Chapter 11: The Fight Continues

An extremely unpleasant sound fills the air as mana-enhanced metal slices across the enhanced crystalline material that now makes up my shield. Since diamonds can’t be cut by anything known to men, they are the ideal shield material. Unfortunately, it cannot absorb the sheer momentum of the attack. Thus, instead of piercing my shield, the Demon Lord’s swing sends me flying several meters through the air until my back connects with a tree.

Argh!

The effect is like a punch to the gut. I can’t breathe as I collapse at the foot of the tree, all air knocked out of my system. Nothing broke, but the attack will take me out of the fight until I can recover the ability to breathe normally. I could have created that shield using far less mana if I were a little more skilled at magic. However, as things stand, I’m left with so little mana that healing myself would worsen my condition.

Ugh, this sucks!

I feel helpless as I’m momentarily crippled. However, my teammates used the distraction well. Lance has embedded his spear deep into the colossal demon’s right side. With some luck, he may have struck his kidney or a vital artery, although it is hard to tell considering the massive size enhancement. Meanwhile, Lucy has applied several deep cuts to his left leg, threatening his footing.

Good job, guys!

A pained roar splits the air. Now considerably wounded, the Demon Lord swings his axe at Lucy, whom he deems more threatening. The shrewd woman manages to cut the back of his knee just in time to break his footing entirely, causing the attacker to lose his vigor and miss the swing, as she somersaults out of harm’s way. Meanwhile, Lance thrusts the spear even deeper in, spilling more and more blood from the wound.

Looks like he struck a big blood vessel after all! Way to go, Lance!

Kenneth also doesn’t remain idle. Despite not being much of a fighter, he has enough courage for two, taunting the giant monster by turning around. The kid on his back naturally captures the Demon Lord’s attention, allowing Lucy to return to his injured leg for another cut. However, it also causes his rage to spike, and a chilling scream rattles the area.

“ARGH! I’LL KILL YOU ALL!!!”

He must have realized Lucy is good at evading his brutal but slow swings. Instead, he targets Lance, whose spear is drilled so deeply into the demon’s body that he can’t pull it out in time. Thus, he has no choice but to abandon his favored weapon. Crying in utter panic, Lance manages to block the brunt of the attack with his shield, which splinters in the process. A skilled kick from the Demon Lord’s unharmed leg sends him flying and succumbing to the same fate as I did, hitting a tree and passing out immediately.

I exhale sharply (and painfully). Lance may be out of it, but like me, he didn’t get sliced up by that massive axe. I couldn’t forgive myself if anyone got killed while I’m out of the fight. Flinching, I try to get up, but the damage is more severe than my initial assessment suggested. My spine is somewhat ruined.

The cuts to his left leg prevent Ragnar from returning to his feet. Lucy must have realized, for she leaps onto the massive demon’s back, her intentions obvious. Using her dagger, she climbs up, leaving some negligible stab wounds while I administer just enough self-aid that I’ll be able to rejoin the fight without draining my mana to zero.

“OH NO YOU’RE NOT!!!” the Demon Lord thunders as he realizes Lucy is aiming for his throat, which, thanks to his enhanced size, is so high up she has to climb to reach it. Swinging his axe at her is obviously out of question, but at the size he’s reached, a mere punch from his fist may be enough to kill a person.

Lucy grasps the danger just in time, jumping off his back. However, not even a master of evasion like her could calculate the giant's range correctly. The punch connects with her tiny shield in mid-air, nevertheless. Lucy is tossed far higher than Lance or I, and, although she doesn’t hit a tree upon her fall, I know I can no longer count on her service for the rest of the fight, judging by the pained cry she gives off upon crashing back down.

Shit!

Although the Demon Lord is bleeding from numerous injuries and unable to regain his full footing thanks to Lucy’s precise daggerwork, it takes no saint to figure out that he has the upper hand on us. Scowling at the grave wound in his side, he pulls the spear out and effortlessly snaps it in two. A river of blood spills from the wound, but his spell likely increased every aspect of his body, including his blood volume. The blood loss shouldn’t faze him for a few more minutes - plenty of time to kill us.

I need to rejoin the fight quickly!

Although I feel dizzy from expending too much mana, my back is functional again, allowing me to rise to my feet, although not without significant pain. I can’t leave Kenneth to fend for himself; running away isn’t an option. Although our opponent cannot move right now, my remaining guild, currently knocked out or MIA, would end up dying as soon as he heals his leg.

Wait, he’s casting magic!

Quickly, I hurry over to Kenneth, holding his ground outside the demon’s massive range. The Demon Lord’s spell causes his leg's severed muscles, tendons, and ligaments to harden into an almost rock-like material, allowing him to rise again. While standing much taller than Berserker, he’s lost at least a head or two of height and some range.

Does his enhancement scale with the mana he possesses? Also, why doesn’t he just heal?

“No affinity for healing magic, huh? Should have kept those mages alive…” Kenneth mutters as he observes the scene before he notices me. “You alright, Dave?”

“I’ve been better,” I grunt in pain. My healing spell only fixed the bare minimum of damage, and some of the earlier needle injuries are still moderately trickling blood. The Demon Lord isn’t the only one who can’t heal themselves right now, although for different reasons. “Where the hell is Berserker?”

“No idea,” Kenneth replies truthfully. “I saw him chase after some fleeing underlings. I doubt they took him out, but…”

I know what he’s implying. He had an awful lot of booze to drink before the battle began.

“Let’s remain on the defensive for now. We won’t be able to get in range without a distraction, and this enhanced shield of mine shouldn’t break.”

And as long as he’s not charging full force at me, I don’t think he’ll send me flying another time…

“Yeah, let’s pray for Beatrix to recover, or for our big guy to save us,” Kenneth nods, readying his sword as the Demon Lord regains a functional battle stance, his wicked glance resting on all that remains standing of us. “On second thought, let’s test his resolve.”

Kenneth turns his back around, presenting the kid again.

“Will you cut me down while using your kid as armor, oh great lord of the demon folk?”

“You, who can speak my tongue, know not how to wield a blade,” the injured giant replies and, to my surprise, he begins to laugh, although painfully so. “There is no need to cut you down, but let’s see how long your friend can protect you, shall we? I’m sure it will be entertaining.”

Kenneth and I exchange a glance. Then we nod at each other. In times like these, we understand each other wordlessly.

“Here, take this,” my friend whispers. For just a brief moment, he touches my shoulder. Abruptly, an odd feeling streams through my body.

Mana?!

I stare at him in disbelief. He grins.

“You’re not the only guy who took lessons from old Beatrix,” he says mirthfully, although a hint of melancholy also swings along his following words. “Got no affinities though, so you’re better off with this.”

Without another word, he retreats over to where Lance evacuated Beatrix. I understand his plan, gritting my teeth as the Demon Lord prepares to assault.

Okay, you big old geezer, come at me. I’ll keep you busy. We have a score to settle!