Alvaric and Niva ran in opposite directions. Without needing to say a word, they nodded at each other and jumped at the same time—attacking from two different sides. Hoping to catch their opponent off guard.
However, the demon girl merely raised one hand. Her eyes still closed.
Suddenly, the entire room trembled violently.
Alvaric and Niva, still in midair, were slammed down. Their bodies crashed hard against the stone floor. The sound of bones colliding with earth and rock was followed by spurts of blood from their mouths. Both screamed in pain.
Then, the demon girl raised her hand again. And—as if the room were cursed—dozens of black swords appeared in the air. Swords of darkness. Her finger moved downward. Alvaric, still conscious, quickly warned Niva.
"Dodge!" Alvaric shouted.
But it was too late.
Several swords pierced Alvaric's body. His scream caught in his throat. Blood gushed from his wounds, staining the ground around him. Yet he was still alive—he rose with great effort, staggering toward Niva who lay motionless.
As his steps faltered, one sword slashed his leg. He fell again. Then rose again. Fell again. And rose once more. His only goal: Niva.
With the last of his strength, Alvaric stood. His head throbbed, and his vision started to blur.
[HP: 16,776 / 20,800]
But he didn't care.
"Niva…" he whispered softly. "You're okay, right?"
His steps were weak. When he finally reached Niva's side—his breath caught.
Two black swords were deeply embedded in Niva's body. Blood flowed heavily, forming a thick red pool. Her eyes were closed. No movement, no sound, and... no breath.
Only terrifying silence.
"No…"
Alvaric froze. His eyes widened. His lips trembled.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
His fists clenched so tightly they nearly bled. Emotions surged until he didn't know how to react. Clenching his teeth, he pulled out the swords from Niva's body, then lifted her cold and limp form.
More swords struck Alvaric's back. But he didn't react. As if he no longer felt any pain.
With staggering steps, Alvaric carried Niva's body to the far wall, gently laying her down.
His trembling hand touched the girl's cheek.
"I'm sorry." He couldn't stop apologizing. He should've protected Niva, but he had failed. "I swear… I'll avenge this." He spoke with unwavering resolve.
He pulled out the swords still lodged in his own body. A single tear fell to the ground. Along with blood that continued to drip from his wounds.
Alvaric stared at the demon girl at the far end of the room. His gaze was empty—but within it was a deep abyss of uncontrollable rage. His hatred overflowed, burning with a desire to kill her.
In his right hand, he held the Crimson Sword Demon. In his left, Vapper's Dagger.
He raised his swords. And at that very moment—a red moon appeared on the ceiling.
[Bloodmoon Eclipse]
[Effect: Reduces enemy defense by 40%]
His breath was heavy. His voice low but sharp. "Come on… let's go again, bastard."
Alvaric dashed forward. The black swords shot toward him, but now he was different. He no longer cared about his life. He deflected the blades. When he got close, he slashed at the demon girl. But what happened shocked him.
His strike was repelled—as if something invisible was protecting her. Alvaric didn't stop there. He pressed forward and repeated the same attack over and over. Their battle was fierce. Blades clashed repeatedly. Yet, Alvaric still couldn't wound her.
[Blood Domination]
Blood flowing from his body began to float. Forming dozens of weapons. Alvaric moved his fingers. The weapons flew forward and struck—but were all repelled. The invisible shield was so solid.
"I need to find another way."
He advanced again. Relentless. Though he hadn't found a way to win, Alvaric didn't care. He would keep attacking without stopping. He poured his rage into every strike. The battle dragged on for hours.
***
Without realizing it, Alvaric and the demon girl had fought for five days straight. Both of them seemed bored. But neither would give up. Alvaric felt he had to win—to avenge Niva's death. He had already made a vow to himself.
"You're really strong. Just who are you?"
[Lyrith Velzara: Sealed Demon – Level ???]
The level of the demon girl wasn't even displayed. A clear sign that she was an overwhelmingly powerful being. Perhaps impossible to defeat. Alvaric even trembled for a moment, before regaining his confidence.
"I don't care." Alvaric stretched slightly. He was ready to fight again. "I don't know if you're the strongest being in this world or not. But what I do know—I will defeat you."
He ran forward and resumed his attacks. This time, Alvaric was more calculated. His rage had begun to fade. He could think more clearly than before. He tried several tricks to break Lyrith's invisible barrier.
Dozens of attacks. Different techniques. But no matter what he did, the result was the same. Lyrith's defense couldn't be penetrated.
Alvaric shook his head. He sat down, cross-legged. "This seems impossible."
Several attacks struck him, but he paid them no mind. His body was injured from the blades. However, they wouldn't kill him. His Health Points were too high. Lyrith's attacks also weren't too deadly. The damage they caused was minor.
Alvaric stroked his chin repeatedly. Thinking hard. He was sure there was a way to bypass Lyrith's defense.
He tilted his head. "What if what she's doing is just a form of self-defense?"
Alvaric had thought of this before, but never seriously. Now, after nearly six days of fighting Lyrith, he thought deeply about it. If he didn't resolve this soon, he would never be able to leave this place.
Alvaric stood. He walked toward Lyrith. "No harm in trying."
He pulled out the swords lodged in his body. Tossing them aside as if nothing happened. He kept walking. Attacks came again. He ignored them. He regulated his breathing, neutralizing his emotions. When he was very close—the distance between their faces only ten meters—
Alvaric kept walking. He closed his eyes and stepped slowly. Trying to suppress all the hatred in his heart.
He raised his hand. And at that moment, it felt like he touched something. Alvaric opened his eyes—and was surprised. He had just touched Lyrith's face.
"My guess was right." Alvaric stepped even closer.
There was no reaction at all. Even at such close distance, he could see Lyrith's face clearly. A face so beautiful and innocent. When Alvaric looked deeper—he could feel a profound sadness from her.
A single tear fell from Lyrith's eye.
Thump…
"What happened to her?" Alvaric whispered softly.