I shot forward, cutting through the wind, and struck Bow Hero in the stomach with my punch.
But—
CLANG!
A ray of moonlight blocked my path. The woman at his side had stood in front of Bow Hero, forming a magical shield of sparkling, reflective moonlight. The shield completely blocked my blow.
I took a few steps back, my eyes fixed on the woman.
"What's your name, woman? You're powerful; come with me," I said, a faint smile appearing on my blood-stained lips.
The woman stared at me undaunted. "My name is Rena."
Her voice was calm, but her aura was sharp like a full moon piercing the darkness.
But Bow Hero immediately stepped forward and stood in front of her.
"Don't mess around, demon. This woman is my wife," he said sharply, filled with anger.
I grinned. "Wife, huh? It would be more fun to destroy you in front of her."
Without warning, I attacked again—this time with a vengeance. Fists, kicks, energy waves—I launched them all at Bow Hero and Rena. They parried and fought back, but I could feel their defenses cracking, their steps faltering.
"Rena, give me some time," the Bow Hero said, taking a deep breath, his hands gathering light into his arrows.
Rena nodded. Wordlessly, she summoned moon magic to her hands—glowing swords formed in each hand, vibrating with magical power.
[Astute]
Rena leaped, swinging both swords with full force at me. The air split, the whir of magic deafening.
Phew—!!
I quickly took a stance, my gauntlets glowing intensely, enveloped in a writhing demonic aura.
[Heavy Smash]
I swung my dark-powered fist towards her slash—
BOOM!
There was a loud contact. A shockwave spread out in all directions, the ground around us cracking and rising.
As we fought, the Bow Hero stood behind Rena, light magic gathering in the arrow he slowly drew. The light began to condense, shining like a small sun at the tip of her arrow—an attack not to be taken lightly.
I continued to pound on Rena, trying to find an opening to strike the Bow Hero. But she was like a steel wall. Her movements were precise, her strength overwhelming—she gave me no space whatsoever.
My troops, seeing the predicament, tried to move in to help, but…
"Retreat!" I thought. In a battle at this level, their presence would only be a burden.
[Eclipse]
Suddenly, the sky darkened. The moonlight vanished, replaced by a pitch-black eclipse. A magical force exploded from the Bow Hero.
From the shadow of the eclipse, a giant arrow shone—like a black moon threatening to destroy everything.
The attack hurtled toward me with destructive force.
[Twin Slash]
Rena moved as well. Her two magic swords struck simultaneously from the left and right, cutting off my movement.
Damn! I was caught in the middle of a deadly attack from two directions—nowhere to dodge.
There was no other choice.
I gathered dark magic in one hand, a dense aura swirling wildly like a hellish vortex.
My body braced itself. My demon wings—pitch-black like those of a hellish raven—appeared on my back, spreading wide to steady my body under the crushing pressure.
[EMPEROR]
My buff aura exploded. My body glowed with dark energy. My muscles tensed, my strength drastically increased—this was my most brutal combat form.
[CHARIOT]
I aimed it at the Bow Hero's attack. A giant ball of energy, shaped like a battle wheel, shot forward, clashing directly with the light arrow.
But—
BRAAAKK!!
A violent collision occurred. In an instant, my attack was pierced. The magic arrow traveled like a merciless meteor, striking me in the chest.
BOOM!
My body was thrown like a doll, hitting the ground hard. Dust billowed, and the ground split open. A booming sound echoed throughout the forest.
"MY LORD!" Zereth shouted in panic.
Zereth and Selena immediately rushed over to help me. But—
Swiiing! Swiiing!
A hail of light arrows shot from the Bow Hero's bow, striking them with deadly accuracy.
BRUGHH!!
Zereth and Selena's bodies were sent flying, crashing hard into the trees and the ground. Blood splattered. They couldn't get any closer.
Meanwhile, I was starting to lose control.
My body felt heavy. My breath was ragged.
The wounds were too deep.
Black blood flowed profusely. My regeneration—even the abilities of a high-ranking demon like myself—couldn't keep up with the damage.
Slowly, Bow Hero and Rena slowed their pace, approaching me cautiously.
The ground trembled lightly beneath their steps. The holy light from their bodies felt like poison to me.
"This is the end of your journey, demon," Bow Hero said in a sharp, cold voice.
But... as he approached and peered more closely at my face—
His face changed, and his eyes widened. His breath stopped for a moment.
"I-It can't be… that face…" he said, his voice trembling.
"You… should be dead… Neil!?"
Hearing Elrodan's words, Rena's face changed as well. Her eyes widened, as if in disbelief.
"It can't be… Neil… you should be—dead," Rena whispered, her voice trembling.
I grinned, blood still dripping from my lips.
"Elrodan Lunethiel. I rose from hell just to kill you—those false 'heroes,'" I said, my voice low and full of hatred.
Elrodan looked at me, his eyes changing. There was doubt, or perhaps guilt.
"I… was only protecting the world from destruction, Neil," he finally replied.
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"
Elrodan took a deep breath, as if preparing himself to reveal an old secret.
"We elves received a prophecy, an oracle—that one of the heroes would be the cause of this world's destruction."
"Neil… we… we were just scared. We thought it was the only option…"
I froze. Then laughter erupted from my lips.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Anger and pain mingled in my laughter. "So, just because of that prophecy… You betrayed me?"
Elrodan looked down for a moment before looking back at me. "We gathered, all the heroes… except you. And Kravius, the Archmage, said that the only hero with the potential to destroy the world is you, Neil. Because you are the strongest of us all."
That was the most foolish thing Elrodan had ever said.
I tried to get up, but my body was giving out. My muscles were torn, my bones were cracked, and the blood wouldn't stop dripping from my tattered body.
Elrodan drew his bow. The arrow of light was aimed straight at my chest. His gaze was cold. There was no more hesitation.
"This is the end of everything, Neil," he said without hesitation.
But suddenly—
A brilliant light exploded from my body.
The magical aura around us was absorbed in an instant, drawn into my body like a deadly vortex.
Elrodan and Rena both stepped back reflexively, their faces filled with shock I had never seen before.
"What is this!?" Rena muttered, stunned.
My body began to rise into the air.
Amidst a sea of magic that swirled like a storm, I floated—as if the world were rejecting me, or perhaps finally accepting me as a new being who would destroy everything.
Elrodan tried to jump into the center of the magical vortex, trying to stop the process with his light magic.
But it was no use.
The vortex repelled everything—burning, devouring, and destroying every energy that tried to approach.
I continued to absorb an incredible amount of magic.
The ground beneath me cracked, the air trembled, and the sky seemed to hold its breath.
The light slowly began to dim.
I landed calmly, unwavering. The wounds on my body vanished, replaced by a new strength. My demonic aura and my will now merged seamlessly.
I clenched my fists, feeling the full force of my power beneath my skin, which now felt like living steel.
"Finally, this body has matched my soul," I said quietly, but menacingly.
I stepped forward, glaring at Elrodan and Rena, who now looked more wary than ever.
"Now, are you ready for round two?"