Wham!
Quick resolution.
That was the best approach for Hans. Even if he fought cautiously, it would inevitably lead to a prolonged battle. In that case, he would be at a disadvantage.
No half-measures. Strike with full power from the start. With the mindset that if he couldn’t kill them all, he would die. Suddenly, as Hans unleashed his full power, the demons were thrown into confusion.
That created even a small opening for them. Hans’s time accelerated much faster. No one could catch up to that acceleration. What Hans aimed for was another blood demon.
Especially the blood demon continuously throwing daggers from behind. The other blood demons could dodge relatively well, but the daggers were each fatal wounds, and dodging them wasn’t easy.
But even if they were rotten, a blood demon is a blood demon. They had already read Hans’s movements. However, rather than confront him, they chose to retreat for the time being to minimize damage.
What the?!
But the dagger-wielding blood demon couldn’t do that. Its body moved much slower than it imagined. As if time was constraining it. The blood demon could only stand still.
At least that’s how it appeared to onlookers. The blood demon caught in time deceleration moved extremely slowly, while Hans, under time acceleration, became faster than anyone. The result was obvious.
Hans’s Divine Sword swept like lightning, severing the dagger-wielding blood demon’s neck. In an instant, two blood demons were down. An unimaginable scenario unfolded before them. However, Zaiha remained calm.
There can’t be no cost for that level of power.
“Are you still wanting to fight?”
That’s certain.
Thus, Zaiha gained confidence from Hans’s words. If such overwhelming power could be wielded freely, they would’ve been decimated long ago. Zaiha clicked his tongue.
“I acknowledge it. You are the best opponent we have faced so far.”
“If that’s the case…”
“But we also have our reasons not to retreat.”
…Huh.
The appearance of the blood demons began to change one by one. At first, they were somewhat similar to humans, but now they looked far from human. They were rather closer to monsters.
Rampage.
To put it simply, this was the blood demons’ phase two. Normally, blood demons would seal a portion of their power, but once they decided to fight at full strength, they would unseal it.
Naturally, blood demons in rampage mode exhibited drastically increased power. The Hell General Beck who appeared as a mid-boss must be killed quickly in the game to prevent him from entering rampage mode.
If they went over time and entered rampage, it would lead to a game over. That’s how overwhelming blood demons’ rampage was. Hans frowned.
What the hell are these bastards doing this for?
There was a risk in the blood demons’ rampage. If they weren’t careful, they could be consumed by their own power and self-destruct. That’s why blood demons sealed their power. Yet four blood demons had unsealed theirs?
That meant they were betting everything to kill him. As a result, Hans was feeling death creeping closer. At that moment, the blood demons moved.
Even with time acceleration applied, their speed was exceedingly fast. Consequently, if he wasn’t careful, they could catch up. Hans clenched his teeth. Time acceleration was essential.
However, the level at which he could sustain time acceleration was different. The pain of his insides tearing apart began to transform into blood that flowed from his mouth. There was no more time left.
“It looks like you have limits after all.”
Gah!
“But you can be proud. You’re the only one who has made us endure this much damage.”
Damn…!!!
The attacks of the rampaging blood demons grew fiercer. Ultimately, Hans made a decision. He would use Time Stop to counterattacks. Even if there was a cooldown, he might die if he didn’t.
If he didn’t use Time Stop now, he would 100% die. Then at least he could take down one more before fighting the remaining three. With that judgment, Hans activated Time Stop.
In the gray-hued world, Hans moved swiftly alone. He quickly decapitated the closest blood demon while maximizing the distance. It was to buy time.
Huff, huff.
Using Time Stop, Time Acceleration, and Time Deceleration all at once was slowly draining his stamina. Blood continually flowed from his mouth. His body felt like it was collapsing.
Time Stop was released. The Hans that had been right in front vanished, and this time a bow-wielding blood demon’s neck was severed. Yet, even faced with the death of a comrade, they didn’t panic.
Rather, they calmly calculated Hans’s position and rushed towards him. Using Time Acceleration, they dodged the first attack and used Time Deceleration to evade the subsequent one.
Gah…?!
But he couldn’t dodge the last great sword attack. The perfectly connected chain of attacks left no openings. In that chaos, raising his prosthetic like a shield was nothing short of a miracle.
Anyhow, he avoided a fatal wound. However, the situation didn’t get any better. He had barely been able to block using both hands, but now he was forced to do it with one.
Blood-mixed phlegm continued to bubble up. Hans realized his prosthetic was shattered. His head cooled down. He began to think he might really die.
Damn.
Hans decided to stop using Time Acceleration. Using it any longer would cause his body to crumble. Instead, his head throbbed like it could break open at any moment.
Though he managed to cover one of the blood demons with Time Deceleration, the two remaining blood demons remained problematic. Hans clenched his teeth. There was no choice; he had to use Time Stop…!!
Cough!!
Perhaps because the exhausting battle had continued, he couldn’t use Time Stop due to his completely exhausted stamina. This was the first time since obtaining the Dragon Heart that his stamina had become an issue. As Hans knelt on one knee, the blood demons seemed to have seized that opportunity. They all charged at once.
Crap, I’m going crazy. In such a situation, Hans had no choice left. Soon, the blood demons’ weapons pierced through both his shoulders and one of his legs. Hans’s body began to collapse gradually.
“Don’t you think you could finish me off at once?”
“It’s dangerous to aim for a life. There might be hidden tricks.”
“There have been many times we’ve thought we had it in the bag, only to be countered.”
The blood demons had accumulated countless experiences up to now. They knew it was risky to take a life in a single strike, especially against formidable foes.
“Don’t let your guard down. That one has already killed three of us.”
“Right, take it slow and steady.”
“No one can enter here.”
…
Hans gritted his teeth. He had wanted to make sure he could take at least one with him when he finally fell, but they saw right through that. However, that was just Hans’s perspective.
From the blood demons’ viewpoint, the situation was no different from defeat. Not only had they lost four blood demons, but now they had also lost three more here. The losses were beyond imagination.
But there was no choice. If they didn’t kill the Royal Knights commander Hans now, they would never be able to it completely. Zaiha felt a deep sorrow, yet he continued to move.
To pacify the souls of their fellow tribesmen who had gone before them, all of this was ultimately for the future of their tribe. Just as Zaiha’s great sword was about to fall upon Hans…
Swish!
“Sorry, but this one is my target.”
…?!
But someone blocked Zaiha’s great sword. A brilliant golden-haired figure danced in the wind. Hans raised his head, bleeding, and the figure seemed eerily familiar.
Vampire Lord…?
“Call me Lucy. It’s rather heartless, isn’t it?”
“Vampire Lord. How did you get here?”
“This trivial barrier? It’s just a toy to me.”
Lucy sneered openly at the blood demons. With that level of confidence, Lucy’s power was tremendous. Zaiha frowned. Though the blood demons were quite worn out,
it wouldn’t be that hard to fight a Vampire Lord with three of them. At least, it would be easier than facing the Royal Knights’ commander Hans. Zaiha readied his sword.
“Step aside; we will kill that one.”
“Hm? Well, seems we have much to discuss?”
“Discuss?”
“Yes, conversation. Or perhaps a transaction is more fitting?”
Lucy said, wearing a strangely chilling smile.
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