A Battle Against Death
The ruins of Fenhurst became their battleground.
Snape moved like a ghost, his body flickering through the mist, appearing and disappearing between attacks.
Ashborn barely managed to parry the incoming dagger strikes, his sword clashing against Snape's deadly venom-coated blade.
But it wasn't just the blade—
Every movement carried poison.
The very air around Snape burned their lungs, a toxic miasma spreading with each of his steps.
Rick darted forward, his twin blades clashing against Snape's armor.
Lida raised her hand—a golden magic circle forming beneath her feet.
"Divine Protection!"
A barrier of light surrounded Ashborn and Rick, reducing the poison's effect.
But even then—
Ashborn's fingers tingled. His vision blurred for a second.
Snape's poison was unlike anything he had faced before.
Snape smirked.
"Oh? Still standing? Let's turn up the pressure then."
---
Snape's Venom Arts
Snape twirled his dagger, his voice filled with amusement.
"Let me show you why they call me the Demon of Venoms."
With a snap of his fingers, the mist solidified, forming hundreds of needle-like shards.
"Venom Art: Thousand Deaths."
The mist shot forward, piercing through the air like bullets.
Rick gritted his teeth, spinning his blades to deflect the incoming attack.
Lida pressed her hands together, casting another spell—
"Holy Ward!"
A golden shield formed around them, but—
Some of the poison seeped through, grazing her shoulder.
She winced.
Ashborn charged forward, sword glowing with pure mana.
"You talk too much."
With one clean swing, he dispersed the incoming poison shards—the shockwave tearing through the mist.
Snape's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh? You're stronger than I thought."
For the first time—
The playfulness in his expression disappeared.
---
The Turning Point
Ashborn closed the distance in an instant.
Aether Step.
His sword swung down with full force.
Snape barely had time to block—
The ground beneath them shattered from the impact.
But Ashborn wasn't done.
His body flickered.
Another strike—this time to Snape's ribs.
A third—aimed at his neck.
Snape gritted his teeth, stepping back, but—
Rick appeared behind him.
"Checkmate, bastard."
His twin blades crossed, forming an X-shaped slash against Snape's back.
Blood splattered.
Snape staggered.
For the first time, he was injured.
"You little—!"
But before Snape could react, Lida unleashed her magic.
"Holy Lance!"
A golden spear of light shot forward—
Piercing straight through Snape's chest.
The Demon General let out a choked laugh.
"Heh… Not bad…"
His body shook, the poison around him dissipating.
Ashborn stepped forward, sword raised.
"This is the end, Snape."
Snape grinned, blood dripping from his lips.
"Not yet."
And then—
His body began to melt.