The Steel Demons stopped a short distance away and stared at Garion.

Their metallic bodies reflected the dim light, muscles thick and heavy, joints creaking slightly as they moved.

One of them stepped forward, shoulders squared, eyes cold.

"You arrogant demon," he growled. "How dare you steal the property of Count Morveth."

Garion tilted his head.

"…Property?" he repeated.

Then he smiled.

"I dare," he said calmly. "Because I killed Morveth."

For a moment, everything went silent.

The Steel Demons froze

"…What did you say?" one of them asked slowly.

Garion shrugged. "You heard me."

Their eyes widened.

"How dare you say that!" another roared.

"You're basically threatening a Demon Count and don't even address him properly?!"

Their metal skin vibrated as demonic power surged.

"You are hereby sentenced to execution," the leader said coldly.

Garion cracked his neck.

"Try me then."

The Steel Demons moved at once.

Their leader slammed his foot into the ground.

[Steel Body Reinforcement]

Their metallic skin thickened further, veins glowing faintly as internal pressure increased.

Another demon raised his arms.

[Iron Momentum]

His body leaned forward, weight shifting unnaturally as he charged, each step gaining speed and force.

The third demon clenched his fists.

[Crushing Alloy Fists]

His knuckles hardened, edges sharpening slightly, built purely to shatter bones.

The Vessel Demon watched from behind, eyes shaking.

Steel Demons… they're serious…

Garion didn't activate anything.

He simply stepped forward.

The first Steel Demon swung a massive fist straight at Garion's head.

Garion moved inside the swing.

He grabbed the demon's wrist, twisted sharply, and stepped past its shoulder.

With a smooth motion, he pulled and turned.

The Steel Demon lost balance instantly.

Garion slammed him into the ground shoulder-first.

The impact cracked the earth.

The Vessel Demon gasped.

The second Steel Demon rushed in from behind, arms wrapping around Garion's waist.

[Iron Lock]

The demon tightened his grip, metal muscles compressing with crushing force.

Garion exhaled slowly.

He dropped his weight.

Then shifted his hips.

He hooked his leg behind the demon's knee and leaned forward.

The grip broke.

Garion flipped the Steel Demon over his shoulder and slammed him head-first into the ground.

Metal dented.

The third Steel Demon roared and charged, fists swinging wildly.

[Steel Barrage]

Punch after punch came down like hammers.

Garion raised his arms, not to block, but to catch.

He grabbed one punch, pulled the demon forward, and stepped sideways.

Then he wrapped his arm around the demon's neck.

"Too stiff," Garion muttered.

He twisted his hips and dropped backward.

The Steel Demon's body was lifted off the ground and slammed flat on its back.

A clean wrestling takedown.

The leader snarled.

"You're just using brute force?!"

Garion looked at him.

"…Yeah?"

The leader roared and activated his full power.

[Tempered Steel Frame]

His entire body hardened further, surface darkening as density increased.

He charged straight at Garion, arms wide, planning to crush him.

Garion didn't retreat.

He stepped forward.

They collided.

The ground shook.

For a split second, it looked like Garion was being pushed back.

Then he shifted his stance.

Garion wrapped both arms around the Steel Demon's torso and lifted.

The Vessel Demon's eyes widened.

"…He lifted him."

Garion tightened his grip and twisted sharply.

The Steel Demon was spun sideways and slammed into the ground again.

This time, Garion didn't let go.

He mounted the demon's chest, locked his arm around the neck, and squeezed.

The Steel Demon struggled, arms flailing.

His movements slowed.

Then stopped.

Garion stood up and looked around.

The remaining Steel Demons were on the ground, groaning, dented, twisted, or unconscious.

Garion turned back toward the Vessel Demon.

The demon was still standing where Garion had left it, body trembling, eyes wide and unfocused.

Its breathing was shallow, like it still couldn't believe what it had just seen.

"H-how…" the demon stammered, voice shaking. "How the hell can you beat them so easily?"

Garion shrugged and smirked.

"Because I'm strong," he said simply.

He rolled his shoulders once, as if the fight had been nothing more than a stretch.

"And," he added, pointing a thumb at his chest, "because I know how to use my body."

The Vessel Demon swallowed.

"…Strong," it repeated quietly.

Garion looked straight at it.

"And I can make you strong too," he said. "Just like me."

The Vessel Demon froze.

"M-me?" it asked, disbelief filling its voice.

It looked down at its own thin arms and narrow chest.

"I can't," it said quickly. "I'm just a Vessel Demon. That's all I am."

Its shoulders slumped.

"My only worth is becoming a second body for other demons," it continued softly. "A backup. A spare."

Garion's smile slowly faded.

He reached up and loosened the veil around his face.

Then he removed it.

The Vessel Demon gasped.

It stared at Garion's face, eyes widening as confusion took over.

"…You're not a demon," it said. "I don't recognize your race."

Its voice grew cautious.

"What kind of demon are you?"

Garion scratched his cheek.

"I'm not," he said. "I'm human."

The Vessel Demon's mind froze.

"…Human?" it repeated.

It took a step back without realizing it.

"That's impossible," it blurted out. "Humans are weak. They're food. Demons eat them."

The moment the words left its mouth, the Vessel Demon stiffened.

Its eyes darted nervously to Garion's face.

"I-I didn't mean..."

Garion burst out laughing.

"Hahaha," he said, shaking his head. "That's what everyone thinks."

He walked a few steps closer, stopping right in front of the Vessel Demon.

"Let me ask you something," Garion said. "Do you really think a human could easily beat Steel Demons if humans were weak?"

The Vessel Demon hesitated.

"…No," it admitted.

Garion nodded.

"Exactly," he said. "Strength isn't about race. It's about how you train your body."

He pointed toward the unconscious Steel Demons behind them.

"They have strong bodies," Garion said. "But they don't know how to use them properly."

The Vessel Demon's eyes flickered.

"…And me?" it asked quietly.

Garion smiled.

"You're even better," he said.

The Vessel Demon blinked.

"Better…?"

"You're empty," Garion explained.

He tapped the demon's chest lightly with two fingers.

"That means you can be shaped from zero."

The Vessel Demon's breath hitched.

"…Really?"

Garion nodded.

"Yes," he said. "You can do what I just did."

The Vessel Demon's eyes began to shine faintly.

"…Really?" it asked again, this time with something new in its voice.

Hope.

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