The Smiling Death

The demon was not wrong. They had join the battle already. The base was less than a kilometer away from them. The cries of soldiers was clearly audible.

The demon's smirk widened as he slowly lifted his weapon. He was holding a sword lazily. It was as if he had not much thought of using his weapon.

"Let's see what you can do," he said calmly. His amber eyes looked at them with cold amusement.

Harvey didn't reply. He tightened his grip on the shield and axe. Then he moved.

With a shout, Harvey charged forward, his shield raised high while his battle axe swung from the side. The ground shook under his heavy steps.

At the same time, Derrick disappeared from sight. The demon noticed immediately. He could see their movement easily.

"Oh?" he muttered. Harvey's axe came down with brutal force. Pouring all of his strength into this strike.

CLANG!

The demon blocked it with one hand on his weapon. The impact sent sparks flying, but the demon didn't move an inch.

Harvey pushed forward, slamming his shield straight into the demon's chest.

BOOM!

The force echoed through the forest. But the demon merely slid back a step, boots carving a shallow mark in the dirt.

"Strong," the demon said casually. "But not enough." He don't even look worried about fighting multiple enemies.

Before he could counter.

Slash!

Derrick appeared behind him like a shadow. His dagger aimed straight for the demon's neck.

But the demon twisted his body unnaturally fast. The blade barely grazed his armor. The demon elbowed backward. His elbowed collided against the stomach of Derrick.

THUD!

Derrick was sent flying, crashing into a tree and dropping to one knee.

"Derrick!" Kaelra shouted.

Harvey roared and swung again, this time aiming to cleave the demon in half. The demon stepped inside the attack.

He was too close. He punched Harvey's shield. The forces was too much.

CRACK!

The impact sent Harvey sliding back several meters, his boots digging into the ground.

Harvey breathed heavily but didn't fall.

"This guy…" Harvey muttered. "He's enjoying this."

The demon laughed softly.

"Of course I am." The demon showed a twisted smile. He was enjoying the fight.

Then something move behind.

Three more figures stepped out from between the trees. Three more demons wearing armor.

They spread out instantly. One rushed toward Kaelra. One dashed at Lucien. And the last one locked eyes with Amon.

Amon's heart skipped a beat.

'More enemies…? Damn!' Amon cursed.

Mira shouted from behind. "Amon! Left side!"

The demon nearing Amon's side grinned, licking his lips.

"Found you," he said. The battlefield split.

---

Kaelra moved first.

Her sword flashed as she met the demon charging at her. Their blades collided, sparks flying.

She gritted her teeth as the demon pushed her back with sheer strength.

Lucien spun his staff, barely blocking a clawed strike from his opponent. The demon was fast, relentless, pressing him nonstop.

Mira fired.

Twang!

An arrow flew past Lucien's shoulder and pierced the demon's arm. The demon hissed but didn't stop.

Amon swallowed hard. The demon in front of him dashed forward. He was faster and agile. Amon raised his sword just in time.

CLANG!

The impact numbed his arms. He stumbled back.

"Damn it…!"

The demon laughed. "Slow."

He attacked again. Amon barely dodged, the blade slicing past his ribs.

He rolled across the ground and scrambled to his feet, breathing hard.

Mira fired another arrow.

The demon twisted his body, the arrow grazing his shoulder.

"Tch," he clicked his tongue. "Annoying archer."

---

Back at the center.

Harvey and Derrick attacked together again. Harvey slammed his glowing golden shield down, forcing the demon to block.

At that exact moment, Derrick darted in low, stabbing at the demon's thigh.

The blade pierced flesh. Red blood spilled. The demon froze for half a second. Then he smiled wider.

"Oh… good," he said with big grinned. Excitement surged in him. For fighting against both Derrick and Harvey.

He instantly grabbed Derrick by the collar. Derrick didn't get any chance to react.

SLAM!

He smashed Derrick into the ground. Before Harvey could react, the demon kicked him square in the chest.

BOOM!

Harvey flew back and crashed into a fallen tree.

"Harvey!" Mira shouted. She fired rapidly.

Three arrows coated with differnt elements. Ice and fire.

One hit the demon's shoulder. One struck his side.

One tore inside his armor. Yet he was standing fine. With no problem.

The demon turned slowly toward Mira. His eyes were cold.

"You're next."

---

Kaelra blocked another heavy strike. Her arms shook. Lucien shouted, "Kaelra! Switch!"

They moved instinctively.

Lucien rushed in, spinning his spear. Lightning burst from his spear. Crackling dangerously. He strike the demon's head with great speed and movement.

While

Kaelra rolled away, catching her breath. She attacked the another demon who was fighting with Lucien. Her sword's balde enforce by wind pushed the demon, as he staggered slightly by her attack.

The demon clicked his tongue as he raised his hand. A huge magic circle from in front of him. A red magic circles with complex.

His red eyes glow, mana surged from his body in surrounding.

But.

Mira took the chance. She released an arrow, glowing with blazing fire. It shot in lightning speed. The arrow pierced through the demon's chest from behind.

"Ahhh-?"he screamed in pain while clutching at the place where the arrow just pierced him. The huge magic circle in front of him shattered.

The demon screamed and collapsed. One demon was down.

---

Amon panted heavily. He was fighting another one. He was fighting alon against this demon. He was not weaker than Amon. Rather slightly stronger than him.

But it doesn't mean he was not killable.

His opponent attacked again.

This time, Amon didn't retreat. He stepped forward. In his both hands. Sword and hatchet held tightly.

Shadow element surged around his blade of both hatchet and sword.

He slashed. His hands move in intent to kill the opponent.

Clang!

The demon blocked with with his sword, but Amon twisted his wrist and kicked the demon's knee.

The demon stumbled. Amon's brow furrowed

His gritted his teeth and put more power in his legs and hands. His muscles enchanted by mana.

Amon thrust his sword forward. The blade pierced the demon's abdomen. Red blood spilled from his wound.

The demon screamed "ahh-" and tried to grab Amon.

Just then an arrowed came tearing through the air. And pierced the demon's hand that was reaching for Amon.

"Aaarrggh!" He yelled in pain. His hand stopped in middle. Amon didn't let this chance go.

His hatched raised high above. He brought it down with full speed. The blade of hatchet brutally crushed the demon's skull.

Crushed!

Blood splattered in surrounding and Amon hands by brushed brained.

'Another down' Amon took his hand away and shook the blood on his hand and hatchet.

---

Lucien was still fighting. His lightning spear meets the demon's blade.

The fight didn't go on for much. Kaelra joined him. Her sword swung at Demon from other side.

The demon was late to avoid it.

Slash.

A Slash appeared on his back. In yelled in pain. His movementum was broken. Lucien held his spear horizontally and thrust the spear forward.

It pierced inside the demon's stomach.

Thud.

The third demon fall on ground lifeless.

"Hah...they are dead. " Lucien muttered.

Still the fight was not over.

Because the strongest demon still stood. He was still fighting Harvey and Derrick. Those two were tired. But unlike them the Demon was still fine. He stepped back from them. His amber eyes looked at the fallen bodies.

Then he laughed." They really are useless bunch. Can't even kill a single enemy."

"Still it will be Interesting," he said. "If you don't die early that makes it more fun. I enjoy fighting. Now I can fight all of you."

Harvey struggled back to his feet.

Derrick stood beside him, blood dripping from his forehead.

Lucien and Kaelra regrouped. Mira kept her bow trained. Amon stood slowly, weapons shaking in his hands.

They surrounded the demon. Six humans.

One demon.

The demon spread his arms slightly. "Come," he said with a grin. "Show me more."

The forest trembled as dark mana surged around him.The fight was not going to be easy at all.

The demon tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening.

"You should at least know the name of the one who will kill you all," he said calmly. "I am kalrik."

Dark mana surged around his body, swirling like black smoke mixed with amber light. The pressure alone made the air heavy.

Harvey tightened his grip.

Derrick lowered his stance.

Lucien spun his spear once.

Kaelra raised her sword.

Mira drew her bow fully

Amon steadied his breath.

He held his both weapons, darkness surrounded his sword. While his shadow move from below and wrapped itself around the hatchet.

"Well this going to hard match." He stare at the strong demon.

But still he didn't felt fear. Rather there was more confident. Because this time he was not fighting alone. He had his comrades beside him.

Then everyone moved.