n

n

n—Bang!

n

"Huek!

"

nBlocking the attack of a demon, Hein let out a groan. Even then, his footing remained glued to the ground.

nSolid and unmoving.

ntootle-too~

nRight as Hein blocked the demon's attack, a melodious tune sounded.

nFollowing this, three wolves suddenly appeared out of nowhere as Ava stood behind them with a green flute in her hand.

nA subtle golden glow exuded from her body.

n

"Ava, get one of the wolves to aim for the leg.

"

nStanding behind, Leopold squinted.

n

"Get your other two wolves to attack the other legs and arm. Then, you don't have to worry about finding the core.

"

nTo kill a demon, they needed to destroy their core, and finding the core was the challenging part of killing a demon. However, this only applied to titled demons.

nUntitled demons were not powerful enough to develop a core, and therefore, they would die by simple decapitation of the head.

nSHIIIING—!

n

"Khhh!

"

nOn the other hand, standing next to Leopold, I slashed towards every demon that came my way.

nUsually, I would've gotten rid of every demon in my vicinity with just a simple movement of my sword.

nUnfortunately, I could no longer do that.

nAt least for now.

nWhen I left Malvin's workshop and heard his words, I realized just how flawed my swordsmanship was.

nSimply put, I could no longer act as I did before.

nI needed to change, and what better opportunity than right now?

nThis being the first wave, and the wave filled with the weakest demons, I had to make good use of this opportunity to get as much practice as possible.

nSpurt—!

nSlashing forward, my blade sliced through the body of a weaker ranked demon, cutting him into two equal pieces.

n

"Ueek!

"

nBlack blood spilt all over my clothes, and face.

nClenching tightly onto the grip of my sword, I stomped my foot on the ground and twisted my torso.

nThen, releasing the tension in my torso, I slashed towards another demon.

n

"Ueeeek!

"

nSlowly, my body count started to increase, and so was my scope of time.

nI just killed, killed, and killed.

nMy emotions started to dumb down, and my body started to move on its own. Moving towards wherever a demon was.

nUnbeknownst to me, before I knew it, I had lost count of how many demons I had killed, and standing in front of me were three demons.

nOf the three, one stood out particularly, as a pressure rivalling mine exuded from its body.

n***

nAt the same time, inside the control tower's control room.

n

"Oy, ye two follow me.

"

nBemus beckoned Smallsnake and Ryan with his hand.

n

"…yea?

"

nThough confused, both Ryan and Smallsnake followed Bemus's instructions and walked to where he was.

nPointing at the large map depicting the northern tower, Bemus asked.

n

"Take a look at this. Which side do ye reckon wou' be breached first.

"

nHis sudden questioning caused the dwarves nearby to look at him in shock. It had to be noted that, Bemus was a very hot-blooded and strict person.

nFor him to personally ask someone else's opinion, it only meant two things. He had either acknowledged them, or he was testing them.

nNevertheless, for him to test them, meant that their skills were real.

nNot fully comprehending the situation, Smallsnake pointed towards himself and Ryan.

n

"You're asking us?

"

n

"Who else?

"

nBemus crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

nPointing at the map, he asked again.

n

"Answer my question. Which side do you think will be breached first and needs the most support?

"

nFrowning, Smallsnake looked at the large map before him.

nNext to him, Ryan also looked at the map. Touching the hologram to see the different camera angles, Ryan tugged Smallsnake's pants and pointed towards a certain area.

n

"Smallsnake, look.

"

n

"Hm? Oh?

"

nSmallsnake's eyebrows jumped up.

nBending over and looking at the area Ryan pointed at, he looked back at Bamus and answered.

n

"Oh then, it would be the eastern area of the northern tower.

"

n

"What makes you so confident in your answer?

"

nBemus asked with a frown on his face.

nAs the other dwarves had known, he was testing Smallsnake and Ryan.

nHe already knew the answer, and he just wanted to see how capable they were. However, their answer disappointed him.

nShaking his head, Bemus opened his mouth.

n

"Nevermind, looks like I was overthinking, ye guys can go bac—

"

nBut before he could answer, Smallsnake cut him off.

n

"…we'll that's because it can't be the western and northern areas.

"

n

"Can't be the western and northern areas?

"

nBemus's frown deepened.

n

"...Right.

"

nNodding his head, Smallsnake elaborated.

n

"The northern area, although has the most demons coming, is also the area with most defensive measures. So far there is no indication that it will fall. At least not in this wave.

"

nThe northern area was the area that had the most demons coming. Therefore, it was also the most protected area with multiple artifacts and soldiers stationed there.

nAt the moment, it was also the safest area.

nListening to Smallsnake's words, Bemus agreed and asked.

n

"Correct. But what aboot tha western area?

"

nScratching his head, Smallsnake answered.

n

"Well, that's because Ren is there.

"

nHis answer was so unexpected that Bemus, who was listening, was left confused.

n

"…huh? Who?

"

n

"It's better if you see for yourself.

"

nTapping onto the map, a video image of the situation began to play before Bemus.

nWhen the video began playing, Bemus was left speechless by the scene presented before him.

n

"What's this?

"

nSurrounded by two demons, a lone youth stood in the middle of the battlefield. Behind the two demons was another demon.

nOne whose aura was much more powerful than the duos.

nEyeing each other, the two demons closely followed the youth's movements. They did not act arrogantly like the demon they were serving, but more like bodyguards, their sharp nails resembling swords extended all the way down from their hands.

nAround them, were many different demons, but they were all quickly shot down by the people from the tower.

nIf they didn't die, a large youth holding a shield and a girl holding a flute would quickly assist. Behind them, a middle-aged man directed them calmly.

n

"He's directly facing the commander.

"

nObserving from the control room, Bemus muttered out loud.

nFrom what he knew, each wave had a commander, and from the looks of things, the youth in the video was currently facing the commander of the first wave.

nOn a good note, the commander didn't seem too strong as this was only the first wave, which was more for scouting than attacking; even then, he was not to be underestimated.

nAt least Baron ranked.

nTurning right, Bemus asked.

n

"Is this the reason you are so confident the easter area will not be alright?

"

n

"Correct, if it's him, then there should be no problems.

"

nSmallsnake crossed his arms and stared at the video.

nRyan, who was next to him, also did not show any signs of worry; they both knew full well Ren's capabilities.

nThis was especially so after having been with him for over four months during their journey to the city.

nHe was strong.

n

"...Oh, they're starting.

"

nRyan's high pitched voice sounded, and as soon as his words faded, Ren began to move.

nStomping his foot on the ground, creating a crater on the basis, his body shot forward with his blade stabbing towards the nearest demon.

nAttacking so suddenly and unexpectedly, the demon could not react in time.

nRen's sword immediately stabbed towards the demon's head, causing black blood to fall on the ground. Following this, Ren pulled out his sword and slashed vertically, decapitating the demon.

nEverything happened so fast that, apart from the leading demon behind, the other demon could not react.

nStill, that didn't mean that the other demon stood still.

nAt that moment, the other demon finally reached Ren, slashing with its large nails. A whistle arose, and the air split apart.

nRen coldly glanced at the incoming attack. Then, glancing at the stronger demon to see if he was going to move, he took a step back and narrowly dodged the attack.

nWHIIIING!

nHe then stepped and stabbed forward towards the demon's head. Unfortunately for Ren, the demon reacted extremely quickly; one of its hands grabbed Ren's sword whilst the other slashed in his direction.

nThis sudden block caught Ren off guard; however, that didn't mean that he was helpless. On the contrary, he already knew what to do in a split second.

nLetting go of the sword, Ren bent his body backwards, dodging the attack. Then, coating his feet with a green hue, he twisted his torso and kicked the demon right in its chin, sending him flying a couple of meters back.

n

"Huek!

"

nTaking advantage of this moment, Ren bent down and grabbed his sword that was left on the ground. Then, stomping his foot on the ground, he shot forward and killed the remaining demon.

nThe leading demon did not move an inch from its spot throughout the fight.

nWithout changing his expression, Ren did not waste any time.

nHe immediately charged over the demon he confirmed was a baron ranked one.

nThe Baron ranked demon was very cunning. Previously, he had been observing Ren. The only reason he didn't move when Ren was killing his minions was because he wanted to better understand his opponent.

nAfter having observed Ren kill his two subordinates, he finally started to move.

nRaising both hands at the lighting speed, the Baron ranked demon crossed them; ten red claw marks shot in his direction. Wherever they passed, scars would be left behind.

nRen's expression suddenly sank. Sidestepping, he tried his best to avoid the attacks. However, that didn't mean he was unarmed, as a large gash appeared by the side of his chest.

n

"Khu...!

"

nRed blood dripped down on the ground.

nApahtetically starting at the demon opposite, who had a cunning smile on his face, Ren exhaled.

nTaking out a potion from his dimensional space, he quickly downed it. In seconds, his injuries started to heal.

nEyeing the demon opposite to him, a green glow enveloped his body. Stomping on the ground, Ren shot forward and raised his sword.

nWithin seconds he reappeared in front of the demon who was waiting for him. However, much to the demon's surprise, once Ren arrived before him, he stomped his foot on the ground and forcefully pushed his body back.

nThe sound of bones creaking sounded, and Ren's face grimaced in pain.

nSHUA!

nThe demon who had been prepared to strike Ren the moment he appeared, was left dumbfounded by Ren's sudden actions as his attack missed completely.

n

"Got you.

"

nRen once again raised his sword and slashed down with a slight smile. It was a simple strike, yet this strike looked terrifying to the demon who was left in an awkward position.

nFWUAP!

nOut of desperation, extending the back of his wings, the demon flapped them and his body shot back. Unfortunately for him, Ren's attack still managed to hit him. An arm flew in the sky and black blood dripped on the ground.

nThud.

nThe arm fell on the ground with a slight thud, not so far from where Ren was.

n

"Huuuuuuaaak!

"

nSilence descended around the area where Ren was. Following this, an enraged scream sounded from above as the Baron ranked demon pointed at Ren.

n

"Kill him!

"

nHis bloodshot eyes glared at him, and tangible bloodlust started exuding from his body. Instantly, the demons within the vicinity all turned their attention towards Ren.

nWe were talking about over thirty demons or so.

nAll of them looking at Ren with bloodthirsty eyes.

nWithin a second of the Baron ranked demons words, all the demons lunged in Ren's direction. To those watching from the tower and in the control room, it looked like a slaughter was about to happen.

nHowever, unbeknownst to them, Ren's face remained calm. In the face of the incoming demons, his face remained cold and unmoving.

nThen, something that would leave them at a complete loss for words suddenly happened.

nWith his eyes locked on the Baron ranked demon, Ren's pupils slowly turned grey and the battlefield froze.

nAll the demons that were lunging towards his direction stopped, seemingly as though they were frozen in time.

nHis ashen grey eyes made all the demons present want to kneel and worship him.

n

"Move.

"

nHis cold voice rang out, travelling through the ears of each demon present, sending shivers down their spines.

nAlmost out of pure instinct, all the demons stepped to the side, creating a small path leading to the Baron ranked demon.

nSHIIIING—!

nUnsheathing his sword from the scabbard, Ren did not even bother looking at the demons besides him and calmly walked towards the demon in the distance who had trouble taking his eyes away from him.

nStep. Step. Step.

nEach step he took resonated with the wildly beating hearts of the demons present.

n

"Huek!

"

nGazing at Ren, who was slowly moving in its direction, the Baron ranked demon took a step back.

nEven though it was not completely helpless like the other demons who could barely move, nevertheless, the demon was injured and its state of mind was weak.

nThe effects of the one had crept through its weakened mind, resulting in the momentary loss of the demon's will to fight.

nSoon Ren stopped in front of the demon. Raising his sword, he muttered.

n

"This is enough for today.

"

nSHUA!

nRen slashed, and a head flew off.

nSpurt—!

nFollowing this, Ren dug his hand into the demon's body and removed a black core from the demon's body.

nJust like that, the first wave ended.

n