For the first time since the battle began, I could see the demon’s expression change slightly. It narrowed its eyes towards Kael. "...Another human."

Kael completely ignored the demon and looked towards me. "I won’t ask how or why you’re here.. just don’t get in my way."

BOOM.

The demon suddenly lunged at Kael. "YOU DARE IGNORE ME!".

Kael reacted instantly. Blue mana erupted around him as he stepped forward to face the demon. He swung his sword forward directly at the incoming attack.

CLANG.

The collision shook the entire chamber violently. A powerful shockwave burst outward cracking the nearby pillars while dust scattered everywhere.

’What a monster. As expected of the main character.’ I thought inwardly. The demon slid backward several meters before stopping. It smiled, finding amusement in the situation.

"You are far stronger than the other one, I would allow you to entertain me." it said while staring at Kael with interest. Kael lowered his sword slightly.

"You talk too much in a fight." Kael got ready to attack it again.

The demon laughed. Its laughter echoed throughout the chamber. "I have been sealed in this godforsaken place for centuries now. Won’t you allow this one some fun."

Dark energy started erupting from its body as the demon introduced itself. "You may call me Azrakar, Third Commander of the Abyss Legion of the Demon Army."

My expression stiffened immediately after hearing the demon’s words. ’Commander? That too of the most terrifying legion of the demon army.’

This was terrible news. Commanders were the absolute powerhouses of the Demon army, second only to the Demon King.

Kael remained calm, but I could notice the grip on his sword tighten. He didn’t charge head first now. ’At least he’s not ignorant, he knows his strength well.’

Azrakar slowly looked around the chamber before sighing faintly. "To think the first humans I would encounter after centuries are children."

"You can only blame your luck." I muttered. Azrakar turned his head towards me and smiled.

"You possess courage despite being weak. But being courageous without strength to keep up would only get you killed."

BOOM.

he attacked again. This time he appeared directly in front of Kael with a sword made of demonic energy, completely ignoring me. It didn’t even consider me a threat.

CLANG.

Their swords collided. Blue mana and crimson demonic energy burst outward from the impact. Kael’s swordsmanship was refined. Every movement was perfect and no mana was wasted.

Meanwhile Azrakar fought with overwhelming strength. Every attack carried enough force to trample cities. The chamber continued to tremble from their clashes. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

I immediately used Nine Void Steps and joined the fight to help Kael. Although it looks like he’s doing well but slowly he’s getting pushed back. I can tell Azrakar is only playing with him.

Qi surged through Eclipse as I slashed towards Azrakar’s heart, trying to end the fight quickly.

CLANG.

The blade barely gazed at his skin.Azrakar glanced toward the shallow wound before raising one eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Interesting sword you got there. I would use it well."

Before he could continue speaking, Kael attacked again. "Moonlit Requiem" A massive blue slash resembling a half moon tore across the chamber moving directly towards Azrakar’s neck.

Azrakar tried to block it but the attack severed his arm. And for the first time since the battle started, he looked really furious now. The smile on his face vanished. Replaced by a menacing look.

"You succeeded in making me angry. No more painless death, start praying to your puny Gods." His words were enough to send shivers down my spine.

Kael pointed his sword at him. "Bold words from someone who’s leaving for the afterlife. You’re weaker than I expected."

"...Enough playing." Demonic energy surged all around the chamber.

CRACK.

CRACK.

The chains around Azrakar started breaking one after another. The chamber started to change. The entire chamber turned crimson and rivers of blood started to appear. Countless blood chains rose from those rivers. Blood rain started falling from what looked like a fractured sky.

My expression darkened. This must be a demonic domain. "That looks extremely bad. We need to escape from here."

"I noticed, but escape isn’t an option for us anymore. The exit is no more." Kael replied calmly.

’Did protagonists not feel fear?’ How can he be so calm in a situation like this. I looked around and the exit really vanished, like it never existed.

Azrakar slowly stretched one arm and the blood chains shot forward.

"You should feel honored," he said. "Very few survive long enough to witness a commander fighting seriously."

My instincts screamed at me to run. Unfortunately there was nowhere left to run. I barely activated Nine Void Steps before blood chains tore me apart. Even Kael had to dodge them.

"We need to think of a plan. We can’t just keep dodging." Kael said, breathing heavily.

"We have to defeat him. That is the only way we can escape."

RUMBLE.

A deep rumbling echoed beneath the chamber. At first, I thought an underground attack was coming towards us. But then the altar at the center of the chamber suddenly lit up.

Symbols started appearing on the ground one after another. "What is it now?". Seriously, what is wrong with my luck?

The look on Azrakar said, even he didn’t know what was happening as he stopped attacking us for a moment and looked at the altar. "...Impossible. How can this be."

BOOOOOOM.

A massive surge of energy erupted from inside the altar.

"What is that?" Kael asked while shielding his eyes from the bright light.

"How should I know?!" This wasn’t in the novel. Nothing is going according to the novel anymore. The light spread throughout the chamber before suddenly coming towards me. My eyes widened. "Fuck...Why me?"

Azrakar’s expression darkened immediately. "No... get back here you worm." The demon suddenly rushed at me at terrifying speed. But he was too late. The light swallowed my entire body.

The last thing I saw was Kael reaching out to me while Azrakar’s furious roar shook the entire chamber as his body began dissipating. Then my vision faded into the darkness.