Chapter 22: Fighting the Demon Worshippers (Finale)
POV Marcus:
I saw the leader, who had transformed into a demon, attempt to finish off the small boy lying on the ground with his claws.
I didn't waste time and unleashed my sword technique, then shot toward him. I slashed, but the demon dodged and retreated.
I sighed, standing in front of the boy lying behind me. Glancing at him, I said, "Rest for a while, I will fight him."
He didn't say anything and passed out. I turned my attention to the Demon, who was staring at me in annoyance.
"You again, you bastard!" he cursed.
I stared at him coldly, said nothing, and pointed my sword at him. As a Holy Knight, it was my duty to slay demons.
"In the name of the Goddess, I will finish you," I said coldly.
He chuckled, "Goddess, Goddess!, Goddess!! That's all you've been saying this whole time!! Just die, dammit!" he yelled, rushing forward.
Since the demon's weakness was holy mana, I was the perfect opponent for him. I took my stance and muttered.
[Holy Aura.]
Golden light erupted from me, wrapping around me like a second armor. Then I lunged toward him as well. Clashes were heard from the forest; the dust in the area covered the view.
Someone came out of the dust and bounced away; that person was me. I lost in raw strength but not in aura. I gritted my teeth.
My feet touched the ground, my shoes sliding backward, resisting his force. I enveloped my legs in aura and lunged forward again, my sword raised, slicing the air.
[Light Sword Technique: Light Slash!]
Calez emerged from the dust and laughed, "Come on, bring it!"
He raised his hand to block my sword slash. The air warped as my sword struck Calez. Sharp claws and sword clashed, causing a deafening boom, scattering dust everywhere.
Emerging from the dust, we both retreated ten steps. Blood spurted from Calez's hand, but he was still laughing. As for me—I was not doing well.
My breathing was heavy, my ears were ringing, and my aura was almost depleted. I raised my sword again, unwilling to give up. Seeing my persistence, Calez spoke.
"Hey, come on! You can't defeat me!" Calez said, grinning widely.
"Yes, I know. But as a Holy Knight, I never retreat or surrender," I said firmly, taking my stance again.
Calez sighed deeply, "Tch, how annoying," he muttered.
Then he stared at me, "In that case, die." Calez disappeared and reappeared next to me.
My body twisted sideways, and I parried his attack. Then I ducked slightly, changing the direction of his attack, and thrust my sword toward his chest. The air split.
He stepped back two paces and advanced again at blurring speed. Before I could react, he punched my right shoulder, then my left, my chest, and finally my stomach very quickly; each blow made the air tremble.
My body lifted into the air and arched forward from the hits, spittle flying from my mouth. Then, as if I were a comet, I was violently thrown.
Boom!
Booom—!!
——Booomm!!!
The sound of crashing trees echoed in the distance. The ground beneath Calez cracked, resisting the pressure of the attack force.
POV Third Person:
Calez looked toward the impact of his attack, only to see the forest ripped open by his force. Trees were broken and scorched. The width was approximately four meters, and the length was a hundred meters where Marcus had fallen.
Calez looked at the ruined forest with a satisfied sneer.
"Just so you know, human, you are no match for me."
However, before he could turn back toward the unconscious boy—a light emerged from within the dust cloud at the far end of the forest. The light was small, but it grew brighter over time.
The sound of footsteps slowly echoed.
Tap... tap... tap...
Marcus emerged from the dust, his body covered in wounds, blood streaming from his temple, but his eyes were still alight with a golden aura.
His sword dragged on the ground, leaving a streak of light with every step.
Calez stared in disbelief. "You... you can still stand?"
Marcus slowly raised his head. "At least when I die... you must come with me..." He spat blood from his mouth. His body ached, but he didn't care.
Calez stared at him for a long time, "Such strong resolve, I admit it, but that's all. You will die any second now."
"No, you are the one who will die..."
A voice was heard from behind him. Calez turned quickly, and there stood the boy, Ren, with his wide smirk.
"You... How are you still standing after taking my hits!?"
"That's not important," he pointed toward Calez, still smirking, "what's important is, you die." He said, a sword reappearing in his hand.
He took his stance again, and so did Marcus. As if in agreement, both of them shot forward toward Calez. The ground beneath their feet shattered, creating two small, erupting crater trails.
Calez laughed wildly, "Two against one? Very well then! I will defeat both of you!"
Ren and Marcus's swords sliced the air. Tendrils of lightning flashed from Ren's blade.
Calez blocked Marcus's attack with his left hand, then parried Ren's slash with his right. The bodies of the three became a blur; only light and sparks were visible.
Ren attacked Calez from the right side, but Calez blocked him and threw Ren with terrifying force. Marcus slashed from above and muttered:
[Light Sword Technique: Light Slash!]
Calez caught him with his bare hand while laughing.
Booom!!!
The forest seemed to shake, leaves flying around like a storm.
Marcus pressed Calez with successive holy light slashes, while Ren moved rapidly on the right side, his sword splitting the air, every swing leaving a silvery-blue flash. He leaped away from the fight, bending his knees.
He muttered:
[Lightning Breathing Technique: Second Form,]
[30x Speed!]
Lightning crackled all over his body. He shot forward, his movement much faster than before. He slashed at Calez's arm. A thunderous roar boomed as he cut his arm.
Calez growled, "You insect!"
He stomped his foot on the ground, releasing a black shockwave. Marcus and Ren were thrown back, but Ren spun in the air, landing on a tree trunk, and launched forward again like lightning, his hair fluttering wildly.
Ziiithhh—boom!!
Ren's sword spun and penetrated Calez's defense, hitting his shoulder. Black blood spurted out, sizzling as it hit the ground.
Calez stared at the wound in shock—then burst into loud, maniacal laughter. "Hahahaha!! You managed to hurt me?? You've surprised me countless times, boy! Hahaha!!"
His demonic aura exploded, turning the sky above them dark purple.
Marcus glanced at Ren. "We only have one chance."
Ren nodded, raising his sword. "In that case, let's end this."
They both took their respective technique stances. Ren's mouth hissed, releasing smoke and small bolts of lightning, but this time the hissing sound was stronger and sent shivers down the listener's spine.
[Lightning Breathing Technique: Fifth Form]
[Thunder Slash!]
[Light Sword Technique: Judgment!]
The two of them shot forward together. Golden and blue light merged into a single long flash—tearing through the air and slamming into Calez's chest.
Calez's eyes went wide, his mouth spurted black blood, and the massive explosion from our combo attack shook the entire forest.
"AAAAGGHHH!! Akhh!! You lowlife human!! How dare you—!!!
DOOMMM—!!!
Calez, who was already half-defeated (or half-dead), roared at us, but we managed to hold him in place.
The forest shook harder, as if it could not withstand the combined power of Marcus and me.
With my remaining strength, I pressed harder, gritting my teeth.
"Haaahhh!!"