The greatest distinction between Demons and ordinary beasts is the presence of Magic Power within their bodies.

Influenced by unnatural factors, Demons come in bizarre and grotesque forms. They also develop many strange Special Abilities that are impossible to predict.

Moreover, some of these Special Abilities can result in an instant kill on the first encounter, making them incredibly difficult to counter.

When an Adventurer Squad encounters a Demon with insufficient intelligence, their mortality rate is shockingly high.

For this very reason, the Adventurer’s Association invested vast resources to compile the *Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas*.

It records every Demon encountered by squads, listing their physical characteristics, habits, Special Abilities, and core weaknesses.

The Atlas even utilizes the most advanced Rune Transcription Skill, so when one branch of the Adventurer’s Association updates an entry, the atlases at all other branches automatically synchronize.

In addition, the Adventurer’s Association has also implemented a reward system.

When someone provides intelligence on a new Demon, the Association grants a reward based on its threat level, starting at a minimum of three Gold Coins.

However, this reward system has also led to some bizarre attempts to fraudulently claim the bounty.

For example, some squads would swear they had discovered new Demons like the "Fish Spear Goblin," the "Hatted Goblin," or the "Goblin with Necklace," giving the Association staff a major headache.

Based on a Demon’s threat level, the Adventurer’s Association has established seven tactical classifications: Simple, Difficulty, Challenge, Cruelty, Bloody, and Catastrophe.

Above Catastrophe are the Nightmare-Level Demons, which stand at the apex of power on the Candia Continent.

There’s little point in recording them, however. Encountering one is no different from being dead.

The Fog Demon was rated as Challenge.

This meant it could easily kill an Adventurer, and mishandling the situation could easily lead to casualties. A detailed plan targeting its weaknesses was essential.

The low, guttural roars continued unabated as the surrounding fog grew ever thicker.

They had never anticipated such a dangerous situation. The group had only planned on taking a few simple quests to earn some extra cash, but now they had suddenly run into a Challenge-rated Demon.

The packs on their backs dropped to the ground.

"Should we run...?" Gray whispered.

Hearing this, Zelir couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety. He subconsciously scanned his surroundings.

There was nothing but dense fog, making it impossible to get his bearings.

Besides, he was completely unfamiliar with the terrain. If he tried to run, his chances of survival would be practically nonexistent.

"Run from what? Prepare for battle!"

Marcus raised his shield with his left hand and held his knife in his right. His brow furrowed as he rapidly devised a plan.

"I’ll take the front. Gray, you support me. Valles, play it by ear. Zelir, you’re the only one in the squad who can break the Fog Demon’s Energy Barrier. While we have it tied up, find the right moment to cast your magic!"

"Understood..." Zelir nodded slowly.

The dense fog, the unknown Magical Beast... his palms began to sweat. The pressure was far greater than it had been last night.

It was hard for Zelir not to be nervous with such a heavy burden on his shoulders.

If he failed, the only outcome for the squad was a total party wipe.

’I have no idea how strong that Energy Barrier is... What if I can’t break through it?’

Zelir was suddenly grateful he’d chosen to increase his Spirit Attribute.

’At least it should make my Fireball Skill a little stronger, right?’

The squad’s formation began to shift.

Marcus took point, on guard. Gray was behind him to the right, Valles to the left, and Zelir was in the center.

Visibility had now dropped to about five or six meters, and the scent of blood lingered in the air.

In the early morning light of the Gray Wood Forest, a battle to the death was about to begin!

Marcus moved forward slowly, the three behind him maintaining a tight formation, not breaking rank.

It was like a game of cat and mouse.

According to the information in the Monster Atlas, the Fog Demon’s Power was terrifying. Only Marcus, with his shield, stood a chance of withstanding it.

If the Fog Demon broke through their formation from any other direction, it would be an absolute bloodbath.

The fog to their front right suddenly began to churn, a phenomenon Marcus detected instantly.

"On your guard!!!"

The Fog Demon finally appeared.

The thick fog was torn asunder, revealing the massive, twisted monster to them all. The stench of blood intensified several-fold, becoming nauseating.

As he laid eyes on the Fog Demon’s true form, Zelir felt his breath catch in his throat.

It was something straight out of a horror novel.

The Fog Demon stood at least two and a half meters tall, resembling a gigantic, flayed beast. And the expression on its face... was it smiling?

Blood constantly oozed and dripped from its body. Grayish-black muscle fibers were tangled in chaotic knots, and bulging veins writhed like a nest of snakes.

A number of wolf heads were haphazardly embedded in the Fog Demon’s back. Their eye sockets were empty, yet they were frozen in the savage, pained howls of their final moments.

Of course, the eeriest part was the hazy glow enveloping the Fog Demon’s body. The Energy Barrier rippled like water, distorting its overall silhouette.

The horrific sight struck Zelir with such force that, for a moment, he found himself unable to move.

"Zelir! Snap out of it!"

Marcus’s roar pulled him from his stupor. The warrior was the first to charge.

Jolted from his shock by Marcus’s bellow, Zelir shook his head hard.

’I can’t screw up now!’

He took a deep breath to calm himself and began to gather his magic.

The Magic Power in his consciousness stirred, moving according to his will!

Marcus’s Round Shield slammed forward, meeting the foul, bloody wind head-on.

CLANG!

The sheer force of the Fog Demon’s blow sent Marcus staggering back several steps, his shield arm trembling uncontrollably.

The Fog Demon roared and charged again.

Its left arm had mutated into three giant claws, their pale carapaces caked with dried blood.

Another head-on clash!

Marcus ducked clumsily, raising his Round Shield high.

RRRIP!

The claw strike nearly tore the outermost layer of the Round Shield to shreds!

Wood splinters flew, and even part of the iron banding on the edge was peeled back.

’Thank goodness the blacksmith was skilled and didn’t cut corners. Otherwise, I’d be taking that hit with my own body.’

"Die!"

Another figure flashed into view beside them. Gray seized the opening after the Fog Demon’s attack, stepping forward with a Thrust aimed directly at its side!

But then, something strange happened.

As the blade touched the Energy Barrier on the Fog Demon’s surface, it was like stabbing into cotton. The sword lost all momentum, stopping dead in its tracks.

A muscle in Gray’s eyelid twitched violently as he realized the danger he was in.

Without even turning its head, the Fog Demon swung its arm. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The thick, carapace-covered arm slammed viciously into Gray’s chest!

CRACK!

The expression on Gray’s face froze as his hardened leather Chest Armor audibly caved in.

He sprayed a mouthful of bloody mist and was sent flying backward, rolling several times across the ground before coming to a stop.