Before Emma and David stood a furious demon.
Its dark body was covered in deep wounds from their attacks, and every drop of blood that fell from its skin hissed as it touched the wet ground.
Heavy clouds gathered above the forest, the sky darkening as if night had come too soon. A drop of rain slid down David's cheek—then the heavens broke open, unleashing a downpour. The massive leaves overhead rustled violently under the storm, turning the silence into a chorus of rain and wind.
The demon didn't wait. Its roar echoed through the treetops as it lunged straight at Emma.
Its speed was terrifying, but Emma dodged just in time, leaving a deep slash on the soaked bark. David appeared beside her like a shadow and parried the next blow. His blade tore across the demon's flesh, carving a crimson line along its claw. The beast howled in pain, thrashing its tail as it charged at David.
But David had already predicted the attack. He slipped aside, his movement hidden within the rain.
Emma drew her golden sword. Leaping forward, she slashed horizontally, the gleaming steel cutting through the storm. The blade buried halfway into the demon's arm—but she didn't have the strength to finish the strike.
Without hesitation, the demon swung its tail toward her. Emma realized her weapon was stuck; there was no time to dodge. "I can't…" she thought desperately.
At that moment, David burst out of the darkness. His sword flashed, intercepting the tail.
"Damn… what power. It's not blocking—it's redirecting!" he growled through clenched teeth.
Focusing his strength, David twisted the force of the attack aside, giving Emma a chance to free her sword. In one swift motion, he pushed her out of harm's way.
"How…?" she breathed, catching her breath.
"I'm fine," Emma replied quickly, though her face was streaked not only with rain but also with a thin trail of blood running down her temple.
The demon's breathing grew ragged, its movements frantic and erratic.
"We need to wear it down," David said firmly.
Emma nodded, tightening her grip on the sword.
They struck at once. Their blades cut through from both sides, leaving the creature no chance to recover. The forest trembled with the fury of their clash, while flashes of lightning illuminated the blood-soaked battlefield.
The demon's half-severed limb couldn't withstand the next blow—Emma shouted as she brought her sword down, slicing it off completely. The beast roared, shaking the trees, and in a fit of pain and rage, it lunged straight at her. She managed to block, but the force sent her flying backward.
"Damn it…" David muttered, watching her crash into the mud.
The enraged demon whipped its tail at him. David rolled along the slick ground, dodging, then sprang to his feet, flipping through the air.
"I hate feeling pain," he said with a dark grin. "But if I don't… I'll lose a limb."
With those words, he tore off his blindfold. In an instant, he saw the demon—not just with his eyes, but with every sense, perceiving its dark essence in full.
Consumed by fury, the demon lunged again. But now, David caught every motion, every twitch. He dodged with chilling precision, while the monster's attacks grew weaker and slower.
"It's exhausted. Time to end this," he thought coldly.
In a blink, David leapt. His blade sliced clean through the demon's neck. A dull crack echoed, and the head rolled away across the wet forest floor.
Emma, regaining her footing, rushed toward him. She saw the demon's lifeless body collapse, and relief softened her features. "He's gotten stronger," she thought.
Reaching David, she met his gaze and said,
"Congratulations. It's your core."
David froze, stunned by her words.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. But we still need one more."
A shadow of dread crossed his face.
He knew all too well how difficult the road ahead would be.