Deep within the cave, the damp air felt heavy and stagnant.
The only light ca from a dim lamp on the table, illuminating the freshly drawn map of the capital’s underground passages.
Just as Alexis lifted his pen, his back suddenly stiffened.
A chill crawled up his neck—no sound, no presence, but his instincts scread that sothing was staring at him from behind.
He snapped his head around.
The cramped cave was silent. No one there but himself.
“...An illusion?”
Alexis muttered.
Russell silently withdrew his tendril.
From Alexis’ words earlier, Russell had already learned that other demons were also hiding within the city.
But... that didn’t surprise him.
He’d already heard from Anna that many demons had found ways to bypass the great barrier, all aiming to seize the Holy Sword.
And according to Alexis, the Holy Sword was in the capital... possibly within the palace itself.
Honestly, Russell didn’t care about the Holy Sword.
But Alexis? Now he was interesting.
Near-invincible stealth in darkness—so long as【Mana Perception】wasn’t used directly, it was flawless. The Shadow Race truly were assassins favored by heaven, born for this role.
“Such an overpowered skill... who wouldn’t want it?”
So Russell made his decision: Forget everything else. Eat him first.
He pulled back his tendril and relayed to Rozelite: “Move in. Try to keep the body intact.”
“On it!”
Rozelite had been waiting impatiently outside, and she leapt from the grass the instant the signal ca.
Just as Alexis returned to his map—
BOOM!!!
The cave shook violently!
Pebbles and dust fell from above, the lamp swayed madly.
“What?”
Alexis snapped his head upward.
The entrance rocks crumbled, smoke billowed.
The barrier-shielded gate shattered with a single kick.
Through the broken doorway strode a figure encased in silver-white armor, boots striking the ground like hamr blows, echoing like a heartbeat.
Rozelite lood over the tense Alexis, her voice distorted into a harsh growl by the armor’s filter.
“Any last words before you die?”
...
She wasn’t joking.
The crushing aura that radiated from her made Alexis feel he was standing before sothing more than human.
Every hair on his body stood on end. Even among his clan’s strongest, he had never felt such pressure. The only comparison... was the Demon Lord himself.
Unwinnable.
To fight such an existence was sheer folly.
Still, Alexis forced a grin.
“Incredible... So the Rhine Kingdom nurtured such a terrifying weapon after all. Seems you haven’t wasted these fifty years since the barrier was raised... Are you the one who pursued that night? Or was it soone else?”
“Those are your last words?”
Russell’s tone was cold.
“How many of you demons are in the capital, and what plans do you have? Why not talk?”
“Heh, dream on!”
Alexis swept his arm. The lamp smashed to the floor.
Darkness swallowed the cave.
“For the Demon Lord—glory!”
He shouted, imdiately activating【Shadowld】.
His body fused with the darkness, vanishing as he dashed past Rozelite toward the exit.
It was night.
With shadow stealth, escape was certain. In the dark, the Shadow Race’s stealth was invincible!
Alexis moved like lightning.
But just as he passed Rozelite—
A blinding flash erupted, flooding the cave with light like midday!
【Light Magic Lv4】
Though Russell’s skill level wasn’t high, he didn’t need much—just a flashbang.
That was enough.
The instant the light hit,【Shadowld】collapsed.
The ability was powerful, near-perfect for hiding in darkness. Even【Mana Perception】barely glimpsed it. But its flaw was absolute: once the darkness was gone, so was the stealth.
Dragged into the open, Alexis tumbled to the ground at Rozelite’s feet.
“Damn it!”
He thrust his hand upward.
【Blood Manipulation Lv6】
Blood burst from his pale arm, twisting and stretching midair, forming dozens of crimson blades.
They shrieked through the air, sealing Rozelite’s retreat from all sides.
“The Shadow Race’s heritage is more than shadows—we command【Blood】, the natural vessel of human mana. We need no weapons! All blood, whether from within or without, can be forged into arms!”
He grinned fiercely.
“You may look strong, but if you thought I was so small fry, you’re gravely mistaken! I am Alexis Nosferatu! Rember my na, and then—”
“Take this! Twenty-centiter radius—Ruby Splash!”
The blades converged on Rozelite.
“Victory!”
Alexis exulted.
But—
A heartbeat later, every crimson blade shattered on impact, useless against the armored shell.
“What...”
Alexis froze.
Before him, “Rozelite” rubbed her neck lazily.
“Thanks for demonstrating how that skill works. As I said, now I’ll kill you.”
“You think I’ll go quietly?”
Alexis’ face darkened. He hadn’t expected to fail at even piercing her defense.
But no matter.
Even if【Shadowld】and【Blood Manipulation】were useless, he still had honed combat skill!
Blood surged again, forming a scarlet spear in his hand.
Alexis gripped it, eyes burning with resolve. No fear, no hesitation—only the spirit of one who fights against the impossible.
On narrow paths, the brave prevail!
He flourished the spear, unleashing a storm of thrusts, and lunged at Rozelite with everything he had!
And then Rozelite killed him.
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