The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Lion Serpents, as their name suggests, possessed a formidable presence with a body akin to that of a lion, but elongated to a staggering length of three meters. This size difference rendered them even more imposing and fearsome than the average male lion.

Unlike the typical lion males whose hair grew solely around their neck, short and fluffy, the Lion Serpents boasted a striking feature. Their head, bereft of fur, was adorned instead with a cascade of long, curly locks that extended all the way down to their buttocks.

The texture of this hair resembled hardened steel, impervious even to the spears thrown by the horned demons, which failed to penetrate their resilient skin.

The combination of their reddish-black skin, reminiscent of molten lava, and their blazing red eyes, gave the impression that these creatures hailed from the depths of hell itself. Their abundant, serpentine hair only added to their fearsome appearance, justifying their moniker, Lion Serpents.

Their strength was nothing short of remarkable, as evident from the shattered remnants of human armor still clinging to their claws, gleaming with a malevolent red hue. With the arrival of the Lion Serpent pack, the morale of the human soldiers plummeted even further, their spirits dampened in the face of this overwhelming threat.

However...

The scene unfolding before them caused one soldier's jaw to drop, leaving him in a state of utter disbelief. His eyes widened, filled with terror, as if he had come face to face with his worst nightmare.

*Chew*

To their surprise, the creatures they had assumed to be their enemies, the Lion Serpents, were actually feasting on the corpses of the horned demons. Even the very demons who had launched weapons against them now found themselves included in the macabre menu.

"Arghhh... you... useless... dogs..." Groaning in pain, the once-mighty demons cursed vehemently at the herd of Lion Serpents that preyed upon their lifeless forms.

The remaining horned demons refused to stand idly by as they witnessed this audacious act. Their attention shifted, and they launched an assault on the Lion Serpent pack, their fury ignited by the sight of their fallen comrade being torn apart.

A sudden reversal of fortunes unfolded. The human race, who had struggled to hold their ground against a single horned demon, now watched with a mix of awe and anticipation as the battle took on a different dynamic, akin to a grand spectacle unfolding in a bustling city.

Initially skeptical of the tales regarding the demons, the humans were now confronted with undeniable evidence before their eyes.

"Cannibalism," a weighty voice murmured, fueling a surge of morale that rippled through the human soldiers. Their expressions became animated, brimming with excitement.

"Guardians!" one soldier exclaimed, snapping out of his daze. He turned his head and shouted with elation, a ray of hope piercing through the once-darkened world, banishing the encroaching beasts back into the depths of the abyss.

"Sir!" Another soldier approached, his eyes welling with tears of gratitude. He stood by the Guardian, his head lowered in reverence. "Please, lend us your strength!"

On this sun-drenched morning, a man who had not yet reached the age of thirty stood tall amidst the chaos of the battlefield. His jet-black hair, tied back with a single strand, danced in the wind as if nature itself favored his cause.

With his deep, jet-black eyes, seemingly bottomless in their intensity, the man's gaze remained fixed upon the unfolding chaos, where demons and Lion Serpents clashed and devoured one another.

Donning his armor, the Guardian distinguished himself from the other soldiers with his choice of lighter protection, coupled with arm and leg guards. Yet, such was his aura of confidence that no soldier dared to question his judgment.

"Naturally, it is my duty," the man replied, tilting his head and offering a smile so captivating it could rival the moon on a starlit night. The soldier, caught off guard by the Guardian's charm, blushed uncontrollably before regaining his composure.

"That was a close call," the soldier sighed, a hand pressed against his chest. Casting a glance towards their strikingly handsome Guardian, envy stirred within him, mingling with admiration.

"Advanced Spell: Mass Healing," suddenly intoned the Guardian, his voice carrying a melodic cadence that caused the battlefield's energy to coalesce and disperse throughout the air.

"Whoa!" The soldiers cried out, their weariness and wounds dissolving one by one. Excitement coursed through their veins as they basked in the revitalizing effects of the spell. Their gazes, brimming with admiration and relief, remained fixed upon the Guardian.

"Praise Sir Reinthard!" one soldier exclaimed, expressing his gratitude, followed by a chorus of voices joining in unison, resounding with gratitude and respect.

Reinthard, upon hearing these words, chuckled softly, his chest swelling with pride. The knowledge that he was not only a Guardian but also a Master Wizard had spread far and wide among the human populace, garnering admiration even from kings themselves.

"Soon, higher-ranking demons will undoubtedly make an appearance. Slaying one of them would allow me to ascend to the position of Grandmaster," Reinthard mumbled to himself, his attention never wavering from the battlefield, even as he was praised and revered.

Reinthard, the Guardian and the first Master Wizard to have achieved the pinnacle of dual-class mastery, played an instrumental role in enabling the South Kingdom to endure the onslaught of demon attacks thus far.

Stretching out his arms, Reinthard embraced the world figuratively, clasping his hands together. "There you go," he murmured, closing one eye as he aimed his sword-like hand towards the distant rear of the enemy lines with a determined glint in his eyes. "Phew."

Suddenly, one of the Lion Serpents, its jaws locked around a demon's head, was forcefully launched through the air, hurtling towards Reinthard's stationary figure.

The Lion Serpent's body bore a gaping hole in its stomach, from which blood gushed forth, forming a crimson torrent. Its mouth hung open, its tongue protruding, and drool oozed out, pooling into a repugnant puddle.

"Hiss." Even Reinthard himself couldn't remain composed in the face of this grotesque spectacle. He recoiled, taking a step back, wary of being tainted by the repulsive saliva.

Reinthard's expression grew somber, his face etched with a frown. His abyssal black eyes focused on a chain slowly retracting, originating from the same spot where the deceased Lion Serpent lay, an axe lodged in the ground.

Both humans and demons ceased their battle, and even the once-savage and fearless pack of Lion Serpents lowered their heads and bodies, resembling dogs welcoming their master.

"There is no time for games," a voice, in stark contrast to Reinthard's demeanor, resonated across the battlefield. It carried both terror and an overwhelming aura of power, causing demons and humans alike to break into a cold sweat, their complexions pale.

From the land marred by scorching lava and desolation, a radiant red aura materialized. Like a scarlet sun blazing through the darkness of night, it slowly advanced, permeating the battlefield with its ominous presence.