Fayt stood in the aftermath of the battle, his breathing still heavy from the confrontation with the demon horde. The cavern, now littered with the fallen demons, was eerily silent. The only sound was the faint hum of his dual shields, the magic within them slowly dissipating after the brutal fight. He had survived—again—but the weight of the battle was far from gone. The air around him still crackled with the tension of the fight, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
"You're stronger than I expected," the God of Death's voice echoed through his mind, a quiet approval in her tone. "But remember, every victory comes with a price. You have earned your strength, but this world will never let you rest."
Fayt nodded mentally, his blood magic surging within him. He felt the power within him grow with each battle, but there was something unsettling about the way the world seemed to react to his strength. As though the land itself was alive, watching, waiting for him to take his next step.
"I'm ready," Fayt thought, his voice calm but filled with determination. "Let them come."
The Demon Lords were the true challenge of this land. He had faced the Infernal Knight, and now, the horde of demons that had followed. But Fayt knew that the Demon Lords themselves would be a different kind of opponent—more strategic, more dangerous.
The weight of his dual shields felt comforting against his arms as he stood in the center of the cavern, surveying the battlefield. The runes on the walls were still glowing faintly, and Fayt could feel the pulse of magic in the air. There was something about this place that called to him—a feeling of ancient power, a resonance that felt as though the cavern itself had been waiting for his arrival.
"You seek the heart of the Demon Lord," the God of Death said, her voice a gentle whisper in his mind. "But do not be naive. The heart is not something you take by force alone. It will test you, just as you have been tested. Will you rise, or will you fall?"
The weight of her words settled on his chest like a heavy cloak. The Demon Lords were not just powerful—they were ancient. Their strength came not just from their raw power, but from their manipulation, their intellect. Fayt had no illusions about what lay ahead. He had already faced death in his past life. In this world, it would be far more brutal.
His instincts flared as a new sound echoed in the cavern, this time more distant. A low rumble—footsteps, deep and heavy. Fayt's senses sharpened, his blood magic responding to the disturbance in the air. He could feel it, the presence of something massive approaching. The cavern seemed to tremble under the weight of whatever it was. He raised his shields, readying himself for what was to come.
The creature that emerged from the darkness was nothing like anything Fayt had faced before. Its massive, armored form was cloaked in a deep, inky shadow, its very presence crushing the air around him. It stood easily twice his height, with thick horns spiraling from its skull, and red eyes that burned with a cold, cruel light.
It was immense, an overwhelming force that radiated raw, untamed power. The ground beneath its feet cracked with every step, and Fayt could feel the magic that clung to the creature's form like a dark cloud. This was no ordinary demon—it was a Demon Lord.
"So, the Blood Demon comes to challenge me," the creature spoke, its voice deep, rumbling, and filled with a thick, menacing presence. The air around them seemed to warp with its power, and the shadows seemed to dance as it moved closer. "You have killed my underlings, but that means nothing. You are not worthy of the heart."
Fayt's grip tightened on his dual shields, feeling the blood magic pulse through him. The demon lord's words only fueled his resolve. He had no intention of backing down—not now, not ever. The challenge was clear: either rise to the occasion or be crushed underfoot.
"I've killed your underlings, and I'll kill you too," Fayt said, his voice steady and calm. The demon lord's eyes glinted with amusement, and it stepped forward with the weight of the earth itself, its sword raised in one massive hand. The blade gleamed darkly in the dim light, the runes on its surface shifting and twisting with arcane energy.
"We shall see," the demon lord said, its lips curling into a twisted smile. "You are brave, but bravery is no match for true power."
Fayt could feel the air vibrate with energy as the demon lord swung its massive sword toward him. The blade cut through the air like a storm, a flash of dark magic that seemed to tear through reality itself. Fayt didn't hesitate. He activated Quickstep, his body dashing to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly swing. The Sanguine Shield absorbed some of the magical backlash, but the sheer force of the attack pushed Fayt off balance, forcing him to take a step back.
Damage Taken:
Damage Taken: 50 (via Sanguine Shield)
Damage Absorbed: 40
Damage Remaining: 10
Fayt's blood magic surged, and he quickly regained his footing. The demon lord was fast—faster than any foe he had encountered before. He couldn't afford to make a single mistake. His dual shields moved like extensions of his own body, blocking the next series of blows from the demon lord's sword. He felt the pressure as the blade collided with his shields, the magic within them absorbing the impact.
"Your strength is commendable, Blood Demon," the demon lord said, its voice filled with a hint of respect. "But strength alone will not win this battle. You cannot defeat me with brute force."
Fayt didn't need to speak. He raised his shields, focusing on the blood magic within. He could feel the Sanguine Shield working, drawing on the blood of the earth itself to protect him. He didn't rely on raw strength. He relied on strategy—his ability to adapt, to use his environment to his advantage.
"I don't need brute force," Fayt thought, focusing on the demon lord's every move. "I'll outlast you."
Fayt dashed forward, his Quickstep allowing him to cover the distance in the blink of an eye. He swung his shields in a precise arc, the blood magic within them flaring as he struck the demon lord's side.
Attack: Shield Strike (Dual Shields)
Damage Dealt: 90
Critical Hit: No
The demon lord staggered but quickly recovered, its red eyes glowing with renewed fury. It retaliated with a vicious swing of its sword, the arcane magic pulsing through the blade as it slashed toward Fayt. He raised his shields to block, feeling the force of the blow reverberate through his arms.
Damage Taken:
Damage Taken: 60 (via Sanguine Shield)
Damage Absorbed: 50
Damage Remaining: 10
Fayt gritted his teeth. The demon lord was relentless, but he was still standing. The Vampiric Aura kept his health from slipping too low, the blood magic continuing to regenerate him with every passing second. The battle was far from over.
Final Damage Dealt
Total Damage: 250
EXP Gained: 300
The demon lord roared in pain as Fayt landed a final, devastating blow, his shields crashing into the creature's chest with the full force of blood magic. The demon lord's massive body staggered back before it collapsed to the ground, its form crumpling like a ragdoll, the arcane energy dissipating into the air.
Fayt stood over the demon lord's body, panting heavily, his shields glowing faintly from the magical energy still within them. His Vampiric Aura replenished the last of his health, and he could feel his body surging with power.
Fayt Valentine – Brief Status Update
Level: 5
EXP Progress: 500/1000
Attributes:Attribute, Base Value, Notes
Strength (STR)13 Increased due to Blood Demon lineage.
Dexterity (DEX)15 Agility suited for shield-based offense.
Constitution (CON)16 High health, regenerative capabilities.
Intelligence (INT)13 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.
The Demon Lord lay defeated, but Fayt knew this was only a step. The world of Elast was vast, and the Demon Lords were just the beginning.