The moment his cover vanished, he became entirely visible to Ivor, who was drooling over the plant since the demon bloodline in him was reacting to it strongly. Suddenly, Ivor's eyes narrowed as he jumped backward, sensing a foreign existence appearing in front of him so suddenly.
His wholly red eyes cleared again as his instincts sensed danger. He immediately took out the sword as he became ready to fight. Axel was also extremely shocked by the sudden turn of events, and he took a few steps back, similar to Ivor.
Both parties became extremely tense at the turn of events, fortunately Axel still had his face and most of his body covered by a large magical cloak. Only his sword was out in his hands.
Both parties glared at each other, eventually Ivor asked, "Oye, who the fuck are you?"
Axel remained silent for a moment, hesitating about what to say, but he decided to speak the truth, "I'm here for the plant."
Ivor sneered. "Yeah, so am I, once I eat it. I know for sure that my unstable behavior will vanish. I can feel it. So, there is absolutely no way you're having it."
Axel felt Ivor's killing intent pressing on him firmly, he could not help but feel a chill down his spine. Even though he fought countless times with a 2nd phase Seeker, it was only for practice as someone who has never killed anyone, it was hard for him to keep his composure.
Ivor also noticed his troubles, and he quickly noticed some things about his enemy,
he exclaimed in disgust "Fucking rich rat, You're probably some nobles son ain't ya? But I don't care who you are, what fancy artifacts you have protecting you. You're not gonna get this, I can promise that."
"You better leave before I decide to kill you," threatened Ivor.
Axel gritted his teeth and cursed internally, 'Damn it, damn it, damn it. I might be able to get my hands on someone else with a demon bloodline, but it's impossible to find another demonic plant. And without that, the demon bloodline is more harmful than it is helpful.'
'All my plans will be doomed if I don't get this now.'
With a firm resolution he made up his mind. Even if he must risk his life, he must absolutely get it. Axel stated, "Then there's no need for any more words, I also need that demonic plant."
Ivor's smile broadened hearing those as he immediately dashed forward and attacked. Axel blocked that attack perfectly, but a powerful kick landed on his stomach, which sent him flying. Axel could not help but cough up blood, damn it. William only trained me in pure sword combat with no foul play, which suited perfectly for the competition but not for this.
He hurriedly got up and attacked Ivor with a powerful swing. His enemy responded with a similar attack. Ivor's fighting style was extremely brutal which disregarded his personal safety and only focused on the offensive to take down your enemy by overpowering them or killing them.
Ivor continued his assault, one sword after another, and Axel could barely block all of his attacks. In the middle of it, from time to time, he would do a punch, sometimes kick. Axel had a hard time at first, but he was slowly gaining his ground and wasn't being overwhelmed like before.
Even so, Axel could not land a single blow on his enemy. He wasn't even close. But some of his enemies' attacks continued to hit as his injuries kept piling up on his body. Axel was slowly becoming more and more focused because of the adrenaline rush. He ignored all of his injuries while continuing to counter Ivor.
But there was something that Axel forgot amid the life-and-death battle. His opponent was an experienced mercenary who survived countless battles, who knows how many times. Ivor's demon blood gave him a very resilient body, but he often lost himself in battle. Over the years, he learned to control his overwhelming bloodlust and managed to trick his opponents by outsmarting them instead of overwhelming them.
Axel was slowly being pushed back; at one point, his feet got tangled up in a root of a tree, something which Ivor planned, seeing how inexperienced his opponent was. Axel lost his balance for a fraction of a moment, and in that momentary window, Ivor stabbed his sword right into the heart of his enemy. Axel was unable to defend himself as he gritted his teeth, thinking that he had been tricked thoroughly by the bastard.
But in that moment, where his heart would have been pierced, his defensive artifact glowed brightly, and a transparent white protective layer appeared in front of him.
Clang...…..
The clanking sound of a sword being blocked was heard throughout the grounds of the mountain within the moonlit night filled with 3 bright moons in the sky. Ivor almost couldn't believe his eyes seeing such artifacts. Even if he worked for his entire life, he might not be able to get his hands on such a powerful life-saving magic artifact.
His anger increased even more, he continued attack Axel, but it was to no avail. Axel was continuously pushed back. Unfortunately, when the defensive artifact was active he was also unable to attack his opponent. Even after striking the transparent shield more than 30 times there wasn't even a dent to it.
Ivor spat hatefully, "Disgusting rich bastard, let's see how long it lasts. Keep holed up in your turtle shell. I'll break it after I eat the plant."
Axel's eyes widened hearing that, but before he could think of anything, a powerful kick landed on the shield that flung him a few meters back as his back hit into the trunk of a tree. He spat out a mouthful of blood.
With all his willpower, he got up. His mind didn't even register the injuries he had. He only had one goal in mind. But it was too late by the time he stood up. Ivor had already cut at the plant's bottom roots, just as he was about to put it in his mouth.
Axel shouted with all his might, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, STOP...…"
Ivor looked at him for a moment, but there was a brutal mocking smile on his face. He put the entire thing in his mouth and swallowed it immediately.
Axel ran with all his might, but he was unable to attack his opponent because the white shield covered him from all directions. Ivor got hit from the front again, and both parties got pushed back. But something was happening to Ivor that Axel was unable to stop. Black veins spread all over Ivor's body.
The demon bloodline was being fully integrated into him, he was being transformed into a true demon. Ivor exclaimed in utter joy,
"YES, YES, Yes...this is the power. The power and control that I have always wanted."
Axel had an extremely ugly expression on his face as he was unable to do anything. Ivor visibly grew taller, his skin was becoming darker and darker. Two visible horns grew from the top of his forehead. His skin was becoming rougher. Ivor's body was turning more wide and buff.
A trace of fear crept into Axel's heart, 'Damn it, after unlocking the demon form this bastard is going to lose his mind for a moment.'
The entire situation was turning worse and worse as time passed.
A spine-chilling laugh escaped from the mouth of the horned abomination in front of him. His eyes glowed blood red deep within the mountain while the three moon's bright silver light showered them even more brightly.
"Ahaha,,,,,,ha ha ha,…..hahahahhhhhhhaaaaaaa"
Just this scene itself could give endless nightmares to anyone. The demon continued to laugh, seeing Axel's fear as if it was reveling in the emotions of its prey. The birds in the trees flew away, and they started making whimpering sounds, showing fear to the insidious demon that invaded the mountain. The demon suddenly charged forward and continued to punch the shield nonstop. Each of its punches sent Axel flying.
Axel was heavily injured internally; a part of him wanted to let go of everything and simply surrender. But a part of them continued to fight on. But the situation turned for the absolute worst in the next moment. The Artifact ran out of energy, and the white shield disappeared.
Seeing that the demon let out another beastly laugh again,
It punched Axel in the stomach, and a few of his ribs broke. Blood came out of his mouth.
It stomped on his leg, and his entire leg got crushed.
The demon punched his face, he almost lost consciousness. Axel's nose broke, maybe a few teeth as well. He was unable to see from one of his eyes. He was at the end of his rope. It seemed like it was his end, but he held on. He didn't know why, but he wanted to live; he needed to live.
He held onto his sword, waiting for the right opportunity. Ivor had lost his mind for a moment; if not, he would have targeted the hands of his enemy and taken away his sword first or would have simply killed him.
And that was the exact opportunity that Axel was waiting for. Only by using the mindless state of his enemy could he hope to triumph in this hopeless situation.