Bryan checked his bag and supplies, then looked out at the castle.
Zarethia walked up and stood near him. “Well, we are lucky the army already left.”
Bryan tilted his head. “There are quite a few soldiers by the gate though?”
While tapping her book, she said, “That should be the reserve. They had thirty siege beasts before I left.”
Damn glad they are not here.
“Well, we are lucky then,” he said with a smile.
She walked back to her bags and continued checking.
Ok, likely worth a quick stat check.
Status
Name: Bryan• Level: 71
• Job: Elemental Trickster
• Skill Points: 620
HP: 965 MP: 1900
STR: 72 AGI: 124 VIT: 61• DEX: 110 INT: 178 CHR: 40
• LUCK: 16
Skills:
Your Regret • Mana Channelling (8)
• Mana Shaping (8)
• Fire Bolt (7)
• Lightning Bolt (6)
• Water Bolt (5)
• Air Bolt (6)
• Blink (6)
• Evade (6)
• Piercing Strike (4)
• Blade Slash (5)
• Heavy Slash (3)
• Sweeping Slash (4)
• Fire Enchanting (2)
• Item Box Enchanting (1)
• Light Blast (2)
• Mana Dump (1)
• Trainer (4)
• Physical Enhancement (2)
• Rock Growth (1)
• Item Appraisal (4)
• Torch Light (1)
• Subtle Manipulation (5)
Well that’s looking very good.
“We should get closer for a good look then decide what to do.”
They agreed and made their way down towards the gate; the area near the fortress is mostly barren, so they keep low.
They stopped near a mound to peered over and get a good view.
Hmm, a lot of demon soldiers, but most don’t look too tough…
Bryan gestured to Zarethia, who shuffled over.
“I’m thinking we launch a powerful attack together and see what’s left?”
A grin spread across her face as she stood up.
This could be fun.
Both standing, they focused, hands glowed as large balls of fire launched from them.
The fireballs hit the crowd of demons, smoke and dust covering the area.
They waited in silence for it to clear. When it did, they saw four well-armed demons and one larger.
That took out all the weak ones… very stealthy explosion.
Making their way down, Calder and Tali up front, blocking incoming arrows.
As they got closer, the demons threw down their bows and picked up glaives.
Len unleashed a volley of arrows at the demons, but they hit an invisible barrier.
Well, it can’t be too easy now, seems they expected this.
Tali and Calder rushed forward and rammed their shields into the larger one, forcing it to stumble.
Zarethia launched a barrage of rocks at one of the demons, it had to hold its shield up to defend.
Bryan quickly moved in to prevent two demons from flanking Tali and Calder.
They furiously swung their glaives with impressive speed, but he deflected one blow after another.
Ok, kill quickly but conserve mana.
Bryan, using Evade, dodged to the left and suddenly thrusted his sword with all his strength through the side of one of the demons.
It coughed blood and went limp. Before he could ready himself, the other demon roared, a faint red glow rose off its skin.
One down, but what is this?
The demon’s attacks grew faster and harder now.
Tali, held her shield up to defend against a downward blow, braced as Calder took the opportunity to slice its knee.
As it roared from the cut, Tali used her shield to slam its chin upward, forcing it back. It swung wildly in response.
Zarethia launched spell after spell at two demons, keeping them on the defence.
Len, having put his bow away, traded fast blows with a demon.
Ok, it’s in some kind of rage state… it’s getting faster.
Focusing, Bryan swung as hard upwards as he could, the force causing the demon to stumble briefly.
Taking this opportunity, he turned around and thrusted his sword behind him, driving it through the demon’s chest.
It coughed blood out, spraying his hair as it went limp while he removed his sword.
Ok, I could end this with enhancement… we shouldn’t burn resources.
Len has managed to kill the one he was fighting and is now firing arrows relentlessly at the large demon.
As Bryan headed toward the two demons, they dropped the smoldering remains of their shields, only to be hit with a barrage of fire bolts.
When the smoke cleared, they were on the floor, full of holes and smoking.
Zarethia is terrible at conserving mana… sighs.
The large demon, riddled with arrows, swung its axe down on them - only for its hand to be encased in a bubble shield.
Both Tali and Calder slashed a leg each, bringing it to its knees. Len landed an arrow in the back of its head, making it lean forward.
Calder leaped and plunged his sword through its skull, its body slamming hard into the ground.
I kind of thought I’d need to help… that was rather efficient.
“Nice shield, Mirelle,” Calder exclaimed, patting her on the back.
“You are welcome. People should take some potions before we go inside.”
Mirelle scowled at Zarethia. “You especially. Can you not conserve your mana?”
I thought the same thing.
Zarethia cackled. “No, this is too much fun.” She then chugged two potions.
Each person prepared themselves to enter the fortress.
Calder and Tali pushed a large door open each.
They walked through a corridor and saw an open courtyard.
Several corrupt beasts and large demons… eh, it’s doable.
As Tali and Calder stepped out into the courtyard, they were hit in the side by fireballs, knocking them to the ground. The second barrage hit a barrier.
“Mage above us!” Mirelle shouted.
Len took up a position to the side and fired up at the mage, but to no effect.
Zarethia stepped out and started firing her own fireballs up at him, but they hit a shield. In between attacks, he launched several back at her, forcing her and Mirelle to shield.
Best to leave that guy to them…
Bryan made his way forward to Tali and Calder, and they charged the beasts and demons.
They split up to divide the enemy, each fighting two beasts and a demon.
Ok, one demon and three beasts for me… this will be tough.
As Bryan began to engage them, an arrow hit the wolf-like beast. Its head snapped to the side, and it rushed over to Len.
Ok, that one for him I guess…
Bryan cracked his neck while he and the demon sized each other up.
He raised a hand to fire a firebolt, and the beasts rushed at him, forcing him to block.
Tali was exchanging blows with a demon, with the occasional back swing to keep the beasts at bay.
Calder, having managed to lift a beast, has pushed it onto the demon and is wrestling it on top of him.
Bryan, holding back a beast’s jaws, his hand began to glow.
Lightning Bolt.
The creature shook violently and flopped. He quickly got to his feet and lunged for the other, avoiding a swing from the demon.
As he was about to reach the beast, a firebolt flew past him, causing him to glance back.
Mirelle had a strained expression, holding the shield while Zarethia was manically firing at the mage.
Christ that lunatic nearly hit me…
Turning back, his hand glowed, the beast focused on it—missing Bryan’s sword coming down from above, piercing its skull as it drops.
He raised his sword slightly too late as a blade grazed his neck, cutting him.
Bryan used Evade to dash back and steady himself before the next attack.
Focus, that was too close… I’ve got this.
Len dashed back and forth, swinging at the beast and slicing it more as it failed to match his speed.
Bryan used Heavy Slash to swing down hard into the shield of the demon. It pushed him back as it roared, a faint red aura appearing around it.
Tali, having successfully taken out the beasts, was dealing with the demon while Calder was still wrestling his beast.
This rage thing again… sighs… still shouldn’t use physical enhancement.
Bryan swung furiously while blocking or evading the demon’s swings.
His attacks pushed the demon back to the wall, and a downward strike locked them into a struggle of strength.
Len, covered in blood, pulled his daggers from the beast’s corpse and pulled out his bow to aid Tali.
Bryan, putting all his strength in, lowered the sword toward the demon and sliced through its shoulder slowly as it lets out a guttural roar.
Panting, Bryan turned around to see Mirelle and Zarethia still exchanging blasts with the mage.
Oh fuck it…
Rock Growth.
A large rock grew from the ground, shattering the balcony the mage was on and forcing it to crash to the ground below.
Before it had time to recover, it was engulfed in Zarethia’s firebolts.
Mirelle thanked him between heavy breaths.
Tali was helping Calder back to his feet, blood streaming from his shoulder.
“Tali, give him a potion. Mirelle needs to recover before healing.”
Nodding, she did so while he thanked her. They gathered in the center of the courtyard.
Zarethia said, “See, you all moan at me for not holding back, but you destroyed the balcony.”
While smiling, she gave a faux stern look at Bryan.
Seriously…
Bryan’s eyebrows furrowed. “Yes, because we have to be quiet. Since no one heard the gate explosion.”
He shook his head as they made their way through a corridor and up the stairs.
They stopped in a hallway, with large ornate doors.
Ok, I assume behind this is our next fight.
Len used a cloth to wipe blood off himself.
“So, Calder, how did you get that bite in your shoulder?”
Calder drunk another potion. “Well, I was wrestling one of the beasts and it got me.”
Tali interrupted. “That’s not the funny part. He smothered a demon with it.”
Ok, that has to be a pretty embarrassing way to go out.
Len said, “Ok, so if we run into trouble, we have no fear as he will just smother it.”
They all chuckled lightly while tending to themselves.
Once the laughter subsides, Calder pulled out a cloth and smiled while he polished his shield.
Tali walked over and stood near Bryan, shifting awkwardly.
Wonder what she is thinking… though we should focus on prep.
“Everything OK?”
Tali opened her mouth, then closed it again for a moment before speaking.
“After this, I’m looking forward to more of that garlic stew.”
Her teeth glinted as she smiled widely up at him.
Mirelle, looking at Zarethia sternly, asked, “Do you have any potions left?”
Zarethia is intensely flipping through a journal. “Of course, I brought plenty,” she cackled.
Mirelle shook her head. “Look, when I first met you, I did not have high hopes.”
Bryan tilted his head in curiosity.
“But we have made it this far, so I’m glad I trusted your competence.”
I’m guessing that is meant to be endearing…
“Erm, thanks, I guess,” Zarethia said, lightly patting Mirelle on the head.
He and Tali shared an awkward, confused glance.
Mirelle huffed and stood further away from her.
Yeah she ruined it… sighs.
Len walked up and stopped in front of him.
“You have a bigger rag? Looking like I swam in blood is not ideal.”
As Bryan reached into his bag and pulled out a large cloth, he saw Len covered nearly head to toe in blood.
Hmm, people seem very serious… I should reassure them a bit.
Bryan stretched, cracking his neck, and moved so he is facing the group.
“Look, speeches are pointless. But we were chosen for this, we have got this far, and we clearly work well together…”
Each of the group looked at him, stopping what they were doing.
“We have killed things most can’t, so let’s not get too grim and kick this guy’s ass.”
Each person smiled briefly and finished their prep and potion taking.
I did a speech anyway… damn it.
Can’t say I’m not excited for this battle…
They all faced the large doors, weapons drawn.
I’ve seen enough anime to know this guy may be tough but we got this.
They stood in silence a moment, noticing no other noise as an eerie calm settled over them.
Bryan, Tali, and Calder go to push the doors open, but before they could, they slowly glided open on their own.
They jumped back and readied their weapons.
The doors opened to reveal an ornate throne room decorated in shades of red and black, adorned with spikes.
There are more of them than I expected. Glad I saved my mana.
On the throne sat a nine-foot-tall, muscular demon in full plate armour, his hand resting on his cheek.
The demon lord’s calm but booming voice broke the silence.
“I was getting bored waiting for you to enter. I do wish you brought more people with you… hopefully this is entertaining enough.”
They cautiously entered the large room, looking around carefully until they stopped a good distance from him.
The demon lord scanned the group with piercing eyes.
“You will face suitable opponents… if you survive, we have more ready. Don’t disappoint me.”
Jeez this guy is very cocky… don’t think he has faced a threat before.
The demon lord gestured as he leant forward in anticipation.
Demons stepped forth from beside the throne to stood in front of each party member.
They looked at Bryan, unsure.
“We don’t have much choice here.” Bryan said.
They nodded and prepared themselves.
A hulking demon with a serrated blade stepped forward, its cracked armour gleaming, and stood in front of Tali.
A knight-like demon in black plate with a red-glowing visor lowered its lance as it stepped toward Calder.
Hmm, he seems to have chosen appropriate demons…
A lean, wiry demon with twin daggers walked to Len.
A robed demon with hands dripping faint purple mana floated toward Mirelle.
Of course hers looks the most serious…
A tall mage-demon with curling horns approached Zarethia, mirroring her stance.
“It’s been a while, Zare.”
She didn't respond, just stared intensely.
Yep… he’s dead.
Bryan’s demon was the largest—eight feet tall, holding a massive axe with a crooked smile.
And mine’s the biggest… good.
“Feel free to attack whenever you like, they will.”
The demon lord’s words are drowned out by Zarethia loudly cackling as she blasted the mage furiously with firebolts.
The room erupted into a clash of metal and explosions.
Shit…
Bryan braced as the giant axe swung down from above. He stopped it with his sword.
Stepping back so the axe slammed into the floor, he swung fast but is blocked by a gauntlet.
Typical, the big guy is fast… when isn’t he?
They swung and blocked over and over with intense speed.
Tali blocked heavy swings from her demon but is slowly pushing him backward. She took advantage of a slight slip to slice upward, cutting his face. Before she could follow up, his fist slammed into her shield and knocking her back.
Bryan, using both hands on his sword to match the demon’s strength, He dashed aside with Evade—but the demon was faster. He ducked under the side swing.
Too close… new tactic.
Len and the dagger demon dashed back and forth, blades clashing at near-imperceptible speeds.
Len faked an upward swing, ducked, and kicked the demon in the chest before continuing his barrage.
Bryan focused, his hands glowing. As he swung down, arcs of electricity trail from his blade, striking the demon repeatedly—but it seemed unfazed.
The demon chuckled lightly before swinging again.
Calder and his opponent slammed their weapons together, both bracing behind shields.
He tried to defend but was knocked back by the force. He steadied himself and bashed the demon’s weapon aside.
Ok maybe time for old faithful.
Bryan tried to block a downward attack but Blinked instead.
Appearing behind the demon, he’s greeted instantly by a foot slamming into his chest. He slid back several feet, clutching his ribs.
Taking advantage of the distance, he quickly launched a firebolt, hitting the demon in the head.
Mirelle and her opponent alternate between concussive blasts and shielding. She tried to fire twice in a row but had to raise her shield quickly as the demon threw a lightning bolt toward her.
Smoke dissipated in front of the large demon as he exhaled. Ignoring the burn on his face, he charged full force at Bryan, who braced.
Bryan is knocked back but stayed upright. He quickly evaded to the side and uppercut the demon to little effect.
Ok may have to get creative or go all out…
Zarethia barely used her shield spell—she was relentlessly blasting her demon with firebolts, lightning bolts, and rock shots.
From the smoke, a large rock flew, forcing her to dodge. The demon emerged unscathed, shield shimmering.
Bryan blocked another downward swing and punched at the demon, but it caught his hand.
Before he could react, he was hurled across the room into a wall.
Fucking hell… that hurt.
He jumped to his feet and chugged a potion as fast as he could. The demon rushed over, and Bryan ducked another swing.
Physical Enhancement.
Bryan began attacking with furious speed, forcing the demon onto the defensive. Several swings were too fast to block and sliced into its skin.
Yes… this guy is going down.
Bryan attacked faster and faster until he sliced the demon’s wrist, making it drop the axe. It crashed to the ground.
Using its good hand, it punched Bryan. He defended with his sword, taking most of the force.
chuckles internallyOk, now this is getting fun.
Bryan evaded back and downed a mana potion. Focusing, he channeled even more mana into Physical Enhancement.
With extreme speed, he sliced the demon repeatedly, blood spraying across the room.
Stopping briefly, he thrusted his sword with all his strength through the center of its chest. It coughed blood onto him as it dropped to its knees.
Ha ha, yes… next guy… bring it on!
The large demon slumped forward as he dragged his blade free.
“You have already lost, mortal.”
Confused, Bryan evaded back and turned around.
Bryan realized the room is eerily silent.
...
Calder lies crushed beneath the black knight's shield.
Mirelle and Zarethia lie smoking near each other.
Len, covered in deep cuts, was barely recognizable in the pool of blood.
Tali’s chest plate was crushed inward, a serrated blade through her ribs, her eyes were lifeless.
“Oh God!”
Before Bryan could react, a white-hot pain seared his chest. He coughed, blood spurting out.
He looked up to see the demon lord behind him, a blade buried through his torso.
The blade slid free, and Bryan slumped to the ground.
He tried to speak, but only blood bubbled out.
Unable to move, he stared at the scene as darkness closed in.
Everything went black again.
Bryan floated in the void, naked again.
How the fuck did I miss all that!