Royal Castle — King Adwin's Chambers
King Adwin stood motionless before the full-length mirror, golden-plated armor gleaming coldly under the torchlight. In his open palm rested a delicate necklace: a single emerald leaf pendant etched with flowing ancient Elvish script.
He stared at it for a long moment.
"Hah..."
A tired breath escaped him.
Without another word, he dropped the necklace back into the velvet-lined drawer and slammed it shut. His reflection stared back hard, unyielding, the face of a man.
He reached for the sword at his side, sheathed it with a metallic *click*, and strode out.
The heavy door swung open.
*Thud*
"Your Majesty."
The Army General bowed down the instant Adwin appeared.
He didn't slow down and continued to walk forward.
"Rise. Walk with me."
They moved through the echoing marble corridor, boots ringing in perfect unison.
"Is the army ready ?" Adwin asked, voice flat.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Ten thousand standard soldiers, one hundred battle-mages, sixty healers, twenty-five Elite Royal Guards, seven Royal Mages, and three Army Commanders. All assembled and awaiting your command."
Adwin's jaw tightened.
"Any word from the Mage Tower?"
"They've departed in carriages, sir. And... they're bringing Sir Dreulis with them."
Adwin halted mid-step.
The corridor suddenly felt colder.
"Dreulis?" His voice dropped dangerously low. "Why?"
"Ruben's letter stated that the lich has taken personal interest in the explosion. They intend to examine the site themselves."
Adwin's gloved hand flexed once around the hilt of his sword.
"What of Dredis ? Why hasn't my messenger returned ?"
"His trace was detected near the centre of the Duran Mountain's southern entrance.
But... Royal Mages report that his aura was completely severed by a powerful barrier casted around the entire valley. No mana is being tracked inside that barrier." The army general informed.
Both of them stepped out into the blinding daylight of the grand courtyard.
Before them stood thousands of steel-clad soldiers in perfect ranks, banners snapping in the wind like war drums.
"The rest await at the kingdom gates, Your Majesty," the General added quietly.
Adwin drew a slow breath.
"I needed all of them to hear this, but fine..."
Then he unsheathed his blade in one fluid motion.
Crimson aura exploded outward from his body, washing over the courtyard like spilled blood. The air itself seemed to scream.
"MY SOLDIERS!"
His voice boomed, shaking the very stones beneath their feet.
"TODAY YOU WILL SEE THINGS YOU HAVE ONLY HEARD IN NIGHTMARE TALES YOU ONCE TOLD YOUR CHILDREN TO KEEP THEM INDOORS!
TODAY YOU WILL FACE POWERS THAT DWARF YOUR OWN!
BUT I—YOUR KING—WILL STAND IN THE FRONT LINE WITH YOU! I WILL CARVE A PATH THROUGH HELL ITSELF IF I MUST!
AND I WILL LEAD EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU TO VICTORY!
MAY THE GODS WITNESS THIS MOMENT AND WELCOME US INTO THE HEAVEN WITH OPEN HANDS!
BECAUSE NO MAN TODAY WILL DIE WITHOUT RAISING THEIR SWORD AND GIVING IT THEIR ALL!!
TO VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!"
A deafening roar answered him.
Thousands of swords ripped free of their scabbards in perfect unison.
"TO VICTORRYYYYYYYYYYYY!!"
Adwin swung himself onto the royal warhorse without another word.
The warhorse reared once, then surged forward.
Behind him, the sea of steel and crimson banners rolled like an avalanche toward the kingdom gates.
---
Duran Mountains, Southern Entrance
The dust still hung thick in the air, a gray shroud over the blackened crater that used to be forest.
Leon stood at the very edge of Rees's barrier, bare hands loose at his sides, crimson eyes calm behind the white mask as he watched the settling ash.
"Sir..." Rees murmured. "I sense something."
Fruela's finger snapped upward from her perch.
"There. In the smoke."
Dredis's breath caught.
A towering shadow loomed amid the gray veil, four arms, easily twelve feet tall.
"That thing can't be human," Dredis whispered, voice shaking. He reached into his belt and pulled a thin blowpipe, loading a poisoned dart with trembling fingers.
Leon didn't even glance at him.
A faint yellow window flickered in his vision alone.
[Name: Melare]
[Class: Martial Artist]
[Race: Demon]
[Level: 55]
[HP: 780000/780000]
[MP: 5000/5000]
[Description: One of the twelve rulers of the demonic village Juhorn. Born with hyper-regenerative flesh. Mastered the martial arts of a human adventurer after killing him.]
The dust finally parted.
Melare stepped forward.
Half his blue hide was charred black and weeping, the other half still steaming. Rage twisted his fanged face into something demonic.
He raised one clawed finger straight at Leon.
"Were you the one who caused that explosion?"
Leon summoned Nyxter in a single fluid motion. The black blade materialized in his grip, edge shining from the sunlight.
"Assassin," he said lightly, never taking his eyes off Melare, "you can leave now."
Dredis didn't need to be told twice.
"T-Thanks..."
He vanished from the branch like smoke.
Leon tilted his head.
"Yes," he answered simply. "I was the one."
*Fuuuuu—*
Melare's lips peeled back.
"You are dead."
He vanished.
A heartbeat later he reappeared directly behind Leon, four massive fists already hammering forward.
Each punch turned metallic, the air screaming as they tore through sound barrier itself.
Leon disappeared from Melare's vision for exactly one second.
THUD—THUD—THUD—THUD!
Four craters exploded into the scorched earth where Leon had stood.
"Master..." Fruela breathed with a worried expression.
"His head..." Dusk said, already rising to his feet as his eyes focused on Leon completely.
Melare's eyes widened.
"What the—"
A white flash spread across his neck.
Leon reappeared behind the demon, Nyxter's edge dripping vivid blue blood.
*Swish.*
*Thud.*
Melare's head toppled cleanly from his shoulders and rolled across the ash.
"Wow... he died that fast?" Rees asked in low voice.
Enid's voice trembled.
"He's not dead. Master, his head is regenerating—"
A brutal fist exploded from the side toward Leon's face.
"I know," Leon said, smiling as he looked at Enid.
He ducked under the blow without hurry.
The punch whistled past his mask, close enough to stir the air.
*Swish—*
Leon straightened, turning slowly.
Melare already stood whole again—new head sprouting seamlessly from the stump, flesh knitting with sickening wet sounds.
"Well, well..." Leon murmured, smile widening. "Aren't you regenerating fast?"
"Oh... I have seen this before." Rees spoke as he looked at Leon.
"Hmm...? What do you mean ?" Dusk asked with a confused expression.
"Didn't I tell you about the Hob-goblin that sir Leon played with ?" Rees asked in return.
"Yes, what about it ?" Dusk replied.
"Well... He is doing same with the Demon. The movement of sir Leon's body are lazy and slow, he is dodging the attacks slowly on purpose."
"You are telling me that you think master is playing with that demon ?" Dusk asked with a shocked expression.
"I don't think that, I just know he is playing with the Demon." Rees replied.
-x-X-x-
'Ever since I came to this world, I have fought many monsters, and there was a very funny thing about every monster.
They do attacks in the same pattern again and again, like some kind of NPC who keeps repeating the same actions. I don't know how, but I understand it every time I fight a monster, and once I understand it... I like to play with it a little.'
Leon thought as he stepped in front of Melare and looked at him with a mocking smile.
"You—"
Before Melare could complete his sentence, he disappeared from his position.
'Now he will appear behind me and try to punch me from all four sides with his metal punches.'
Leon thought with a smile as he felt Melare reappearing behind him.
'...And I will just use my skill. Since my skill Blind Spot has already bumped up two ranks, it feels good to use.'
---
[Name: Blind Spot]
[Rank: D]
[Description: Turns the user invisible for exactly one second. If the user is within a 3-meter range of the opponent, the user will be teleported behind the opponent.
The skill can be re-cast, but with every usage, mana consumption increases by +5 MP and cooldown increases by 30 seconds.]
---
"DIEEEEEE...!" Melare shouted as his fists turned into metal once again and slammed down at Leon with full force.
*Swish*
Leon disappeared from his spot and reappeared directly behind Melare.
'That's his first move... Now he will turn around and give me a side punch.'
Leon thought with a smile as he ducked to the side without even looking at the punch.
*Swish*
Melare threw the side punch exactly as Leon predicted, but it missed.
"Is that all you have?" Leon asked with a smile.
"YOUUUUUU... FINE! I WILL SHOW YOU MY TECHNIQUE BEFORE KILLING YOU!"
Melare shouted in rage as he immediately formed a lotus-like hand seal with all four of his hands.
"Oh shit... it's a domain technique," Rees spoke with a serious expression as he immediately tried to counter the spell—but it had already taken effect.
As soon as the skill activated, everything around them changed into a huge dirty pond with thousands of lotus flowers floating over it.
"W-What kind of technique is this?" Fruela shouted as the tree beneath her feet disappeared and she fell into the pond.
"These things... why are they sticking to my legs?" Dusk asked as he quickly moved away from the lotus flowers closing in on him from every direction.
'A demonic art... It's a fucking demonic art.' Enid thought as her expression turned grim.
"If you stay angry or think about violence, even in your mind, these lotus flowers will cover you completely and choke you to death."
She immediately plunged her nails into her right arm and let her blood drip into the pond.
The moment her blood touched the dirty water, all the lotus flowers around them began to wither and die.
"How did you do that?" Dusk asked with a confused expression.
"I have poison mixed in my blood," Enid replied seriously. "I can activate it at will and kill anything that breathes."
"That's not a good ability for monsters who eat demons," Rees muttered as he looked at her.
"Look..." Dusk suddenly spoke, pointing his claw towards Leon.
...
The lotus flowers were crawling all over Leon's body, covering him from every side in thick layers.
Yet, he stood completely still, doing nothing to resist.
"The more you think about killing me, the more you'll be restrained by these flowers. Once they cover your entire body, it's impossible to escape.
You can try to run, but you cannot outrun my domain... Hahahahaha! Why aren't you saying anything now ? Scared ?"
Melare asked with a wide grin.
'My lower body is completely covered in these lotus flowers. Just like he said, I can't move my legs even a bit. It's like I'm trapped inside an extremely tight plaster.' Leon thought calmly.
'Well... it's a good thing I made this skill while waiting for Dusk.'
A screen popped up in front of him.
---
[Name: Multiple Control]
[Rank: D]
[Description:
When activated, this skill taps into a portion of the user's unconscious mind, establishing independent connections with each {Mana Thread}.
Through this link and the support of {Sixth Sense}, the threads automatically move to protect the user from any detected danger.
When the user is actively focusing, the threads follow his precise will and intent.
When the user's attention is elsewhere, the threads operate purely on instinct, reacting with split-second movements based on {Sixth Sense} warnings.]
---
'Turns out I can also write bigger and more specific descriptions now. It'll be fun to make skills after this.'
Leon thought as a smirk spread across his face.
'Did he just smile...?'
Melare thought as his expression hardened.
As soon as Leon activated the skill, all the blades of Nyxter separated and began floating in a circle around him.
Slowly, their momentum increased.
Within seconds, their speed became so fast that a visible black ring formed around Leon's body.
Leon raised his hand—and slowly brought it down.
The ring of blades descended with it, shredding and annihilating every flower and vine wrapped around his body.
"Woah..." Enid muttered.
"Master has really gained terrifying control over those blades," Dusk said with a smile.
"Hm... let's try this."
Leon raised his hand again and twisted it to the right.
Instantly, the blades began whirling around him from every direction at an absurd speed, forming a rotating barrier so dense that even air struggled to pass through.
Every lotus flower that approached was obliterated instantly.
Leon began walking toward Melare.
With every step, his bloodlust grew.
More and more flowers rushed at him—but not a single one broke through the blade shield.
"H-How are you doing that?" Melare asked, panic creeping into his voice.
"I'm closing the distance," Leon replied with a bloodthirsty smirk.
"And since you're still holding your hand seals, that means your domain restricts your body movements."
Leon removed his mask and stored it inside his inventory.
"So... I am going to kill you now."
"D-Don't come near me..." Melare spoke with a hesitant expression as he looked at Leon.
"Oh, I am coming for you... Better get ready to die," Leon replied with a twisted smirk as he continued walking toward Melare.
'There is something wrong. He is not cancelling his domain. Even though he knows I'm close to killing him... why hasn't he cancelled it ?' Leon thought as he kept closing the distance while keeping his guard up.
...And then he felt it.
The aura around Melare suddenly changed—and so did his hand seal.
The moment the Demon Art activated, the pond beneath Leon's feet began pulling him down.
The whirling blades of Nyxter stopped instantly as they too became stuck inside the pond.
"What will you do now ?" Melare spoke with a wide smile.
"The more you try to get out, the more it will pull you in. If you use even a shred of mana, it'll drag you down even faster.
So... take your next step very carefully." He explained while looking at Leon with a grin.
"Haha... my body is continuously using mana, you stupid demon." Leon replied calmly.
"So that's as fast as this puddle can pull me down." Leon spoke with a smile as he casually walked over the surface of the puddle.
"N-No... way! H-How are you doing that ?!" Melare's voice trembled as he stared at Leon with a shocked expression.
'The puddle can only suck in things using their own weight and gravity. Since I activated this skill before the fight even began, I already have a hundred stacks.
My weight is equal to air now. It can't pull me in.' Leon thought as a smirk spread across his face.
"H-How is this even possible? That shouldn't be possible, no matter what spell you use, the puddle should pull you down." Melare muttered, his expression twisted with even more shock.
"Haa... I want to kill you right now," Leon said calmly.
"But I know you can't be killed here. Your regeneration is already high—and once you activate this skill, it increases tenfold.
Killing you inside your domain is nearly impossible."
"How do you even know that?" Melare asked stiffly.
"You see that girl standing over there?" Leon replied, pointing toward Enid.
"She told me everything about you guys."
Melare followed his finger.
The moment he recognized her face, his eyes widened in fear.
"Mistress of Night... Madam Enid. W-What is she doing here ?"
*Swish*
A white flash crossed Melare's throat.
*Thud*
His head fell into the pond.
But before Leon could even blink, another head regenerated.
'As I thought... Even Blade of Artimes won't work against his hyper regeneration in the domain.' Leon turned and looked at Rees.
He then raised his hand slightly and did a gesture.
---
30 minutes ago...
"So you're saying that inside his domain, even if he's standing still... it's impossible to kill him because of his regeneration?" Leon asked Enid.
"That's why I'm worried, Master," Enid replied grimly.
"Melare is not an ordinary demon. He was one of the strongest—someone who was about to be promoted to a General."
"He'll run out of mana eventually, right ?" Leon asked calmly.
"How long can he maintain the domain?"
"That's the problem," Enid replied.
"His domain doesn't consume mana. He manipulates ambient mana using his arts and sustains it."
"Sir Leon... I can deal with his domain," Rees spoke quietly.
"What will you do?" Leon asked.
...
---
Present time...
"Hm... very well then," Rees said softly.
He raised his wand and gripped it with both hands.
"ALREMORE HUNTROS SURLOCOUS HULIKINAMA... ACTIVASAROS."
Rees slammed his wand into the ground.
"What are you doing?" Dusk asked seriously.
"A forbidden art..." Enid whispered, her eyes widening. "He's going to overwrite the domain."
She immediately stopped her blood from dripping.
Silence fell.
Crack—Crack—Crack—Crack
Cracks spread across Melare's domain.
"N-No... What is happening?! W-What have you—"
CRACKKKKKKKKKKKK
The domain shattered.
Instead of sunlight, red moonlight poured down.
Graves erupted from the ground.
A horrifying graveyard swallowed everything.
"Nothing is more powerful than death," Rees said calmly. "Sensory Blocker."
He twisted his wand.
Melare's eyes turned white.
His hearing vanished.
His breathing stopped.
Taste disappeared.
His skin felt nothing.
"You can't regenerate if your mind doesn't know where it hurts," Leon said coldly.
"With all your senses gone, you're just a sitting chicken."
Leon raised his sword.
Swish—Swish
Melare's head flew cleanly from his shoulders and it didn't regenerate this time.
*Thud*
Rees twisted his wand again.
Thousands of black ropes burst from the ground and dragged Melare's body beneath the earth.
"Dispel," Rees said.
The domain vanished.
"Well... I have to say," Leon said with a smile as he looked at Enid, "He wasn't that strong after all."
"Master... thousands of men are coming this way," Dusk said as he reappeared.
"I see."
Leon pulled out his mask and placed it back on his face.
---
Hidden Demonic village, inside a dark room...
Regoris is sitting down on one knee, his forehead completely covered in sweat and fear completely visible on his face.
In front him stood a towering figure, only his four green eyes shining in the dark.
"How ?"
"I-I don't know, Brothe-"
Swish
Thud
Before Regoris could've completed his sentence, his head was severed from his body.
"Wrong answer."
In just a few seconds Regoris' head was regenerated.
"I-I was standing on the-"
Swish
Thud
"Wrong again."
Once again Regoris' second head fell down on the ground but as soon as the third head was generated, he placed his forehead against the floor with his whole body shivering from fear.
"Enid Snetz, A human, a black elf, a lich and some kind of black beast. But the human was enough to kill him... He played with Melare before killing him. He can also use short range teleportation." Regoris replied with a scared tone.
"A human... Who killed one of my most powerful Demon. Hmm... Let's go and meet him."
-x-X-x-
*Step-step-step-step-step*
The Royal Cavalry is standing a few kilometres away from the duran mountain's entrance.
Two royal mages are standing in front of the army and talking to each other with confused expressions.
"What's wrong ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression as he looked at the Royal mages.
"Your majesty... This magical barrier is very strong. I think we have to sacrifice artifacts to breakthrough it." One of the mage replied with a neutral expression.
"Yes, your majesty." the other mage nodded as he bowed down to Adwin.
"Then sacrifice it... Why are you waiting ?" Adwin asked with a serious expression.
"Y-Yes your majesty." The royal mages spoke with a hesitated expression as they immediately walked away from Adwin.
"You have to sacrifice the locket."
"Why me ? Your artifact is even weaker than me... You sacrifice it."
"My locket is C-rank and your ring is also C-rank... So both of our artifacts are of same rank."
"My locket summons a familiar and your ring in only a spatial-"
*Creeeeeeaaak*
Suddenly three carriages stopped right next to Adwin's horse.
*Click*
The gates opened up and Ruben walked out, he slowly bowed down to Adwin and greeted him.
"Your Majesty."
"Looks like we are a little bit late." Gris spoke with a smile as he also exited the carriage and bowed down slightly to Adwin.
"I geet my king."
"Hello, Gris... I heard you were coming with Dreulis ? Where is he ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression as he looked inside the carriage and noticed that it was empty.
"Yeah... He saw some wierd flower in the middle of the forest and disappeared from the carriage." Gris replied with a neutral expression.
"Well... If you won't let him out of that tower that's going to happen." Adwin replied with a smile.
"We can't stop him even if we want to. He is free to move out anytime he wants." Gris replied with a smrik.
"Umm... Your majesty, why are we stopping here ?" Ruben asked with a confused expression as he looked at Adwin.
"There is a powerful barrier covering the whole valley and the royal mages are working on how to break it." Adwin replied with a neutral expression as he pointed towards the invisible barrier.
"A barrier ?" Gris asked with a confused expression as he immediately walked upto the barrier and placed his hand against the barrier.
His hand stopped mid-air as he felt the powerful invisible force pushing against his palm.
"Hmm... It's not a weak barrier but also not very strong one. This barrier will need artifact sacrifice and-" Before Gris could've completed his sentence, a bony hand appeared over his shoulder.
"It won't..." As soon as Gris heard the plain voice, a smile appeared over his face.
"Did you check out that flower of yours ?" Gris asked with a smile as he turned around and noticed that Dreulis was standing right behind him.
"Yes, I did... It was a normal Guonlud flower, nothing much but this right here is something beautiful." Dreulis replied as he walked upto the barrier and touched it with his boney hand and suddenly the blue flames floating in his eyes, started glowing brighter.
"What do you think ?" Adwin asked from behind as he stepped down from his horse and walked upto Dreulis.
"This barrier... It's undead magic. There is another lich here who casted this barrier. Intresting, very interesting." Dreulis spoke with a serious tone as he opened his bony hand and closed it again.
But before his hand could've closed completely, a staff appeared in between it.
The staff was big, it's lower part was made from a white wood, middle part was made out of a brown wood and on the top it had a black crystal ball.
"Let's see... If I can reverse this barrier using the same spell. Hehehehe..." Dreulis spoke as he started laughing like a creep and placed the tip of the crystal ball against the barrier.
"HELIOS..."
Inside the Valley,
Leon is sitting on the same tree stump with a neutral expression under the mask as he continued to stare at Melare's decapitated head.
Rees and Enid were standing right next to him. It was as if they were all waiting for someone or something.
Dusk was lying lazily on the ground and looking around.
Fruela is sitting on the top of a big tree and looking around for any movements.
"Are you sure he is going to come ?" Leon asked with a confused expression as he looked at Enid.
"I am pretty sure he might be on his way to-" Before Enid could've completed his sentence, Rees interrupted.
"Master.... Something is not right." He spoke in a very serious tone as he looked up.
"What ?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"Someone is trying to break my barrier and it's not a normal mage, it's not even a Royal mage." Rees spoke as his grip tightened around his staff.
"Then what is it ?" Leon asked with a serious expression as he stood up from the stump.
"An undead... A lich like me, but older and wiser. He is completely reversing the spell and turning it into a null spell to remove the barrier.
I can only hold the barrier for a few more minutes, after that it's impossible." Rees explained as he poured more mana into the staff.
"Let it go... Remove the barrier." Leon ordered with a neutral tone as a smirk spread across his face.
"What !?" Enid asked with a confused and shocked expression.
"As you command, Sir." Rees replied as he immediately picked picked his wand off the ground and the barrier disappeared immediately.
"Why did you remove the barrier master ?" Dusk asked with a confused expression as he looked at Leon.
"Your question will be answered shortly." Leon replied with a smile.
...
Valley's entrance,
*SWISH*
"Hmm...? The barrier is broken." One of the Royal mage spoke as he raised his hand and noticed that the barrier was gone.
"Your majesty, the barrier is gone."
"Very good, Dreulis. EVERYONE MARCH FORWARD." Adwin shouted loudly as the armies followed his orders and started marching behind him immediately.
"You didn't break it, did you ?" Gris asked with a smile as he walked upto Dreulis.
"No." Dreulis replied in a heavy voice.
"Looks like whoever built this barrier wanted to keep something inside. Well, this is going to be fun." Gris replied as he started walking towards the carriage.
"Very well... You have my attention." Dreulis spoke in a low voice as the blue flames in his eyes flickered even more.
-x-X-x-
As Adwin rided forward and reached the middle of the valley, he noticed a tree stump—
Perfectly cut down by magic.
"HALT." Adwin shouted as he raised his fist into the air. Everyone immediately stopped behind him.
The generals also raised their hands and the armies halted all at once.
*Swish*
Dreulis appeared beside the stump and placed his bony hand over it.
"He was here..." he spoke in a low voice.
"Who? The undead you were talking about?" Gris asked, confusion written all over his face.
"No. No. No..." Dreulis shook his head slowly.
"That undead isn't acting on his own. Someone stronger is with him. Someone who is ordering him around."
He paused.
"I can sense his aura."
The purple middle ring on his finger glowed, releasing an invisible wave of mana across the valley.
"He's near... but I can't pinpoint his exact location. It's like he's using some kind of—"
"Spell to hide." A calm voice suddenly came from above.
Everyone snapped their heads upward.
Leon was hanging upside down from the branch of a massive tree, his legs wrapped around it casually.
His red eyes staring at Dreulis through the mask.
"Sir, Michael Jackson... is that you?" Adwin asked as he immediately dismounted from his horse.
Leon let go of the branch.
His body began falling—but due to the zero weight surrounding him, he summoned Nyxter and forcefully regained mass.
*Thud*
As soon as he landed, Leon walked straight toward Adwin.
"Hm...?" Dreulis stared at him, the flames in his eyes flickering once again.
'It's him.'
"Hello... Adwin," Leon said neutrally.
'His aura... it has changed. I can feel his bloodlust. Just like Dredis said.' Adwin thought as he smiled and raised his hand.
"How are you?" he asked.
Leon shook his hand and met his gaze.
"I'm good. Just blew up half of this valley. Sorry for the damage."
"Yeah, I heard that from Dredis and you don't have to say sorry, we are both kings. What happened exactly ?" Adwin asked calmly.
"I did a little research after that little meeting of yours," Leon replied, folding his hands behind his back.
"And I found out there aren't only twelve demons in this forest." He explained and took a small pause.
"I don't think... I follow, are you saying there are more than twelve." Adwin said, his smile stiffening.
"There's an entire demon village hidden inside this forest." Leon replied with a neutral expression as he looked at Adwin.
"What !? A whole village ?" Adwin exclaimed.
"Sir Michael Jackson is telling the truth, Your Majesty," Gris said seriously. "We discovered the same thing using advanced magic."
"And you're telling me this now?" Adwin turned sharply toward him, a pressuring aura leaking from his body. He was clearly angry.
"I—I wasn't completely sure of the results, Your Majesty. I couldn't present unconfirmed information," Gris replied hesitantly.
Leon interrupted.
"Here's a little gift for you."
He opened his inventory and pulled out a severed head.
"Catch." Leon spoke as he threw the head of Melare towards Ruben.
*Catch*
Ruben caught it—then immediately dropped it, terror flooding his face.
*Thud*
"Who is that ?" Adwin asked.
"One of the twelve demons ruling that village," Leon replied indifferently.
"His name was Melare. He wasn't that hard to kill." He explained.
"You killed one of the twelve rulers... alone ?" Dreulis asked, staring at Leon.
"So you're the undead who was trying to breach the barrier," Leon said, looking at him with a tilted neck.
[Name: Dreulis]
[Class: Lich]
[Race: Undead]
[Level: 399]
[HP: -/-]
[MP: -/-]
[Description: Dreulis turned into a lich after being betrayed by his beloved wife and her lover. On the verge of death, he made a contract with an unknown god in exchange for forbidden knowledge and an unknown favor.]
'His level is insane... I can't even see his mana or HP,' Leon thought with a serious expression.
"Where is your lich ?" Dreulis asked as he looked at Leon. "I want to meet him, if you are done assessing me."
"Rees," Leon said quietly as he raised his hand gestured with his fingers.
*Swish*
Rees appeared out of thin air and bowed.
"Sir."
"Short-range teleportation ? Huh ?" Dreulis muttered as he approached him.
"It's basic for liches," Rees replied calmly.
"Our bodies are only bones. Teleportation is easier for the undead when compared to living beings."
"Hm. You know your spells and everything about their working, good." Dreulis nodded.
"How long has it been ?" He asked as he noticed the small incantation over Rees' bones.
"Over a century... I believe I'm in the middle of another one." Rees replied as he looked at Dreulis.
"Well—" Before Dreulis said anything else, he suddenly turned toward the empty field behind him.
"You sense it too, don't you ?" He spoke in a low voice.
"Master..." Rees spoke as he immediately turned around to look at Leon.
Leon smiled faintly under his mask.
"Looks like our guests are here." He spoke outloud.
Figures began closing in from the distance.
"Demons..." Adwin muttered, unsheathing his sword as he stepped beside Leon.
"Master... Would you like me to asses their weapons from close ?" Fruela asked with a neutral expression from above.
"No." Leon replied as a smile spread across his face.
"There are eleven of them," Gris said, raising his wand. "Each one is extremely powerful."
"Would you mind covering your ears ?" Leon asked Adwin.
"What ? Why ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression.
"Well... We will have to welcome our guests properly." Leon replied.
Rees casted the spell instantly.
A massive wall of invisible mana formed in front of Leon and Adwin.
"What are you—" Dreulis began—
"I always love this part." Leon turned slightly, a wide grin forming beneath his mask.
"Kaboom."
Two blinding white lines erupted from beneath the demons.
Then—
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
Two huge explosions took place inside the Duran valley and they shook the whole human kingdom itself.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression as he looked if he looked at Leon.
"I call it... The Blow up."
'Whenever an explosive magic spell is casted, mana is captured into the air as mana pattern. Those patterns can be analysed and found out what kind of spell has been used to cause the explosion.
But... This guy, he has so many passive skills active around his body and yet, I can't possibly find out what each one of them does.
It's as if... He is inventing his own spells. I can't even nullify those spells without knowing their patterns. If I have to say it frankly... He is my natural enemy and an ideal test subject at the same time.' Dreulis thought as he looked at Leon and thousands of thoughts popped up in his head.
"Don't think too much about sir, Leon. The more you get to know him the more mysterious he turns out to be." Rees spoke as he walked behind Leon and started chanting.
"What ?" Dreulis asked as he couldn't understand what Rees meant by that.
"Master... All of them are carrying magical weapons." Fruela informed from above.
"Obviously they are... They are fucking demons and I don't know how they are still alive, even after that explosion." Adwin spoke as he holded the hilt of his sword tight and continued to stare at the shadows standing in the dust that was settling down slowly.
"Hyper regeneration." Leon replied with a calm smile.
As soon as the dust settled down, a Demon with green coloured skin came in view.
Two vertically rotated pitch black eyes staring directly into Leon's eyes, his upper clothes were completely torn off by the explosion.
His body was lean and muscular at the same time with vines popping out from every single muscle.
Leon used his skill on him without wasting another second.
[Name: Merlin]
[Class: Aura Master]
[Race: Demon]
[Level: 137]
[HP: 3000000/3000000]
[MP: 1500000/1500000]
[Title: {Dark Knight} {Last Stander}]
[Description: Merlin is one of most strongest Aura master in the Demon kingdom. He can manipulate mana around him to kill his enemies and once he activates his sacred treasure... Killing him becomes nearly impossible.]
'A demon with two fucking titles... Oh this is going to be fun.' Leon thought as a smile appeared over his face.
"I take it that you are the one who killed one of my brother Melare ?" Merlin asked as he raised his hand and pointed towards Leon.
"Didn't the red one tell you already ? I saw him watching the whole show from a distance." Leon replied as he took a step forward.
"Michael... Be careful." Adwin spoke with a serious expression.
"There are so many swords behind you and there are 10 of us here, now that's not fair is it ?" A black demon spoke from behind with an evil smile on his face.
"How about we make a deal ?" Merlin spoke as he took a step forward and raised his hand towards Leon.
*Slice*
Suddenly a cut appeared over his middle finger and a drop of blood fell down onto the ground.
As soon as the blood was dropped on the ground, a huge red magic circle covered the ground.
But as soon as the circle expanded upto Dreulis, he raised his wand and tapped it onto the ground.
*CRACK*
As soon as his wand touched the ground, the magic circle broke immediately... All the demons immediately started at Dreulis with shocked expressions.
"I am sorry... But I don't like to get involved in a pact without my permission and I won't warn you lowly creatures again, so keep your games away from me if you want to live." Dreulis warned as he looked at the demons.
'He can wipe them out... But he is not doing it that means he is not with the humans.' Leon thought with a neutral expression.
"I am sorry, sir. I didn't meant to disrespect you... I will make sure that you won't be included in the pact." Merlin spoke in a very respectful voice as he immediately made another cut on his finger and another drop of his blood fell down on the ground.
This time as the magic red circle expanded, it passed right through Dreulis without touching him.
"This is a demonic pact circle made from the blood of a higher demon, it's for a one on one duel between you and me to death, if you accept it... Drop your blood on it.
But, if you lost... I will gain the right to claim every life standing inside this pact circle." Merlin spoke with a wide smile.
"I will accept that challenge." Adwin spoke as he walked forward.
"Hmm...?" Leon looked at Adwin with a smile.
"I am not purposing the pact to you... I want to fight him and avenge my brother. If anyone other than me and him tried to interfere in this match, their souls will be claimed by vengeful spirits of hell. Do you accept ?" Merlin spoke with a serious expression as he pointed towards Leon.
"What if I don't ?" Leon asked with a neutral expression.
"If you don't accept the pact... All of us will do everything in our power to kill you even if that means dying right here today." Merlin spoke with a serious expression as he let out his bloodlust.
*Clink-Clack*
Suddenly, all the demons standing behind him summoned their weapons.
"Why don't you try it ? And I will show you why I am holding this sword in my hands." Adwin spoke with an angry expression as he raised his sword.
"No... I will take care of him." Leon spoke as he walked forward and raised his hand.
"What will I get, if I win ?" Leon asked.
"All of my brothers and sisters standing behind me will cut off their own heads and die as soon as I die." Merlin replied with a serious expression.
"Good enough."
Suddenly one of the Nyxter's blade came flying from the right and made a small cut on his finger.
*Drop*
One of his blood drop fell over the magic circle and it shined brightly red.
"The pact is now sealed. Oh and there is one more thing that I might've forget to tell you, the first one to step out of this pact circle will die within ten seconds... Hehehehe." Merlin spoke with a maniacal smile.
"Well then... Let's start this duel." Merlin spoke with a smile as he raised both of his hands and air started to bend around his hands.
[{Multi-Cast} has been activated]
[{Adrenaline rush} has been activated]
[{Glitch point} has been activated]
...
Suddenly Leon's whole body got covered in a pitch black armour and his eyes also turned completely dark.
*Thud*
The mask on his face fell down to the ground.
"Kill or Die." Leon spoke in a low voice as he raised his hand once again and Nyxter's handle came flying into his hand.
*Grab*
Leon grabbed it tightly as the other blades came flying from different directions and got attached to the handle.
"What kind of sword is that ?" Ruben asked with a confused expression.
"A detachable sword... I have also seen something like this for the very first time and I thought I have used every type of weapon." Adwin spoke with a serious expression as he looked at Leon.
"Aura cut First Form : THOUSAND BLADES." Merlin activated his skill and thousands of invisible blades made out of raw aura moved towards Leon with full speed.
*Tang-Tang-Tang-Tang-Tang*
All thousand blades hitted Leon with full speed but Leon didn't move from his position.
"Hmm... That armour of yours, I like it. I shall have it once you are dead. I will rip it put-" Before Merlin could've completed his sentence, Leon raised his hand.
"Steel web Reflect..."
[250% magic damage will be reflected!!!]
"His bloodlust..." Merlin spoke in a low voice as he felt a high level of threat from Leon all of a sudden.
*Swish*
Suddenly, Leon disappeared from Merlin's sight.
"What ?" Merlin's eyes widened in shock as he immediately felt Leon's presences directly behind him.
*Touch*
Leon placed his middle finger against Merlin's back and spoke.
"Steel web Reflect..."
[250% magic damage will be reflected]
Suddenly, Merlin's whole body started to vibrate violently as blood started spraying everywhere.
"GWAAAHHHHHH..."
"What the-!?"
"How did he-!?"
Ruben and Gris were also left shocked as soon as they saw Leon's spell.
"What spell is that ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression.
"A teleportation spell combined with a reflection spell... The mana to activate the spell was generated from that armour of his." Dreulis replied in a calm tone as he continued to focus on Leon.
After vomiting a mouthful of blood, Merlin's regeneration kicked in and healed his body completely within a split second.
Without wasting another second, he moved away from Leon with full speed.
*Swish*
'What the hell was that ? It felt as if my attack was reflected on me with double the strength. I knew that he can teleport but how is he teleporting so fast ?' Merlin thought with a serious expression as he looked at Leon.
"I didn't even use my sword and you are already running away ?" Leon asked in a mocking tone as he looked at Merlin.
"Y-You..." Merlin spoke as he raised his hands once again and suddenly two shining red swords appeared in his hands.
Merlin immediately plunged both of the swords into his own hearts.
*BOOOOOOOOOM*
Suddenly a wave of bloodlust was released from Merlin's body as he turned completely red and his eyes started shining brightly golden.
"He sacrificed his own hearts to complete the ritual." Enid spoke with a serious expression as her eyes widened in shock.
"My My... Looks like it's time to take this thing seriously." Leon spoke as a smirk spread across his face.
"What do you know about this ritual little demon girl ?" Dreulis asked as he turned to look at Enid.
"What !?" Ruben asked with a shocked expression as he looked at Dreulis.
"A demon ?" Gris asked as he immediately turned around and looked at Enid.
"She is a demon ?" Adwin asked with a serious expression as he tightened his grip on his sword.
But before Enid could've replied, Dusk stepped in front of her. His eyes staring at Adwin with a deadly bloodlust.
"Don't even try to touch her or master will turn you and this whole kingdom into asesh." Dusk spoke in a heavy voice.
Adwin immediately took one step back as he looked at Dusk and lowered his sword.
"Very well... If she is sir Michael's slave then I have no problem." Adwin replied with a neutral expression.
"Good..." Dusk replied as he slowly walked away from Enid.
"You were telling us about the ritual." Dreulis spoke in a low voice.
"Ah yes... Blood hounds is the only sword art that can be used by aura masters. But it's a forbidden spell since it requires sacrifice of two hearts.
Now it doesn't matter who those hearts belong to and since demons have six hearts, Merlin sacrificed two of his own hearts to kill master.
Once the sacrifice is completed, the user will achieve incredible physical powers and a magical insight that can show him two seconds into the future." Enid explained with a neutral expression.
"A sacrificial forbidden spell that can grant enormous powers and future insights. I believe there is a huge backlash in the spell." Dreulis asked.
"The spell will only remain active for three minutes if a life is not taken by the swords in that time... The swords will take over the user and use him until he is exhausted." Enid replied.
"The backlash of possession. Looks like demons are desperate to win this time... sacrificing their souls and bodies in order to defeat a human is crazy." Dreulis spoke as he immediately looked at Leon and noticed something strange about his sword.
Leon placed his middle finger over the edge of Nyxter and slided it towards the other side.
As soon as he activated the skill, the flames in Dreulis' eyes glowed brightly.
'That spell... I have seen it before. It's not from this realm. Don't tell me... did he pass that trial ?' Dreulis thought as his curiosity continued to grow more and more.
-x-X-x-
"Let's get this party started for real..." Leon spoke with a smile—and in the next instant, a massive wave of bloodlust exploded out of his body.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
"I AM GOING TO KILLLLLL YOUUUUUUUUUU!" Merlin roared as he vanished from his position and reappeared right in front of Leon, both swords thrust straight toward his eyes.
[Name: Loose Grip]
[Rank: D]
[Description: Once used, the opponent's grip will automatically slip on their weapon, with a 75% chance to inflict {Paralysis} for one second.]
[Cooldown: 10 seconds]
[Mana: 80 mana]
In the next moment, both swords slipped from Merlin's hands and crashed onto the ground.
*Tang—Tang*
"What the—" Before Merlin could finish his sentence, his body froze mid-air.
'This is impossible... How can a mere human use paralysis powerful enough to affect me? And how did my blades slip out of my hands?' Merlin thought—only to see Leon's blade tearing in from the right at full speed.
"Die." Leon spoke with a smile as he brought his sword towards Merlin's neck with full speed.
"Brother... USE IT! HIS BLADE IS ENCHANTED WITH REGENERATION NEGLECTING SPELL." Regoris shouted from behind with a worried expression and wide eyes.
'I didn't wanted to use it this fast into the fight but if this is what it has come down to.' Merlin thought with a serious expression as he closed his eyes.
*SWIIIIISSHHHHHHH*
*Tang*
An unknown energy instantly wrapped around Merlin's body, forming a force field that effortlessly deflected Leon's sword.
'What the fuck—!?' Leon thought as his eyes widened in shock.
*Thud*
"You are dead now," Merlin said coldly as he landed on the ground, immediately retrieving both of his swords.
Merlin whirled the swords in his hands and immediately tightened his grip on their handles.
*SWISH*
Without wasting another second he thrusted them towards Leon's heart from below
Leon activated the skill and vanished once again—reappearing right behind Merlin.
"Not this time..." Merlin muttered as he spun around at full speed, his blades ripping through the air itself.
'The blades are coming from behind. I can sense them, but I can't dodge... My feet aren't even on the ground. No matter how I move in mid-air, I'll lose a limb.
"That attack... It can't be dodged that easily." Adwin spoke with a serious expression.
'If it's come to this... I'll sacrifice my left hand and reattach it with pain recovery since I—'
Before Leon could finish the thought, he felt something wrap around his entire body—something invisible.
*Swish*
'How is that even possible? How can he react this fast—mid-air? Just how strong is this opponent?' Merlin thought as he watched Leon's body rotate a full 180 degrees in mid-air.
"Did he just turn his body mid-air without using any magic?" Ruben asked, stunned.
"Woah... how did Master do that?" Dusk muttered, eyes wide as he stared at Leon.
*Step*
The moment Leon's feet touched the ground, he noticed Merlin was no longer where he had been a second ago.
24 minutes ago...
"Master... Merlin is ruthless. He will do anything to kill you—even sacrifice himself if that's what it takes.
He will use his Demon Art: Absolute Aura Field. I'm one hundred percent sure. Once activated, it's impossible to touch him for ten minutes. But after those ten minutes... he'll be extremely weak," Enid explained calmly.
"So I just dodge his attacks for ten minutes and kill him afterward," Leon replied neutrally.
"It's not that simple, Master. During those ten minutes, Merlin will throw away every part of himself just to kill you.
How do I explain this... He accepts death—but he will never bow. He'll sacrifice everything just to prove he's stronger," Enid said seriously.
"Very well then... it's time he accepts death," Leon said with a smile.
Present Time...
"DIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Merlin screamed as he descended from behind, both blades crashing down from above.
"He can't dodge that... I have to step in." Adwin said, fear flashing in his widened eyes as he immediately started walking towards Leon.
"Oh, he will," Dreulis replied with a chuckle.
'He's laughing?' Gris thought, stunned, as he turned back toward Leon.
*Swish*
Leon's entire body suddenly shifted to the right in one smooth motion.
He didn't move his legs.
He didn't move a single limb.
It was as if some external force dragged him aside.
THUD
Merlin's blades smashed into the ground, and a wide smirk spread across Leon's face.
'The mana threads... They're protecting me because of
The moment Merlin saw that, his eyes went bloodshot. White foam spilled from his mouth as rage consumed him.
"YOU DARE DISRESPECT MEEEEEEE!!!!!" Merlin roared, veins bulging across his body.
"You're just too easy to fight, are you even a real demon ?" Leon taunted calmly, smiling.
Merlin immediately joined his hands and made a hand seal that looked like a drop symbol.
As soon as he used the technique, his legs got covered in a black flame.
"Death's Walk... one of the finest footwork spells a demon can use—completely silent and it also boosts his speed." Enid muttered grimly.
"Why would Master close his eyes in a fight like this?" Dusk asked, turning to Rees.
"I—I don't know... I really don't understand how sir Leon fights," Rees admitted.
Swish
Merlin vanished into a black shadow and reappeared directly behind Leon. Instead of striking immediately, he held both swords diagonally and charged forward at full speed.
Leon stood perfectly still—listening.
Suddenly, He felt his upper body pulled back and his lower body pushed forward by invisible mana threads.
'As long as I have these mana threads protecting me... I am almost invincible in a one vs one duel.' Leon thought with a wide smile.
SWISH—SWISH—SWISH—SWISH—SWISH—SWISH—SWISH—SWISH
No matter how Merlin attacked—no matter the angle, speed, or direction—the mana threads twisted Leon's body just enough to save him every single time.
*SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWISH*
Merlin moved his blades incredibly fast but no matter how fast his blades moved, none of them touched Leon.
Leon danced in between his blades and dodged them effortlessly.
Suddenly, Merlin stopped and looked at Leon with an angry expression.
"What ?" Leon asked as he opened his eyes and looked at Merlin with a smile.
"Are you just going to dodge the attacks ? Or are you going to attack as well ?" Merlin asked with a confused expression.
"Well, I will just focus on dodging for now. Until that forbidden technique of yours is going to take over you and destroy you completely." Leon spoke with a smile as he looked at Merlin.
"How do you know about-" Before Merlin could've completed his sentence he turned around and looked at Enid.
"Heh." Enid looked at him with a knowing smirk.
"You backstabbing bitch. You told him about the Demon arts ?" Merlin asked with a serious expression.
"What are you going to do about it ?" Enid asked with a smile as she looked at Merlin.
"Tch... Fuck this. If it has already come down to this, I will go all in one this." Merlin spoke as he immediately raised one of the blades and severed his hand.
"Hmm...?" Leon looked at him with a confused expression.
"Oh shit... MASTER STOP HIM HE IS GOING TO DO THE POSSESSION RITUAL." Enid shouted loudly.
"What's that ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression.
"A possession ritual is something that can summon the demonic elder's soul from the depths of hell.
It's like calling your father's father's soul to posses your body and helping you in a battle, but the cost to do so will also be very high." Dreulis spoke in a neutral tone as he turned to look at Adwin.
"What is the cost of the ritual ?" Adwin asked with a confused expression.
"Well the cost to summon a soul from the hell means your soul will have to replace it and once the possession is done, the demon elder's soul will posses Merlin's body." Enid interrupted in between with panicked expression.
"The demon girl is right... Since Merlin is already risking possession by the swords he would rather use this ritual as well then to admit defeat in front of him." Dreulis replied.
"Does that mean that the sword spirit and the elder demon's soul, both will possess his body ?" Ruben asked with a confused expression.
"No the an elder demon's soul will easily over power the sword spirit and that kid doesn't have enough to stop the demon since he already has the summoning circle on his hand, all he needed to do was to cut off his hand and sacrifice it." Dreulis replied.
"WITH THIS SACRIFICE OF MY SOUL... I SUMMON THE FINEST OF MY BLOODLINE. GREAT DEMON GENERAL RAG-AL-WILKAR.
SHALL YOU POSSESS MY BODY AND END MY OPPONENT." Merlin shouted as a glow erupted from the summoning tatoo that was made over his hand.
"Oh no. He summoned Ragal." Enid spoke with a serious expression.
"Who is Ragal ?" Gris asked with a confused expression.
"Ragal was one of the finest demon that this race ever produced and when I say the finest... I mean it. He was one of the greatest sword saint.
They told stories of his feats in the demon kingdom and same stories to put human children to sleep. It is said that Ragal once killed an army of ten thousand humans with a half broken sword.
Can you imagine the power that demon had ?" Dreulis spoke as his tone changed to serious.
*THUD*
Suddenly Merlin's body dropped down lifeless on the ground.
"Should I kill him now ?" Leon asked as he started walking towards Merlin's unconscious body.
*Step-step-step-step-step*
'I know that I shouldn't try this... But I will still try to kill him while his body is unconscious. Can not miss the golden opportunity.' Leon thought as he raised his sword and coiled it back.
*SWISH*
With full speed Leon brought the sword down on Merlin's neck.
*Catch*
"Fuck..." Leon spoke as he detached the last blade from Nyxter and immediately maintained distance from Merlin's body.
*Step*
"Haaaaa... Who woke me up after so many years ?" Suddenly his voice changed completely as he stood up from the ground.
There were craks on his face and a red glow was leaking out of the cracks. His eyes turned completely black and there was raw bloodlust in them.
"Hmm...? Looks like I have been summoned back to the mortal world and what the fuck is wrong with this body ?
So unworthy that it can't even properly keep my soul energy inside it. Oh... Blood Hound Blades." Ragal spoke as he picked up both of blades and started staring at them with a smile.
"It's been a while since I used these blades..." Ragal spoke as he holded the blades in a X pattern and swinged them towards Leon from a distance.
*SWISH-SWISH*
"Oh my god..." Adwin spoke as his eyes widened in shock.
"What ?" Dusk asked with a confused expression.
"That attack... It was I know that, it's called ghastly blades of whistling air. When the sword is swinged with precision and full power, two invisible silent blades are released from the swords and... Look." Adwin spoke as he raised his hand towards Leon.
Leon stood on the other side completely still.
*Cough*
Suddenly he coughed a mouthful of blood as two sharp crimson lines of blood appeared over the steel web armour in a X pattern.
'I couldn't see anything... Not even my sixth sense could detect it and I am pretty sure that my body is sliced into four parts. It's good that I activated pain's recovery in the start of the match and all the wounds are recovering already.
But, I can't fight that thing... He is too powerful for me. Those invisible blades made out of air went through my body so smoothly that I felt pain two seconds after they went through.' Leon thought with a serious expression as he looked at Ragal.
"Hmm...? So you also have regeneration, that's good. I didn't wanted to fight a piece of paper that I can just tear off. Now how many days are you going to take in order to stand up again ?" Ragal asked with a smile.
"I have to step in... He can't fight him all alone." Adwin spoke as he picked up his sword and stepped forward.
"Disrespecting the demonic pact circle of a duel will kill you instantly. So stay back and stop trying to be a hero for one minute." Dreulis' cold voice stopped him in his tracks as he glanced at Adwin.
"Tch... I can't just sit here and watch him die like that." Adwin replied, his expression grim.
"Then don't..." Dreulis said calmly. "Close your eyes. He picked the fight after knowing that there is certain death for one of them."
...
"You are one interesting human..." Ragal's voice carried a strange weight as his sharp gaze locked onto Leon.
"There is something about you that piques my interest. You know full well that you can't even touch me, yet instead of running away, your eyes are still calculating the angles you could attack me from."
Leon's breath was uneven.
'He's too strong... Even the glitch point shows no weakness on his body. One more attack, and I'm sure he'll kill me.' Leon clenched his teeth.
'Fine... if it's already come down to this.'
Without hesitation, he slid his hand into his pocket and tightly grabbed the pocket watch.
"Well then?" Ragal smiled. "Come on, stand up... It's your turn to attack."
"You're stronger than me. I'll admit that."
Leon smiled faintly as he forced himself back onto his feet.
"Hm...?" Ragal tilted his head. "Are you perhaps thinking of surrendering ? Hehehehe."
He chuckled darkly.
'No... I can't let him get close to me. Watch will not be helpful.' Leon thought as his eyes swept to the right and that's when he noticed a wide smile over Enid's face.
"That's futile. You already made a demon contract with the demon I'm currently possessing. Either one of us will have to die in order to honour the pact—and I assure you, it won't be me."
Ragal raised both his hands into the air and let the Bloodhound swords fall to the ground.
*Clang*
"Even if you use all that absurd amount of mana your body is leaking every second... you still won't be able to kill me."
"I know I can't kill you..." Leon said calmly as he took his hand out of his pocket. "But I can always run away."
He turned and sprinted straight toward the pact circle's boundary.
"What!?" Adwin shouted in shock.
"What the fuck?" Gris and Ruben spoke at the same time.
"W-What is Master doing?" Dusk asked anxiously, turning toward Enid. "He knows stepping out of the circle will kill him, right?"
"Master sure does..." Enid replied with a knowing smile, as if she alone understood something no one else did.
"Tch." Dreulis clicked his tongue."Kid turned out to be stupider than I thought."
"You think committing suicide will save you from me?" Ragal snarled as he leapt forward.
"I was summoned to kill you, so I will kill you. No hard feelings human."
But before Ragal could reach him—
Leon stepped out of the pact circle.
"Heheheheh... stupid human." Ragal laughed maniacally as he landed right in front of Leon.
*THUD*
"What the—"
Before Leon could finish, Ragal grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
"I don't even know why I was summoned to kill you." Ragal sneered. "You're just another idiot trying to die. So—any last words before I squish your head and—"
Suddenly, his grip weakened.
*Thud*
Leon dropped to the ground.
Ragal stared at his own trembling hand.
"W-What is happening to me?" His voice shook as he slowly looked up.
His eyes widened in shock.
Leon was staring down at him... wearing a wide, manic smile.
"W-What d-did you do?" Ragal demanded with a serious expression.
"Any last words?" Leon asked softly, smiling.
"Fuck y—"
BOOOOM.
Ragal's body exploded into blinding white light.
Leon squinted.
'I didn't get any experience points.... Is it because the pact circle killed him and not me?' He thought with a confused expression.
"Well, whatever—" He stopped mid-sentence.
A small blue orb of light hovered where Ragal had vanished.
'What's this?'
Leon activated his skill.
---
[Name: Ragal's Soul Fragment]
[Rank: Unknown]
[Description: Ragal's soul fragment can be collected using the skill {Soul Collector}.]
---
'Wait... Nexus, can you hear me?' Leon asked silently.
'I can hear you clearly.' Nexus' voice echoed in his mind.
'You see that soul fragment?'
'Oh... a blue one.' Nexus sounded intrigued.
'You should collect it. I'm sensing a lot of power. If you absorb it, I can use it to strengthen your soul realm.'
'Okay...'
Leon bent down and touched the fragment as he activated his skill.
The blue light vanished instantly.
'I've got it.' Leon waited.
'I'll get to work immediately.' Nexus replied.
'Oh—and since you've obtained your first soul fragment, the skill {Soul Prison} will be available to use in two hours. Be careful who you use it on. I'll explain the rest later.'
'Got it.' Leon thought as he turned around.
Every single person standing behind him was staring at him—faces frozen in shock, confusion, and disbelief.
Leon calmly pulled a white mask from his inventory and placed it over his face. The black steel web armor faded away, concealing his identity once more.
"Where did those demons go?" Leon asked casually, looking at Rees.
"They fled. All of them ran the moment they saw that demon kneeling in front of you, Sir." Rees replied respectfully.
"Well..." Leon smirked beneath the mask. "They are demons after all."
"Sir Michael Jackson..." Adwin stepped forward.
"I have many questions, but I won't ask them now. I have a demon village to deal with, and after that we will have a lo—"
"Ah, right. That demon village." Leon interrupted.
He turned his head towards dusk.
"Dusk?"
"It's done, Master." Dusk nodded.
"Very well, gentlemen." Leon raised both hands to his chest and clapped them together.
"Closing act for today. I call it—How I Blew Up a Village Full of Demons." He spoke with a wide smile under his mask.
"Kaboom."
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
Three massive explosions erupted at the far end of the valley.
...
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
...
[System: Level 50 has been reached.]
[Benefits unlocked.]
[Realm Travel unlocked.]
[Sub-Classes unlocked.]
[Class Change available.]