The battlefield exploded into motion.
The moment Rai disappeared, panic spread through the Ashbone Raiders.
One second he was standing before them.
The next—
He was behind them.
CRACK!
A raider's neck snapped as Rai struck him from behind.
The demon fell off his skeletal wolf instantly.
Dead.
"What—?!"
Another raider turned his head just in time to see Rai appear beside him.
THUD!
Rai's kick shattered the demon's ribs, sending him flying across the wasteland.
Dust erupted as his body skidded across the ground.
The skeletal wolves howled wildly.
The Ashbone leader shouted.
"Surround him!"
The raiders quickly moved, forming a circle around Rai.
Their bone weapons glowed with dark energy.
But Rai didn't look worried.
Instead—
He stepped forward calmly.
His Dark Dominion Lv.2 spread across the battlefield.
The pressure doubled.
Several raiders suddenly gasped.
"W-what is this…?!"
Their wolves became restless.
Even the beasts felt the crushing aura.
Rai moved again.
Faster than before.
One moment he stood in the center.
The next—
BOOM!
He crashed into a group of three raiders.
His fist struck the first demon's chest.
CRUNCH!
Bones shattered instantly.
The second demon tried to swing his axe.
But Rai grabbed the weapon mid-air.
Then slammed the demon into the ground.
The third raider attempted to escape.
Too late.
Rai's spear pierced straight through his back.
Three bodies dropped within seconds.
Behind the barricade, the outcast demons stared in disbelief.
Grik clenched his fists.
"He's destroying them…"
Ruun whispered quietly.
"That's not a fight…"
"…that's a massacre."
Back on the battlefield—
The Ashbone leader finally moved.
He jumped off his skeletal wolf and landed heavily on the ground.
"You arrogant human!"
His bone armor began glowing red.
"You think you can slaughter my men without consequences?!"
He charged forward with monstrous speed.
His claw swung toward Rai's head.
WHOOSH!
Rai tilted slightly.
The attack barely missed.
The ground behind him exploded from the impact.
The leader grinned.
"You're fast."
Then he swung again.
And again.
And again.
Each strike was powerful enough to shatter stone.
But Rai's body moved smoothly.
Dodging.
Blocking.
Reading every motion.
Thanks to Combat Adaptation, the fight was already turning in his favor.
The leader suddenly roared and slammed both fists into the ground.
BOOM!
A shockwave blasted outward.
Dust and rocks flew into the air.
For a moment Rai disappeared inside the cloud.
The Ashbone leader laughed.
"Did I crush him?"
But then—
A figure walked out of the dust.
Completely unharmed.
Rai brushed dirt off his shoulder.
"You're stronger than Blood Fang."
The leader snarled.
"You're mocking me!"
He charged again.
This time Rai didn't dodge.
He stepped forward.
Their fists collided.
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave rippled across the wasteland.
The raiders watching the fight froze in fear.
The leader's eyes widened.
"How…?!"
Rai's strength had increased again.
From the previous battles.
From the system.
From every fight.
He grabbed the leader's arm.
Twisted it.
CRACK!
The bone snapped instantly.
The leader screamed in pain.
Rai didn't stop.
He drove his knee into the demon's chest.
CRUNCH!
The armor shattered.
Then Rai lifted him by the throat.
The remaining raiders trembled.
Their unstoppable leader…
Was helpless.
Rai looked directly into his eyes.
"You should have left."
Then he threw him to the ground.
And drove the spear through his heart.
CRUNCH.
The Ashbone leader stopped moving.
Dead.
Silence fell across the battlefield again.
The remaining raiders panicked.
"Retreat!"
"Run!"
They fled across the wasteland as fast as their skeletal wolves could carry them.
Rai didn't chase them.
Instead, the system appeared once again.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Enemies Eliminated: 18
Leader Eliminated: Ashbone Raider Chief
Rank Experience Gained
Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step
Settlement Loyalty Increased
---
Behind the barricade, the outcast demons erupted into cheers.
Grik laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! They ran!"
Ruun shook his head in amazement.
"That human… is terrifying."
Rai walked back toward the settlement slowly.
But deep inside the Demon Realm…
News of the battle was already spreading.
Two gangs destroyed.
By a single F-Rank demon vessel.
And now…
Stronger enemies were starting to take interest.
Because the rise of Rai…
Was beginning to threaten the balance of the Demon Realm.