I stepped outside the cabin with Korin and Lyra. The peaceful atmosphere from earlier had vanished. Demons with spears, swords and bows were rushing towards the entrance. Those who can’t fight and the children were hidden underground.

The fallen creature approached closer. Some of the demons were visibly shaken. I wasn’t able to see the rank of the beast due to it being too far. I activated Nine Heavens Eyes again.

[Name: Unknown]

[Race: Fallen]

[Rank: A]

[Aspect: Corrupted]

[Status: Mentally Destroyed]

[Threat Level: Extremely Dangerous]

[Warning: Exposure to corruption may affect the mind.]

A rank. No wonder it felt so strong. Even the strongest demon here was only a B+ rank. The difference between a B rank and A rank was enormous. Even multiple B ranks together can’t take down an A rank easily

Korin stepped forward with his massive spear. "All hunters prepare yourselves!" he roared. "Do not let that thing enter the village!"

The previous fear of the demons subsided. They all look focused and determined to take down the fallen creature. ’Must be a skill of Korin.’

I approached Korin. "Are all the fallen creatures strong like this one?"

"No, the others weren’t strong like this one. This is the first time we are encountering it." Korin replied.

’I bet it’s my fault. My bad is probably in the negatives.’ But I can’t tell them that.

Lyra stopped beside me carrying the axe, "Stay behind me, I will protect you."

’Women, stay in your line. I could slap you into oblivion.’ I snorted inwardly but flashed a smile at her. "Thank you Lyra. I will stay behind you."

Lyra nodded and then turned serious. The fallen creature stopped some distance away from the village entrance. The hunters tightened their grip around their weapons, waiting to clash.

The fallen started looking around and then all his eyes focused on the village. It opened its mouth and screamed.

SCREEEEEEEECH.

The horrifying scream echoed in the entire area. It felt like countless people were screaming at the same time. Some hunters dropped to one knee while they covered their bleeding ears. The same happened with Lyra.

"What the hell is up with that thing. " I muttered. The Fallen suddenly moved.

BOOOOM.

The fallen vanished from its original position and appeared instantly at the village entrance. The defences of the village crumbled like paper.

"IT’S HERE!" one of the hunters shouted. The fallen swung one of its arms towards the nearest group of demons. They couldn’t react in time and were turned into minced meat by the fallen’s attack.

Korin jumped towards the fallen while surrounding himself with Demonic energy. "BEAST BREAKER!" His spear shot forward like a bolt of lightning and slammed directly into the Fallen’s chest.

CLANG.

The attack didn’t do much damage to the fallen but it was successful in creating an opening. The other hunters also joined Korin with attacks of different elements.

Some used flames to damage the creature while others used their ice attribute to hold it down. Even arrows rained down towards the fallen.

"It’s working, keep pushing forward!"

"Don’t let it recover!"

The hunters attacked fearlessly from multiple directions. It looked like the situation was under control and the fallen would be dealt with quickly.

Then the Fallen tilted its head. Its mouth stretched wider and wider until it nearly split apart completely. Every eye in its body blinked simultaneously. A bad feeling crawled down my spine.

"...Move," I shouted.

But it was too late, several extra limbs looking like tentacles shot out from its body and targeted the demons. Some managed to block it but the unfortunate ones were killed instantly. The fallen grabbed a demon by his face and crushed it.

CRACK.

The battlefield descended into chaos.

"FALL BACK!"

"DON’T GET CLOSE TO IT! I WILL HOLD IT OFF!"

Korin charged forward again and swung his spear horizontally toward the creature’s neck.

BOOOOM.

The Fallen blocked the spear and smashed Korin in the ground.

"...Korin!" Lyra shouted. The attention of the fallen shifted towards Lyra. It made its way towards her.

’I need to do something, she will die if I don’t.’ I thought. I used Nine Void Steps and pushed her away before the fallen reached her.

The fallen landed exactly where Lyra had been. "Ren" Lyra shouted, but I didn’t have the time to respond to her. The fallen’s new target was me. All the tentacles were attacking me now.

Using Nine Void Steps I dodged every tentacle, a few almost hit me. The surrounding demons were shocked by this.

"How is that human dodging it?" A demon asked.

Another demon nearby replied, "You’re asking the wrong question. It should be, how is that human so fast?"

’I would like to know that too. After entering the Foundation Establishment realm my strength soared.’ I need to stop this vile creature soon or the damage will be too big.

I dodged an incoming tentacle and it pierced the house nearby and screams that felt like a child’s came from the inside before it stopped. "Shit."

"YOU DAMN BEAST!!! HOW DARE YOU KILL MY SON." Korin roared with overflowing emotions. I could see the pain and anger in his eyes.

It seems the child that got killed was Korin’s. Korin relentlessly attacked the fallen but it just countered every attack before piercing Korin’s stomach.

"Ghkk..." Blood poured out of Korin’s stomach as he fell to the ground. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"KORIN!!" Several hunters immediately shouted. They went forth to bring him back but were met with the same fate.

"YOU BASTARD!!" Korin growled at the fallen. Nearby Lyra just fell to her knees and cried out. "...No...Korin."

The situation was grim, I had to do something or everyone would get wiped out including me. I calmed my heart and looked straight into the fallen. This time I had to go beyond what my current strength was capable of.

Holding Eclipse in both my hands I charged at the fallen with all my strength. Again the tentacles came at me, but this time instead of dodging I cut through them.

"HOW’S THIS YOU UGLY BASTARD....!" I screamed. But then a voice attracted my attention. The voice of someone that shouldn’t have been here.