Fight Against Demon part 2

Once again, Syrene charged forward. At that moment, the demon fused the ends of his bone whip and reshaped his weapon into a long sword with jagged edges.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The flaming axe and the bone sword clashed against each other.

At a glance, the demon seemed to have the advantage because his lighter blade allowed him to strike faster. Meanwhile, Syrene’s swings appeared heavy due to her massive axe. Yet in truth, both were evenly matched.

Every time Syrene launched a heavy strike, the demon deflected it with lightning movements. It took him two slashes to parry a single swing of her axe.

On the other hand, when the demon swung his sword, Syrene used the long handle of her axe to intercept it with effortless precision. She occasionally dodged by leaping or weaving in zigzag motion.

"Lady Ely... your sister is incredible. She can keep up with that demon even though she is using a giant axe and he wields a light sword. It looks like Senior Syrene is physically weaker than him."

"That is the importance of skill. Axe users typically fight aggressively, but those with mastery can wield it with exceptional defense. Look at her hands."

Elysia pointed to the position of her sister’s grip. Syrene held the end near the blade with her right hand and the far end of the handle with her left.

Clang.

Each time the demon attacked, she could twist her weapon with ease to block his strike. A smug grin spread across her face as if enjoying every clash.

"Even if the attacks come in rapid succession, she only needs to angle or shift her grip a little to deflect them."

"But if that is so... why did she seem to struggle at the beginning?"

Elysia fell silent for a moment. Then she chose not to explain further. From the start, she already knew the demon was not her sister’s equal. Yet to move like that, Syrene still needed tremendous power.

Syrene was most likely forcing her body beyond its limits, pushing herself with radical enhancement magic. Elysia did not know how long her sister could endure before all preparations for the combined attack were ready.

She bit her lower lip. Please... hold on, sister.

Clang.

Syrene successfully deflected his strike and knocked his sword upward. His guard opened. Gathering all her strength, she swung her axe toward his exposed waist.

"Take this."

Slash.

Crack.

Before Syrene’s blow could cut him in half, the demon grew a bone shield to protect his waist. Even so, her swing still dug deep and sliced halfway through his side. Thick green fluid spilled and pooled beneath their feet.

Syrene leapt back when sharp bones suddenly erupted from the ground and nearly impaled her.

"Tch. I was planning to cut you in two."

"You are an infuriating opponent. If I do not get serious, I will die."

The bones on the ground then stabbed into the demon’s body. They writhed and wrapped around him, forming an ancient looking bone armor like something from prehistory.

"You are male, are you not? Should you not give in to a woman? I am not even wearing armor. Shameless creature."

"Unfortunately for you, barbaric women are not my type."

Syrene grinned. The flames on her body suddenly burned fiercer. Their red deepened into a darker tone like vaporized blood.

"What a coincidence. You are not my type either."

They clashed once more. But this time, the rabbit girl struggled to keep up. Several swings of the bone sword managed to leave small cuts on her body.

"So you have reached your limit..." Elysia muttered as she narrowed her eyes.

Right after that, Syrene lost her footing first. Her foot slipped while she attempted to parry the demon’s strike.

Before she could even fall completely, the demon changed his sword back into a whip. One lash sent Syrene flying into the wall. Before she could rise, he whipped her repeatedly, striking her back until she collapsed.

After ensuring the rabbit girl could no longer stand, he swung his weapon once more and flung Syrene’s axe far behind them.

"I will take your head later. After showing you despair when I violate your younger sister, barbaric rabbit."

Without another word, the demon ran toward Mireya, who was still chanting behind them. When only a few meters remained, he swung his whip again.

"Got you."

"Kugh..."

Mireya’s chant collapsed the moment something tightened around her neck. She widened her eyes and tried to pry off the hard bone coiling around her throat. Yet the demon was far stronger. With one pull, he dragged her toward him.

The juniors behind them screamed in panic. Everything happened too fast for anyone to react. Before they could even process the situation, the demon had already cornered her.

"Ely. What do we do?! Is the preparation still long?!"

"Calm down, Irine. Just a little more."

Her voice sounded calm, but her heart roared like a storm. She even bit her lip until a drop of blood fell.

In the end, she could only pray while allowing her sister to suffer pain she should have never endured.

"...Ugh... ah..."

Mireya grimaced as her body was dragged by the demon.

He lifted her by the neck until she reached his chest height. His fingers moved slowly, caressing her beautiful face.

"You are very lovely. Unlike your sister, gentle girls like you are my type. Perfect for breaking."

His malicious laughter echoed through the cave.

His fingertip slid downward from her face to her neck, touching her with vile intent. Anyone could guess what he planned to do next.

Irine could no longer bear it and glared sharply at Elysia.

"Ely! I cannot stand it anymore! Do not stop me!"

"Ely, she is right. We must do something or Senior Mira will be in danger."

Elysia’s expression darkened. She did not hear Irine or Celina at all. For the first time, her heart surged like a collapsing mountain. Her rage was no longer containable.

Slowly, she lifted her head. Her eyes were cold and shadowed. Her hand rose, moving in a slow gesture. Then she clenched the air.

Crack.

The demon’s entire body froze under Elysia’s spell. Mireya fell free from his grasp and coughed on the ground.

"Attack him now and save Sister Mira. I do not care about preparation anymore."

Irine equipped her iron gauntlets. Celina unsheathed the greatsword on her back. But before they could advance, Lanesra bound them with her magic chains.

"What are you doing?!"

"Please calm down. Senior Mireya is safe."

"What do you mean?!"

Questions rained down on Lanesra from all sides, even from her own group. She only blinked several times.

At first Elysia narrowed her eyes, but they widened when she noticed the sweat pouring down Lanesra’s temples.

"Celina, Irine, calm yourselves. Trust her. Sister is safe."

"What is that supp—"

Irine stopped mid sentence when she saw Elysia’s sharp glance and faint smile. Somehow, her expression alone was enough to convince everyone without effort.

They looked back at the demon who had already broken free from Elysia’s ice. They were surprised, because Elysia’s freeze spell was the only one in their generation strong enough to freeze an entire field alone. It should not be easy to shatter. Yet considering how he defeated Syrene, it explained everything.

"You little girls disgust me. After this, I will kill you all first."

But when he reached for Mireya again, her body dissolved like calm water touched by wind.

"What?!"

The demon looked around in confusion, turning left and right as if trying to detect something.

A faint grin appeared on Lanesra’s lips, though her sweat intensified and drenched her clothes. "I have reached my limit. My preparations are finished. The rest is up to you. Just make sure I survive."

Lanesra fainted right after whispering those weak words.

Only then did everything become clear. Left and right had been inverted. Everyone’s senses finally aligned. When they looked slightly to the right, Mireya was still there, continuing her ritual.

Since the beginning, Lanesra had cast an illusion on everyone. She deceived her allies to deceive the enemy. Thanks to that, Mireya was unharmed. Syrene had also risen again, carrying her large axe on her shoulder.

"Yooo. The girl from Arsenal truly stole the spotlight this time." Syrene praised her with a bold tone. The confident grin returned to her lips like a warrior reborn.

"Let us begin the third round, ugly demon. And this time, your opponents are not only me. All of us will fight you. Right, Ely?"

Elysia looked around. Her ice had already coated most of the dungeon. Her preparation was complete for a combined strike while waiting for Mireya’s spell.

A wide smile appeared on her lips. "Preparations are ready, sister."

Syrene brushed her messy hair back. The fierce face of a beast emerged clearly once more.

"In that case, let us make that pervert regret ever showing ill intent toward Mira."

She reached into her pocket and swallowed a pill. Mana surged violently around her. Once again, she allowed her body to ignite with flames, but this time the fire burned bright blue. Its heat made everyone nearby sweat.

"Everyone, go."

Syrene stepped forward first. Celina and Irine followed, flanking the demon from both sides. The remaining juniors were pure mages, preparing their spells at the back.

Syrene’s battle cry echoed like war drums resonating through ancient valleys, stirring courage in allies and striking fear into the enemy.

This time... we will win.