Chapter 11: Rage of the Demon King
Yura stood still.
From the outside—calm.
From the inside—burning.
Then—
"Orcas… First Form."
A crimson aura erupted around him.
It didn't explode outward—
it compressed, dense and violent, wrapping around his body like living energy.
His arms—partially consumed in red.
His eyes—no longer lazy.
Cold. Focused. Dangerous.
Without turning back, he spoke—
"Ryuha. Riyu. Zack. Stay with me."
A brief pause.
"Yuri… Hyuri… Izuha—go inside the kingdom. Protect the civilians."
No one argued.
They understood.
This battlefield…
was no longer theirs.
Yura stepped forward.
Across him—
The Dragon God.
Behind him—
Ryuha, Riyu, Zack.
"Get ready," Yura said quietly.
Rox moved first.
A blur—
His energy blade crashed toward Riyu.
CLANG—
Riyu blocked it effortlessly.
Steel screamed.
Without hesitation—
Riyu stepped in and drove a punch straight into Rox's abdomen.
BOOM—
Rox was sent flying across the battlefield.
Before he could recover, Riyu was already there.
"You shouldn't have done that," Riyu said coldly.
"You killed Iera."
His grip tightened around his katana.
"I won't forgive you."
Rox laughed.
Loud. Mocking.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
"You think one punch is enough to kill me?"
His eyes sharpened.
"Energy Burst."
Too fast.
Riyu couldn't react—
A punch landed squarely.
CRACK—
Blood spilled from his mouth as his body was thrown back.
Anthres watched.
Silently.
Then—
"Rex."
His voice alone froze the air.
"Attack the one beside the Demon King."
Rex vanished.
A rune blade materialized in his hand—
And in the next instant, he was already in front of Zack.
At the same time—
Anthres spoke again.
"Rax."
Space twisted.
A new figure appeared, kneeling instantly.
"My Lord."
Anthres pointed—
"Kill him."
Ryuha.
The battlefield split into chaos.
Zack raised his hand—
And caught Rex's blade.
Barehanded.
The impact cracked the ground beneath him.
"I'll show you…" Zack said quietly,
"what a real Rune Sword is."
"Rune Sword."
A golden rift opened beside him—
And from it—
A radiant blade emerged.
At that exact moment—
Yura vanished.
Not teleportation—
Speed.
Pure, overwhelming speed.
Anthres moved as well.
The two collided—
FIST AGAINST FIST.
BOOOOOOM—
The shockwave tore through the sky.
The ground shattered.
The kingdom itself trembled.
Both slid back—just a step.
Nothing more.
But the air—
had changed.
Elsewhere—
Ryuha dominated completely.
Rax couldn't even touch him.
Blow after blow—
Ryuha crushed him without effort.
Rax's thoughts trembled:
What is this…?
I can't even reach him…
And he's already landed countless hits…
I'm the strongest among us… so why…?
Riyu forced himself up.
Blood dripping.
Breath unstable.
Still—
he stood.
"Speed Lag."
He vanished.
Slashes erupted across Rox's body—
too fast to follow.
Rox grinned.
And matched him.
In an instant—
He appeared in front of Riyu.
Another punch.
BOOM—
Riyu crashed back again.
Still—
he stood.
"Why are you doing this…?" Riyu asked, breathing heavily.
"What do you gain from all this?"
His voice tightened.
"Do you even know what it feels like… to lose someone?"
Rox froze.
Just for a second.
Then—
his expression changed.
Something darker.
Something broken.
"Human… demon…"
He laughed softly.
"Bullshit."
"They destroyed a child's family…"
His voice dropped.
"And you… are no different."
Before Riyu could react—
A blade pierced through him.
Straight through his abdomen.
Elsewhere—
"Dash Cut."
A massive slash rushed toward Zack.
Zack raised his blade—
and stopped it.
Barely.
His hands trembled.
His eyes… dimmed.
Teacher…
Why did you leave…?
A memory surfaced—
Iera, standing before him.
"You're my best student, Zack."
A warm smile.
"One day… you'll surpass me."
"Teacher… what's your dream?"
Iera laughed softly.
"To become the strongest…"
"So I can protect everyone."
Then—
his voice turned serious.
"If something ever happens to me…"
"Carry my dream forward."
Zack's eyes snapped open.
Rage exploded.
"Divine Slash."
A golden arc tore through the battlefield—
And struck Rex directly across the chest.
Blood burst.
Rex staggered back—
severely wounded.
Ryuha stood still.
Rax had already fallen.
Defeated.
He looked toward Yura.
It's your turn now…
I've done what I could.
Far ahead—
Yura and Anthres faced each other.
The air itself trembled.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Because everyone knew—
What was about to happen next…
would decide everything.
End of Chapter