Chapter 137 Demon Encounter



Thud...

As soon as the Turtle's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, I let out a heavy sigh that caressed my lips like a gentle breeze.

The Sand Dweller finally died...

"I have no time."

However, I didn't have the luxury to relax or bask in my victory for long. I was on a limited time frame and I better get moving if I wanted to close the void before tomorrow.

Tap... Tap...

The sound of my footsteps on the red sand echoed in the silent desert as I hurriedly made my way toward the obsidian chain in the distance.

Why wasn't I afraid that there were more Sand Dwellers?

Well, that's because they are hostile to each other and fight over territories.

The Turtle I'd just killed was most likely the only one left in this particular area, which meant that this island was now cleared.

Clang... Clang...

Climbing onto the chain, I quickly made my way across, feeling the cold obsidian sway beneath my feet.

"What is this..."

As soon as I reached the island on the other side, my eyes narrowed down in confusion at the peculiar sight before me.

The island itself was ringed with towering pillars of crystalline ice that somehow managed to survive in such a scorching heat.

"..."

Instantly, I knew that this was not natural.

There was no way that ice formed in hell naturally, unless...

"What a surprise to find a human here~"

An eerie and raspy voice echoed through the air, making an uncontrollable shiver run down my spine.

I slowly lifted my head and locked my eyes with a figure standing atop one of the ice pillars.

The being radiated strong Dark Mana that made me frown and its appearance was unsettling, with an unnaturally elongated body and twisted limbs that ended with sharp claws.

It was a Demon.

Luckily, it had no wings which meant that it was a low-rank one. From the Dark Mana, it radiated I could tell it was approximately E+ Rank.

However, I couldn't underestimate it.

Countless people were killed like that, underestimating the strength of the Demons and falling to their sharp claws.

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I took a deep breath, summoning my Authority and grabbing its handle with both hands.

"You don't want to talk, I see..."

The Demon muttered something under his breath, before taking a step forward and jumping down from the pillar in a fluid, almost graceful manner.

"Ice Control: Chilly Spears!"

With a wave of its hand, the Demon summoned multiple Ice Spears that hung menacingly in the air, ready to be launched at any moment.

They were sharp and glistening, almost translucent in the dim light.

Swish...

The Demon swiftly flicked its wrist and the ice spears shot through the air at incredible speed, aiming to impale me without mercy.

"..."

However, I kept calm. There was no need to panic, as I had anticipated this attack as soon as I realized that the Demon had Ice Mana Art.

Before the Ice spears could even materialize in the air, I was already ready to defend myself.

Boom...

I threw a Pebble enchanted with an Explosive Rune at the approaching ice spears, causing a small explosion that scattered the spears and disrupted their trajectory.

All of them missed their mark, impaling the ground around me in a scattered pattern.

However, I quickly jumped back from the projectiles, observing as the Demon's face crumpled into a frown seeing my actions.

Boom...

The Spears exploded in a burst of icy shrapnel, sending shards flying in all directions that would've surely harmed me if I didn't retreat previously.

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Seeing my actions, the Demon halted, looking at me with a mixture of surprise and frustration.

Well, it was a normal reaction...

Not everyone can successfully predict and counter their opponent's moves, especially to this degree.

It was due to the countless Voids I've closed that I got somewhat used to the Demon attack patterns and developed something similar to foresight.

I could basically anticipate their movements and actions before they even made a move.

It was at a point where I already knew the next few moves the Demon would do.

His Ice Control was probably a four-star Mana Art, which meant that it was relatively strong. Although I hadn't heard of such Art while playing the game, I could somewhat guess its abilities.

"..."

Looking at the Demon, I kept silent, gripping my Longsword's handle tighter and supplying Mana into its blade.

The blade hummed with Mana, resonating with the essence of Shadows swirling around it.

It was time to engage in close combat.

With a burst of speed, I dashed towards the Demon, closing the distance between us in an instant. The strange sand beneath my feet kicked up in a small whirlwind as I moved, my Longsword held firmly in my grasp.

The Demon reacted quickly, its twisted claws extending, ready to meet my attack. Our clash was imminent, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Clank...

As our blades met, a shower of sparks erupted, illuminating the darkening sky. The Demon's strength was undeniable, each strike reverberating through my arms, testing my endurance. But I held my ground, using my 'foresight' to predict its movements.

We traded blows, each strike calculated and precise. The Demon's elongated limbs allowed for swift and unpredictable attacks, but I countered with agility and quick reflexes. My Longsword danced through the air, its shadowy aura leaving trails as it clashed with the Demon's claws.

I could sense the frustration in the Demon's eyes as its attacks were consistently thwarted. It had likely grown accustomed to overpowering its opponents, but my ability to predict its moves disrupted its advantage. The balance of power had shifted, and we stood on equal ground.

With each clash, I analyzed the Demon's patterns, memorizing its movements. I could see the frustration turning into anger as its attacks grew more ferocious. The sand beneath us shifted and crackled, echoing our battle.

In a split second, I anticipated the Demon's next move - a swift spin followed by a low sweep of its claw. I leaped over the sweeping attack, somersaulting through the air, and landed behind the Demon. Before it could react, I swung my Longsword with precision, aiming for its exposed back.

But the Demon was quick. It twisted its body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the full force of my strike. The blade of my Longsword grazed its arm, leaving a shallow gash.

Tsss...

The Demon hissed in pain, a mixture of fury and determination shining in its eyes.

The battle continued, both the Demon and I refusing to yield. We circled each other, our movements synchronized, each trying to find an opening to strike.

I focused my senses, feeling the Mana in the air. The Demon's attacks were swift and powerful, but I could sense the slight shifts in its weight and the tension in its muscles before it moved. It was a dance of anticipation and reaction, a delicate balance of instinct and skill.

Swish...

Ducking under a sweeping strike, I countered with a swift thrust of my Longsword, aiming for the Demon's chest. But the Demon twisted its body, narrowly evading the attack once again. It retaliated with a barrage of slashes, each strike aimed at weakening my defenses.

I dodged, rolled, and parried, my movements precise and calculated. The sand beneath us shifted and crumbled, bearing the marks of our intense duel.

"What are you?!"

The Demon shouted, swinging his claws with all his might, but missing me by mere inches.

"I'm Nothing!"

I shouted back, planting my knee into its face, momentarily stunning the creature and creating an opening for a strike.

Pluck...

My Authority cleanly sliced off its right arm, however, the Demon only hissed in pain, controlling his Dark Mana skillfully and forming a grotesque appendage in place of its severed limb, which soon turned back into a fully functional claw.

He regrew a new arm in a few moments just like that.

The more I fight against the Demons, the more I hate them...

The battle raged on, the clash of metal against claw filling the air. Each strike reverberated through my body, testing my endurance and willpower. The Demon fought with a relentless ferocity, its twisted limbs moving with unnatural speed and precision.

I focused on my breathing, maintaining my composure despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not even for a second. With every swing of my Longsword, I aimed to exploit the smallest opening in the Demon's defenses.

Dodge, parry, strike.

The rhythm of the battle became ingrained in my mind as we danced across the island. Each move was calculated, every strike aimed to weaken the Demon's resolve. I anticipated its attacks, dodging and countering with my own swift maneuvers.

The sand beneath us shifted and crumbled, kicked up by our relentless clash. The atmosphere crackled with tension, as if the very air was charged with the energy of our struggle. The Demon's eyes glowed with a mix of fury and desperation, its determination unwavering.

I exploited the Demon's momentary lapse in focus, using my speed and agility to deliver a swift kick to its midsection. It staggered backward, momentarily stunned, and I seized the opportunity to strike. My Longsword whirled through the air, aiming for its exposed flank.

But the Demon, fueled by its dark Mana, recovered quicker than I expected. It twisted its body, narrowly evading the full force of my strike. My blade grazed its side, leaving a shallow cut that oozed with dark energy.

"You will pay..."