"Fine, we'll fight one-on-one..."

Chang Long finally agreed after careful consideration. She chose to fight alone because if her pets were involved and got killed, they would not be able to respawn.

"No, master, I must fight as well. There's a beast on the other side, and I want to help protect you,"

Kitsune protested, causing Chang Long to turn to scold it.

"No, I've decided this will be a one-on-one fight. Step back, Kitsune,"

Chang Long commanded, and while she could control Kitsune, the man who challenged her did not stop his new pet from stepping forward to challenge Kitsune.

"Let the pets fight as well. I promise I won't interfere with my pet, and besides, it looks like both our pets are eager for a fight,"

the man said with a cold smile, clearly impatient.

"Fine..."

Chang Long finally relented. The man smiled broadly, clearly pleased. It was obvious that he was eager to fight her, so much so that he could barely wait for her to prepare.

The chosen battleground was far from the city and devoid of other players since it was a steep mountain with a wide, flat summit—perfect for a duel. Hulu and the spirits under Chang Long's control remained unsealed as they, too, wanted to witness the battle.

"My name is Demos, and I'm the leader of the Doom Star Guild,"

the man introduced himself as they faced each other. He held no weapon, which made Chang Long wonder if he was underestimating her. But Devi-chan kept warning her repeatedly not to underestimate him—like Beleth de Montes, his heir, Demos could not be trusted.

"Chang Long..."

She introduced herself briefly, her eyes fixed on him as his nails suddenly extended at will.

"These are my weapons. Honestly, I'm not quite used to them yet, but fighting with claws like these is way more satisfying!"

Demos said before launching an attack at Chang Long. She quickly raised her sword to block, but found herself easily knocked back.

"Your skills were better that day. Show me your true abilities. If you don't fight seriously, I won't hesitate to kill you!"

Demos complained with disappointment as Chang Long was sent flying from just a light hit.

"You're not using your true power either!"

Chang Long retorted as she struggled to her feet, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. She stared at Demos with cold eyes.

"If you mean the manticore, it has merged its soul with mine. We're practically the same person now, and it's the only weapon I can use at the moment. You also have weapons that can attack on their own, right? Feel free to use them—I won't mind!"

Demos replied, his words dripping with mockery that made Chang Long's anger flare.

"So, all skills are allowed?" Chang Long asked coldly. Demos smiled and nodded, knowing he might also need to rely on his skills in this fight.

"Hisa-chan, Spirit Possession!"

Chang Long called out, summoning Hisa-chan to merge with her as she did not have a choice. She knew that Demos' power was far beyond hers, especially with the manticore's soul fused with him, which had a level of 150. This fight was heavily stacked against her, but Demos did not see it that way—he believed Chang Long still had hidden potential and was not holding back at all.

As soon as Chang Long merged with Hisa-chan, she launched an attack on Demos. The sight of her enhanced abilities caused Demos' battle fervor to surge, as he realized that Chang Long's power had increased. He charged straight into her sword's path, his sharp claws ready to strike.

Clangg!

The sound of metal clashing against claws echoed through the air. The force of their collision sent shockwaves in all directions, forcing Hulu to leap aside to avoid the powerful energy waves. Even Hulu could not withstand the force at this level. Meanwhile, Kitsune and Demos' new pet, which he named Death Envoy, stared each other down intensely. Although they were different in many ways, the jackal bore a strong resemblance to a fox, leading many to confuse the two.

Death Envoy was the first to strike, swinging its long spear at Kitsune, who deftly dodged the attack. But the assault did not end there—Kitsune found itself on the receiving end of a powerful kick from behind, sending it skidding across the ground for several meters. The speed and strength of the attack shocked Kitsune, who had always prided itself on its agility. Although it had lost to Lycanth, Siegfried's pet, that was because Lycanth was much higher in level. However, Demos' jackal was only one level above Kitsune yet was far superior in speed.

Death Envoy looked down at Kitsune with a mocking gaze, as if it were nothing more than a pesky insect. Chang Long wanted to help Kitsune, but she was fully occupied defending against Demos' relentless attacks.

"Don't get distracted!"

Demos taunted as he slashed at Chang Long with full force. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly raised her sword to block, but his claws still managed to graze her cheek, drawing blood.

"C... Constant Blade!"

Chang Long activated Hisa-chan's skill at close range. Demos, caught off guard by her sudden move, had to leap back into the air to avoid the blindingly fast blade.

Slash!

Although he managed to dodge most of it, Demos was not fast enough to escape completely. The edge of the light-speed blade clipped him, causing blood to gush from his wound.

"Urgh!"

Demos collapsed to the ground, one hand clutching the wound at his side, which was bleeding profusely. Despite the shock evident on his face, there was also a look of satisfaction. He slowly pushed himself up, then brought his blood-covered hand to his lips, tasting his own blood. It was as if the madness within him was beginning to take over.

"Hehehe. The scent of blood, it's so intoxicating... Don't you agree?"

Demos' mouth moved, but the voice that came out was no longer his. His eyes turned a deep crimson, and bat-like wings sprouted from his back. The power that had been lurking somewhere within his body was unleashed, all triggered by the mere taste of fresh blood.

Chang Long watched as the man before her radiated a murderous aura so intense that even his own pet could not withstand being in its vicinity. She and her pets instinctively leapt back, distancing themselves from Demos, who now appeared to be a crazed lunatic. His fangs extended past his lips, and the murderous intent seemed to ripple out from him, swirling like waves and went back to wrap his body in a vivid red aura. His wild red hair flared as if caught in a strong wind. The man standing before Chang Long no longer held any humanity.

"That guy's a monster. Missy, be careful!"

Devi-chan shouted a warning to Chang Long. Even as a spirit, immune to physical forces, he could sense the immense danger Demos posed. Hulu, for the first time in its life, felt a deep-seated fear, gripping his heart. Yet, despite his terror, his pride kept him from fleeing as his instincts screamed at him to do.

"You're not Demos!"

Chang Long exclaimed as Demos turned his attention toward her.

"Oh, but I am. Why wouldn't I be? It's just that his mind is now overwhelmed by madness and destruction (Berserk Status). The power he could never reach before has been unleashed, and now I've taken control of this body."

The figure responded, a satisfied smile spreading across its face.

"Manticore?"

Chang Long furrowed her brow, recalling how Demos had mentioned that he had fused his soul with a manticore.

"Hehehe, smart , heir of Devi Jones. Yes, I am manticore. Now that you know, submit yourself to me and offer your blood as a sacrifice!"

 Manticore, in Demos' body, replied. Players who fall into Berserk Status reach this state when their anger reaches its peak. In this state, a player's abilities are heightened, but they lose the ability to consume crystals or other restorative items. Unlike regular players who could still maintain some control, Demos, despite being aware of what was happening through his eyes and ears, could no longer control his own body.

"The skill you just used was impressive. Why don't you try hitting me with it again?"

 Manticore, now controlling Demos' body, taunted, beckoning Chang Long to strike first.

"Gladly!"

Chang Long replied, sheathing the Sovereign Sword and readying herself. She focused her mind, steadying her thoughts as much as possible. Hisa-chan, who had fused with her, was both excited and worried. Though Hisa-chan enjoyed combat, it was always about testing skills and gauging each other's abilities, not mercilessly ending the lives of opponents.

"Constant Blade!"

Chang Long called out, drawing her sword with lightning speed, creating a swift streak of light as she slashed toward manticore, who stood motionless, watching her with a mocking smile.

Whoosh!

Manticore in Demos' body unfurled its wings and soared upward, easily dodging the rapid Constant Blade with just a single flap. It grinned smugly, pleased with its evasion, but it was too soon to be confident. The Constant Blade was a two-part technique: the initial draw and the return stroke when the sword was sheathed.

Slash!

Underestimating Chang Long's abilities, manticore failed to notice the return stroke of the sword until it was too late. Unable to avoid it, its right arm and wing were slashed deeply, sending a spray of bright red blood into the air. It screamed in pain as its body crashed to the ground, red eyes glaring at Chang Long with intense hatred.

"Not bad!"

Manticore in Demos' body roared angrily, its blood-red eyes shining with murderous intent. Ignoring its own injuries, it launched a relentless assault on Chang Long, forcing her entirely onto the defensive.

Before long, Chang Long's body was covered in wounds from manticore's claws, some shallow, others deep and bleeding profusely. Meanwhile, manticore in Demos' body remained unscathed from any new injuries. Devi-chan, Alice-chan, Hulu, and Fluffy Head-chan could only watch from afar, helpless. They desperately wanted to assist, but seeing how even Chang Long, empowered by Hisa-chan, who was of a higher level than any of them, was struggling so much, they knew they would only get in her way. Moreover, they had agreed to the duel's terms—if they broke the rules first, who knew what more severe punishment the enemy might impose?

"Pathetic. Is this all the heir of Devi Jones, the Pirate King who nearly became the ruler of all kings, has to offer? If this were a true one-on-one duel, no one could defeat my master!"

 Manticore sneered, mocking Chang Long as it slashed at her with blinding speed and force, sending her sprawling across the ground, blood spurting from her mouth.

…..

Far from where Chang Long and Demos were battling, Kitsune and Demos' pet, Death Envoy, were locked in a fierce fight, evenly matched despite Death Envoy's superior speed. Both exchanged slashes, leaving each other with several deep wounds, yet neither showed signs of exhaustion.

Death Envoy opened its mouth wide, as if preparing to breathe fire, but instead, it released a cloud of black dust particles that floated through the air. When these particles made contact with anything, they caused small explosions. The cloud of black dust swirled toward Kitsune, resembling a giant black snake ready to devour its prey. Sparks flickered as the particles exploded upon touching the blades of grass.

The young fox stared in awe at Death Envoy's skill, but Kitsune was not without his own powerful abilities. He had a destructive skill of his own, though he had never used it before. As Death Envoy's attack approached, Kitsune stood still, eyes closed, as if awaiting an inevitable end. But in reality, he was focusing his mind, preparing to unleash Heavenly Flame.

The massive black snake formed by Death Envoy's dust particles began to coil around Kitsune's body, as if about to constrict its prey. Hulu and Fluffy Head-chan, who had been watching the battle anxiously, shouted out Kitsune's name in frustration, unable to believe that their brother had seemingly given up so easily.

But then with his eyes closed, suddenly, Kitsune's body was engulfed in golden flames. The young fox opened its eyes to see the black snake, caused by Death Envoy's skill trying to wrap around his fiery form, causing small explosions like fireworks. Kitsune smirked coldly and activated his skill.

"Heavenly Flame!"

The golden flames surrounding Kitsune flared up intensely, causing the black dust particles that had formed the snake to explode even more violently. Despite the explosions, the black snake continued to coil around Kitsune. But then, just as abruptly, the golden flames vanished. Death Envoy smirked, believing its useless opponent had exhausted its power.

Death Envoy had made a grave mistake. Kitsune's golden eyes suddenly blazed with a brilliant light. He opened his mouth, revealing a soft golden glow emanating from within. Then, he blew out the Heavenly Flame, a gentle yet devastatingly powerful golden fire. The black snake was instantly set ablaze, exploding violently, yet leaving Kitsune completely unharmed. The Heavenly Flame continued its slow, deliberate path toward Death Envoy, moving like a gentle mist. Before Death Envoy realized it, it was completely surrounded by the golden fire.

Yelp!

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