Fayt stood silently in the cavern, the weight of the battle still heavy on his chest. The defeated demon lay at his feet, the echoes of his final blow still ringing in the stillness of the cavern. He'd earned his EXP, leveled up, and felt a surge of power as his blood magic thrummed with renewed vigor. But something gnawed at the back of his mind.
This was only the beginning. The Demon Territory wasn't a place of peace, and he had to be ready for what lay ahead. His victory was a small step, but it proved something to him—he wasn't just surviving in this world. He was thriving.
Fayt looked down at the fallen demon, its black scales now dull and lifeless, and he felt a strange connection to the creature. It had been a test, a challenge that tested both his new powers and his resolve. But that demon, like so many others in this world, would only be the first of many. He had to keep growing stronger.
"The world is vast," the God of Death's voice echoed softly in his mind, her presence more tangible than before. "And the trials you face will only grow harder. But remember, you have the strength to overcome them. Do not shy away from what lies ahead."
Fayt nodded mentally, taking a deep breath. He wasn't afraid of the trials. He was ready. With each battle, his power would only expand. And his purpose in this world was becoming clearer.
The cavern around him seemed to pulse with an ominous energy, the ancient runes on the walls flickering faintly, casting shadows that danced unnaturally in the dim light. Fayt felt the pull of the runes, the energy almost beckoning him deeper into the labyrinth of stone. There was something more to this place—something important. But Fayt couldn't quite place it.
As he moved forward, a faint rumble beneath his feet caught his attention. The ground shook again, this time with more force, and he instinctively raised his dual shields, prepared for what was coming. Something big was approaching.
The rumbling stopped suddenly, and the air seemed to grow still. Fayt paused, his senses on high alert. He had no idea what he was walking into, but his instincts told him to be prepared for anything.
The shadows at the far end of the cavern began to shift. From the darkness, a huge figure emerged—a demon lord. At least, that was the first thing Fayt thought when he saw the creature. It stood easily ten feet tall, its massive form encased in dark armor that seemed to shimmer with an eerie, otherworldly light. Its horned helmet concealed most of its face, but its eyes glowed a fierce red, piercing through the darkness.
It carried a massive sword, one that could cleave mountains in half with a single swing. The creature's presence was overwhelming, as if the very air around it was thick with magic and malice.
Fayt's heart raced. He had faced the Infernal Knight, but this… this was something entirely different. The sheer aura of the demon lord made his knees buckle for a moment, and his blood seemed to grow colder. It was not just its size, but the power it radiated. This was a being of unfathomable strength.
The demon lord stepped forward, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground beneath Fayt. The air seemed to grow even colder as it approached, the shadows growing darker around it.
"So, a Blood Demon has wandered into my domain," the demon lord said in a deep, gravelly voice. Its voice felt like a storm, powerful and terrifying. "You are brave to challenge me, but foolish to think you can defeat me."
Fayt tightened his grip on his dual shields, feeling the blood magic flowing through him. This was what he had been trained for, what he had been reborn for. But he couldn't underestimate this creature. He needed to stay focused, to use everything at his disposal to survive this.
"I don't need to defeat you," Fayt said, his voice calm, but his heart beat faster with each step the demon lord took. "I need to survive."
The demon lord chuckled, a low, mocking sound that seemed to vibrate the air itself. "Survival is not something you will achieve, boy. I am the Lord of the Inferno, and I am untouchable."
With a sudden flash of movement, the demon lord raised its massive sword and swung it downward toward Fayt, its blade crackling with dark energy. The force of the swing was like a storm, the blade cutting through the air with an intensity that seemed to tear at the fabric of reality itself.
Fayt's shields shot up instinctively, absorbing the brunt of the blow. The impact sent him sliding back several feet, his boots digging into the ground as the force of the attack reverberated through his body.
Damage Taken:
Damage Taken: 80 (via Sanguine Shield)
Damage Absorbed: 75
Damage Remaining: 5
The Sanguine Shield flared brightly, crackling with energy, and Fayt could feel the magic within the shield struggling to absorb the damage. The blood-infused shields had taken the brunt of the attack, but they had still taken a hit. The Vampiric Aura was already starting to replenish some of his lost health, but it was clear that this fight would not be easy.
The demon lord didn't give him a chance to recover. It lunged forward with a series of brutal strikes, swinging its sword down at him in a series of crushing blows. Fayt barely had time to dodge or block as the sword tore through the air, each strike sending shockwaves of dark energy in every direction.
Fayt focused, activating Quickstep to evade the demon lord's next strike, his body moving with inhuman speed. He dodged, but the blade grazed him, sending a sharp pain through his side. He gritted his teeth, but didn't falter.
Damage Taken:
Damage Taken: 40 (via Sanguine Shield)
Damage Absorbed: 30
Damage Remaining: 10
He could feel the damage accumulating, but he knew that he had no choice but to push forward. Blood Reprisal surged within him, and the blood in his body reacted instinctively, firing off another drop of blood at the demon lord.
Damage Dealt (Blood Reprisal):
Damage Dealt: 15 (30% of damage taken)
Critical Hit: No
The demon lord recoiled, surprised by the counterattack, but its fury only grew stronger. It raised its sword again, preparing for a final, devastating strike.
Fayt saw his opening.
He launched himself forward, using Quickstep to close the gap. With all his strength, he slammed both shields into the demon lord's side, channeling the blood magic into a single devastating strike.
Attack: Shield Slam (Dual Shields)
Damage Dealt: 100
Critical Hit: Yes
The blood-infused shields collided with the demon lord's side, the magical force sending the demon stumbling backward, its sword dropping from its grip. The creature roared in pain, but Fayt wasn't finished.
With one final surge of blood magic, Fayt lifted both shields overhead and brought them crashing down with a mighty blow, driving the demon lord to the ground.
Final Damage Dealt
Total Damage: 180
Creature's Remaining HP: 0
EXP Gained: 200
The Infernal Knight collapsed, its massive form falling to the cavern floor with a heavy thud. Fayt stood over it, panting, his dual shields still glowing with the remnants of magic. The Vampiric Aura healed him once more, the power surging through his veins, replenishing his health from the damage he had taken.
Fayt Valentine – Brief Status Update
Level: 3
EXP Progress: 200/1000
Attributes:Attribute, Base Value, Notes
Strength (STR)12 Increased due to Blood Demon lineage.
Dexterity (DEX)14 Agility suited for shield-based offense.
Constitution (CON)15 High health, regenerative capabilities.
Intelligence (INT)12 Average magic affinity for blood-based spells.
Wisdom (WIS)10 Average perceptive skills, enhancing status appraisal.
Charisma (CHA)8 Low impact on social interactions in Elast.
Luck (LCK)10 Average, random encounters and loot.