The moment the unknown blade intercepted Vorathrael's killing strike, the entire forest trembled.
The shockwave blasted the surrounding trees apart. Leaves scattered into the air like a storm of emerald fragments.
Lin staggered back, barely able to stand, his heart still burning with the ancient magic that had begun to break.
Before him stood a woman.
Her long black hair flowed like silk in the wind, and she wore a traditional crimson ruqun, its fabric embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered even in the dim forest light.
Yet despite the elegance of her attire—
The aura she emitted was terrifying.
Her sword pointed directly at Vorathrael.
The Demandre commander stared at her with curiosity.
"…Interesting."
The woman did not answer.
Her eyes burned with fury.
Not the fury of a warrior.
But the fury of someone protecting something precious.
Without another word—
She moved.
The ground shattered beneath her feet.
Her blade cut forward like a streak of lightning.
CLANG!
Vorathrael blocked with its claw, but the impact forced it several meters backward.
The demon's grin faded slightly.
The woman pressed forward immediately.
Her sword danced through the air with terrifying speed.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Each strike carried perfect precision.
Not a single movement was wasted.
Vorathrael countered with brutal force, its claws tearing through the air like blades capable of splitting mountains.
But the woman evaded every attack with graceful footwork.
She spun lightly, her ruqun swirling like a red storm.
Then—
Her sword struck again.
CLANG!
This time the attack slipped past Vorathrael's defense.
The blade cut across its shoulder.
Dark blood splashed across the forest floor.
The Demandre commander stepped back slowly.
Its glowing eyes narrowed.
"…You dare wound me?"
The woman finally spoke.
Her voice was cold.
"You should be grateful."
"My blade could have taken your head."
Vorathrael laughed.
A deep, twisted sound.
"Such confidence."
"Good."
"I enjoy breaking confident prey."
It lunged forward again, claws flashing with murderous intent.
But the woman moved like flowing water.
She stepped sideways and struck downward.
BOOM!
The impact carved a deep trench into the ground.
Vorathrael blocked again—but the force forced it to kneel slightly.
Behind the woman, a small group of people had arrived.
They wore traveling cloaks, but their movements revealed they were trained warriors.
Among them stood a young man with sharp eyes.
His name was Kaelren.
He watched the battle with shock.
"What in the world…?"
He turned toward an old man standing beside him.
The old man's hair was completely white, his body marked by countless scars from a lifetime of war.
Yet despite his age, his presence was still overwhelming.
Kaelren whispered.
"Master… why is the young lady so furious?"
"She's fighting like she's protecting something precious."
The old man did not answer immediately.
His gaze remained fixed on the battlefield.
On the wounded figures lying nearby.
Lin.
Luna.
And the traces of the battle that had just occurred.
For a long moment the old man remained silent.
Then his expression changed.
His eyes hardened.
For the first time in many years—
Anger burned inside them.
Slowly…
He reached for the sword at his waist.
Kaelren's eyes widened.
"…Master?"
The old man had not drawn his sword in years.
After a devastating wound long ago, he had sworn never to fight again.
Yet now—
The blade slowly slid out of its sheath.
SHING.
The sound echoed through the forest.
His voice trembled with emotion.
"Even if we die…"
"…we must protect the Darel."
His grip tightened around the sword.
"Until our final breath."
The words sent chills through everyone present.
Without another word—
The old man stepped forward.
The woman noticed his movement but did not stop him.
Instead she nodded slightly.
Vorathrael's grin widened again.
"Oh?"
"More insects joining the slaughter?"
The old man answered with action.
His body moved forward in a blur.
Despite his age—
His swordsmanship was flawless.
CLANG!
His blade struck Vorathrael from the side.
The demon blocked—but the unexpected attack disrupted its balance.
The woman immediately followed.
Her sword pierced forward like a shooting star.
BOOM!
The strike slammed into Vorathrael's chest.
The demon staggered.
For the first time—
It looked surprised.
The woman and the old man moved together seamlessly.
Like two artists painting the same masterpiece.
The old man attacked high.
The woman attacked low.
The rhythm of their strikes was flawless.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Their swords carved glowing arcs through the forest.
Vorathrael was forced to retreat step by step.
The ground cracked beneath their relentless assault.
Kaelren watched in disbelief.
"…They're overwhelming it."
The woman spun gracefully and delivered a powerful downward strike.
Vorathrael raised both claws to block.
But the old man appeared behind it instantly.
His sword thrust forward.
The blade pierced into the demon's back.
Dark blood erupted.
Vorathrael roared.
The sound shook the entire forest.
But the attacks did not stop.
The woman's sword moved again.
Her ruqun fluttered like a crimson flame as she launched a series of rapid strikes.
Each movement was beautiful.
Each strike deadly.
Even Lin, barely conscious, could see the perfection in her swordsmanship.
The old man joined her rhythm.
Their coordination was breathtaking.
Strike.
Deflect.
Counter.
Advance.
They moved like dancers performing a deadly duet.
With every clash—
Vorathrael's body accumulated more wounds.
Its breathing grew heavier.
Its laughter slowly faded.
Kaelren whispered in awe.
"It's like watching art…"
"The sword and the swordsman… perfectly aligned."
The woman delivered another devastating strike.
BOOM!
The ground shattered beneath Vorathrael's feet.
The demon dropped to one knee.
For the first time—
It looked genuinely angry.
Dark energy began leaking from its body.
The air grew heavy.
The woman stepped back slightly.
Her eyes narrowed.
The old man spoke quietly.
"…Be careful."
Vorathrael slowly rose to its feet.
Its wounds began emitting black smoke.
Then—
It laughed again.
But this time the laughter sounded deeper.
More monstrous.
"You humans…"
"…have grown interesting."
Its body began to twist.
Bones cracked.
Muscles expanded violently.
Dark wings burst from its back.
Its claws lengthened into massive blades.
Its entire form grew nearly twice its original size.
The forest trembled beneath its presence.
Vorathrael had revealed its true form.
Its glowing eyes stared down at them.
A monstrous grin spread across its face.
Then it spoke.
Its voice shook the entire battlefield.
"Now…"
"Let us begin the real hunt."
The woman tightened her grip on her sword.
The old man raised his blade beside her.
Behind them, Kaelren and the others prepared themselves.
The air filled with killing intent.
Then—
Vorathrael roared.
A wave of power exploded outward.
And the monster attacked with strength ten times greater than before.