The valley erupted into chaos the moment the demon army charged. The ground shook under dozens of rushing footsteps as the creatures surged forward like a dark wave pouring down from the cliffs. Steel clashed instantly as the adventurers formed a defensive line, blades flashing in the gray mountain light. Eren Thorne stepped forward beside Cassian Voss with his sword raised, the wind whipping across the valley and carrying the sharp scent of blood even before the first demon reached them. Above the battlefield, the violet-eyed demon lord watched from the rocky ridge with calm, almost bored interest, as if the clash below were nothing more than an experiment.
The first demon lunged toward Eren with a curved blade raised high. Eren sidestepped the strike and drove his sword into the creature's ribs, twisting the blade before kicking the body away. But even before the demon collapsed, another rushed toward him from the side. Eren ducked under the slash and countered with a quick strike across the creature's throat. Dark blood sprayed across the stone.
"Left!" Cassian shouted.
Eren turned just in time to block another attack, sparks flying as steel collided. The force of the strike pushed him backward across the rocky ground. The demons were strong, but worse than that—they were organized. Every time one fell, another stepped forward immediately to replace it.
Bram roared nearby as he crushed a demon with a brutal swing of his heavy sword. "They just keep coming!"
Eren glanced around the battlefield quickly.
The adventurers were holding their ground for now, but the numbers were overwhelming. Demons poured down from the cliffs in groups, surrounding the expedition from every direction. Even the strongest fighters were beginning to struggle.
Cassian cut down another enemy beside Eren before speaking again. "We can't win this fight."
Eren didn't answer immediately.
Because Cassian was right.
This wasn't a battle meant to be won.
It was a trap.
Another demon leapt toward Eren with a spear aimed at his chest. He knocked the weapon aside and slashed upward, but as the creature fell another demon crashed into him from behind. The impact sent Eren stumbling forward.
Claws tore across his shoulder.
Pain exploded through his body.
Eren gritted his teeth and spun around, driving his sword straight through the attacker's chest.
But there were too many.
The adventurers were slowly being pushed toward the center of the valley.
Alric Stormhall fought near the front line with powerful strikes that cut through demon armor like paper, but even the guild master couldn't hold back the entire army alone.
Eren glanced toward the ridge again.
The demon lord had not moved.
It simply watched.
Learning.
Studying the battle the same way Eren studied his enemies.
That realization hit him like cold water.
It wants this fight.
Another demon charged toward him.
Eren dodged and countered, but his movements were growing slower. A blade grazed his side, then another cut across his arm. The pain was real, sharp and burning.
Cassian stepped in to block the next strike.
"Eren!"
Eren staggered back slightly.
Cassian's voice was urgent now.
"We need to retreat!"
Eren knew the truth already.
There was no retreat.
The demons had surrounded the valley completely.
Another adventurer screamed somewhere behind them.
Eren looked back just in time to see a demon spear punch through the man's chest.
The body collapsed.
Rage flashed through Eren's chest, but he forced himself to stay calm.
Observe.
Learn.
That was how the curse had allowed him to survive every impossible fight so far.
A demon lunged toward him again.
This time Eren let it come closer.
The creature swung its blade downward.
Eren stepped aside and cut across its knee, dropping it instantly.
Another demon attacked from behind.
Eren ducked.
But the third demon he hadn't seen struck him from the side.
A spear punched through his armor and into his ribs.
Eren gasped as blood filled his mouth.
He fell to one knee.
The demon yanked the spear free and raised it again.
Eren looked up toward the ridge where the demon lord stood watching.
Their eyes met.
The creature smiled faintly.
The spear plunged down.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Eren's eyes snapped open.
The cold wind of the mountain path brushed against his face.
Cassian was walking a few steps ahead, just like before.
The expedition had not yet reached the valley.
Time had rewound.
Eren exhaled slowly.
"So that's how it starts."
Cassian glanced back at him.
"What?"
Eren shook his head.
"Nothing."
They continued walking.
Inside Eren's mind, the battle replayed itself piece by piece.
The demon formations.
Their attack patterns.
The signal horn.
The moment reinforcements arrived.
He had died only once in that battle so far.
And he already knew things the others didn't.
By the time they reached the valley again, Eren had already prepared himself.
The adventurers spread out across the battlefield just like before.
The demons appeared.
The horn sounded.
The army charged.
But this time Eren moved differently.
He shouted immediately.
"Shield formation!"
Several adventurers turned toward him in confusion, but Alric recognized the command instantly.
"Do it!"
The fighters tightened their formation just as the first wave of demons attacked.
The impact was brutal, but the line held.
Cassian glanced sideways at Eren.
"You knew that was coming."
Eren didn't answer.
He was already watching the cliffs again.
Waiting for the next move.
The battle unfolded again.
Demons charged.
Adventurers fought.
But this time Eren moved through the chaos with careful precision.
Every death from the previous timeline had taught him something.
Every mistake had become a lesson.
He cut down one demon.
Then another.
The fight was still brutal, but now he understood the battlefield better.
And then the horn sounded again.
Eren immediately looked toward the ridge.
The demon lord stood there once more.
Watching.
Waiting.
This time Eren smiled faintly.
"Got you."
Cassian glanced at him.
"You're smiling during a battle."
Eren stepped forward with his sword raised.
"Because now I know how this fight works."
The demon army charged again.
But this time…
Eren was ready to learn how to beat it.