Chapter 76: 76. Skinning a lizard alive – 2

The aura of Heavens and the effect of World-Borne Suppression unfolded at the same time, overlapping and reinforcing one another in a way that made the air itself feel heavier.

It was not a dramatic change; instead, it crept in quietly, tightening around Vorin like invisible chains.

At first, Vorin did not understand what was happening.

His cultivation, which moments ago had rested at the absolute peak of the Ascension realm, began to slip.

It did not fall all at once. His cultivation receded slowly, as if something was peeling strength away from his core piece by piece.

The immense authority he held over space faltered; his connection to the element was growing dull and resistant.

In just a few breaths, his realm dropped.

He was no longer an unquestioned Ascension-ranked existence.

He was now at the cusp of the SSS rank and Ascension rank; the sensation of it was deeply wrong for him. In fact, it was horrifying.

Vorin’s pupils constricted as his instincts screamed at him.

He felt like the world itself was rejecting his existence. And Ethan was the reason.

Vorin’s gaze locked onto the young man, and in that instant, all other priorities vanished.

He did not care about William anymore. He did not care about anything else.

This newcomer was the threat.

So this newcomer had to die immediately.

Vorin’s claws tightened, and demonic energy flared violently around his arms as he surged forward through the air.

He did not bother with spells this time. There was no need for finesse. His body was still overwhelmingly powerful compared to a mortal teenager.

He would tear Ethan apart with his hands.

The distance between him and Ethan closed instantly.

Vorin’s claws descended toward Ethan’s head, curved talons glowing with destructive intent, ready to crush his skull like brittle stone.

But before his attack could land, something moved at the edge of his perception.

He was a fraction too late to sense it.

Vorin’s senses screamed again, this time in alarm.

His head snapped sideways just as a fist filled his vision.

The incoming impact landed hard before his thoughts could catch up.

Something hard, dense, and monstrously powerful smashed into his face, and the world spun violently as Vorin was flung backward with explosive force.

His body tore through the air before crashing into the ground, pulverizing earth and stone as he skidded across the clearing.

A lesser being would have had their skull reduced to pulp.

Vorin survived only because he was a demonic dragon, his physique hardened through centuries of cultivation.

Even so, pain exploded through his jaw and skull as he slammed into the ground.

Before he could even stabilize himself, William was already moving towards his location.

He launched forward without hesitation, Crimson Aeon clenched tightly in his hand as his steps were heavy enough to raise dust and mask the scene.

His movements were fast and devoid of unnecessary flash.

Closing the distance between himself and Vorin while he was still regaining control of his body.

Vorin forced himself upright, shaking his head as his vision cleared. When he looked up, the silver blade was already raised, its edge glinting with restrained intent.

Their eyes met.

There was no hesitation on either side.

The decisive battle began.

Vorin snarled and unleashed Demonic Void Rupture again, tearing at space with raw force. Black cracks formed in the air, but this time the rupture was thinner and unstable.

His reduced cultivation and this realm’s suppression of space elemental use were affecting his output.

The residual force reached Will, slamming into his body, but he resisted it without being blown away.

“No way to hide now,” Will sneered.

Vorin’s lips curled into a savage grin. “I never intended to hide. Even if my mana is suppressed, it doesn’t matter. You are all dying today.”

Claws met steel as Vorin abandoned reliance on space magic and lunged forward, his talons slashing and stabbing with lethal intent.

Crimson Aeon rang sharply as Will parried and countered; the blade moved like wind.

But it did not take long for Will to notice something important.

Vorin was strong, overwhelmingly so, but his movements lacked refinement.

He was originally a mage who had invested most of the time in spells rather than physical combat.

His strikes were powerful but too predictable for William.

His balance faltered after heavy blows from William. His follow-through left openings that a seasoned melee fighter would never allow.

Will decided

He planted Crimson Aeon into the ground with a sharp motion and stepped forward barehanded.

The academy control room fell into dead silence.

Everyone watching understood what they were seeing.

Will had abandoned his primary weapon.

Shock rippled through the spectators.

A natural clearing had formed from all the destruction happening in that area; even the rest of the surviving participants arrived who were not part of William’s entourage or were rather too weak to even be summoned by him earlier.

Will closed the distance and began striking with his fists. Each punch landed with explosive force and pure physical reinforcement. Vorin’s hardened scales cracked under the assault as blow after blow smashed into his torso and jaw.

“Aaaarghhhhhh!” Vorin roared in rage and humiliation.

He was being pushed back.

Pushed back by a human who was not even fifteen years old.

The realization burned deeper than the pain.

Vorin’s claws sharpened further as he slashed wildly at Will, desperation creeping into his movements. Still, the punches did not stop.

Finally, swallowing his pride, Vorin reached into his robes and drew a dagger.

The blade was short and jagged and pulsed with demonic poison.

When Will stepped in again, Vorin struck.

The dagger shot forward in a vicious stabbing motion.

Will reacted instantly, twisting sideways, but not fast enough.

The blade scraped along his side.

“SSSSsssszzz…!”

The wound blackened instantly as demonic poison spread through his flesh. Will’s balance faltered as pain surged through him.

Vorin laughed loudly. “That is demonic poison. Enjoy it.”

Will grunted, forcing demonic energy through his demonic core to stabilize the damage even as sunlight fought to heal the wound. But that brief lapse was enough.

Vorin’s claws descended from behind.

Will’s leather armor shredded instantly as deep gouges tore across his back, blood spraying across the ground.

“Ugh! Dammit, you bastard son of a whore!” He shouted in fury.

Vorin followed up without mercy, kicking Will forward and sending him crashing to the ground. Will’s injuries healed continuously, but Vorin did not allow him space.

He jumped and landed heavily on Will’s body; claws rained down on his chest and abdomen.

“ARGHH!” Will cried as talons tore into him repeatedly.

Ethan stepped forward instinctively, his body tensing as he wanted to interrupt, but then he froze.

Crimson Aeon vibrated violently where it had been planted.

Vorin did not see it coming.

The sword launched upward like a crimson streak, piercing straight through Vorin’s shoulder and pinning him mid-motion. The blade missed vital points deliberately and carried enough force to drag his body backward.

Vorin slammed into a massive tree stump; the sword pinned him firmly in place.

Silence fell, and only sounds of deep breaths and gasps were heard.

Will rose slowly, blood dripped from his body, and steam rose as sunlight closed his wounds.

His blue hair was matted red, his breathing was steady, and his eyes were cold and predatory.

He looked at Vorin.

And for the first time, the demon understood fear.

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