Chapter 417: Love and Fury


    <strong>417. Love and Fury</strong>


    G went flying as Kaitlins de struck against the barrier. The impact knocked the Demon to the ground, sending debris and dirt into the air as the earth broke beneath her feet. She looked up and clicked her tongue as she saw the knight falling under the re of the rising sun.


    <em>[Sable sh].</em>


    A ck de cut through the earth. A precise line that split open like an earthquake had broken apart the ground. Gs barrier shed, holding up against the attack for a moment. Then there was a crack. The sphere began to break apart as Gs eyes widened.


    <em>Is this for real? What is this power? </em>The Archdemon of Gluttony never expected for there to be a [Warrior] this powerful amongst the Humans ranks. Shed heard of Kaitlin Darkhelm. The Commander of the Vaun Qieur Empires Swordsguard Forces. But G had dismissed the Human from her level alone.


    After all, Kaitlin was only Level 163. Around the same level as Orgaf, Thief of the Golden Scales. She certainly wasnt on the same threat level as Helena Warshade. And yet, here was the knight,pletely overwhelming G in battle.


    The Demon yelled as she vanished. Teleporting back into the air, she spread her arms wide as a dozen spheres appeared above her head in a semicircle. Theyunched out one after the other as she screamed in a guttural voice.


    Try and cut this down, Human! <em>[Fractal Orbs]!</em>


    G had to shake away those needless thoughts. It was disrupting her concentration. The only reason why Kaitlin Darkhelm seemed like she had the upper hand was due to the fact that the Archdemon of Gluttony wasnt adept against handling [Warriors] or the like.


    She created two portals as the Commander of the Swordsguard Forces sprinted through the exploding spheres, raising her shield to take the brunt of the attack. An imprable defense but useful as an offense too. The [Fiend] mmed the portals together as Kaitlin leapt at her.


    The knight recoiled as she mmed into herself. A tinny grunt left her visor, and G took this as her chance to unleash her magic at the Elite.


    But before she could even reach for the mana strands in the air, a volley of spells struck her back. G recoiled and spun around, facing the army as they loosed more magic and projectiles at her. She cursed and pointed at them.


    You annoying pests


    And her eyes widened as a single-armed man flew through the air, swinging at her. There was a sh of silver a crescent de swinging at her like the moon itself.


    <em>Urk!</em>


    G couldnt teleport away in time. The de tore through her chest as she vanished a secondter. Marwin, the Silver Swordsman,nded next to Kaitlin as he gave her a nod.


    Were here to help you, Commander Darkhelm.


    Good work, Marwin.


    The knight straightened and stepped forward. Both the Silver Swordsman and the Elite stared up at the panting G.


    We cant let this Demon take any more innocent lives. We have to end this here.


    Understood, Commander Darkhelm.


    G herself didnt hear this conversation, too fixated on the constant salvounched at her from the tens of thousands of gathered Humans. How many had she killed? Not enough. They were overwhelming her. Not just her Libid too.


    The [Fiend]s eyes flickered to a [Jinn] as he flew away from a st of lightning and fire. She called out to him, and his gaze snapped towards her.


    Libid.


    Her voice was soft, yet audible to him through all the fighting. She held his gaze as, for a moment, there was a lull in the battle.


    We have no choice. Do it.


    And the [Jinn] nodded. Libid flew up into the sky as the armies concentrated their attacks on him. His body burned brilliantly a ck fire that seemed to cast a darkness instead of light. His voice echoed throughout the battlefield. Heard even from the city of Alyras.


    <em>[mes of Passion, Give Me Strength].</em>


    Kaitlin Darkhelm paused, turning her focus from G to the floating [Jinn].


    Thats


    What is going on?


    Marwin blinked, confused.


    <em>[I Will Answer His Wishes and Burn the World to Ashes].</em>


    It looked like Libids body was breaking apart as his incantation continued. G sneered as she watched the army begin to hesitate. The [Jinn]s mes grew wilder and wilder, smearing the sky like the darkling clouds of the Netherworld.


    G didnt want to resort to this, but they were left with no other choice. Libid wasnt the highest-leveled Demon of the Dukes and Duchesses, however he had something special that made him the second strongest behind Ira. While Gloria had two Grand Skills, and G was Level 150, Libid had the most destructive Grand Skill of all. Unfortunately, it came at a cost.


    <em>[Because, For Him, I Will Suffer Hell].</em>


    Libids words broke apart as his body finally ripped in half. His ethereal form faded as an inferno exploded from his core. It was a vortex of ck fire. Solid. Like a wall of storm. It expanded quickly as even G moved to avoid its smoldering heat. A hurricane of fire descended on the army, apanied by a shrill wail.


    It sounded like the wisping me. Like the roaring firestorm that was unleashed. But G knew she understood that those were Libids own cries of pain.


    Amanda stared in horror as Daniel copsed. For a moment, the world froze. Her mind processed what had happened. kes of white aura wisped off the [Hero]s body as the radiant armor protecting him shattered. He copsed into a puddle of blood, dropping his gray-white longsword.


    Iivor lowered his hand and bared his teeth as Desidia yawned.


    Now, whos next?


    And Amandas world shattered. She screamed as she raised her double ded dagger, while Edithe and Hadrian readied themselves.


    <em>No!</em>


    The former assassin moved. Desidia took a single step in the span of time it took Amanda to appear next to Iivor.


    <em>[Savage Step]. </em>Her gaze burned with fury. With hatred and anger. She struck out a single precise blow that wouldve ended anyone lesser.


    <em>[Pinpoint Strike]. </em>


    But a wind shield appeared at his back. Her dagger nced off the solid air as Iivor craned his neck. He flicked a finger, sending out another wind de at her. But she was faster.


    [Disengage].


    She rolled out of the way and circled the yellow-skinned Demon. He barely moved. He turned to follow her as she spun around, producing a second, smaller dagger from her pockets. Sheshed out Iivor with both of her weapons, two attacks at a time, repeatedly, both from different angles, all aimed for his vitals.


    <em>[Dance of Daggers].</em>


    His wind shield appeared each time her de came close to his body. He scoffed and swiped out with an arm as a gust of wind burst out. She leapt back with another [Savage Step] as his spell barely grazed her.


    Come on, do you think youll be able to beat me at your level? Youre barely over Level 120


    He started, only to be interrupted by a shout.


    <em>[Frostme Vortex]!</em>


    Edithe lowered her staff and run up to Daniel as her magic engulfed the Demon. When the fire and ice dissipated, Iivor stepped out of it unharmed. She gritted her teeth, producing a healing potion.


    Daniel


    Desidia stomped up towards her as she fumbled and dropped it. The green-skinned Demon nearly mmed into Edithe, but Hadrian intercepted her. He threw his entire weight to her side, knocking her off bnce as she scowled.


    Get out of my way, you damn nuisance!


    She swatted Hadrian aside as Edithe sted out with fire. Desidia walked through it with a grin.


    Come on, do you think thatll hurt me if it cant even hurt Iivor?


    The Demon stepped through the mes, and the red-haired woman bit her lower lip. Edithe quickly pointed at the downed [Hero].


    [A Guardians Blessing]! Daniel, youve got to


    And Desidia picked her up. The green-skinned Demonughed as Edithe struggled in her arms.


    I will squash you like a bug.


    She squeezed, and Edithe screamed. The Aura of Greater Protection protecting her flickered. The armor given by Zin Norwood began to fail. Desidia just hugged Edithe close to her rotund body. Her tails whipped behind back as she smiled.


    Goodbye


    And Amanda jammed her second dagger into the Demons back neck. Desida stumbled forward, blinking as she dropped Edithe to the floor. The [Rogue] leapt away, and Iivor sent wind des after her.


    Dont lose your focus, Desidia. These mortals are weak, but they are annoying to deal with.


    He brought both his arms up and pressed his hands together. Apressed ball of air formed before sting out. The gust of wind knocked Amanda back as it cut through her protective garbs and artifacts. She clutched at her shoulder, leaping back protectively over Daniels body.


    She looked down, seeing the young mans body twitch.


    Get up, you idiot


    The former assassin whispered before dodging a flurry of attacks from Iivor once again. Meanwhile, Edithe and Hadrian were nking Desidia the two Humans throwing everything they had at the Demon. But it wasnt enough.


    It was quite obvious: they were going to lose this battle.


    <em>What am I doing? </em>Amanda wondered as she was caught briefly by one of Iivors spells. The attack sent a sttering of blood out, painting the walls as she ran around the room with [Savage Step].


    It wasnt enough to win. Despite her best efforts, she could onlynd small, inconsequential strikes on both Demons. The very fiber of her being told her this was pointless. That she would die. Yet, she fought on, not understanding why.


    She never understood why she pushed herself so hard for Daniel.


    But she did. And, perhaps, that was her folly. Maybe this was her final death sentence.


    Amanda stumbled as she tried to dodge another wind de. The spell caught her this time not a grazing blow. But a direct strike to her chest. She recoiled as the air left her lungs, coughing out blood.


    This


    She was knocked back against a wall, her vision fading as she looked up at the fallen [Hero].


    ...is so stupid


    Sighing, she closed her eyes.


    Daniel saw nothing but darkness. His body was numb. He only heard the muffled sounds of fighting around him. Hey there, motionless, barely able to think.


    He didnt understand what was going on his mind in a haze. Yet, somethingpelled him to get up. Still, he refused. It was nice, here. Everything felt so nice. It was like he was lying back in his bed in his own world under the cool hug of his air conditioner.


    No troubles. No worries. No responsibilities. Just a carefree life.


    Then the cool air vanished. A warmth wrapped around him, and the numb feeling reced with an ufortable feeling. He didnt like this. His body <em>hurt. </em>He could feel his fingers twitching. He wanted to open his eyes. But his body was in so much pain, tears began to stream down his cheeks as he inhaled a sharp breath.


    He wouldve just given up. If even breathing hurt, then there was no point in living. But a voice called out to him. One which gave him a single order. The only thing he heard amidst the fighting.


    <em>Get up.</em>


    Daniels eyes cracked open. <em>Why? </em>he asked. Why did he have to get up? What was the point? Why did anything even matter?


    But something else took over him. A desire. A need. He couldnt fail here. He had to fight. It was an impulse. Something hed learned to be overtime.


    If the question was, Why should he fight? then the answer was simple: because he was a [Hero].


    And Daniel groaned, raising his Primordial Longsword. The pain dulled. And power surged through him.


    <em>[Will of the Hero]!</em>


    A white light washed over Edithe, Hadrian, and Amanda. It gave them strength. It closed their wounds partially as the [Hero] got to his feet. He looked up at the Demons as a white aura wisped off his body.


    Iivor narrowed his eyes, and Desidia blinked. Shed been looming over Hadrian and Edithe, before stepping back.


    What is


    The green-skinned Demon started. But Daniel moved. He reached her swiftly his speed far greater than what it was before. And he swung up at her before she could react.


    <em>[Heros sh]!</em>