeat!" Cedrick shouted, his voice cracking as desperation flooded his tone.

The game system chimed, confirming the end of the match. Horizon's guild, Nyx, was declared the victor of the third round. Cheers erupted from the crowd, but many stood in stunned silence, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

Now, with the Kingdom's elimination, that pact was nullified. The Council's carefully laid plans unraveled before their eyes, and the ramifications were devastating.

"This is unacceptable," one council member growled, his fists slamming against the oak table. "We backed them for nothing!"

Another sneered, her eyes narrowed in frustration. "We cannot let Nyx's guild advance any further. If they win the tournament, they'll not only claim the title but gain significant influence. That cannot happen."

There was a silent, grim consensus. Nyx's guild, led by Horizon, had become an unforeseen and insurmountable threat. They would need to intervene subtly, ensuring their downfall in the final game.

The stakes had risen to unprecedented heights, and now, with the world's eyes fixed on the tournament, the Council's next moves would decide the fate of more than just a contest. The game was no longer about strategy or skill—it was about survival, power, and control.

The third round had culled the competition, leaving only the strongest guilds standing like Wingless Valkryies, Brotherhood Legion, Iron Dominion, Scarlet Blood among others —and the unexpected dark horse, Nyx's Guild.

Your journey continues with empire

Whispers buzzed through the crowd, a mix of anticipation and unease as the underdog's rise disrupted everyone's expectations.

"And now," the host's voice boomed, cutting through the chatter, "for our final game, which will take place one week from today . . ."

The audience held their breath, leaning forward in collective anticipation.

"As many of you suspected," the host continued, a sly grin spreading across his face, "the final showdown will be a one-on-one elimination round!"

Gasps and cheers erupted from the crowd, the announcement sparking excitement and tension in equal measure. The elimination round promised intense battles and personal stakes, where strategy, skill, and individual strength would be pushed to their limits.

For the remaining guilds, the stakes had never been higher.