That's pretty cruel... is this really how demons exist? They're just humans that returned to their World from Hell? William asked as he ran from a group of Golden Core Souls.
-And Magical Beasts, but yes.
William used his Lightning Domain and created a field of sparks that electrified the Golden Core Souls, causing them to wail in pain while their forms became more translucent.
You said they're powerful, right? How come I haven't heard anything about them since I've been here? Other than the Gravitas Ruins, there's been nothing yet.
-Are you trying to speak them into existence? It's not like they appear every—
System, did you just cut off? It's a text box, don't be so dramatic! William complained.
And don't scare me like that. You're reacting as if a Demon is nearb— fuck.
While William was talking with the System, what appeared to be a shooting star came in from out of nowhere, illuminating ethereal Realm with an otherworldly beauty. At first, it seemed like a minor detail that wasn't worth paying much attention to, but now William wasn't so sure.
That's because at the same time, one of the peak Nascent Soul Vengeful Spirits that William was avoiding started to blur and distort, the figureless face pulled towards the shooting star.
As they collided in midair, a bright bluish-red explosion filled the sky, showering the area with sparks. The ground beneath the collision was swept away, becoming a massive shockwave that knocked William's Soul Form away. Since there were only a few Talents that were effective in this state, William was knocked off his feet and traveled a few dozen meters before stopping.
Before he could get back to his feet, a deafening roar emanated from the center of the shockwave, sending William tumbling for a second time. He used his Acrobatics Talent to tumble gracefully this time, getting back to his feet quickly.
William raised his head to identify his opponent, which seemed to be wantonly destroying other Souls in its rage, but the Cultivation Talent's bonus effect made him wish he hadn't.
[Demon] {Peak Nascent Soul Realm}
It turned its head and barreled in William's direction, its physical body blasting through souls and trees alike as it took a straightforward path.
No fair! Why can he hurt Soul Beings with his physical strength? William complained. He was jealous of the Demon's strength, but not as much as he was repulsed by its horrifying looks.
He maintained his control over the Chaos Magic, spreading it around his body to form a defensive shield that disassembled the World around him into its most basic Mana Particles. His legs shook as the Demon continued forward, seemingly unperturbed by the wall of Chaos Mana.
Are you sure this is going to help me, System? This thing doesn't seem afraid at all! William couldn't help but take a step back in fear, the Chaos Barrier slightly deformed by his movement.
-Not if you don't focus!
William nodded and regained control of the violent Mana, steeling his resolve to meet the Demon head-on.
The two forces clashed midair, the Demon's bulky form slowing down and becoming like paper going through a shredder. The Chaos Barrier tried to break it apart into tiny pieces, but the Demon continued moving forward, so William was forced to layer Time Magic overtop of it to slow it down even more.
With such a large difference in their strength, William had no way to reverse time that involved the Demon, but he could still manage to slow it down quite a bit. With the help of the Chaos Barrier, the Demon was slowed further and further until it was only a little bit faster than William.
Only when the Demon was about to touch William did he jump to the side, ending the Spell and avoiding any serious injuries. He called Chaos Mana to form another barrier immediately, unwilling to believe that such a weak attack could possibly kill a Demon.
It's a good thing Master had me fight one in the past, otherwise I probably would have thought I won by now.
As expected, the shredded Demon almost instantaneously reformed, with no discernable difference to its shape or size. Instead, William saw the Demon become enraged and grow a pair of long purple horns that crackled with the Lightning Element.
It can use Magic too?! The last one wasn't like this!
-That was a Lesser Demon. This is a regular Demon. The stronger ones even have Domains.
A Demon with a Domain? I think I have something new to add to my list of nightmare fuel...