### Chapter: 275
The Giant’s Forest once more.
In the past, heavy rains had caused floods, making it impossible to take a proper look around.
But now, the Giant’s Forest was astonishingly clear, with the sky peeking through.
Maybe that’s why the ambiance of the Giant’s Forest felt rather picturesque.
The overwhelming scent of grass and the refreshing breeze brought an invigorating feeling.
The problem was that this refreshing sensation also affected other beings, not just Kraush.
“Way too many of these guys!”
Kraush observed the colossal insects he had just toppled over, feeling slightly irritated.
Not a single one was smaller than him.
The Giant’s Forest was known for its size, and the insects here had bio-weapons that were incredibly dangerous.
‘With the rainy season just over, they’re super active.’
Perhaps it was due to the spike in their reproductive activities after a long dry spell.
Kraush and Bianca had to engage in battle with insects at every turn.
‘And these guys are way more vicious than before.’
With the Giant’s Forest cultivating the absolutely horrendous seeds, the combat effectiveness and tenacity of these giant insects had noticeably increased.
Swarms of insects were endlessly gathering to eliminate the intruders.
For now, they were just insects, which was manageable.
But soon enough, the true rulers of the forest would start to make themselves known.
At that moment—
Boom!
A massive presence shook both Kraush and Bianca.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
That presence grew even more vigorous as it charged at them.
“Bianca!”
As Kraush called her name, he wrapped his arms around her and leaped away.
‘Excel.’
As the Excel surged through him, Kraush accelerated and evaded the spot.
Bang!
The ground exploded up at the place they had just vacated.
Out burst a huge nose.
A fuzzy, brown creature with well-developed claws.
This beast was huge—far bigger than any insect.
“It’s a mole.”
A mole it was.
Outside, it might seem cute, but here, it was a disaster.
“How adorable!”
Of course, to Bianca, the animal lover, even this colossal mole seemed cute.
It was a shame, but she had no time to dawdle in admiration.
The moment the mole failed to catch its target, it burrowed back into the ground.
The ground was no longer a safe zone.
Kraush hoisted Bianca and quickly climbed a tree.
A pincered bug attempted to swipe at them as they ascended, but Kraush simply leaped and smashed its head as he climbed higher.
“We’re gonna sprint from here, so hold on tight.”
Bianca obediently wrapped her arms around his neck.
Upon confirming she was secure, Kraush increased his speed.
“I think we’re close!”
Were they finally nearing the end of their exploration through the Giant’s Forest?
As Kraush moved swiftly atop the trees, Bianca’s words graced his ears.
Just then, a breeze whispered through.
They were so close to spotting the owner of the World Erosion, yet this sound was not one to be ignored.
Kraush halted abruptly, standing tall in the tree.
In an instant, something whisked past them.
A bird, flying at great speed.
“That’s a white-spotted pipit.”
A short explanation from Bianca followed as she pointed.
The bird soared in an arc overhead, its size dwarfing Kraush and Bianca.
Normally, it would just be a passing bird, but in the Giant’s Forest, it was a predator.
“How far to the owner?”
“About 1 kilometer away.”
For Kraush, with the Excel, that was practically right next door.
Just then, the white-spotted pipit circled back and dove down towards them.
The gigantic talons of the bird loomed threateningly over Kraush.
As it descended for the kill, Kraush’s Thunder Prime flared up.
Woom!
With a blaze, the white flame of his sword clashed against the bird’s claws.
“Wha—?!”
Surprised, the white-spotted pipit flapped its wings in panic, barely evading the attack.
‘Looks like their durability’s increased since they were affected by the Giant’s Forest.’
Originally, the attack was meant to slice off its leg.
Instead, the bird sustained only some burns and scratches before fleeing.
It was clear—size wasn’t everything.
These guys were also devourers soaked in the World Erosion.
Kraush, still carrying Bianca, stuck the landing on the ground again.
Seizing the chance while the white-spotted pipit was gone, he sprinted ahead.
“Over here!”
Shortly after, Bianca’s voice rang out, signaling she saw something.
As Kraush followed her pointing finger, he spotted an aberration in the Giant’s Forest.
Typically, the forest’s monstrous creatures would be large versions of existing entities.
But this creature clashed entirely with that norm.
With its pitch-black body and three protruding horns, the creature’s long red hair seemed to writhe like hands scraping the ground.
“That’s an Akadebi level threat!”
As Kraush looked upon the creature, he clicked his tongue.
The World Erosion’s Owner.
Red-Haired Demon.
Classified as a 7-star adversary.
Even when his elite special class students banded together, it was barely enough to take it down.
But the one before his eyes wasn’t average at all.
It had absorbed the very essence of the Giant’s Forest, making it far larger and sturdier.
‘An 8-star foe.’
Kraush had mentally reclassified the Red-Haired Demon.
It had been ages since he had faced an enemy of such a high tier.
Previously, when he fought Agareus, he had backups from Ebelasque, Haring, and the most skilled healer, Veltoa.
But here, it was just him and Bianca.
‘In terms of star rating, it matches Agareus.’
Though it was a long time ago, he still recalled defeating Agareus.
He couldn’t have done it without the aid of the Holy Sword Knights and Lilish.
‘In terms of danger and strength, Agareus was among the best, and I don’t think this Red-Haired Demon can stack up.’
But there was no doubt it was a formidable opponent.
“Kraush!”
As if sensing the immense power, Bianca tightened her grip on his clothes.
Though she had significantly improved to be at the top of her class, facing an 8-star adversary was a whole different ballgame.
She needed more time to train.
“Don’t worry.”
Kraush placed his hand gently on her head.
“I won’t let it even lay eyes on you.”
The white flame radiating from Kraush cloaked Bianca warmly.
His aura was lethal to both the World Erosion and its creatures.
Kraush was the ultimate counter to entities born from world erosion.
An 8-star foe didn’t frighten him at this point.
The warmth alleviated Bianca’s shivers as she nodded.
“We’ll take it down, right?”
Kraush chuckled lightly at her question.
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll help with everything I’ve got.”
What a reassuring response!
As he lowered his hand from Bianca’s head, they landed on the ground.
“Here we go!”
Sensing that the Red-Haired Demon was aware of them, it turned its head sharply.
The white flames emanating from Kraush caught its attention.
In that instant, something else mixed in with Kraush’s white flames.
Crack!
The surrounding space warped as a fierce storm lashed around Kraush.
The presence of the White Dragon was undeniable.
“Krrriiik!”
The Red-Haired Demon’s red hair stood on end as it sensed the potent aura of the White Dragon.
The overwhelming presence stamped Kraush in its mind as a danger.
From that moment on, the Red-Haired Demon couldn’t take its eyes off him.
“Doesn’t that hair of yours get a little annoying?”
Kraush quipped, his Thunder Prime crackling with power, releasing snow-white smoke.
“I can tidy it up for you.”
With that provocation, Kraush’s figure dispersed.
—
Inside the Giant’s Forest,
the white flame soared upward.
And the master of that flame was none other than Kraush.
With each flicker of Thunder Prime, chaos erupted in the Giant’s Forest.
In the fray, the Red-Haired Demon swung its hair, transforming it into thrashing tendrils.
Ducking and dodging the onslaught, Kraush unleashed white flames.
The hair of the Red-Haired Demon, now an 8-star entity, managed to endure even against Kraush’s flames.
On top of that, the influence of the Giant’s Forest caused its size to grow tenfold, making it much trickier.
With the increased hair density, Kraush found himself battling against a deluge of hair that obscured his vision.
‘Does it regenerate too?’
The flaming strands slowly reverted back to their original forms.
Before long, Kraush felt like he was drowning in a sea of red hair.
No matter where he looked, it was all relentless red hair.
Not to mention the curses mingled within, which would disassemble his body the moment they made contact.
Having not reached the body yet, he was stuck hacking away at hair all day at this rate.
‘Then…’
Time to pull out the tricks he had up his sleeve.
As Kraush swung Thunder Prime overhead, he leaped back.
Instinctively, the red hair chased him.
Feeling the rush of the hair tsunami closing in, Kraush lifted the sword.
As he readied himself, the aura of the White Dragon surged from within him.
What erupted wasn’t frigid air but white flames that met the flowing red hair.
Crack!
The clash of white flames against the hair sent resonant waves throughout the forest.
Kraush, focusing intently while releasing the White Dragon’s power, was engaged in an almost calamitous endeavor.
Balancing both would require complete precision.
Yet, it was absolutely crucial for Kraush to pull it off.
As time passed, the enemy only grew stronger.
Every moment spent in this rise of a threat would lead to catastrophe.
Kraush’s unique ability lay in his swordsmanship that amassed power to its peak.
For that very accumulation, he needed time.
And the aura of the White Dragon provided him just that opportunity.
[ Planning to split your brain in half? ]
Holding onto steady focus while maintaining the aura of the White Dragon, Kraush could feel the crushing pressure amplifying within him.
Crack!
But he grit his teeth, determined to withstand it.
Igrit would soon unleash a greater danger.
The most atrocious seeds were set to germinate, threatening to alter the World Erosion into something dreadful.
More lines of threat were bound to arise.
Kraush had to build on his practical application, no matter what.
In the depths of Kraush’s mind,
Drip.
A single drop of water fell.
It triggered ripples across the lake of his consciousness.
With those ripples came a geyser, surging through the mind’s pool.
Atop that geyser, the night sky of Nox dawned.
Seven stars began to shine vigorously, imparting their strength to the geyser.
Bang!
Veins bulged on Kraush’s forehead, and a plume of white smoke escaped his lips.
Drip!
Blood trickled from the strain in his mind, evaporating in the heat of concentration.
Just then, scales sprouted along Kraush’s jawline.
Woom!
In a fleeting moment, the flames of the White Dragon obliterated all the red hair.
A new level had been reached, surpassing even the skills of Suras and Natchals.
Doomsday Fire Dragon.
“Krrr!”
The Red-Haired Demon finally noticed Kraush’s transformation.
The hair surged toward Kraush once more.
But in that instant, his focus on the Doomsday Fire Dragon left the aura of the White Dragon temporarily unfocused.
Consequently, the red hair nearly engulfed Kraush.
However,
Spirit Dragon Bianca Style.
Glidis Radiance.
A surge of white light erupted.
The icy breath pierced through the curtain of red hair.
In the distance, Bianca collapsed, drained after unleashing such a powerful attack.
She had pushed her limits to deliver that blow.
Finally, an opening appeared between Kraush and the Red-Haired Demon as the curtain of red hair dissipated.
Though the Red-Haired Demon hurriedly began to regenerate its hair, it was too late.
Crack!
The sound of disintegrating hair echoed clear as Kraush’s Excel surged through him.
With his accelerated physique gracing the ground, a tempest whirled around him.
By the time the Red-Haired Demon quickened its strike, it was already too late.
Right in front of it,
Kraush, with sharp red eyes, brandished a white gleaming sword toward the creature.
“Kiiik!”
Annihilation Erosion.
Four Forms.
Annihilation Slash of Flames.
With the cry of the Red-Haired Demon, Kraush’s blade pierced through its neck.
As the blade sliced through its soft flesh, it emerged from the opposite side of the Red-Haired Demon’s neck.
Clang!
The power ignited by Excel sent Kraush sprawling away, but he didn’t fall far.
Boom!
The massive head of the Red-Haired Demon toppled, rolling across the ground.
Simultaneously, its hair vanished, signaling the demise of the creature.
And so, the epidemic that had endangered the kingdom, the Black Hand, was finally quelled.
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