Chapter 595: Deathsquad Hunters
595. Deathsquad Hunters
Here he was.
Venas.
A Primeval Demon.
A Level 188 [Archfiend].
One of the Deathsquad Hunters.
I stared at him as he hovered in the air, under the cracked, crimson sky. Tiny dark droplets floated past him and swirled into the nebulous blotched shape of clouds. The world trembled, and I opened my mouth. for new novels
Wait, who are you? Whats a Deathsquad
And Venas unleashed a blast of purple flames my way. I blinked, before raising a hand. I conjured up a wall of [The Holy Flames]. Our magic clashed, before blasting out into the sky. I narrowed my eyes as I took a step back, glancing towards the horizon.
The Beast wasnt in view. Which was both relieving and worrying. After all, it meant that we were obscured from its sight, so we were kinda safer? But also, if it somehow noticed us, we wouldnt be able to tell until it was too late.
Haec stepped forward as the explosion began to dissipate.
Hes Venas one of the leaders of the Deathsquad Hunters. If hes here, that means hes not alone. We need to be careful of others. They should all be Primeval Demons too.
Aemula gasped, and Taburas gritted her teeth. Bertrugil slumped his shoulders.
Were all going to die here, arent we?
But I just smirked, taking a step forward.
Multiple Primeval Demons, huh? So Im finally going to get some real experience.
I began to conjure a Divine Nebular Scythe as I spread my [Angelic Wings] wide. The smoke cleared, revealing the [Archfiend] floating at the same spot, unscathed. My [Angelic Premonition] continued to blare in my head, even when he wasnt attacking me, which was rather odd. But I brushed it off for now as I turned back to Haec.
Keep a look out for the others.
I snapped my fingers, conjuring half a dozen clones in an instant. They appeared all around me as they chuckled, their gold and silver flames flickering with each laugh. Four of them stayed behind, protectively hovering over Haec and his companions as the remaining two flew up with me.
Ill deal with this guy.
These are clones?
Haec stared at the fiery figures as they surrounded him. It took him a moment to realize what they were he had seen Skills capable of creating apparitions or projections. But to create clones was a rarity. Even amongst the Domain of the Demon King.
He had certainly heard of such Skills before. But the ones he had seen always seemed to create lesser copies of the original. For example, Oracle was capable of creating a thousand clones of himself. But each one of them only amounted to the strength of a Greater Demon.
Meanwhile, the clones that Salvos created were nothing of the like. He heard their soft laughter. He watched as they danced around him protectively, whispering amongst each other. They were made of gold and silver flame they wisped with the recognizable aura of divinity that was so familiar to Haec.
He couldnt see their levels. But if he had to guess, they were only barely weaker than Salvos was. Perhaps 5 to 10 levels lower at most. Haec wasnt sure for certain. But he wasnt the only one who noticed their relative strength.
Taburas backed away as she gaped at them.
What? So many and so strong how?
Salvos screamed as she created her own volley of projectiles. Venas narrowed his eyes. He saw the variety of flaming weapons soar through the air, and he conjured up his own.
It was almost like she was copying his Skills. But that wasnt right. Because he was the one who was copying her Skills.
He was a [Trickster Archfiend]. And his Skills allowed him to emulate and even copy the abilities of his enemies. So with his [Skill Appraisal], he had been able to choose which one of her Skills he had wanted to copy. He couldnt see her General Skills, her Grand Skills, or her Class Skills. But he saw all of her Subspecies Skills, and he borrowed three of them.
And with his levels over her, Venas was going to defeat her with ease. Or at least, that was what he thought.
He gritted his teeth, watching as their projectiles clashed in the air, exploding into a brilliant pulse of energy. Somehow, Salvos was able to match his strength. He didnt know. He didnt understand why he wasnt winning this fight with ease.
Damn you! [Copy Skill: Sacred Hellfire]!
Venas pointed at her, and she narrowed her eyes. She deftly dove out of the way, but her clones were slower. He grinned, watching as one of the flaming clones was lit ablaze with a black and purple flame.
She screamed as she tumbled back, before exploding in the distance. Venas shook his head as he turned to the real Salvos. But she was already flying his way. He cursed as he conjured his own flaming scythe, parrying her attack.
The two clashed in the air for a moment, before flying back. Salvos bared her teeth at him, and he shook his head, floating in place.
As expected, from the Enemy of the Demon King.
He nodded approvingly at her. But she just shook her head.
I dont know who that is. Im Salvos.
That you are. You know, normally I would have you killed on the spot. But I am busy with another mission. If you flee now, I will ignore you. I will let you go for now.
Venas warned her as he looked back down at where Haec was standing. A fractal barrier seemed to be forming around the four traitors, but the Deathsquad Hunter didnt care. He could break through it with ease if needed.
He turned back to Salvos.
What do you say?
She shook her head, before a blast of gold and silver flames shot at Venas from the side. He saw it coming. He dove out of the way in time. The one remaining clone joined Salvos as they nodded at each other.
Sorry, but Im not leaving Haec behind.
Venas closed his eyes.
I see.
And he raised his head.
Good.
After all, this was just the opening act of their confrontation. He wasn't a fool. He would not have announced his presence before attacking without a plan. He had known from the moment he had seen her at the start of Reconstruction that this battle would not be easy. That was why he approached them alone without the rest of his team.
They were making preparations for the real battle to begin for the trap to be sprung, and for all of their targets to be caught stuck in their web, unable to escape when the real hunter arrived.
Venas raised his head, seeing the towering figure in the distance. It hadnt noticed them just yet. But he knew that it would soon take notice. And when the Beast came, it was all going to be over in an instant.
He just had to ensure that his exit strategy was ready for when that happened.