“Why are demons even born? Why does the Demon Realm exist? I’m really curious. Can you answer me?”

The attack came rushing at him like a mad storm. Russo squinted his eyes as he deflected the ice spear flying toward him without a break.

The mana was immense. It wasn’t unfamiliar. It was the same energy as the explosion that had shaken the underground prison. But how was it possible to continuously use such powerful magic with a body that had already experienced such an outburst?

Russo couldn’t understand it. The aura of strength emanating from the fairy in front of him. And the intense hatred being directed at him.

“Can’t answer? Huh? You’re so quiet. A man like you, so dull and silent, isn’t popular. Remember that. If you’re gonna settle in the afterlife, you’ll need to work hard on your charm! Hahaha!”

This High Demon wasn’t Sellev. The type of power used, the battle methods were similar, but nothing else about him—appearance, personality—was alike. Despite that, Lydon could sense his growing excitement. He had to restrain himself. He had to stay calm. Even though he kept trying to focus, his body moved on its own.

Perhaps it was because he had survived a near-death experience, but Lydon felt that the amount of power he could exert had greatly increased. The flow of magic, and his physical movements, were all different from before. It could just be a temporary state of awakening, so Lydon knew he had to keep this up for as long as possible. He tried to face his enemies while conserving as much energy as possible.

“None of the lives in this world will answer your question. So put aside those pointless doubts and give it your all.”

“Ah…… really?”

Every time his solid, demonic energy-imbued arms deflected Lydon’s attacks, Lydon felt a surge of fury. The bubbling hatred wouldn’t subside no matter how hard he tried, and just as the violent magic was starting to continue—

“Hey, fairy! If you’re going to make me fly, you should at least stabilize me! How are we supposed to fight with a body this shaky?”

“Forget about stabilizing; it’s ridiculously cold. Was the three minutes of flight time even enough for us to survive in this freezing cold?”

Van and Lumen approached Lydon. Their dissatisfaction was evident, and the killing intent that had been flashing in their eyes waned as Lydon immediately controlled his magic, furrowing his brow.

“Quit acting like a child with your big size. Or are you saying thank you for making you fly like an idiot?”

“Who are you calling……! Do you even have a conscience? Fine, just come over here and stabilize this shaky body of mine.”

“Don’t give me orders! I don’t mind Lumen much, but I really hate your orders, Van!”

“What is it?”

“Both of you are loud. What are you doing in front of the enemy?”

Lumen clicked his tongue with disdain, lightly pulling Lydon back behind him.

“Hold your position, Lydon. You’re a magician. Think about how Leader, another magician, maintained the formation.”

“……”

“The only order was that no one dies until Leader returns. You can act on your own after the order is fulfilled.”

Indeed, Lydon felt a much stronger energy than before. However, his body, which had only received Garuel’s emergency treatment, wouldn’t be able to endure for long if he released that power freely. They had to manage his strength to prevent him from wasting it.

Lydon understood Lumen’s words well, so instead of pursuing a large distance, he adjusted the direction and intensity of the cold aura surrounding them. It was better to leave the fighting to them and provide support from the back.

“Yeah, that’s it. Finally, you’re getting it.”

“Will humans die if they fall here?”

“……Don’t say useless things.”

Van, shifting his gaze slightly, looked at the enemy ahead. There, Russo was regaining his stance after Lydon’s attack had stopped, and Elina was watching for an opportunity from the rear. Quickly scanning their positions, Van drew his greatsword and spoke.

“I’ll take care of the man in front. You handle the woman behind.”

“Be careful. The man has an unusual energy.”

“Be careful of the woman. She’s probably the one who bloomed flowers in the body of the Commander of the Guardian Knight Order.”

With their targets set, Van and Lumen moved. A fierce snowstorm swirled in the direction they were heading. This was magic only possible by understanding their movements, tendencies, and battle style. They moved freely through the air under Lydon’s precise magic.

Lumen, flying swiftly, aimed for Elina behind them. Russo, noticing him, tried to block Lumen.

“I’ve dealt with show-offs before. I have a feeling you’re not impressive enough to overwhelm them.”

Van’s greatsword followed, aiming for Russo’s head. A direct hit would mean death. Quickly, Russo spun his body, crossing his arms to block the strike. Under the immense pressure of the sword, Russo’s arms trembled violently but managed to deflect the attack just in time. Van, forcing the sword down with a low voice, muttered.

“If I don’t kill you quickly, I think you’ll fall to your death in less than three minutes. Our fairy friend is seriously impulsive.”

The sword pressed hard on Russo’s trembling arms, but with a mighty effort, he deflected the strike. Meanwhile, Lumen, behind them, increased his speed, dodging the rapid fire of demonic energy like a machine gun.

“You’re pretty good for not having wings. But how long do you think the magic that lifted you will keep up with that speed?”

Every place Lumen passed was marked with ice crystals scattering like an afterimage, tracing his path. Lydon’s magic was barely keeping up with Lumen’s explosive speed. Even though he felt it, Lumen didn’t adjust his speed at all. He dodged demonic energy and, at the same time, cut through it. In an instant, he closed the gap with Elina, only to reveal his new form just three steps ahead.

“That guy said three minutes. So…… at least 10 minutes will do. He’s a big drama queen.”

“You cocky……!”

Elina, standing proudly, tried to release demonic energy toward Lumen, but just as Lumen’s sword, now a half-inch shorter, came down……

“Ahhh!”

The demonic energy gathered in her finger was severed. Elina grabbed her hand desperately, letting out a shrill scream.

“You’re quite a drama queen for a High Demon. Sorry, but your lover won’t be able to come to help.”

Lumen sneered at her, and his new form disappeared again. Elina quickly turned her head, regenerating her finger.

‘Where…… where is he?’

No matter how fast or strong the opponent, just one hit—one hit of demonic energy would do. The moment her demonic energy bloomed in the enemy’s body, their strength wouldn’t matter. Inevitable death would come. So, if she stayed calm and waited……

“Surprisingly few gaps. I thought you’d be more excited.”

“Damn you……!”

However, following Lumen’s movements with her enhanced eyesight was nearly impossible. A long scar was drawn across her shoulder, and purple blood splattered out. Reflexively clutching the wound, she turned her body in the direction of the voice she heard.

“That calmness deserves praise. You’re not as careless as I expected from that arrogant attitude. Or did that dull High Demon warn you in advance?”

The attack aimed at her back resumed. Though she avoided a fatal blow by gathering demonic energy to protect her body, the mental impact was significant.

She couldn’t move recklessly, focusing solely on defense. The voices she heard were like the whispers of ghosts, and the cold wind circling around her sent shivers down her spine.

‘I don’t want to be nervous about these human bastards, but I’ll admit it. They’re not the kind of people you can beat with ease while being careless. But I still have the advantage.’

A wingless race couldn’t glide for long. Even this human had said it himself. At best, it would last 10 minutes. This deadly speed might be enough to be a threat for 10 minutes, but with her regenerative ability, she could hold out. As long as she didn’t die, taking the bastard’s life would be simple.

“Your gaps are becoming fewer…… If this keeps up, it’ll be troublesome.”

“Shut up…… Ugh!”

“You won’t die from having your flesh shaved off, it seems. In that case…… maybe it’s better to go deal with that High Demon over there.”

“……What? Who do you think you’re talking to like that?!”

Elina narrowed her eyes, irritated, but her gaze inevitably turned toward Russo. He was engaged in a fierce battle with the human wielding a greatsword. It seemed like dealing with just one of them was already a struggle. If that quick human joined the fray, though……

‘I’ve been gathering my strength. I could help Russo, but this guy won’t take a hit easily. If those two humans corner Russo……’

The thought of danger wouldn’t leave her mind. Besides these two, wasn’t there another enemy? The fairy that Russo had warned about was just as dangerous. Elina still couldn’t forget the murderous intent of the fairy charging at her. If that fairy joined forces, even Russo wouldn’t be safe.

“Fine, do as you please. But it’ll be your loss. If there are more targets to hit, that works better for me.”

Elina forced a nonchalant smile, trying to mask her anxiety. But Lumen knew her calmness was a facade. If he provoked her just a little more, an opportunity to inflict a fatal wound would arise. As he reappeared in front of her, he opened his mouth to deliver the final blow. However.

“But Russo…… no one can kill him.”

Having finished her regeneration, Elina raised her thumb and index finger high into the air. As if she had been preparing her energy, the gathered demonic energy shot upwards rapidly. Lumen, trying to read her intentions, calculated the haphazard firing of her demonic energy. And then, the next moment.

“No……! Van! Dodge!”

The demonic energy, fired in a straight line, began to fall in a parabolic arc. Countless bullets of demonic energy were aimed at a single target. Following Lumen’s shout, Van turned his head, and in his line of sight, the demonic energy bullets targeted him directly.