Jay pulled a potion from his inventory with a swipe of his hand.
So did Nathan.
No words were exchanged—but the look in their eyes said everything.
This wasn't just another battle.
Today, they would kill this demon.
The vials uncorked with a soft pop, and the thick red liquid inside shimmered slightly under the fading moonlight.
They downed the potions in one fluid motion.
Jay exhaled sharply, the warmth of the potion flowing through his veins, soothing his bruises, healing the gashes along his ribs and arms. Strength returned. Focus sharpened.
Nathan rolled his neck as the shadows coiled tighter around his limbs. "Much better."
And above them…
The rain… was beginning to stop.
No longer did the sky rage with icy madness. The deadly needles melted midair, returning to normal droplets that splashed harmlessly against the cracked pavement.
The demon's control was slipping.
Jay cracked his neck and stepped forward.
Then—he activated his skill.
[Weapon Mastery – Rank D: Activated]
In an instant, Jay's spear no longer felt like a weapon in his hands—it felt like an extension of his body.
His movements grew sharper, cleaner. Each stance flowed into the next with deadly grace. His grip tightened, but his motions became lighter, swifter.
The demon's red eyes narrowed as Jay vanished from sight with a blur of speed.
CLANG!
A brutal strike came from the left—deflected by a hurried water shield.
Another came from behind—followed by a sweeping slash from below.
Jay's spear danced, weaving in and out with relentless aggression. And even as the demon tried to counter, each regeneration now took longer. The wounds didn't close as easily.
From a rooftop above, Nathan took position.
He crouched low, daggers in both hands as his shadow slithered across the shingles like a snake, branching off in several directions.
From each corner of the battlefield, his shadow formed javelins—long, narrow spears of darkness.
With a flick of his fingers, they launched.
WHOOOSH!
Four dark javelins zipped through the air, curving mid-flight toward the demon.
The demon raised a wave of water to block them, but Jay's spear cracked through it from the side—breaking the formation just enough for two of the javelins to pierce into his thigh and shoulder.
"AAARGH!" the demon snarled, staggering back.
Jay didn't stop.
He pressed the advantage, swinging with surgical precision, leaving shallow but piling wounds all over the demon's chest and arms. Nathan continued the barrage from above—daggers, javelins, whips of shadow designed to distract and corner.
For the first time, the demon looked cornered.
His breathing was heavier. His movements sloppier.
His regeneration was visibly slower.
Jay's eyes burned with fury. "What's the matter? Feeling tired?"
The demon lunged forward, claws aimed for Jay's chest—but Jay stepped into the attack, twisted his body, and drove his spear into the demon's side.
CHHK!
Blood sprayed out in a thick arc.
Nathan's voice echoed from above. "Smile for the camera, freak."
He dropped a dagger wrapped in shadow—it exploded midair, bursting into a net of darkness that wrapped around the demon's legs.
Jay used the opening to pull his spear free, then spun and slashed again—this time slicing across the demon's back.
The demon fell to one knee.
His chest rose and fell rapidly. His eyes were wild—but not with confidence. With panic.
Jay stood over him, eyes cold.
Nathan dropped to the ground behind him, blades drawn, eyes calm.
They didn't need to say it.
They were no longer prey.
They were the hunters now.
And this hunt was far from over.
The demon dropped to one knee, his regeneration slowed to a crawl, his body bleeding from dozens of deep, precise wounds.
But more than the damage, more than the pain—his pride was wounded.
Humiliated.
Two insects.
That's all they were supposed to be.
Two worthless mortals.
And yet… now they were standing over him.
Dominating him.
About to kill him.
The demon clenched his trembling fists. His breath came in ragged gasps. The taste of blood filled his mouth.
"No…" he whispered.
"I can't… I won't accept this…"
Jay and Nathan stepped forward in perfect sync, eyes sharp, weapons raised. Their aura was suffocating. Cold. Merciless.
The demon's body trembled.
"I WON'T ACCEPT IIIIIIT!!" he roared, voice exploding into the night like thunder.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them rippled.
The pools of rainwater scattered across the ruined street began to vibrate, then pull inward—drawn toward the demon like rivers to a vortex.
"What the hell is he doing now?" Nathan growled, stepping back.
The water swirled faster and faster around the demon, spinning upward.
A vortex.
A cyclone.
A roaring tornado of water erupted around him, sending gusts of wind in every direction, howling like a wild beast. The air grew heavy. Charged. Saturated with a chaotic, demonic energy that made even the shadows flicker.
In the center of the storm stood the demon—arms spread wide, his body bathed in blue glow, blood dripping from his mouth.
Jay narrowed his eyes. "That's new."
Nathan cursed under his breath. "He's about to go full psycho."
The demon's aura grew monstrous. The very air twisted with pressure, and for a moment—even Jay and Nathan felt a flicker of unease.
Then the demon opened his arms wider.
His voice boomed from inside the torrent—
"Demonic Sanctuary… OPE–"
Suddenly—
BANG!
A sickening crack echoed.
His right arm exploded in a burst of blood and bone.
"GAAARGH!" the demon howled, collapsing to one knee, clutching the stump that remained. His body convulsed violently, blood pouring from his nose and mouth. He gasped, wheezed—then vomited a wave of thick, black liquid.
Jay's eyes widened slightly. "He's overexerting."
Nathan blinked. "His rank's too low for that move…"
The water tornado collapsed instantly, splashing to the ground like a broken dam.
The demon was left panting, soaked, bleeding, broken.
Fear returned to his eyes.
Pure, desperate fear.
"I… I have to survive," he muttered, crawling backward on trembling limbs. "I don't want to die. I can't die…"
Then—
He ran.
Clutching his ruined arm, dragging one of his legs, the demon turned and bolted into the night, stumbling over debris, eyes wide in blind terror.
"I won't die like this! I won't–!"
Nathan's voice cut through the chaos.
"Like hell you won't."
He darted forward, sprinting with supernatural speed.
SHINK!
One clean slice—and both of the demon's legs were severed at the knee.
The creature screamed, tumbling violently down a steep slope of rubble, sliding uncontrollably.
He groaned, trying to lift his broken body… until his eyes lifted—and saw a pair of feet standing in front of him.
Barely able to raise his head, the demon's vision swam.
Standing there, towering above him, bathed in moonlight—was Jay.
His face showed no emotion.
Just cold, unshakable dominance.
His spear rested casually in one hand.
The demon whimpered. "P… please…"
Jay simply stared, eyes glowing faintly.
He raised his weapon—no anger, no hesitation—just judgment.
"Bye."
The spear plunged downward.
CRACK!
The demon's skull shattered beneath the force.
Blood splattered across the rubble.
Silence fell.
And just like that—
The nightmare was over.