A City in Ruin
The journey to Bolton took four days, but the closer they got, the more ominous the air became. By the time Ashborn, Lida, and Rick reached the outskirts, a heavy scent of blood and burning wood filled the air. The city walls, once proud and towering, had massive cracks running through them. Smoke rose from within, twisting into the darkening sky.
"We're too late," Lida whispered, gripping the hilt of her sword.
"No," Ashborn said, stepping forward. "We're just in time."
They could hear the roars of monsters, the shrieks of survivors, and the thunderous footsteps of something massive moving inside the city.
Rick grinned. "Looks like we've got a real fight on our hands."
Breaking Through the Frontlines
As they reached the city gates, a horde of demons—some resembling monstrous wolves, others towering with grotesque horns—turned their attention toward them.
One of the creatures, a massive four-armed ogre, roared and charged at them, its club splintering the ground beneath its weight.
"Lida!" Ashborn barked.
Lida was already moving, lightning dancing around her blade as she leaped high into the air, flipping over the ogre's attack. She slashed downward, and the crackling force of electricity exploded on impact, sending the beast staggering backward.
Rick followed up immediately, his golden chains wrapping around the ogre's thick neck and yanking it forward with unnatural strength.
"Ashborn, now!"
Ashborn blurred forward, his sword glowing with an arcane violet hue. He slashed upward, cleaving through the ogre's flesh with precision, and in the next instant, his second strike severed its head completely.
The massive creature toppled, causing the ground to tremble.
But they didn't have time to breathe.
From within the city, a flood of demons began pouring out, their eyes glowing with hunger and rage.
"There's too many!" Lida panted.
Ashborn's eyes darkened.
"Then we cut them all down."
He slammed his sword into the ground, and a wave of dark energy erupted outward, knocking back the nearest demons. In a single breath, he vanished—reappearing behind one of the creatures—his sword already embedded in its skull.
The battle raged on.
For hours, they cut through waves of monsters. The streets of Bolton were soaked in demon blood, but the city still stood.
Then, a cold voice echoed through the air.
"Enough."
The Arrival of Kevin
The battlefield fell silent.
From the shadows of the ruined castle at Bolton's center, a tall figure stepped forward.
His midnight-black armor gleamed under the crimson sunset, and a jagged crimson spear rested in his hand. His long raven hair flowed behind him, and his piercing golden eyes locked onto Ashborn with amusement.
"I was hoping you'd arrive," the man said, his voice smooth yet laced with undeniable authority.
Lida stiffened. "That's—"
"Kevin," Ashborn finished, his grip tightening on his sword. "The second general."
Kevin smirked.
"So, you're the one who killed Snape. I have to admit, you're stronger than I expected."
Ashborn didn't reply. He was already preparing to strike first.
But before he could move, Kevin suddenly disappeared—and in an instant, he was right in front of Ashborn, his spear already thrusting forward at lightning speed.
Ashborn barely managed to react, twisting his body to avoid the fatal strike, but the tip of the spear still grazed his ribs, sending a searing pain through his side.
"Tch—!"
Kevin's speed was unnatural.
Rick lashed out with his chains, aiming to bind Kevin, but the demon general simply snapped his fingers—and in that instant, the chains shattered into dust.
"Impossible—!" Rick's eyes widened.
Kevin chuckled. "I expected more from you."
Then, with a flick of his spear, he unleashed a shockwave that sent all three of them flying backward.
Ashborn crashed into a stone pillar, the impact shaking his bones.
"Damn it," he muttered, wiping blood from his lip.
Kevin strode forward unbothered, spinning his spear lazily.
"This isn't even a real fight," he said. "If this is all you can manage, then this war is already over."
Ashborn clenched his fists.
He needed to change tactics.
Taking a deep breath, he activated Raphael, his mind accelerating to near-inhuman levels.
"Analyze his patterns. Find an opening."
A split-second later, Raphael responded:
[Opponent's movements calculated. Probability of successful counterattack: 19%]
Not good.
But he didn't have a choice.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Ashborn vanished from sight.
He appeared behind Kevin, sword flashing.
Kevin spun immediately, parrying the blow effortlessly—but Ashborn had anticipated that.
"Got you," he whispered.
A sudden burst of dark energy erupted from his sword, catching Kevin off guard. The demon general was sent skidding backward, a slight smirk forming on his lips.
"Hah… now this is interesting."
Ashborn gritted his teeth, already preparing for the next exchange.
The real battle had just begun.
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Chapter 10 Preview: The Wrath of Kevin
Kevin, growing impatient, unleashes his full power, revealing why he is feared as the most powerful general of the Demon Lord. His speed, already impossible to track, multiplies tenfold—and for the first time, Ashborn is overwhelmed.
Lida and Rick fight desperately to keep up, but Kevin's destructive attacks begin to take their toll.
And then—when victory seems out of reach—Rick finally lands a decisive move.
But even that… may not be enough.