Chapter 289 - The Overlord of the Sky

Once the storm went away Kretos and Leila continued their journey to the demon lord's lair. It took them a few days before they were able to reach the highest mountain peak where Jiro the overlord of the sky resides. When they got there, a swarm of Tengu and Harpies surrounded them. 

Kretos licked his lips as he summoned a pair of daggers from his shadow. Leila also took out the daggers he got from Kretos and felt a bit tense and at the same time excited. The Tengu and Harpies glared at Kretos and Leila, when they were about to attack a booming voice stopped them. 

"Let them pass!" Hearing the command of their lord the group of demons reluctantly made way for Kretos and Leila. Seeing the group of demons no longer about to fight him, Kretos looked disappointed. 

'Well, I did come here for the demon lord.' Thinking about that made Kretos feel a bit better. Kretos then hid his blades back into his shadow and proceeded forward. 

...

On top of the highest mountain that could oversee the whole demon lands stood the Overlord of the sky, Jiro. His black wings were of a deeper darker color than the rest. Not only that unlike the other Tengus who had red skin and had a face with a pointy nose, instead he had light brown skin and simply looked like a rather handsome human with black wings. 

Jiro was looking at Kretos with a frown on his face. He spread his long dark wings to intimidate Kretos but that just made him even more excited. 

"You're so late, what took you so long?" 

"It would take someone a few weeks before they reach the top of the highest mountain. I already came here faster than most could, by foot." Hearing Kretos's answer, Jiro shrugged his shoulders and sighed. 

"This is why demons without wings are such weaklings." 

"Heh, how about you show me how much stronger you are than me." Kretos looked at Jiro and smiled his vicious smile. He then took out his favorite sword. Seeing his actions made Jiro sigh even more. 

"You're in so much of a rush to die. Well, since you delayed me in meeting my future Queen, I guess killing you fast and going to her would be for the best." Jiro flapped his mighty wings causing a gust of wind to blow pass Kretos and Leila. Seeing that the two were about ready to fight, Leila distanced herself from the two. 

"Let's see if you can do as you say. If you're able to kill me in battle, I will forever be grateful to you Overlord of the Sky, Jiro." 

"Heh, you're weirder than the rumors implied. So you want to be killed in battle? Very well, I am a magnanimous lord, I will fulfill your wish." 

"Show it to me then, show me you can do it!" Kretos gestured Jiro to come, and within the next moment, Jiro was already in front of him. Kretos was surprised by how fast Jiro moved. The demon lord was almost as fast as him maybe even faster.

Kretos quickly got a hold of himself and tried attacking first. The moment Kretos's sword was going to hit, Jiro blocked the strike using his wings. Upon contact with Jiro's wings, Kretos's sword had bounced back. Already a bit unstable, Jiro pushed Kretos which made him lose balance. Seeing the unbalanced Kretos, Jiro then used the spell [wind slice]. 

Kretos twisted his body in a weird way to avoid the strike. He barely avoided the spell, when Jiro suddenly kicked him. Kretos was blown away into a nearby wall of rocks. Kretos quickly recovered and had a smile even wider than before. He gathered mana into his sword and charged in. 

Kretos slashed downward, this time Jiro didn't block the attack but evaded it with minimal movement. He then flapped his wings and some of his feathers started flying towards Kretos. Seeing the incoming feathers Kretos did a backflip to evade. 

The feathers that flew past Kretos hit the nearby rocks and shattered them. Jiro then moved behind Kretos who backflipped and attacked but punching. Kretos barely blocked the attack with his sword. Not only was Jiro faster than Kretos, but his strength was no joke as well.

Kretos found it really fun, seeing Jiro get behind him every time. It was like the demon lord was telling him, see how fast I am compared to you.

'Well, I guess warming up is finished.'

Kretos lowered his stance and no longer moved from his spot. Jiro once again got behind Kretos but the moment he did so he felt the cold blade by his neck. Jiro was somehow able to evade, but he was dumbfounded by that strike. It was impossible to react that fast. 

That attack was clearly made before he even got behind Kretos. Jiro was a little bit rattled but that didn't mean he was scared. He once again moved, but this time he did not go behind Kretos but instead moved above him. Yet despite moving in a different direction Kretos's blade was there waiting for him. 

Jiro who barely evaded the attack again didn't give up and continued to attack Kretos from different angles. He knew that he was faster than Kretos so he didn't like the feeling that Kretos was able to react to his movements. Yet no matter what angle he attacked in Kretos's blade was always there to greet him. 

'It's as if he can predict what I would do next.' 

Jiro got irritated and no longer fought in close range, instead, he started bombarding Kretos with his feathers and spells. Kretos continued to smile that vicious smile of his, enjoying the incoming onslaught. 

Kretos quickly changed weapons from his sword to his daggers. He then enveloped his daggers with mana and attacked the incoming feathers and spells. He deflected each and every one of them. At first, he was getting nicked here and there, but as usual, the more he fought the more he grew until he could finally feel the flow of battle. Seeing what was happening Jiro sped up his attacks and used more varied spells. 

Kretos was enjoying this fight and this feeling that he could die at any moment. He couldn't help but laugh as he continued to stand his ground deflecting every attack.