The Dark Messenger used his knee to shove Wilbur upward. He came charging toward Wilbur, swinging at him with another heavy blow. Wilbur bit back on the searing pain coursing through his body and clenched his fists, aiming a punch toward the Dark Messenger.


    Both fists collided in mid-air, and Wilbur was sent flying backward once again. Had it not been for the power of light protecting his body, all of his bones would have been crushed.


    Wilbur finally realized how terrifying the Dark Messenger was. This clone of the Dark Lord was at least twice as powerful as thest one, and Wilbur might not stand a chance even if he were to use all of his strength and power.


    The thought filled Wilbur with dread and hopelessness. Just then, a shout could be heard from some distance. "Look- it''s a mirage!"


    "It''s here!"


    "The mirage is finally here!"


    ...


    A series of cheers could be heard from the beach just as Wilbur sensed that special aura in the air.


    Dragon aura!


    There was a surge of dragon aura!


    Wilbur turned around. A mirage had appeared in mid-air, one that looked just like Wendis. However, what made the image in the mirage different was that all the roads in that version of Wendis led to the sea.


    It was as if Wilbur had forgotten about the pain he was in, unable to contain his glee. He could clearly sense the powerful aura of the mirage, proving that Wilbur''s dragon aura was finally pure enough to form a connection with it.


    That meant that he could enter the mirage now.


    This was his chance, and it was standing right in front of him. However, Wilbur was gravely injured, and the Dark Messenger was watching over him like a hawk. Getting to the mirage, which was hundreds of meters away, was easier said than done.


    Just then, a feral smile appeared on the Dark Messenger''s face as his gaze grew icy. "It''s time all of this came to an end. Prepare to meet your doom, Wilbur Penn!"


    The Dark Messenger raised his right hand, extending it toward Wilbur. A powerful suction force radiated over, and Wilbur found himself flying toward the Dark Messenger. The Dark Messenger was emitting ck miasma all over his body, and his body was slowly transforming into liquid form.


    Wilbur knew that he would be devoured by the Dark Messenger for sure if he reached him. The mirage was hundreds of meters away and it was out of the area covered by his dragon aura. He had run out of options.


    Wilbur put his palms together, reciting the spell as he cast Aura Return. Within the blink of an eye, he was a hundred meters away.


    "What the..."


    The Dark Messenger was momentarily stunned by the sight, and Wilbur took the chance to fly toward the mirage at top speed.


    "Oh, you''re not getting away this time!"


    The Dark Messenger shot out, chasing after Wilbur, and caught up to him in just two seconds. The Dark Messenger smirked, reaching out toward Wilbur''s right foot.


    Just then, a wave of dragon aura came hurtling over. The surface of the ocean seemed to ripple vigorously under its pressure, and the Dark Messenger was pushed a few dozen meters backward by it. He looked up and saw a gigantic golden dragon hovering in the sky.