"Bravo…." The demon purred, his voice dripping with mockery so thick it could choke a lesser man. "I thought chickens who act like leaders would speak elegantly. But you…" He paused mid-step, tilting his head as if inspecting something both fascinating and grotesque. "…you seem different. No, no—not just your image. From the scent of your blood to your soul…."
Atlas felt it—every single word slicing through him like razors wrapped in silk. It wasn't just intimidation; it was domination. Pure, unfiltered supremacy radiating from every pore of the creature before him. Each step closer sent tremors rippling through Atlas's body, though not from fear alone. His mind screamed at him to move—to grab his sword, cast a spell, do 'anything'. Yet he remained frozen, muscles locked rigid as stone.
'…I can't move…?'
Was it fear? A spell? No. It was worse than either—it was sheer intensity. Like standing in the presence of a hurricane that could erase mountains with a flick of its winds.
He tried again, reaching for his blade, but his hand refused to obey. His thoughts raced wildly, spiraling into chaos.
'According to the storyline, fuckers like him should be at the middle stage! Not here, not now!' Atlas raged internally, his teeth grinding together until they ached. '....it's my fault. I changed things too much. I cattled the storyline too much….'
And then the demon blurred, moving faster than Atlas's eyes could track. One moment, he was several feet away; the next, he stood directly in front of Atlas, crossing the salt barrier as though it were nothing more than mist. Not even a scratch marred his grotesque form.
"So no need for others…." the demon whispered, his grin stretching unnaturally wide as rows of jagged teeth gleamed under the moonlight.
and then.....Carnage Unleashed
Splash!
Pierce!
"Aaaaaaa!!!!!!"
"No no Noooo!"
Atlas stood still, his body rooted to the spot while his heart hammered violently against his ribs. Every fiber of his being screamed to turn, to fight, to save those dying behind him. But all he could do was listen—the screams of terror filling the air like nails scraping across glass.
"Your Highness… Save me!!" someone cried out desperately, their voice cracking under the weight of despair.
Pierce!
"No…no no no. I will give you anything. Anything you want…please, please…."
Splash!
"I have children, by the gods they need me! Please, I beg y—"
Chopped!!
"Aaaaa!!!!!!!..."
Atlas bit down hard on his lip, drawing blood as the sounds of carnage echoed mercilessly around him. Despair clawed at his insides, shredding what little composure he had left. Most he could have done was summon mana and fire off some beginner-level spell—but even that would amount to nothing against this monster.
'Do something. Something for fuck's sake. First, move. Moveeee, fucking MOOOVVVEEE!' he roared within himself, desperation clawing at his throat like a rabid beast.
[World Understanding Activated]
[Notification]
[Aura Nullification Acquired]
Suddenly, feeling rushed back into his limbs like water breaking through a dam. For a split second, relief surged through him—but there was no time to savor it. Without thinking, without planning, Atlas moved.
'Use all skills at once!!' he commanded mentally, his mind racing faster than his body.
[Caution: Body Can't Withstand...]
'Fuck the body!!! Just DO IT!!'
Atlas gripped his sword so tightly that the hilt bent under the strain. Every ounce of strength he possessed surged into his arms, veins bulging like rivers about to burst their banks. His golden eyes burned with a ferocity that could ignite shadows, though blood already trickled from his nose—a price for pushing his mana beyond its limits.
"...Again?" The demon chuckled in gleeful surprise, its clawed hand poised mere inches from the captain's throat where she lay sprawled on the ground, helpless. It paused mid-strike, cocking its grotesque head as if savoring the moment.
Tang!
Metal screamed against metal as Atlas's blade struck the demon's wrist, forcing it back. He planted himself firmly between her and the monster, his body trembling with rage and exhaustion.
"HAAAA!!!" Atlas roared, swinging again with everything he had left. Mana coursed through him like wildfire, amplifying every fiber of his being until his muscles felt ready to tear apart. The clash reverberated through the clearing, shaking trees and scattering leaves.
"Hahahaha... You surprise me every time, Chicken. No, Human. Atlas of humanity!!!" the demon purred mockingly, blocking the blow with ease despite being pushed a step backward by sheer force.
Tang!
The impact shattered Atlas's sword instantly, the fragments scattering across the forest floor like broken promises. Still, the demon laughed, intrigued rather than intimidated.
"What are you gonna do now?" it taunted, gripping Atlas's right hand with its claws, piercing deep into flesh and bone. Blood dripped steadily onto the dirt below.
"...Don't underestimate us, you piece of shit!!" Atlas snarled, his voice raw with fury. With his free hand, he scooped up shards of the broken blade, hurling them at the demon's face with precision born of desperation.
"Aaaa!" The demon reeled back, one shard lodged painfully in its crimson eye. Its laughter faltered momentarily, replaced by a low growl of irritation.
"You think that would be enough, Human?" it sneered, yanking the shard out and tossing it aside carelessly. But then, confusion flickered across its features. Where Atlas and the armored woman once stood, there was only emptiness—and in its claws, a limp, sliced-off hand belonging to Atlas dangled grotesquely.
"....ha ha ha ha... HAAAAHAHAHA!" The demon erupted into unhinged laughter, clutching the severed limb triumphantly. "That human... He chopped off his own fucking arm... I underestimated you, I underestimated you, ATLAS!!!"
*****
Sorry guys for the short chapter. Got a date today. ✌️✌️✌️😁😁😁