Chapter 26 A Mysterious demonoid
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, its crimson glow bled through the trees, painting the forest in shades of fire and shadow. The sharp clang of steel against steel rang out again and again, echoing through the stillness like a relentless war drum.
A sudden boom split the air. The shockwave hurled me backward, and I skidded across the ground before dropping to one knee, my breath ragged and chest heaving. Dust and sparks swirled around me, stinging my skin.
I lifted my gaze just in time to see the Demonoid descending from above, his blade raised high, eyes burning with malice.
“Tch—!” I threw myself aside, his strike slamming into the earth with enough force to crack the ground. Dirt and shards of stone exploded upward in a violent spray.
I barely had a moment to breathe before he lunged again, his movements unnervingly swift despite his build.
His sword came down in a vicious arc, and I raised my Flare Sword to block.
The impact jolted through my arms, sparks bursting between our weapons.
His strength was monstrous; my boots dug into the soil as I struggled to hold my ground.
Then I felt it—his aura surging, a sinister pulse of energy gathering at the tip of his blade. He was about to unleash a spell.
“Not this time.”
I willed another blade into my grasp. A burst of icy mist spread outward as my Glacier Sword manifested in my left hand, its crystalline surface glittering in the fading light. With a roar, I swung it upward, releasing the spell.
“Iceberg Crystal!”
A surge of freezing energy erupted from the blade, shards of jagged ice exploding forth like a tidal wave of frost. The Demonoid tried to leap back, his body blurring with unnatural speed, but not fast enough—one of the crystalline spikes caught his leg mid-motion.
The frost spread instantly, encasing his right leg in solid ice up to the thigh. He landed awkwardly, his grin faltering as he realized he was trapped.
He snarled, gripping his blade tighter. “You—!”
I rose to my feet, both swords now in hand, fire blazing in one and ice radiating from the other. My chest still burned with exhaustion, but I steadied my breath, glaring at him.
“Looks like you won’t be running anywhere.”
I charged toward the Demonoid, both blades burning with opposite auras—fire in one hand, ice in the other. His leg was still half-frozen, but he braced himself, snarling like a cornered beast.
I shifted mana into my Flare Sword, its crimson edge blazing brighter, flames licking along the steel until it roared like a living inferno. With a cry, I swung down at him.
He snarled and managed to raise his sword just in time. Clang! Sparks and embers scattered as our weapons collided, the heat from my blade forcing his skin to sizzle. Even so, he gritted his teeth and held his ground, his demonic strength clashing against my mana-fueled strike.
“Impressive for a human!” he spat, veins bulging as his aura flared.
I pressed harder, flames flaring with each push. “I’m not done yet!”
The ice around his leg cracked as he channeled his power, but before he could fully break free, I shifted my weight and forced him back with a brutal kick to the chest. He staggered, his sword scraping against the ground.
Seizing the opening, I planted both feet firmly, my Flare Sword glowing like molten metal. I drew in every drop of mana I could muster, the blade trembling with volatile energy. Heat warped the air around me, and the forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
“Let’s see you block this—Fire Burst!”
I swung my sword forward, unleashing a torrent of flames.
A roaring explosion erupted, engulfing the Demonoid in a pillar of fire.
The blast tore through the forest, shaking the earth, uprooting nearby trees, and filling the air with choking smoke and ash.
The shockwave sent leaves and embers spiraling through the crimson twilight.
I shielded my eyes against the blaze, my chest heaving from the mana drain.
When the flames finally died down, I lowered my sword and peered through the settling smoke. The battlefield was scorched black, the ground cracked and steaming.
But the Demonoid was gone.
My grip tightened. “What…?”
Then, from the lingering haze, a low, mocking laugh slithered through the air.
“Not bad…” the voice drawled, amused and sinister. “Seems the heroes aren’t the only ones we need to keep our eyes on.”
I turned sharply, searching the shadows, but saw nothing.
“Heh… I’ll see you again, adventurer.”
The voice faded into the distance, leaving behind only the echo of that cruel laughter.
I stood in the ruined clearing, both swords heavy in my hands, my heart still pounding from the battle. The forest was silent once more—too silent.
But one thing was certain.
This fight was far from over.
I let out a long breath, the weight of the battle still pressing down on my chest. Sweat dripped down my brow as I steadied my swords, then spoke quietly in my mind.
“Hey, goddess… are you still there?”
Her voice came, calm yet edged with concern. “Yes, I’m still here.”
“That man—who was he?” I asked, my eyes narrowing as I glanced around the smoldering clearing.
“I can’t say for certain,” she admitted, her tone heavy, “but I am sure of this much—he’s a Demonoid. And not just any one. He’s connected to the Maleficarum.”
My jaw tightened at the name. “The Maleficarum… I see. Then is he responsible for the Groomcroaks? And Molgurath’s attack on the village?”
“It’s quite possible,” she replied gravely. “That would explain why he came here—to collect the orb from the Groomcroak you killed.”
I clenched my fist. “So it really was their doing…”
There was a brief pause, then her voice softened. “Oh—it seems the Saintess is calling for me. I must go.”
“Alright then,” I murmured in thought. “We’ll talk later.”
Silence returned, leaving only the fading crackle of burning embers. I turned my gaze toward the massive corpse of the Groomcroak, its swollen body now half-decayed. The stench was unbearable, a mix of rot and swampy bile. I wrinkled my nose.
As I approached the corpse, the stench so foul it nearly made me retch. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to endure it and reached into the decayed flesh, pulling free the mana crystal
With a swift motion, I summoned fire and set the carcass ablaze. Flames consumed it hungrily, hissing as they devoured flesh and bone until only ash remained.
I watched quietly, the fire’s glow reflecting in my eyes. “No more corruption,” I muttered under my breath.
When the flames died down, I took a deep breath of the cooling air. The forest was eerily calm, the twilight stretching long shadows between the trees.
“Alright… time to return to the village.”
I crouched low, taking a running stance. Energy surged into my legs, the earth trembling faintly beneath me.
“Mach Two.”
In an instant, the world blurred around me as I dashed through the forest at blinding speed, branches snapping in my wake, the path ahead leading me back to the people waiting for me.
A few minutes later, I finally emerged from the forest. My boots crunched against the dirt path as the shadows of the trees gave way to a warm glow ahead.
Lanterns flickered all around the village, their golden light spilling across the square like a sea of fireflies.
The sight stopped me in my tracks for a moment—after everything that had happened, the village looked almost… peaceful.
Then a voice called out, sharp and urgent.
“Raito!”
I turned to my right and saw Darruk barreling toward me, his heavy footsteps pounding the earth. His face was flushed, and sweat ran down his temple as though he had been running for some time. I blinked in confusion, tilting my head slightly.
When he reached me, he bent over with his hands on his knees, catching his breath.
“Is… something the matter?” I asked cautiously.
He looked up, still exhaling hard. “Of course there’s something the matter! Where the hell have you been? We’ve been searching everywhere for you!”
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to play it off. “I… just had to take care of something I forgot about.”
Before I could explain further, Darruk grabbed my arm with his large, calloused hand and cut me off.
“Never mind that—just come with me. Now.”
Without waiting for me to protest, he pulled me along through the village streets. The closer we got to the center, the louder the sound of voices and laughter grew. When we finally stepped into the square, I froze.
Tables had been arranged neatly in rows, covered with food, drink, and decorations.
Lanterns hung from ropes strung between the houses, swaying gently in the night breeze.
Nearly every villager was there, their faces bright with smiles, relief, and joy.
Children darted between the adults, laughing, while musicians strummed soft notes from wooden instruments.
Darruk guided me to the head table where the mayor was seated, and motioned for me to sit. Still bewildered, I lowered myself into the chair.
The mayor stood, raising his cup high. His voice boomed across the gathering, silencing the chatter in an instant.
“Alright, everyone! Tonight, we gather here to show our gratitude to Raito!” His eyes turned to me, warm with respect.
“This young man risked his life to save our village from certain destruction. We will never forget his bravery… or his kindness.”
As the mayor finished his speech, the villagers erupted into cheers and laughter, raising their cups before turning their attention to the feast laid out before them.
The smell of roasted meat, fresh bread, and sweet fruits filled the air, mixing with the faint crackle of lantern fire. The celebration had officially begun.
I leaned closer to the mayor, lowering my voice. “You know… you didn’t have to do all this. Honestly, this is way too embarrassing for me.”
The old man chuckled warmly, shaking his head. “Nonsense. It’s only right that we show our gratitude. You saved every soul here. A meal and some music is the least we can offer.”
I sighed, glancing at the long tables where villagers were already laughing, eating, and clinking mugs together. “Yeah, but a whole banquet? This is a bit much, don’t you think?”
Before the mayor could reply, a familiar voice spoke behind me.
“Just go with it,” Sylendra said, her tone both teasing and gentle. “It’s not going to change anything.”
I turned my head and found her settling into the seat beside me, her green hair catching the lantern light as she offered a small smile.
I let out a resigned chuckle. “If you say so.”
The night went on with music and cheer. Children danced in circles to the sound of fiddles and flutes, while the adults filled their mugs with mead and swapped stories of the battle.
Every so often, someone would come up to me, offering thanks or pressing food into my hands, and I found myself reluctantly enjoying the warmth of it all.
For the first time in days, the village wasn’t filled with fear—but with laughter.
After a while, the mayor leaned back in his chair and studied me thoughtfully. “So, Raito,” he began, stroking his beard, “now that the danger has passed… what’s your plan going forward?”
The chatter around us quieted slightly, as though some of the nearby villagers were curious to hear my answer too. I set down my mug, thinking for a moment before smiling faintly.
“I think…” I said slowly, “I’ll head to the next town over. It’s been awhile since I did any adventuring work, and I think it’s time I get back to it.”
The mayor’s brows lifted in surprise, then softened into a smile. “I see. Well, wherever your path leads you, know that you’ll always have a home here.”
Sylendra turned to me, her expression softening as the light of the lanterns danced in her eyes. “Raito… thank you for helping me save this village. Truly, I’m grateful.”
I gave her a small smile and shook my head. “Don’t mention it. I only did what needed to be done.”