Survive

Three days have passed since we left the Elven Kingdom. We were travelling at a slower pace to conserve our strength for the war ahead.

There were no birds in the forest. No wind rustled. Only the rhythm of our horse's hoof against rang in our ears.

“Kazuki, stop!”

I pulled the reins as hard as I could.

“Be on your guard. I can sense a Demon General.”

“Can't you handle it alone?”

“I can, but he's strong. Stronger than the Demon King.”

— + —

[Skill: Quantum Manipulation Has Been Unsealed]

[30 Minutes Remaining Till You Can Use Skill: Quantum Manipulation]

— + —

Unexpected. But totally worth it for the upcoming war. I should leave the Demon General to Elina and go straight to the Demon Kingdom.

“Hey… I think I will be able to use Quantum Manipulation again after thirty minutes.”

“Really? That's great news. Then you should head to the Demon Kingdom. I'll follow you as soon as I'm done with the general.”

“Yeah. Be careful.”

Elina persued a different direction. I rushed towards the Demon Kingdom leaving her alone. She was strong enough to handle herself.

I saw a large army standing a few hundred metres away. I could sense a monstrous presence from a nearby rock from where the army was. But knowing I would have my skill back in due time soothed my mind.

“Shadow, go.”

I came off my horse and travelled the few remaining meters by walking. Shadow had already killed a few hundred soldiers of the Demon Army by now. As expected, they didn't stand a chance.

But only one presence overwhelmed me. He was not hostile. So I tried to ignore the presence.

I noticed a strong figure with buffed arms standing in awe. He was indeed the Demon King. He was surprised by the fact that I was commanding Shadow.

I laughed quietly and said, “Would you like to see more of these?”

“What do you mean?”

“Arise.”

Hundreds of souls responded to my call. One-fifth of the demon army was now under my command.

The Demon King’s face was fascinating to look at. He was staring at his own dead soldiers with eyes of surprise. Like he had never seen a human use necromancy before.

However, I was not worried about him. I was worried about the one who stood up at the top of the tall rock, unfazed. He was watching my every move cautiously.

I could feel his strong presence overwhelming mine. Even Shadow would lose against him.

“Are you coming down?”

“...”

His stare sent shivers across my spine. I rolled my fists in fear. Damn this, I didn't expect this situation at all.

— + —

[20 Minutes Remaining Till You Can Use Skill: Quantum Manipulation]

— + —

“...”

Only twenty minutes. If I only survived twenty more minutes.

This was not the first time I was afraid to take action. I already lost and revived two times. But, this time was different. I tightened my grip on the dagger.

“Shadow, it's time. You know what to do.”

This was a risky move, but, if he somehow pulled it off…

I needed to buy some for Shadow to sneak out from the Demon's King’s sight. So… I finally stepped on the battlefield…

“Go everyone.”

Shuk, shuk, shuk!

Sliced open several throats and gave my soldiers an opening to infiltrate the army. I kept slaughtering the army so the Demon King targets me instead of Shadow.

I came to a stop. Wiped stained blood from face.

— + —

[LEVEL UP +21]

[Strength: lvl 44 → lvl 49

Agility: lvl 39 → lvl 45

Stamina: lvl 37 → lvl 45

Endurance: lvl 33 → lvl 35]

— + —

“Arise.”

— + —

[You Can Use This Skill Only One More Time For This Week]

— + —

That was enough for me. I already converted half of the demon army into my soldiers. So, I needed only one more person in my collection of souls…

Shadow was currently clashing against the knight just like I ordered him. I could grasp from the fight that if he used his full strength, Shadow would've already been defeated.

I figured he wouldn't fight at full strength with someone inferior to him for his pride as a knight. Yes, the strategy of buying time was going exactly like I wanted.

— + —

[10 Minutes Remaining Till You Can Use Skill: Quantum Manipulation]

— + —

Perfect. Now, it was time to fight the Demon King. He was standing, focused at me.

“Time's up Big horns. You're about to die.”

“You're not strong enough brat.”

— ✦ —

Kazuki lunged— klang! Their blades clashed, sparks scattered. Their strength matched, neither side yielded an inch.

The King drove his foot into Kazuki's stomach. “ughh!”

The Demon King swung his blade. Kazuki twisted his body— barely dodging the deadly arc. Without hesitation, he swept his leg low, the Demon King lost his balance. 

Kazuki didn't waste a second. He drove another foot into the King's skull with brutal force.

“Arghhh!! You brat!!” The Demon King roared in fury.

Before Kazuki could retreat, a powerful arm grabbed his leg. With monstrous strength, the King swung him like a ragdoll— slamming him into the ground with a thunderous impact.

“Gwah—”

Without hesitation, the King swung him again. Kazuki gritted his teeth, twisting mid-air. At the last moment, his blade carved through the Demon King's fingers.

With a snarl of pain, the King's grip loosened. Kazuki landed hard, but was totally free.

— ✦ —

“That was… painful…”

— + —

[5 Minutes Remaining Till You Can Use Skill: Quantum Manipulation]

— + —

Still five more minutes? I was already at my limit. And shadow was about lose too.

“Y-You brat! Now you've done it! Grrr…!”

“What the—”

The Demon King's horns grew tall. Eyes sharp crimson red with black mixture. His aura felt different. Dammit. Did he always have such power?!

My heart skipped a beat— I couldn't sense Shadow’s presence anymore. Neither could I see the knight fighting Shadow. Shit. I was about to die— again.

…Klung!

I opened my eyes at the sound and saw two swords clash against each other. I was saved again… By Elina, my hero.

“Sorry, I'm late.”

“Elina, the King's not important! Hold on against the knight!”

“What kni—” BWAM!!

Elina hit the ground just like a meteor. Fuck. He was here, standing right in front of me.

“Go and take care of the lady. This young man is mine.”

“But my lor—”

“Do as I say.”

“Yes, my lord…”

My lord? Just who was he? Was I fighting some kind of God? All kinds of question occupied my mind. However, I was answered before could even asking.

“I'm the first Demon King of the Demon Kingdom, Asmodeus. Young man, I'm impressed by your skills. You have my respect. State your name.”

F-First Demon King? No. This was beyond my nightmares. Demons aren't supposed to be this strong.

My voice trembled in fear as I replied.

“...Tenma Kazuki.”

The entire battlefield stood still. Neither mine nor the demon soldiers remained. They were all wiped out by a single person.

“Tenma Kazuki, I noticed you're trying to buy time. Perhaps, are you waiting for something?”

“...”

I didn't answer him. No, I couldn't answer him. If I could only hold out for a bit longer…

— + —

[1 Minute Remaining Till You Can Use Skill: Quantum Manipulation]

— + —