They didn't hesitate just because he was stronger. They attacked at the same time.

Harvey charged first, shield raised, axe glowing with mana. He slammed forward with full force, aiming to crush Vaelrik head-on.

Derrick vanished from sight again, slipping into Kalrik's blind spot like a shadow.

Lucien thrust his spear forward, lightning crackling wildly around it.

Kaelra rushed from the opposite side, her sword wrapped in wind mana, cutting through the air. Mira released her arrow.

Twang!

The arrow screamed through the battlefield, aimed straight at Kalrik's head.

Amon followed behind, darkness coating his sword and his shadow wrapped around his hatchet as he dashed forward.

Six attacks. While the target was a single person.

Vaelrik laughed. "Good! Good!" He lazily held his sword. Then he moved. He spun his blade in a wide arc.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

Harvey's axe was deflected. Kaelra's sword was pushed aside. Lucien's spear was knocked off course.

The arrow shattered mid-air as Vaelrik swung his weapon upward, mana bursting outward.

BOOM!

The shockwave exploded, throwing everyone back.

Harvey skidded across the ground. Kaelra rolled and barely recovered. Lucien dug his spear into the soil to stop himself.

Amon was thrown hard, slamming into the dirt.

But Derrick was already there.

Slash!

His dagger struck Kalrik's side. But Kalrik stopped the attack. Kalrik grunted and twisted, grabbing Derrick's wrist mid-attack.

"You are still slow," the demon mocked Derrick with a smile.

He slammed Derrick into the ground again.

CRASH!

Before he could finish him, an arrow pierced Kalrik's shoulder.

He turned sharply.

Mira stood firm, bow drawn again, eyes sharp.

"Tch."

Kalrik ripped the arrow out without hesitation. Blood dripped down his arm.

"This is getting interesting."

Harvey roared and charged again. Lucien followed, lightning surging stronger than before.

Kaelra moved with them, her blade cutting low.

Amon pushed himself up, ignoring the pain, and ran forward once more.

The battlefield exploded again.

Steel clashed. Magic burst. The ground cracked.

The fight completely broke apart. There was no formation. No pauses. Only chaos erupted.

Kalrik fought like a monster, blocking, dodging, striking back with terrifying precision. Every swing of his blade carried killing intent.

Harvey blocked a strike and was sent flying.

Lucien was forced back, lightning scattering wildly.

Kaelra barely avoided a fatal slash.

Amon was knocked aside by sheer force.

Yet they didn't stop. They stood again. Again and again.

The forest trembled under the clash of mana and steel. This was no longer a battle. It was survival.

Amon moved behind the demon, his left hand thrown forward. The hatchet spun in the air.

A black line was drawn into existence in the direction of Kalrik.

Amon then held the sword with both hands. He stood in position to perform a horizontal slash.

The blade of his sword was black with shadow, smoke trailing from it. He gripped the hilt tightly.

[Umbral Veil Sword Art: Second Form: Shadow Fang]

The moment he swung his sword horizontally, multiple black slashes shot in the direction of the demon.

As if fangs of darkness were attacking toward Kalrik.

The demon sensed it. First it was the hatchet. He sidestepped instantly, avoiding the shadowy hatchet.

But just behind it were multiple dark slashes.

He clicked his tongue, spun on his toe, and swung his sword from a downward to upward direction.

A huge vertical red slash shot toward the incoming attacks.

BOOM!

The clash between them made a booming sound.

For a moment, smoke formed there. But from it emerged two more dark slashes.

"Oh?" Kalrik was surprised.

At that time, two arrows of ice and fire moved toward him, tearing the air.

Kalrik didn't hold back anymore. A huge amount of mana exploded from his body. He moved faster. His sword cut the incoming dark slashes, and then he destroyed both arrows easily.

He did that in a few seconds. But he was a little late for another surprise attack. The hatchet that he had avoided before came back to him. It struck his shoulder. The blade tore deeper into the armor, digging into his flesh.

Splash!

Blood sprayed.

Kalrik staggered half a step as blood spilled from his shoulder, the hatchet embedded deep into his armor and flesh. His amber eyes widened slightly.

Then he laughed. A low, excited laugh.

"So one of you actually hurt me well," Kalrik said, gripping the hatchet and ripping it out. Blood splashed onto the ground as the weapon flew aside. "Good. Very good."

Dark-red mana mixed with black demonic energy surged violently around him. The pressure crushed the air itself, making it hard to breathe.

Amon's eyes widened. Demonic mana. He could sense it. The oddness in that mana. He was sure of it.

The demon in front of him possessed demonic mana. No wonder he was so strong. Suddenly, the difficulty level rose too much for Amon and the others.

Harvey gritted his teeth. "Everyone, don't stop!"

Still, no one backed down. They moved again. They didn't fear the demon.

Mira fired continuously. Ice arrows, fire arrows, wind-coated arrows. Each one tearing through the air with deadly force. The sky above Kalrik seemed to rain destruction.

Kaelra rushed in low, her sword glowing bright green as wind mana wrapped tightly around the blade. She aimed for Kalrik's legs, her strikes sharp and precise.

Lucien roared and thrust his spear again, lightning roaring like a beast. Bolts burst outward with every movement of his weapon, cracking the ground beneath Kalrik's feet.

Derrick vanished and reappeared again and again, striking from blind angles, stabbing, slashing, retreating before retaliation could land.

Harvey charged straight in, shield first, axe swinging wide arcs meant to overwhelm.

Amon stood behind them, chest heaving. Shadow poured from him uncontrollably now, crawling over his arms and weapons like living smoke.

"Move… keep moving…" Amon muttered to himself, eyes locked on the demon.

Kalrik moved. He became a blur. His speed was even faster.

He appeared before Kaelra first.

CLANG!

Her sword was knocked away. A kick slammed into her stomach.

THUD!

Kaelra flew backward, crashing into the dirt, coughing violently.

Before Harvey could reach him. Kalrik twisted and punched Harvey's shield again.

CRACK!

Harvey's eyes widened in shock. The reason was right in front of him.

The shield that was strong and sturdy couldn't handle the force.The shield shattered this time.

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