Chapter 50: Survival

Dhein’s face paled while staring at Thevon’s unconscious body. The only consolation he had at the moment was the fact that the scion of light was still breathing.

’Oh, shit…’

He heard a male child’s voice across from him.

“It’s five against one, now,” said the short assassin.

Dhein gulped, turning his head to the enemies he now had to face.

“Still, don’t let your guard down. This is the strongest Theocheirós we’re up against,” the dark sorcerer stated.

Suddenly, Dhein heard a voice inside his head.

’Let me at ’em.’

The scion of divinity stood still, contemplating his choices. If he switched now, he might not be able to get his body back. He could tell that Cyreth could easily kill these demons, which was exactly why he couldn’t use his power.

“You’ll just die too easily… I can’t have that…” Dhein muttered.

It would be ideal if Cyreth was only able to beat them unconscious without killing them, but he knew that won’t be the case.

The demons spoke.

“Arrogant bastard… Don’t underestimate us!” the spider lady exclaimed furiously.

He looked at her face, and he realized that demons could actually express a range of emotions. Even back in the warehouse that was now destroyed, Krushe even honored Shina’s wish for a fair fight.

Could it be that the information they had about demons was wrong?

Moments later, the small assassin spoke.

“But it’s strange. I don’t sense any danger from him at all. Even now, I feel like if I attacked him, he wouldn’t be able to defend himself.”

Dhein almost choked on his own saliva.

The hunchback responded.

“You’re being naive, Parro. Can’t you see? He’s intentionally making us think that way. Once we carelessly attack, he’ll counter us with a strike that will end our life instantly!”

The assassin boy furrowed his eyebrows.

“I see. So we can’t go after him without a plan.”

’What the hell are these idiots saying…’ Dhein thought.

And so, the demons began formulating a strategy for him.

With the number of his choices dwindling, Dhein desperately whispered to himself:

“Hey, Cyreth! Didn’t you say I deserved to know about the constellation ladder because you’re fair? So, tell me how many more stars you need to collect!”

The god whispered back in a mocking tone.

’I said you deserved to know how you’re gonna get replaced, but not when.’

Cyreth laughed.

Dhein clicked his tongue.

’This bastard…’

When he looked up at his enemies, they seemed like they were done strategizing.

Now, he realized that he had to either buy some time until help arrived, or convince these demons not to fight him. That was the only way to survive this encounter.

He opened his mouth to speak.

“Are you done? Come at me, then. Let’s see if your plan will work.”

The spider lady gritted her teeth.

“Why, you…” she mumbled with rage before taking a step forward with her many legs. Dhein clenched his fist in nervousness.

Then, the assassin grabbed one of her legs to stop her.

“Wait! He’s doing it! He’s trying to provoke us to mess up our strategy!”

He pointed at Dhein’s fists and then continued.

“Look, he even prepared to attack. He’s not giving off any sense of danger around him so it’s hard to detect, but it’s there…”

“It’s in the way he looks at us. As if he already sees what our move will be in the next ten — no, twenty seconds!”

Choosing to listen to the kid’s words, the spider lady scoffed and then stepped backwards.

“Then what should we do? Are we just gonna wait for him to move first?” she asked.

Seeing this as an opportunity, Dhein spoke.

“If you don’t want to die, I’ll give you a chance to leave this place. This is called an act of mercy. Remember it and teach it to your kind.”

The two sides faced each other off, neither were making any moves.

Soon, the hunchback broke the silence.

“Parro, go and return to Sekhtar and tell the Demon King about the situation. We will defend this place for as long as we can.”

The small assassin looked at the old demon and, with a bit of hesitation, he took some steps backwards before bolting towards the cliff walls. He skillfully climbed them in a few seconds before reaching the top.

Then, the four remaining ones prepared for battle.

“We will attack all at the same time in different angles. That’s the only way we have a chance at dealing damage.”

Dhein’s face paled, fear filled his heart.

’I should probably just beg for my life…’

The demons assumed a fighting stance.

“On my count. Three. Two…”

A bright light tracing the sky like a deadly shooting star stole their attention. It was too fast that they didn’t have time to react when it hit the ground.

The demons didn’t know what it was or what it could do. And they would never find out.

When the star arrow hit, the white flames burned only them, sparing Dhein and Thevon. It wasn’t a slow, gradual burn. They were instantly melted away by the mysterious blazing fire that somehow only targeted demons.

Blinking several times, Dhein watched the flames dissipate like nothing happened, leaving only the charred skeletons of the demons.

’Father is here?!’ he asked himself.

He recognized this as one of the many tricks Axerion can do. But then again, it was possible that he fired this shot all the way from Tianmin.

Just when Dhein thought he could finally break the act and let his knees give in, he heard footsteps coming from behind.

’Right… someone was following me earlier…’

He partially turn his head to finally see who it was.

It was Fiorelle.

She looked at him and then at the charred demon bones before speaking.

“I see you made it in time.”

Dhein watched as she walked towards him.

’She thinks I defeated them? Wait, why is she even following me?’

The girl walked past him towards Thevon who was still lying unconscious on the ground. Fiorelle got on her knees and put two hands on Thevon’s back where his heart was.

Then, countless tiny white orbs appeared around her, indicating her use of the spirit of life. Moments later, red ones followed as she summoned the spirit of strength. They swirled around her hand before entering Thevon’s heart.

And just like that, the white-haired mage opened his eyes.

He pushed himself up from the ground and then looked at the battlefield. Then, he looked at Dhein and Fiorelle.

“We have arrived, you’re safe now,” Fiorelle said.

“Dhein defeated the demons. They’re gone.”

Upon hearing that, there was a subtle but strong emotion of despise on his face.

He immediately got up and dusted off his robe.

Before the situation got even more awkward, Dhein spoke.

“Fiorelle, you have been following me secretly. Why?”

The girl fell silent for a moment, her gaze glued to nothingness below.

Then, she answered.

“You already know, Dhein.”

She turned to the entrance of the secret base the demons had built.

“The purpose you have told me about… is inside of that, isn’t it?”

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