The Smiling Death

"Impressive," he said, pushing himself up as demonic mana surged around him. His horns glowed faintly black, and dark energy wrapped around his blade.

He slashed upward.

A crescent of dark-blue aura tore through the air toward Galahad.

Galahad raised his sword and met it head-on.

BOOM!

The attack exploded, the shockwave flattening everything in its path. The forest around them was now completely destroyed, only broken trunks and scorched earth remained.

They were too strong. And as if that was not enough, both were able to control the mana in their surroundings.

Galahad stepped forward, his aura flaring.

"I won't allow you to step further," he said coldly.

Vaelrix's smile faded slightly, replaced by sharp interest.

"Such resolve," he said. "No wonder humans still stand. It always amuses me."

They charged at each other again.

Their blades clashed dozens of times in seconds. Each impact shook the forest. Mana clashed against mana, neither side giving an inch.

Galahad suddenly changed his stance and thrust his sword forward.

Vaelrix barely dodged, the blade grazing his armor and leaving a deep scratch.

"Looks like even a Sovereign can bleed," Galahad said.

Vaelrix glanced at the mark, then smiled.

"Yes," he replied. "And so can you."

In the next moment, Vaelrix vanished.

Galahad's instincts screamed. He turned. But too late.

Slash!

Vaelrix's sword cut across Galahad's shoulder, blood spraying into the air. Galahad grunted but didn't fall back. Instead, he swung blindly.

Their blades locked again, faces only inches apart.

Blue eyes met blue eyes.

Human and demon stared at each other, neither willing to yield.

Below them, far away, the battlefield still burned.

And this clash, this duel between two Mystic Sovereigns.

Galahad ordered mana into the surroundings as the ground trembled violently.

The earth shook as multiple huge chunks of land tore upward into the air. Massive rocks and stones floated around them, surrounding both Galahad and Vaelrix.

Vaelrix glanced up at the sky.

Then all the earth elements fell at the same time, aimed directly at him.

Vaelrix didn't flinch.

He moved at inhuman speed, avoiding each one.

BOOM

BOOM

BOOM

The rocks and stones smashed into the ground, creating massive craters. Dust filled the air, smoke spreading everywhere.

Through it all, Vaelrix moved.

And Galahad dashed toward him.

Galahad's body began to glow with a brown aura, while Vaelrix's body shone with dark blue energy.

Multiple brown and dark-blue trajectories slashed against each other.

This was not going to be a small battle at all.

---

At that time, Amon and his group, who had just killed eight demons, were running toward the battle as fast as possible.

They were near the base.

Amon could hear the sound of steel and spells, explosions, the battle cries of soldiers.

"We're closer," Harvey said from the front.

'Damn… this is crazy. It's not like a real war between thousands of soldiers. It's on a smaller scale, but it's still huge for me' Amon thought gravely.

He gripped his sword tightly, ready for the battle ahead.

"Are you nervous about this?" Lucien asked from beside him, clearly noticing Amon's worried face.

"Of course I am… isn't this too much? Why do I have to experience hell-level difficulty?" Amon complained angrily.

"Hah… well, you're not alone. It's my first time as well. I mean, we don't have to worry since it's not a true war, but still, whatever its scale might be… it's dangerous," Lucien said, glancing at Amon with a smirk.

"Don't try to die. I hope you survive this."

At Lucien's words, Amon smiled.

"Survive? That's not too hard. I can survive easily," Amon said, trying to act calm. It was just an act, nothing more.

"Confident, huh? That's a good habit," Mira joined the conversation while running beside them.

Her hair swayed with the cold breeze of the Black Forest.

"Thanks, I guess," Amon replied with the same expression, then looked forward.

"Whatever… we will survive this," he muttered in a low voice that only he could hear.

They continued running forward, their footsteps pounding against the forest floor.

The sounds of battle were much closer now. The air itself felt heavy, filled with killing intent, clashing mana, and the stench of blood.

Amon tightened his grip on his sword.

Then something moved towards them. Too fast.

A sudden blur shot out from between the trees.

"—!"

Harvey's instincts reacted before his mind could.

He stepped forward instantly and raised his shield.

CLANG!

A massive impact exploded against the shield. Sparks burst outward. A shockwave rippled through the air.

Harvey grunted as his feet dug into the ground.

But it wasn't enough.

"Guh—!"

He was pushed back.

His boots slid several meters across the dirt, carving deep lines into the soil before he finally managed to stop himself.

The force made everyone freeze.

Amon's eyes widened.

'What the hell was that speed…?'

The figure landed lightly a short distance away.

A demon.

But not like the ones they had fought before.

He stood tall and relaxed, as if he hadn't just launched a powerful attack. His body was well-built, muscles clearly defined beneath dark armor marked with faint crimson lines.

Two curved horns rose from his head, thicker and longer than those of ordinary demons.

His skin was a deep ash-gray, and his eyes glowed a sharp yellow with vertical pupils.

He rolled his neck slightly, then smirked.

"Oh?" the demon said, his voice mocking. "You blocked that?"

Harvey steadied his stance, his shield still raised. His arm trembled slightly from the impact.

"This one's strong," Derrick said in a low voice, stepping forward.

Lucien swallowed. "That wasn't normal speed…"

Mira had already drawn her bow, an arrow notched and glowing faintly with mana.

Amon's heart was pounding.

The demon's gaze moved slowly across the group, as if inspecting prey.

Six humans.

One shield bearer.

One archer.

Four melee fighters.

His smirk widened. "I was just observing the battle from a side. It seems there are still human soldiers out there in forest."He paused observing them again. "Want to join the battle?well don't worry you people have already joined it. Now let's fight~"