Chapter 320

[Translator - Kie]

[Proofreader - Kawaii]

-----------------

Chapter 320: Another Round with Duke Class Demon (1)

***

"Ahahaha!"

Watching Damien from beyond the dimensional portal, Vahel burst into loud laughter.

"Migmag, did you see that? Damien Haksen just crushed Asthar and Alter! And he did it using dark magic!"

Among demons, dark magic was considered as worthless as trash.

Compared to the true power that demons wielded, dark magic was inferior in every way—output, purity, and endurance.

Yet Damien Haksen had used that inferior power to instantly deal with two demon marquises.

"And it wasn’t just any demon—he cut through Asthar's power! Can you believe that?"

What was even more astonishing was the sword strike that Damien had just used to slice Asthar in half.

Asthar’s power of ‘Invulnerability’ was a well-known even in Inferno. Simple, not very versatile, but immensely strong.

Only Vahel had been able to restrain Asthar, who rampaged while clad in the power of Invulnerability.

"Your Excellency."

Migmag who was holding staff in one hand spoke cautiously.

"I understand you're pleased, but it seems there's something that needs to be dealt with right now."

"Ah, yes. Now’s not the time for this."

Vahel finally calmed down and asked Migmag.

"How bad is the situation of Asthar and Alter?"

"Alter is barely breathing, and Asthar can be saved if treated immediately."

Demons’ vitality was so immense that it could almost be mistaken for immortality. Despite being impaled and sliced in half, they were still breathing.

"Is that so? Then hurry and save them. Treat them while I deal with Damien Haksen."

Marquis class demons were valuable assets to Inferno. Losing several Counts class demons had already been a heavy blow, and Vahel couldn’t afford to let the Marquis class demons die as well.

"What about Bas?"

Migmag pointed his finger toward the large demon battling a red dragon.

"Let him enjoy himself."

Vahel replied playfully.

At that moment, Damien, who had been waiting outside the dimensional portal, called out loudly.

"Are you not coming? Then I'll come to you myself."

"Wait! That would be troublesome! I'll be right there, so just hold on."

The place where Vahel was currently standing was no ordinary location.

It was a fortress created using one of Inferno’s treasured relics, the Phantasmal Realm.

Simply put, the Phantasmal Realm allowed its owner to create their own personal space.

If Damien fought him here, the relic would inevitably suffer great damage—potentially even be destroyed in the worst-case scenario.

Vahel lightly kicked off the ground and effortlessly passed through the dimensional portal, landing before Damien.

There was only a short distance between them as they faced each other.

While Vahel was grinning from ear to ear, Damien was radiating killing intent from his entire body.

"Where is Dorugo?"

“We’ve reunited after all this time, and the first thing you ask about is that bitch? That hurts my feelings a bit.”

“Cut the crap and answer. Is Dorugo alive?”

At Damien’s threatening words, Vahel chuckled and pointed toward the dimensional portal.

“Of course. She’s safely kept inside. But before you get to Dorugo, you’ll have to deal with me first.”

“Don’t worry about that. I wasn’t planning on letting you live either.”

Vahel laughed, his shoulders shaking with amusement.

He was the Duke of Inferno and was being threatened by a mere human. Vahel found the situation utterly delightful and entertaining.

“Your resolve is admirable, but you'd better watch your surroundings first.”

At that moment, something formed right in front of Damien. It looked like a translucent salt crystal, with irregular protrusions jutting out in all directions.

“That’s going to hurt quite a bit.”

Vahel remarked.

Before he could finish speaking, the crystal expanded rapidly. Its jagged spikes stretched out in all directions as they tried to envelop Damien.

* * *

Vahel said with red eyes gleaming.

"But now, I will unleash all my power."

With a single swing of Vahel's hand toward Damien, the ground and nearby mountain peaks were shattered into pieces.

* * *

While Damien and Vahel clashed, the Four Great Demon Kings also began to move.

Security had loosened because they were searching for the Altar. Now was the perfect time to free Dorugo.

Thanks to prior planning, they reached the prison without encountering any demons along the way. However, avoiding all conflict was impossible.

A lone demon was guarding the entrance to the prison.

"Why are you here?"

Demon with a mosquito head asked them.

Laria glared at the four of them.

They swallowed nervously. Laria was one of Vahel’s trusted aids, a Marquis class demon with extraordinary strength that rivals even Asthar.

Even if all four of them attacked together, victory was far from guaranteed.

"We’re here to free our mother."

One of them said.

Despite the overwhelming odds, they prepared to release their full power. They would have to kill Laria to free Dorugo.

"Fools have gone mad."

Laria sneered, her muscles swelling even further as she activated her true power.

* * *

Vahel’s fighting style was simple.

When Damien was close, he swung his fists. When Damien was at a distance, he summoned crystals to attack.

Damien dodged the crystals and aimed for openings as he continued to slash Vahel’s body.

Vahel neither dodged nor used crystals to defend himself. He took several deep wounds from Damien’s strikes.

"Hahaha! Your movements are impressive!"

Vahel laughed as he was totally unfazed. If anything, his excitement only grew stronger.

‘What a monstrous creature.’

Damien thought and bit his lip in frustration.

‘To think I’m being pushed back, even with my Nameless mana art in use.’

Despite using the power of the Death Knight, Damien had yet to turn the tide against Vahel.

Vahel was superior to Damien in every way—speed, power, and overall strength.

It was an unavoidable truth. Damien was currently in a human body.

The Nameless mana art Damien had created was based on the powerful physique of the Death Knight. Using it effectively with a human body was a near-impossible feat.

‘I need to increase the output.’

Vahel’s strength was leagues beyond that of a Marquis class demon. The gap between them was so large that even with all of Damien’s skill, it was hard to close the distance.

At that moment, the concept of the Five Wheel Harmonious Art flashed in Damien’s mind. If he could combine it with his Nameless mana art, the stability and output would significantly improve.

However, both techniques were so intricate and refined that merging them wasn't a simple task—not even for Damien.

"Ha ha ha! Even in Inferno, there was no one who could fight me like this! Damien Haksen! Only you can fight me on equal ground!"

Vahel roared. He was clearly exhilarated by the battle.

What was even more terrifying was that Damien had yet to see Vahel’s limits.

‘I must end this here.’

Damien thought resolutely.

But to kill Vahel, he would have to make a choice he didn’t want to make.

‘I didn’t expect to have to use this so soon.’

Seven symbols began to glow on the back of Damien’s hand.

The mysterious power was manifesting. At that moment, a crossroads of fate appeared before Damien’s eyes.

His fate diverged into two distinct paths.

The present life and the previous life.

Humanity and the Death Knight.

'Damn it. I can’t believe I have to choose this with my own hands.'

Damien cursed and reached out toward the fate of the Death Knight.

***

[Translator - Kie]

[Proofreader - Kawaii]