"It can't be…" Jane muttered in disbelief and fear.
That attack didn't just drain her mana. It also sapped her stamina. She now looked like she had just experienced the biggest shock in her life as she dropped to her knees.
Seeing her face in despair, the demon atop the tower smiled, then casually snapped the glowing arrow like a brittle twig before turning away, completely ignoring her with a resounding grin.
Then—something far worse than ordinary demons was about to descend.
The lesser demons went frenzy for a moment then suddenly, three people with a much stronger demonic energy appeared across the town.
They looked like ordinary humans and seemed more composed than the lesser demons.
However, a superior form of demonic miasma was emanating from their bodies. Unlike the ordinary demons, these demons radiated a much stronger demonic energy. They looked at everyone, including the ordinary demons with mockery showing on their faces as if they were looking at worms.
"This is… bad," Ellie whispered, her voice tight with tension. "Really bad. Those are true demons."
In this world, demons stood at the pinnacle of threats to humanity—alongside dragons—and were classified by power.
Lesser demons are the lowest rank. Mass-produced creatures born from corruption, summoning, or failed possession. These were the types that they had been going against for a while now.
Then above them are true demons—complete beings with identity, pride, and will. Often manifesting through human vessels. With superior intelligence and mana.
Above even those were demon lords. Their presence alone altered the world. The strongest rivaled ancient dragons and legendary heroes.
And beyond all of them were primordial demons—ancient entities tied to fundamental forces. Beings like the Demon King.
"For god's sake!" Corre cursed.
One of the true demons then started to move and leapt from a building as she headed somewhere. It was a woman in her forties with a large chin and ugly froglike eyes who was wearing a dress. It was the former baroness!
"A pretty and youthful young lady with plenty of mana. I call dibs." She said laughing like a witch, looking at Jane as if she wanted to eat her.
At that moment, Corre's group remained locked in combat with the lesser demons, but even they could sense the impending danger for their teammate.
It was then.
Corre's eyes shifted. He brandished the short sword in his hand as he led the advance to take Jane. Swing! Swing! Swing! Even with his injury, he was impressive.
It became very clear to everyone now why he was the Captain of the Party. He didn't only rely on his mana or sword or technique. He moved like a beast more with a sword than a human with a sword!
"Haha! Come! Come!" It was like he went insane.
Killing intent seemed to be exploding all over him.
He started roaring at his enemies while grinning and dripping in his blood, his and his enemies, which was far too in contrast to his serious personality. One could see that there seemed to be no fear for death in his grey eyes.
"Kill!"
Corre's eyes had a hint of red to them as he began to fight madly with the demons. Even the nearby knights looked over in shock.
The the short sword in his hands shone and dimmed. Then shone again with a silver light.
It became clear to everyone!
"He is turning his physical reinforcement magic when he's not attacking and merely relying on his physical ability but the moment of attack, he activates it." A knight said. "I didn't know that's even possible…"
Corre charged forward like a beast.
But then after a few seconds, his legs started to turn tofu and he collapsed and his face slammed against the floor.
Seeing this, the baroness demon laughed but her joy was cut short.
The group had taken Jane. They had expected their leader to collapse.
"You!" She screamed. But the team of adventurers was also fast.
With Jane slung over Mike's shoulders however, Mike could no longer use his crossbow.
"Give me the crossbow!" Corre said.
Corre pulled the trigger of the crossbow, shooting bolts one after another, doing everything he got to clear enemies. He also tried to swing his sword but he was now severely weakened and was merely relying on his physicals. Every parry sent a jolt of pain through his arm, leaving it increasingly numb. Each clash pushed him back, testing the limits of his mental strength.
Ellie was now leading their advance along with two other knights who had regrouped with them. Though their movements were sharp and precise, the relentless battle had sapped their strength. Every swing of her crescent sword strained her further, each exchange pushing her closer to collapse.
It was then.
"A new player has entered!" a young man called out.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
By now, Gary had met with, and had seen the entire scene earlier from the distance. His face remained the usual bored look. But what he had seen earlier made his heart race.
"I'll help then."
His mouth formed a grin.
He dashed forward toward the demons and the true demon closing in on Jane, blocking her stride but he didn't use his sword, fooling the true demon who thought he was going to attack. Gary however as he landed to the ground immediately dashed back in a retreat like lightning.
Then with his left hand, he unsheathed the rapier by his waist. This was followed by mana, refined and sharp, that travelled all over his body like a smooth river, turning his sword to a silvery light.
Then his sword slashed through the air!
Not flashy. Not loud.
Just precise. Absolute precise.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
With unreal efficiency, he severed joints and tendons, rendering the lesser demons immobile before they realized they were hit.
His blade kept moving.
Mana flowed through his body continuously—not in bursts, but in smooth, controlled reinforcement. Every step was economical. Every strike deliberate, enough to even make the baroness demon who was watching took notice.
Compared to Corre's mad episode that made him like an animal, Gary's was just too civilized as if he was simply in a courtyard doing his training.
"Thank you." Corre and Ellie watched, stunned, as Corre slumped, exhausted, and had to be supported.
Jane was similarly at awe.
Gary's eyes narrowed. He gave no words—not because he hadn't heard, but because the baroness had arrived again, and all his focus was already on the threat before him.
"Run." Gary then said.
Seeing the same threat, the adventurers ran. Then—
SHRAAAK!
A single swing came from Gary which then produced an energy blade which cleaved five demons in half, allowing the group to take a distance.
Then the Baroness finally closed the distance and stood before him. Before her, Gary's expression never changed as he fixed his posture again.
He was calm, his eyes narrowed, because deep down, he prepared himself for death.
"Mother… forgive me. It looks like we'll be seeing each other soon," he murmured quietly, ready to die. Then he smiled.
No, he couldn't help but smile.
"Let's die…" he murmured.
At that moment, he felt his physical reinforcement magic strengthen, sharpening his body by several notches, as if preparing him for what was to come.
--
Hi, guys we are doing well, ain't we?
Don't forget to vote for this week:
20 Power Stones + 1 bonus chapter
50 Power Stones + 2 bonus chapters