The sheer weight of the Demon's "Status" was like a physical shroud, a gravitational force that stripped the breath from the lungs of every mortal in the basin. Even the elite Rankers of the 'Fires of Body Steel' were crushed into the permafrost, and Jean D'Arc, the Saintess herself, was forced to her knees, her golden claymore trembling as it dug into the ice for support.
"[Activating The Exclusive Skill, 'Blessings of the Stars: Song of the Saints' Lvl 4!]"
With a strained cry, Jean unleashed a pulse of ethereal golden-white light. The divinity rippled outward, acting as a mental anchor that strengthened the resolve of her companions. It was a valiant effort, but to the winged horror in the sky, it was a parlor trick.
"{Divinity?}" The Demon mused, his voice a grating rasp that seemed to vibrate inside the skull. "{A Paladin as early as the 2nd Floor? I see the 'Archangels' have begun to move as well. Too bad for you... we are steps ahead this time, too.}"
The Demon lazily extended a single clawed finger.
"[Activating '??????']"
At his fingertip, a bead of condensed purple-black magic formed a void of pure Dark Element that hummed with the sound of a thousand screaming souls. With a flick, the magic bullet tore through the air, aimed directly at the heart of the kneeling Saintess. Jean could only grit her teeth, her body pinned by the Demon's pressure, her eyes reflecting the incoming oblivion.
Just then, the snow exploded.
"[Activating 'Sword Demon's Technique: First Form: Faint Steps' Lvl 2!]"
"[Activating 'Glacial Dominion: Ice Shield' Lvl 1!]"
I blurred into existence directly between Jean and the dark projectile. I didn't just throw up a wall; I conjured a thick ice molded into a complex, aerodynamic wedge. I knew a frontal block from an S-Rank wouldn't stop a Mid-Floor attack, so I used the slope of the ice to deflect the bullet's trajectory, sending the dark mass screaming off into the distant mountains.
The Demon's smile didn't falter. He began firing consecutively, his finger a blur of motion. I held my ground, reinforcing the [Ice Shield] again and again. The attack speed was increasing, the purple-black light slamming into my defenses faster than I could rebuild them.
"{I was wondering how you were able to withstand my 'Status',}" the Demon said, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "{Even restricted, my presence should have crushed you. But I see someone is working extra hard inside that ring of yours. How amusing!}"
He was right. Melchior was pouring every ounce of his available strength through our bond, acting as a spiritual buffer to keep my mind from shattering. If the Patriarch's seals were gone, this demon wouldn't be worth the dirt on his boots.
"{And you... you have such a tasty Mana!}" The Demon laughed, his gaze locking onto me. "{How about this, human? If you become my 'Dark Disciple,' I will let you live and shower you with resources beyond your imagination.}"
His attacks never slowed even as he made the offer. I stood behind my mask, my eyes cold. "That's a tempting offer," I said, my voice steady. "But..."
"[Activating 'Absolute Cancel' Lvl 1!]"
"...only a fool would take the offer of a mere dog!"
The Demon's face contorted. "{Arrogant huma—!}" He stopped mid-shout, his eyes widening in genuine shock. The dark magic at his fingertips hissed and vanished. He tried to trigger his skills again, but he found nothing but a void. His connection to the Abyss had been severed.
I didn't miss the opening.
"[Activating 'Sword Demon's Technique: First Form: Faint Steps' Lvl 2!]"
"[Activating 'Glacial Dominion' Lvl 1!]"
"[Activating 'Fire Element' Lvl 2!]"
I closed the distance in a heartbeat, surging upward on a pillar of ice. I swung the 'Lizard King's Polearm', the tip wreathed in a violent spiral of frost and flame. The demon, stripped of his magic, threw up his arms to guard his chest. The polearm tore through his black scales, piercing deep into his forearms. It wasn't a killing blow, but it pinned him in place for the real executioner.
"[Activating The Exclusive Skill, 'Blessings of the Stars: Divine Light' Lvl 4!]"
Behind me, Jean D'Arc had finally risen. A blinding pillar of pure Divinity erupted from her claymore, a beam of holy judgment that struck the Demon head-on.
"[Notice: The Manifestation of the Mid-Floor Being has been cancelled!]"
"{Yo—You bastar—!}" The Demon's physical projection began to disintegrate into ash, unable to withstand the concentrated Holy energy while his defenses were down.
As the shadow vanished, a series of golden notifications flooded my vision.
"[Congratulations! You have successfully fulfilled the Copy Condition!]"
"[Congratulations! You have successfully copied the Exclusive Skill, 'Blessings of the Stars'!]"
"[Copied Skill has been permanently saved in the 'Memories of the World'.]"
I landed softly on the snow, the polearm steaming as the fire and ice dissipated. I had the skill, and the demon was gone, but the Saintess was now staring at my back, her claymore still glowing with the remnants of her power.