I had been walking around for ages, and all I found were a couple of low-tier demons—nothing worth my time.

  At this point, I wasn’t sure if Korthyn Mire was actually dangerous or if all the real threats were just hiding from me.

  Either way, I decided I was done.

  So, I turned back and made my way to the wagon.

  The moment I climbed in, Finn looked over his shoulder and smirked. "Going back early for the Starhearth Festival, huh?"

  I blinked. "The what now?"

  He raised an eyebrow. "You don’t know? It’s just a huge festival where everyone gathers. The firework show should start soon."

  I stared at him. Fireworks. A huge festival.

  …How the hell did I not know about this?

  Suddenly, a voice clicked in my mind.

  A very annoyed voice.

  "Why am I wasting my holy magic for this fool?!"

  I flinched. Father Gabriel?!

  Then, another voice—this one sharper, irritated.

  "Just tell him!"

  Lena?!

  Before I could process what was happening, Gabriel's voice cut through again.

  "Listen, Eli. Go back to the town near Korthyn Mire. Demons are gonna invade that place."

  My body tensed.

  "And don’t try talking back—because you can’t. My magic isn’t advanced enough for that."

  What?!

  I tried thinking of a response, but nothing happened. I really couldn’t reply.

  Gabriel's magic was basically a one-way voicemail.

  I clenched my fists. An invasion? Right as I was leaving?

  Damn it.

  "Finn, how fast can you make your horses go? We need to get back ASAP!"

  I grabbed onto anything sturdy in the wagon, bracing myself. This was going to be rough.

  "I’ll pay you double."

  Finn, who had been lazily holding the reins, suddenly perked up.

  "Double, huh? Say less."

  With a wicked grin, he snapped the reins.

  The horses went from normal speed to "I think I just saw my soul leave my body."

  The wagon LAUNCHED FORWARD.

  I was barely holding on as the wheels bounced violently over the dirt path.

  "FINN, I SAID FAST, NOT SUICIDAL!"

  "This is fast! You wanted ASAP, right?!"

  The horses sprinted like demons were already chasing us—which, to be fair, they probably would be soon.

  We made it back—but I was too late.

  The town was already overrun.

  Buildings burned, smoke rose into the sky, and the screams of villagers filled the air. Demons were everywhere—lesser ones rampaging through the streets, tearing through anything in sight.

  But that wasn’t the worst part.

  My eyes scanned the battlefield, and my stomach dropped.

  "What the hell… why are there so many demons here?!"

  Then, I saw them. Figures circling in the sky, screeching as they swooped down on their prey.

  Mananangals.

  A whole swarm of them.

  I gritted my teeth, my grip on my sword tightening.

  "Shit. This just got way worse."

  Then, suddenly—a hand grabbed me.

  "Yo."

  I turned and saw Ravyn standing there, his usual smug grin barely visible beneath a black combat mask.

  And behind him?

  Lena. Mark. Gabriel. Even Javier.

  All of them, fully equipped, wearing masks and battle gear.

  I blinked. Okay, this just escalated.

  I looked them over, taking in the sight. Even Javier, who usually had this laid-back, I don’t give a shit aura, was standing there, adjusting his own mask.

  I exhaled sharply. "I see… this is serious."

  Ravyn clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Yeah, no shit."

  I cracked my neck, rolling my shoulders. Fine. Let’s do this.

  "Hey, where are you going?" Ravyn sneered, grabbing my shoulder before I could move forward.

  I turned back, confused. "What? We need to get in there—"

  Lena shook her head. "We can’t."

  I frowned. "What do you mean we can’t?"

  Ravyn jabbed a thumb toward the town. "Look closely."

  I followed his gaze—and then I saw it.

  A barrier.

  Faint, but visible. A shimmering, translucent dome that covered a huge section of the battlefield. Inside, I could barely make out the figures clashing.

  Whoever was inside wasn’t just fighting. They were strong.

  Gabriel clicked his tongue. "That barrier’s not natural. Someone set it up to keep us out."

  Javier, adjusting his mask, finally spoke. "Which means whoever’s in there… doesn’t want help."

  I clenched my fists. Shit. This was bad.

  "So what now?" I muttered.

  Ravyn grinned. "Easy. We break the damn thing."

  "ELI!"

  Someone suddenly called out my name.

  I turned back and saw Yuna, running toward me.

  She stumbled to a stop, panting heavily, sweat dripping down her face.

  "Please… help Kel—K! We were watching the fireworks when suddenly—BOOM—an explosion! The next thing I knew, demons were everywhere!"

  I grabbed her shoulders, steadying her. "Are you okay?"

  She nodded quickly. "Yes, thanks to K… but please, help him! I think he’s inside that barrier—he ran in there earlier!"

  My grip tightened.

  K was in there?

  I turned to the shimmering dome, where the sounds of battle still raged inside.

  A one-man fight against this many demons?

  My gut twisted.

  "Tch." I exhaled, gripping my sword. "Guess we’re breaking that barrier now."

  I turned to Finn, who was still sitting in the wagon, watching everything unfold with a mix of excitement and mild terror.

  "Hey, Finn—take Yuna and get out of here. Call for help in the main town."

  Finn blinked. "Wait, me?"

  "Yes, you." I shot him a look. "You got us here in record time, right? Do the same thing going back."

  He hesitated, glancing between me, Yuna, and the absolute chaos happening in the village.

  Yuna grabbed his wrist. "Finn, please. We need backup."

  Finn gritted his teeth before letting out a frustrated sigh. "Fine, fine! But you guys better not be dead when I come back!"

  "Not planning on it," I muttered.

  As Finn snapped the reins, the wagon lurched forward, speeding off into the night.

  I turned back to the barrier.

  "Alright… time to break this thing."

  I looked back at the group—

  And they were gone.

  "What the hell?"

  I snapped my head toward the **barrier—**and sure enough, they were already inside.

  I gritted my teeth and rushed forward, passing through the shimmering dome.

  The second I stepped inside, I felt it—the heavy pressure of demonic energy. The air was thick, almost suffocating. This wasn’t a normal fight.

  Then I saw them.

  Two figures locked in combat—one clearly an Archdemon, its overwhelming presence pressing down on everything around it. The other—

  A child?

  My mind struggled to process what I was seeing.

  Then, I noticed something worse.

  Someone was lying on the ground. Motionless.

  Missing an arm.

  My breath hitched. K?

  No—no, that couldn’t be him.

  I remembered what people said. K wore an Oni mask.

  This person… didn’t.

  "Why are we just standing here?" I asked, gripping my sword.

  Lena, arms crossed, responded without looking at me. "We need to see if they have anything up their sleeves first."

  Ravyn grinned beside her. "And more importantly—see that One-Horned Demon over there?"

  I followed his gaze.

  A lone One-Horned Demon stood near the edge of the battlefield, watching the fight silently.

  "He’s the one who cast the barrier," Ravyn continued. "And for some reason? He still hasn’t sensed us."

  I frowned. That’s… weird.

  Something wasn’t right.

  And I had a bad feeling it was about to get worse.

  We continued watching the fight in silence.

  Then, we finally saw it.

  The Archdemon’s power.

  The spear he wielded wasn’t just a weapon—it had rings wrapped around it. And those rings weren’t just decoration. Each one seemed to hide a different ability.

  The Archdemon smirked, twirling his weapon. "This one enhances my speed."

  One of the rings break, releasing demonic energy.

  "Let’s see if you can keep up now."

  The moment he activated it, the tide of battle shifted instantly.

  The child, who had been holding their ground before, was now getting pressed. Each strike came faster, sharper, more relentless. Their movements, once fluid, were now strained, desperate.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The difference in power was clear.

  Then—

  CRACK.

  A sharp, eerie sound echoed through the battlefield.

  My whole body tensed. What the hell? Why did it make that sound now?

  And then—

  "Let’s go."

  Ravyn moved.

  All four of them—Ravyn, Lena, Mark, and Javier—jumped down.

  "What the hell?!" I hissed, my mind racing to catch up.

  The One-Horned Demon near the edge visibly tensed. His gaze snapped toward us, his expression darkening.

  "Tch… I knew this would happen if we took too long."

  Ravyn cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with his usual shit-eating grin.

  "So… which one of you bastards dies first?"

  The archdemon let out a mocking chuckle, resting his spear on his shoulder. "Pft… You think you can kill me with just four people? I have an army," he sneered, stretching out his arms as if presenting the carnage around him. "And this is all you bring?"

  As if on cue, the demons that had been scattered throughout the town began emerging from the rubble, their grotesque forms moving through the smoke and debris. Their eyes gleamed with malice as they closed in from all sides, the sheer number of them overwhelming.

  Then, a soft hum filled the air.

  Small orbs of golden light flickered into existence, dancing around the masked priest like fireflies. A second later, those orbs shot forward, transforming into thin, radiant beams that tore through the darkness.

  The demons didn’t even have time to scream. In an instant, they were annihilated.

  A thick silence followed, the tension heavier than ever.

  "You and what army?" Gabriel said, lowering his hand.

  The One-Horned Demon had barely managed to cast a barrier in time, his face twisted in frustration as cracks formed along the surface of his spell.

  The Archdemon, however, was completely unfazed.

  His body was riddled with holes—gaping wounds that should’ve been fatal.

  But they weren’t.

  Steam rose from his skin as his regeneration worked in overdrive, the injuries closing within seconds. He glanced down at his wounds, flexing his fingers as if testing his own durability.

  Then, he let out a deep, pleased chuckle.

  I exhaled, smirking.

  "Cool."

  I guess it was time to make my entrance.

  I jumped down, landing with absolute grace and coolness.

  …At least, that’s what I told myself.

  I straightened my cloak, brushing off imaginary dust, and stepped forward.

  "Let me handle this, Ravyn," I said, my tone dripping with confidence.

  Ravyn turned to me, blinked, then—

  Burst out laughing.

  "PFFT—HAHAHA! Oh man, you were trying to be cool, weren’t you?!"

  Lena sighed. "I can’t believe this idiot is on our side…"

  Gabriel looked up at the sky, as if asking the gods why they cursed him with my presence.

  Javier muttered, "This is why I don’t talk to people."

  I scowled. "Screw you guys. That was cool."

  The One-Horned Demon studied me carefully, his expression unreadable.

  The Archdemon, still regenerating, tilted his head, amused.

  "And who are you supposed to be?" he rumbled.

  I slowly unsheathed my nameless sword, resting it on my shoulder.

  "Someone who’s about to kick your ass."

  The Archdemon smirked, rolling his shoulders as the last of his wounds closed completely. Steam still hissed from his body, his unnatural regeneration working at full capacity.

  "You? Against me?" His voice was amused, his glowing red eyes locked onto me. "I was hoping for a challenge, not some—"

  I moved.

  I wasn’t waiting for his monologue to finish.

  I exploded forward, my blade flashing in the dim light. My body already knew—Skill Eater had seen the way he moved, seen the way he fought. Even if I was weaker, slower, outmatched, I could still adapt.

  My sword aimed for his throat.

  His hand caught it mid-air.

  BOOM!

  A shockwave blasted out from the impact, sending dirt and debris flying. My arms shook from the force—his grip strength alone was enough to nearly disarm me.

  I barely had time to react before his knee shot forward, slamming into my ribs.

  CRACK!

  Pain exploded through my chest as I was launched backward, tumbling across the ground. My vision blurred, my breath hitching. That one hit nearly broke me.

  I rolled to my feet, barely standing.

  The Archdemon didn’t even move.

  He tilted his head, almost disappointed. "Is that it?"

  I coughed, tasting blood in my mouth. "Tch… not yet."

  I charged again.

  This time, I feinted left, switching my stance mid-step, aiming for his side.

  His **hand lashed out—**but he missed by a fraction.

  I twisted, bringing my blade down—a perfect counterstrike aimed for his shoulder.

  SHING!

  A thin cut appeared, barely breaking his skin.

  The Archdemon paused.

  For a split second, his eyes flickered with something new.

  Then—he grinned.

  "Oh?"

  He vanished.

  Then—he reappeared right in front of me.

  BANG!

  His punch slammed into my stomach, lifting me off the ground. My insides felt like they exploded.

  I barely had time to register the pain before—

  BOOM!

  His next hit crashed into my back mid-air, slamming me into the ground. The earth cracked beneath me.

  Everything hurt.

  I gasped, my fingers clawing at the dirt, trying to push myself up.

  "Stay down." His voice was calm, absolute. Like a god looking down on an ant.

  I forced myself to my feet anyway.

  The Archdemon’s grin widened. "Hah. You really don’t know when to quit, huh?"

  My entire body screamed in agony. But as I stood, as I gripped my sword tighter—I felt it.

  Skill Eater.

  The way he punched, the way he moved—I was adjusting. My stance naturally shifted, my body preparing for the next hit before I even thought about it.

  "Not bad." I exhaled sharply. "But I learn fast."

  The Archdemon laughed.

  "Good."

  Then, he spun his spear—and one of the rings on it broke.

  "Let’s see how you handle this one."

  ...

  While I was getting my ass handed to me, the rest of the team had already engaged the One-Horned Demon.

  Ravyn struck first.

  His daggers blurred through the air, moving at speeds even the naked eye couldn’t follow.

  The One-Horned Demon barely dodged, twisting his body just enough to avoid being skewered. But the moment he did—

  Mark was already there.

  BOOM!

  Mark’s fist crashed down, the sheer impact cratering the ground beneath them. The One-Horned Demon blocked with his arm, but the force still sent him skidding backward.

  Lena dashed in next, afterimages trailing behind her. Her movements were unpredictable, her blades dancing like shadows.

  She slashed—but the demon caught her wrist.

  "Tch—!"

  Before he could counter, Gabriel’s magic exploded forward.

  "Divine Smite."

  A golden shockwave crashed down from above, forcing the One-Horned Demon to release Lena and leap back.

  He landed gracefully, scowling.

  "Tch. You bastards are actually coordinated."

  Javier finally stepped forward.

  His hand rested on his sword.

  "You should be more worried about yourself."

  The One-Horned Demon’s eyes narrowed.

  For the first time, he looked uneasy.

  ...

  The ring on his spear broke.

  The moment it activated, I knew I was fucked.

  "This one enhances my strength."

  The Archdemon lunged forward.

  I barely had time to block before—

  CRASH!

  His spear struck me full force.

  The sheer impact ripped through my defenses, sending me flying through the air.

  I crashed into a stone pillar, my vision exploding with white. Pain. So much pain.

  I collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood.

  The Archdemon laughed.

  "See? This is the difference between us."

  I could barely hold my sword, but my body refused to stay down.

  I staggered, planting my feet, gripping my weapon tighter.

  I wasn’t done yet.

  And for the first time—the Archdemon actually looked interested.

  "Come on, then," he said, twirling his spear. "Let’s keep playing."

  This fight was far from over.

  The Archdemon stood tall, twirling his spear with an easy grace, the glowing ring still active around the weapon’s shaft.

  "See? This is the difference between us."

  I staggered, barely keeping my stance. Blood dripped from my mouth, my ribs ached, and every breath felt like my lungs were being crushed under a boulder.

  But I didn’t collapse.

  I didn’t even waver.

  Because this pain?

  It was nothing compared to what I had already endured.

  Zareth’s torture training had burned that fear out of me.

  Cuts? Bruises? Broken bones? That wasn’t even worth acknowledging.

  I had been pushed past the limits of human pain tolerance long ago.

  I could keep going.

  I had to keep going.

  I exhaled, tightening my grip on my nameless sword. My body had already adjusted to his movements, but I was still too slow, too weak.

  Skill Eater wasn’t enough.

  Not against this.

  The Archdemon tilted his head. "Still standing? I like that. But you should know when to quit."

  I wiped the blood from my mouth and smirked. "Yeah, I get told that a lot."

  His grin widened.

  "Then let’s fix that."

  He vanished.

  I barely caught the movement—he was faster now, the boost from his spear pushing him beyond anything I could counter.

  His strike came from the left.

  I twisted my body just in time—but he adjusted mid-air.

  His spear came from below instead.

  Shit—!

  BOOM!

  His weapon slammed into my ribs, the impact sending me skyward.

  But he wasn’t done.

  He appeared above me in an instant, his spear already descending.

  "Fall."

  I couldn’t block in time.

  CRASH!

  I hit the ground like a meteor, a shockwave of dirt and debris erupting around me. My vision blurred, pain exploding through my body.

  For a split second, my mind screamed at me to stay down.

  But I couldn’t.

  I wouldn’t.

  Because deep inside me—something stirred.

  A power I had barely touched.

  I gritted my teeth. No choice.

  "Fine."

  I whispered the words only Zareth had ever spoken to me before.

  "Abyssal Override."

  The moment I activated it, I felt it.

  Everything ignited at once.

  My speed. My strength. My reflexes.

  The pain in my body? Gone.

  My exhaustion? Nonexistent.

  It was like being reborn as something monstrous.

  But I knew the truth—this power came at a cost.

  Abyssal Override didn’t just enhance everything.

  It burned through my very existence.

  If I used it too long? I’d die.

  But if I didn’t use it?

  I’d still die.

  The Archdemon stepped forward, amusement still in his eyes. "Oh? And what exactly did you just do?"

  I didn’t answer.

  I moved.

  Faster than before.

  I was already behind him before he even registered my movement.

  His eyes widened.

  "What—"

  SLASH!

  A deep gash appeared across his back—his regeneration kicked in, but this time? It wasn’t instant.

  "Tch—" He spun, his spear whipping toward my neck.

  I ducked, sidestepped, and countered all at once.

  My blade carved into his shoulder before he could even react.

  He jumped back, his expression no longer amused.

  "…Interesting."

  "Then let’s play a little more seriously."

  ...

  The One-Horned Demon clicked his tongue, frustration clear on his face.

  "Enough of this—!"

  He thrust his hand forward, demonic energy surging into a massive spell—

  But before he could finish casting, a single blurred shadow appeared right in front of him.

  Ravyn.

  The demon’s eyes widened in pure shock.

  "How—"

  SHINK!

  Blood splattered across the battlefield.

  Ravyn’s dagger had already pierced straight through his gut.

  Ravyn grinned, twisting the blade. "What’s wrong? You were talking big a second ago."

  The demon coughed, barely stumbling back—before Mark’s fist slammed into his face.

  CRACK!

  His entire body flipped backward, skidding across the ground.

  Lena appeared behind him before he could recover, her blades flashing.

  Gabriel chanted a divine incantation.

  Javier calmly drew his sword.

  The One-Horned Demon… was realizing just how screwed he was.

  ...

  The Archdemon’s aura shifted.

  This time, there was no more arrogance.

  No smirking.

  No amusement.

  His eyes gleamed with real battle focus.

  "You are forcing me to take this seriously."

  A third ring on his spear broke.

  The entire battlefield shook.

  "This one enhances my defense."

  His body glowed, his muscles hardened, and the wounds I had just inflicted?

  They were gone in an instant.

  My heart pounded.

  I was already burning away my life force—and now?

  I had to push even further.

  "Fine." I tightened my grip, taking a deep breath.

  The Archdemon’s second ring activated, and I felt the shift immediately. His stance was the same, but the air around him grew heavier. His muscles hardened, his wounds sealed faster, and the smirk he once wore was gone.

  He was taking me seriously now.

  I had no time to hesitate. I moved in, my body still riding the overwhelming power of Abyssal Override. My speed let me close the distance in an instant. I aimed my blade for his throat.

  It hit.

  But instead of cutting, my sword barely made a scratch. The Archdemon’s skin was like reinforced steel, his defense now on par with his monstrous regeneration. He barely flinched as he countered, his spear striking out like a whip.

  I twisted away, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow, but his follow-up kick caught me in the ribs. The impact sent me skidding across the battlefield, my feet barely keeping me upright.

  A warning flared in my mind. My body felt slower. I gritted my teeth. Abyssal Override was taking its toll.

  I couldn’t keep this up.

  But I had no choice.

  The Archdemon twirled his spear, his eyes locked onto me. "I see. Your body is starting to fail you."

  I forced a smirk. "And you finally stopped grinning. Guess I must be doing something right."

  He dashed forward, his spear a blur. I barely reacted in time, parrying the first strike but missing the second. His weapon grazed my shoulder, sending a shock of pain down my arm.

  I pushed through it, slashing low. He blocked with his forearm, but this time, I anticipated the counterattack. I ducked under his swing and aimed for his ribs. My sword connected.

  Nothing.

  His defense was too strong now. Even with Abyssal Override, I wasn’t dealing enough damage.

  I leapt back, trying to catch my breath. But the moment I landed, my body seized up.

  Pain exploded through my limbs.

  My muscles locked, my breath hitched, and for a terrifying moment, I couldn’t move.

  The punishment had finally arrived.

  Abyssal Override was tearing me apart from the inside.

  My vision blurred, and I dropped to one knee, gripping my sword for support. My lungs burned, my veins felt like they were on fire.

  The Archdemon watched, tilting his head. "Ah. There it is. You reached too high, and now you’re paying for it."

  I tried to push myself up, but my body refused. The cost of power was too great, and now I was defenseless.

  The Archdemon raised his spear. "Good effort. But this is where you fall."

  He moved in for the final strike.

  Then, a blur of motion.

  The child, the same one who had been fighting him before, was suddenly in front of me. Their small frame blocked his spear with a glowing, golden blade.

  "You’re not done yet," the child said, glancing back at me. "Get up."

  The Archdemon scowled. "You again."

  I gritted my teeth, trying to push past the pain. My body wasn’t listening, but I wasn’t done yet.

  The fight wasn’t over.

  The Archdemon’s spear clashed against claws.

  Not a blade. Not a weapon.

  Just the bare hands of the child standing in front of me.

  He barely reached my waist, but there he was, stopping an Archdemon’s strike with nothing but his own strength. His claws, jagged and sharp, dug into the shaft of the spear, holding it in place with ease.

  "You again," the Archdemon muttered, his expression darkening.

  I forced myself to focus, pushing through the searing pain that locked my muscles in place. My body refused to move, but my mind raced as I studied the child more closely.

  He wasn’t human. His long, unkempt hair hung just above his shoulders, and a white mask covered his face, completely concealing his expression. But those claws—those monstrous, curved weapons attached to his hands—made it clear he was anything but normal.

  The child grinned behind his mask. "You're noisy," he said, tightening his grip on the Archdemon’s weapon. "And you smell good."

  The Archdemon yanked his spear back, creating distance between them. His stance shifted slightly—no longer arrogant, no longer playful.

  The child rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. "I was waiting for you to use more of your strength," he said casually. "The more I see, the more I understand."

  I didn’t understand what he meant at first, but then it clicked.

  He wasn’t just strong. He was learning.

  The longer he fought, the stronger he became.

  The Archdemon must have realized it too. He tightened his grip on his spear. "A cursed existence," he muttered. "A beast that grows stronger the more it eats"

  He exhaled sharply, then twirled his spear.

  A fourth ring began to break.

  "This one enhances my technique."

  The child tilted his head. "Good. Show me more."

  The Archdemon moved first. Faster, sharper, every strike carrying an unnatural precision. His spear thrust forward, aiming straight for the child’s head.

  The child didn’t dodge.

  He bit down on the spear.

  With his teeth.

  A loud crunch echoed through the battlefield as his fangs sank into the enchanted metal, stopping the attack completely.

  The Archdemon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

  The child twisted his head, snapping the tip of the spear off, then swallowed it whole.

  The air grew tense.

  He licked his lips. "Mmm. Not bad."

  I forced my body to move, my limbs barely responding. My entire body was on the verge of shutting down, but I couldn’t let this fight slip away from me.

  I gripped my sword tighter, planting my feet. "Hey, kid," I muttered, still breathing heavily. "You got a name?"

  The child turned his head slightly.

  "Name? My boss named me Varis."

  "Your boss?" I asked, still struggling to steady my breath.

  Varis turned his masked face toward me. "Yes. My boss."

  Then, without hesitation, he pointed at the man lying on the ground.

  The one I had assumed was just another casualty of the fight.

  I looked closer.

  His body was a mess—his left arm completely gone, blood pooling beneath him, yet he was still conscious. His breathing was ragged, his remaining hand twitching slightly as if he was trying to move.

  That was K.

  I had expected someone intimidating, a warrior who stood above others in raw strength. But now, he was barely holding on.

  And yet… even like this, there was something about him. His presence was still there, lingering even as he lay in his own blood.

  Varis turned back to the Archdemon. "I will finish this quickly. My boss does not like waiting."

  The Archdemon studied him for a moment, then let out a low chuckle. "So that's how it is." He rolled his shoulders, spear still resting in his hands. "Then let's see if you're worthy of that arrogance."

  Varis crouched slightly, claws flexing. "I do not know arrogance," he said. "I only know hunger."

  The tension in the air thickened.

  Then suddenly, a blinding light beamed down onto both demons.

  The moment it touched them, their skin burned.

  They were being fried alive.

  "ARRRGHHHHHHHHH!" Both the Archdemon and the One-Horned Demon screamed, their bodies convulsing under the holy radiance. Their flesh sizzled, smoke rising from them as if they were being purged from existence itself.

  Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the light vanished.

  The battlefield was left in absolute silence.

  Both demons collapsed to their knees, gasping, their bodies covered in seared wounds that refused to heal. Even the Archdemon, who had been regenerating effortlessly before, was now struggling.

  A new presence stepped forward.

  Her footsteps were light, graceful, as if she were walking across an untouched lake.

  She was calm. Serene.

  But after seeing what she just did…

  I knew—this was not a peaceful presence.

  Her voice rang out, clear and unwavering.

  "Filth…"

  She looked down at the demons, her expression one of pure disdain.

  "Why is there filth in my kingdom?"

  I barely moved, still recovering, but my instincts screamed at me—this was no ordinary person.

  Who the hell was she?