As the group advanced deeper into the abandoned school, the atmosphere grew heavier.
The air felt thicker, and an oppressive aura pressed down on them.
Damien’s watch rang again.
He glanced at it briefly, his tired expression unchanging.
”Miyako, Yumi, Haruto, Ren, and Rika have all finished their missions in Tokyo,” he muttered.
“We’re the only ones still active.”
He looked at Saki and Akira.
“You two are holding us back.
Saki — next room.
Go.”
Saki nodded, stepping forward with determination.
“Finally.
I’ve been waiting for this.” She slowly slid the classroom door open.
Inside, a tall, humanoid demon slowly stood up straight.
Its body was sleek and covered in dark, shifting patterns.
Unlike the previous monsters, this one had intelligent, almost human-like eyes.
It tilted its head and spoke in a clear, smooth voice.
”Well… an exorcist girl.
How refreshing.”
Saki’s eyes widened.
she thought.
Forget it.
I’m stronger anyway.
She quickly raised her hand, preparing a complex hand sign for one of her powerful techniques.
But before she could complete it, the demon lunged forward with terrifying speed.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, Damien appeared between them.
He delivered a brutal blunt kick infused with kinetic energy directly into the demon’s chest.
BOOM!
The creature was sent flying backward, crashing through several desks.
Damien lowered his leg, voice calm but serious.
”This isn’t a normal demon, Saki.
It’s a Special Grade A.
Be careful.”
Saki stepped back, breathing harder.
Damien’s eyes narrowed behind his goggles as he analyzed the creature.
”I can’t find any clear weak points,” he said.
“This one’s going to need concentration.”
Damien slowly pulled the cigarette from his mouth and spat it onto the floor, crushing it under his boot.
Suddenly, his spiritual energy surged violently.
A powerful aura exploded outward, reaching 120% in an instant.
Years ago, Damien made a spiritual contract with himself.
He had sacrificed the calming effect of cigarettes.
In exchange, every time he discarded one mid-battle, his spiritual energy would increase by 50%.
A self-imposed limitation turned into a deadly trump card.
His cleaver began to glow with intense, bright spiritual light.
The lenses of his goggles turned pitch black, absorbing all light as his analysis deepened.
’I can’t go full power here…’ Damien thought to himself.
‘I might destroy half the school if I do.’
The Special Grade A demon rose again, laughing softly.
“Impressive.
A human who understands restraint.
But will that be enough?”
Saki gripped Slaughtering Assault tightly, her body tense.
Akira stood ready behind them, heart pounding as he felt Gashin stirring excitedly within him.
Damien raised his glowing cleaver, stance low and focused.
The hallway fell into a deadly silence, only broken by the distant creaking of the old building.
This fight was going to be on a completely different level.
Akira watched Damien’s back, realizing just how vast the gap still was between himself and the true elites.
But instead of discouragement, a spark of determination lit in his eyes.
He wanted that strength.