Heh heh heh. The flames I created with Purifying Invocation are imbued with a considerable amount of my mana. They won’t go out for a while, even on the water. And with Flame Banishment, I can launch fireballs from those flames whenever I wish.

“SAVOR THE MAGIC OF TERUNO SAKAKI AND BURN TO DEATH. YOU WILL ATONE FOR TAKING MY BRETHREN WITH YOUR OWN SCORCHED FLESH!”

The Horse-headed Demon cackled as it galloped on all fours, crisscrossing the vast underground cavern.

Ikaku used Pacing to dodge its attacks by a hair’s breadth, but his movements were sluggish. His mounting injuries and exhaustion had severely impaired his physical abilities.

Body feels like lead. I’m moving at half speed, my bones groaning with every step. The range of motion in my left arm is shot. Maybe forty degrees, max. The shoulder’s shredded. Skin’s all burnt. Burns even more against my clothes. Hard to focus.I'm at thirty percent of peak condition. Maybe.

Can't rely on raw power. This has to be about technique.

This thing is still faster than Retsu Shido. And just as strong. Its limbs are damn long. How far can it even reach? I think I’m safe, and then I’m not.Then there’s the flaming khakkhara. Can't let that thing so much as graze me.

But the magic is the worst part. I have a rough idea of its spells, but the silent casting is the real problem. The spells may be weaker, but with no incantation to read, there’s no warning. It kills my reaction time.

Whipping his disobedient body into action, Ikaku fended off the Demon’s attacks, running calculations on its physical abilities versus his own remaining options.

He batted away incoming fireballs with his axe, knocked aside the Demon’s grasping, giant arms, and punched its snapping jaws to drive it back.

Considering the Horse-headed Demon’s power, speed, toughness, stamina, weapon, and magic—and weighing them against his own condition—Ikaku had to admit his chances of victory were practically zero.

This human… Even crawling and stumbling, he still manages to dance out of danger.

The Demon was frustrated.

Ikaku pulled the pin on a holy water spray grenade.

Even at full strength, we’re evenly matched at best. It’s seriously strong. All I can do is run and dodge.

Let’s see if this grenade can close the gap.

He held on to the canister, using the device like a torch that constantly spews holy mist as he weaved through the khakkhara’s attacks.

The mist irritated the Demon’s eyes and stung its skin, throwing off the accuracy of its strikes.

Based on his fight with Shido, Ikaku had already deduced the holy mist wouldn’t be effective against the Horse-headed Demon, either.

He never expected to drive it off with holy water alone. He just needed to annoy it. A little discomfort would be enough.

Hahahaha, what a useless gesture. How impudent. I must admit this Exorcist’s movements are impressive, but he’s still just running away.Besides, he’s far too slow. I’m certain I can catch him soon! One hit is all it will take. He is a mere mortal. One hit is all I need!

The Horse-headed Demon slammed its khakkhara down, ripping through the holy mist.

From the parting fog, a blade flashed—blood sprayed from the Demon’s wrist, where coarse black hair barely clung to the skin.

While waving the canister in his right hand to draw its attention, Ikaku had waited for the perfect opening, then struck with the hatchet in his left.

I’ve been cut! The insolent little—!

It swung the khakkhara in a powerful horizontal sweep, forcing Ikaku back.

Due to the reach disparity, Ikaku couldn’t land a hit without closing in deep. Once driven away, he had to risk it all to approach again.

Ikaku analyzed his last attack. He considered where the slash landed.

The lunge was perfect. Timing was spot on, the step-in was deep. And I still just nicked its wrist.

It’s too far. Way too far. This isn't a human's range.

Hit-and-run tactics are out. I don’t have the gas to weave in and out of that kill zone. To get inside, to use my footwork, I have to break down how it moves.But its whole frame is twisted. The skeletal structure is so deformed, the muscle insertions are all wrong. My knowledge of functional anatomy might be useless here.

I need to hold something in reserve for a retreat, a way out if a plan fails. But against this Demon, I can’t afford that luxury. I'm already running on empty.

Ikaku let out a steady breath and rolled the still-hissing canister behind him. The holy mist pooled where it landed, forming a stationary smokescreen.

“Return,” he commanded.

Running backward, Ikaku hurled his hatchet forward.

The Horse-headed Demon, poised to give chase, halted and braced itself. The hatchet was the only real threat Ikaku posed… or so it thought.

The Demon prepared to catch the weapon and claim it. But the axe veered only halfway before reversing course and flying back into Ikaku’s hand.

A feint.

That brief hesitation cost the Demon. Ikaku used the opening to create even more distance, slipping behind the mist’s cover and vanishing from sight.

A stalling tactic? What’s the point?!

Irritated, the Horse-headed Demon launched a fireball into the cloud, but the flames were swallowed whole. The mist only thickened.

The Demon crept forward and slapped at the fog’s source with its open left hand.

The canister burst with a loud bang. The spray ceased.

The Demon cleared away the lingering mist with a wide sweep of its right arm. Its vision returned.

And there—on the far edge of where the cloud had been—stood Ikaku Akamuro, rifle raised. He stood firm, feet planted, gaze steady, sights locked on his mark.

The Demon flinched, slamming its flaming khakkhara into the ground the same instant. Combined with the length of its arm, six meters was just within range.

Fool. Don’t you understand yet? That magic rifle of yours is useless against me.

But this was exactly what Ikaku had been waiting for.

Knew you’d strike. Because I’m within your reach.

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