The Great Demon's Shadow
Yoahim tensed and took a step back. Could he win? Alkados was a powerhouse at level 130. In comparison, Yoahim was barely scraping by at level 40. Even with Leon and Sasha fighting alongside him, they couldn't bridge a gap that wide in an instant.
Should I run?
He could bait Alkados into letting his guard down, then seize the moment to mount up and flee. It wasn't a dead end—plenty of paths to escape. Back in Tolstone, he could get help from Vincent and the mages under him.
No. He'd catch me for sure.
Alkados had tracked him down right after yesterday's ambush failed. That kind of pursuit skill wasn't something just anyone could pull off. The guy was strong enough to burn down a castle single-handedly, so even if Yoahim ran, he'd be overtaken in no time. He'd probably get recaptured before getting far.
All that's left is dropping Haellagos's name.
Fighting was out. He couldn't throw himself into a battle with an obvious outcome. Yoahim took a deep breath and spoke.
"You gonna kill me? Without even knowing who's backing me?"
"Pathetic bluff. You banking on Vincent? Sure, he's a big-shot mage, separate from the tower's lot. But so what? I'm Alkados of Wichikill. If we'd feared the towers, we wouldn't have grown this big."
"Sorry, but the one behind me outranks any archmage. Not someone a punk like you can mess with."
Alkados burst out laughing at that. He twirled the wrist gripping his sword.
"You putting faith in the demon who gifted you power? Idiot. No demon's a match for me! Draw your sword! Quit the bullshit and come at me!"
Whoosh!
A ferocious killing intent surged as the sword flew toward Yoahim—too fast to react. Yoahim gasped and stumbled back another step. In that instant, Leon leaped in with his dual blades.
Clang! Clang!
Metal rang out a few times before Leon grunted and was hurled backward, his body wreathed in smoke and scorch marks.
"Oops, shouldn't damage the goods. Dark elves like you fetch a high price. Don't worry too much—I won't kill you."
Alkados withdrew the hand that had flung the spell, gripped his sword with the other, and charged at Yoahim.
Swish! Swish!
Arrows rained down in quick succession, twisting Alkados's face into a scowl. He swatted them away like flies with casual sword swings. Sasha's eyes widened in shock before she nocked another arrow, steadying herself.
Firing rapidly, she kept her eyes locked on Alkados while reaching for her quiver.
"Not bad with the bow. But you think this crap'll work on me?!"
Alkados didn't even swing his sword. He just extended a hand, and a solid barrier sprang up, shielding him. The arrows thudded harmlessly against it, unable to leave a scratch. As they clattered to the ground, Sasha bit her lip. She hurried to ready the next one, but Alkados was faster.
Boom!
Compressed mana slammed into her mercilessly. The impact stole her breath; she couldn't even scream as she flew back and crashed into a tree, her head lolling limply. She'd passed out.
"Tried not to hurt her too bad. Damaged goods lose value, after all."
Alkados had neutralized Leon and Sasha in seconds without breaking a sweat. A true member of Wichikill's triad.
Yoahim's mouth went dry. Alkados was strong. Undeniable fact.
If I rush in, I'm dead.
He knew it without testing. And if he didn't rush in, he was dead anyway. No matter what he chose, death was certain. Absolute doom. Overwhelming power. Facing it head-on didn't spark fear—instead, laughter bubbled up.
"Fuck, damned if I do, damned if I don't, huh?"
When shit got this absurd, laughter was all that came. Yoahim grinned like a madman and pointed at Alkados.
"Fine, let's dance with swords then."
"Hm, spirit's not bad. Outcome's set, though."
Alkados advanced slowly, like a predator stalking prey, waiting for the perfect leap. When the distance closed enough—
"Kuh!"
Clang!
Swords clashed, and Yoahim felt like he'd been hammered. His wrist went numb, shoulder trembling. Even the clone was skilled; the real body was naturally stronger. But this strong? This was the gulf between level 40 and 130. A fight that shouldn't even happen.
Even so—
"Haat!"
Yoahim swung relentlessly. He staggered back from incoming strikes, rolled across the ground to dodge blazing flames, then sprang up to charge again. Dozens of assaults, dozens of knockdowns. Wounds multiplied, vision blurring. He couldn't tell if the drips from his body were sweat or blood.
"Quit thrashing. Makes it hard to kill you clean. More damage just hurts your value."
Alkados toyed with him, twirling his sword before thrusting. Too fast to react—but not full power. Surviving even that was Yoahim's limit. He felt the raw power gap.
"Argh!"
Clang! Whoosh!
The clash wrenched a scream from him. Yoahim's wrist twisted, sword flying from his grip to embed in the dirt. No time to retrieve it—Alkados's kick slammed into his gut first.
"Guhh…"
Yoahim coughed and forced himself up. In that moment, a chill blade pressed against his throat.
"Told you, accept my offer and we wouldn't be here. Last chance. Take the deal?"
Instead of answering, Yoahim slowly raised his middle finger. Alkados smirked.
"Better than begging. Time to end this for real."
As Alkados raised his sword, Yoahim closed his eyes.
Fuck, dying without escaping this game after all.
If I'd known, I'd have ditched quests, enjoyed what I could, then died. Or holed up with Lilith eating well, or trained under Vincent.
Regrets flooded in at the end. But Yoahim chuckled softly and shook them off. Pointless now.
"Farewell."
Whoosh!
The sword swung. Neck severing soon. All over. A slicing sound, and his life ends. Yeah, when the slice—
Boom!
"Boom?"
Did necks go boom? Had it even sliced? Yoahim cracked his eyes and touched his neck.
"Still attached?"
Why? Should've been cut. And that sound just now…
"You bastard! What trick is this?!"
Furious roar. Yoahim looked and gaped. Black smoke and green flames wreathed Alkados. He swung his sword roughly, snuffing the fire with wind, but damage was clear.
"Ha! Hiding your power to make me drop my guard? Should've killed me with that strike! No more chances for you!"
What bullshit? Yoahim blinked, then a chill ran down his spine. He glanced back.
"…What the?"
A black shadow floated behind him like a ghost. Déjà vu prickled.
"I'll kill you!"
Enraged by the surprise attack, Alkados charged. Yoahim scrambled up but had no weapon. As he bit his lip, the shadow rippled, unleashing scorching heat.
"Kuh! Where's this power coming from?!"
Not one—five fireballs seared the air, hurtling fiercely. The green infernos gaped like serpents devouring prey toward Alkados.
"Grraaah!"
Engulfed, Alkados groaned in agony, eyes flashing as he swung. Mana clashed, the stronger repelling the weaker. Panting, he glared murderously at Yoahim.
"…You."
No, I didn't do shit—why me? Yoahim was the confused one. The sudden black shadow baffled him too. And its black magic had even Alkados on edge.
What the hell's going on?
As Yoahim blankly scanned around—
"Hm, this is the clone's limit, huh. Pity. A bit more power and I'd have roasted that yapping mouth."
Eerie voice. It froze the body, forced submission. Even Yoahim shivered hearing it. Alkados sensed the voice's unnatural chill too. He kept distance, sword pointed at the shadow, sweat beading on his brow.
"…Who are you?"
"Who am I?"
The voice chuckled lowly, chilling the air.
"I've lived eons, called by countless names. I am master of Spire Tower, devourer of starlight, ruler of the Withered Land, lord of the abyss. Many names, but you need only one."
The shadow declared.
"I am the great demon Haellagos, you fake. Dare you touch one blessed by me?"
Alkados's eyes widened at the revelation. Great demon Haellagos. That name carried weight. And Yoahim—
Why the fuck's that name popping up now?
What? What's happening? Haellagos? Why's that bastard here all of a sudden? It made no sense.