Before the horrifying scene, countless swarms of demons surged forward, tearing their prey apart with ruthless ferocity.
The blood-soaked battlefield was nauseating, making even the kingdom's strongest Seven Holy Soldiers shudder in fear.
Kyran gripped his weapon tightly, determination blazing in his eyes amidst the fear.
"Fear is useless! Kill them all! We are new warriors, not cowards!" He lunged forward, swinging his sword in a sharp arc that cleaved through the bats charging at him.
"Exactly! Fear won't help us now!" Lyra, beside Kyran, felt a surge of courage.
She slashed continuously, black blood splattering across the ground.
Then she shouted to her trembling friend Aria: "Wake up, Princess! If you don't fight, they'll tear you apart!"
Aria shook but braced herself, swinging her weapon defensively against the onslaught.
"I…I know…" she whispered, her hands trembling.
Meanwhile, Kyran concentrated his magical energy, letting out a roar.
Electricity crackled violently around his body, and a single punch released a bolt of lightning that annihilated the swarm ahead but the effort left him exhausted.
"Damn… these things just won't quit!"
Elsewhere, two other members of Kyran's group had split off. They stood beneath the stone statue of Raegar, the Thunder Guardian.
Soren continued shielding Mira.
After dispatching one swarm, another wave approached. Seeing them about to strike Mira, Soren shouted: "Mira, watch out!"
He swung his sword, cutting down the attackers one by one.
Mira, panicking, fanned a thick, toxic mist to repel the bats.
"Ahhhh! These bugs are terrifying! I'm going to die!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.
On the other side, Damian, Michael, Meverdet, and Lisha from the Dominance Squad were fighting fiercely as well.
As they defeated one wave, more Lesser Demons rose from the ground.
"Damn it! First bats, now Lesser Demons! When will this end?"
"Shut up and fight, you chatterbox!" Michael snapped at Damian, irritated by his constant complaints.
Above them, the High Demon floated nonchalantly in midair, laughing wildly.
"Cry out! Fear me, little humans! Let despair consume you! Your terror is the sweetest offering for Lord Zephyros!"
He raised his head, arms spread wide, as if presenting tribute to his master.
"Zephyros?!" Killan's eyes widened at the mention of the name.
Amid the chaos, a pair of golden eyes observed silently from below, glinting with disdain. A soft, mischievous chuckle echoed.
"Oh my… you really are troublemakers. Look at the chaos you've caused your master to fear… Very well, I suppose I'll have a little fun with you."
At the base of Raegar's statue, Soren remained close to Mira.
"Mira, be careful!" He shouted again, slashing through another wave.
"Ahhh! These disgusting insects, go away!!!" Mira wailed, tears flowing as she fanned the bats away.
Soren quickly rushed to her side, embracing her protectively.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm… I'm terrified… I can't take it anymore!"
Mira clung to him tightly, eyes filled with fear.
Soren's cheeks flushed, but he held her close, voice gentle: "It's okay… I'm here with you…"
Before he could finish, another swarm descended but suddenly, they fell lifelessly to the ground, as if struck by an unseen force.
"W-what… just happened?" Soren stammered.
Mira continued sobbing, clutching Soren even tighter: "Huhu… I'm so scared… Soren, I can't bear it!"
Kyran, from afar, swung his sword in rapid succession, cutting through waves of Lesser Demons.
Worry for his comrades made him glance around constantly. He saw his teammates struggling fiercely.
"Everyone…"
On one side, Lyra and Aria attacked the waves of Lesser Demons in rapid succession. But on the other side…
"Soren, these things are so disgusting! I don't like this!"
"Mira, leave it to me!"
Kyran sighed. Those two… Well, it seemed that with Soren there, he didn't really need to worry about them after all.
However, his attention was drawn to Everen, who was advancing toward the High Demon, lifting his head to the sky and letting out a mysterious, almost playful laugh.
Yet Kyran couldn't hear their exchange, as some unseen barrier blocked the sound.
Everen stared at the self-satisfied High Demon.
"Sigh… why do you enjoy these little games? Don't you get annoyed?"
He said, voice calm: "Did Lambert send you? Interesting… I thought you'd obey me…"
The High Demon, enraged that a mere human insulted its master, thrashed violently.
"You humans… who dares to insult my master?! Silence yourself at once!"
Everen clapped mockingly: "Oh my, such loyalty. Truly, Lambert has a fine subordinate. Indeed, like master, like servant."
The High Demon roared, furious, and lunged at Everen. But as he prepared to strike, a sudden flash of light appeared.
A sword shimmered across the air, separating them both.
Kyran had arrived, standing resolute below.
What… was happening?!
Kyran charged, striking the High Demon with relentless force.
"What?!" Everen frowned, astonished.
A human dared intervene between him and the High Demon? Was he suicidal?
Kyran roared, thrusting his blade forward. In his mind, one thought consumed him that kill the master, and the rest would crumble.
The High Demon, furious, intended to strike Everen immediately, but Kyran blocked its path, fueling its rage.
"Very well… if you crave death so much, I shall grant it!"
A single strike from the High Demon hurled Kyran through the air. He crashed to the ground, pain exploding through his body.
"This… is the true power of the High Demon? Unbelievable… it's terrifying!"
But Kyran refused to give up. Breathing raggedly, he forced himself to rise, eyes fixed on the enemy.
Everen glanced down at Kyran struggling amidst the debris, eyes briefly cold and indifferent then curled into a faint, calculating smile, meeting the High Demon's gaze directly.
Through telepathy, he projected his thoughts.
"I was enjoying this place, and yet this insignificant subordinate dares disturb me… Very well, since you angered me, death is your reward."
At that moment, the High Demon froze. Its blood-red eyes reflected panic, its body trembled uncontrollably.
"Farewell… you insignificant brat!" Everen said coldly, raising his hand to strike but paused, sensing a gaze from afar.
"No… if I act now, they will suspect me. After all… they are merely performing a 'play,' letting humans handle the rest. I know them better than anyone."
Believing Everen fearful, the High Demon faltered but it had gravely misjudged.
Upon noticing the pure red eyes of the one standing before it, it truly trembled, stammering as if it had recognized the identity of the figure looming above.
"Could it… be… you?"