With haste, Raven reached closer to the Devilkin, moving in for another attack. Though this time, the devilkin repelled the first attack, pushing Raven a few steps back. Using the small window frame, he then went for a counterattack but missed as Raven took a step to the side, falling on her back.
Before the Devilkin could gain momentum and attack the fallen girl, she effortlessly did a backflip, standing up on her own two feet, before rotating the scythe around her and reforming her grip on it. She observed the devil's body, which was getting darker with each passing moment.
Annoying. She thought as she saw the devilkin's power growing slowly with time.
[Dash!]
Closing the gap between them, Raven once again moved in for an attack. And even though she was much faster than before, the devilkin was somehow easily dodging it all. Not a single attack landed on the devilkin, meanwhile he looked at Raven with intense concentration.
It's not like he is getting more skilled. True that he has started taking the fight seriously, but even then… the gap shouldn't be this much. She tried analyzing the increasing gap between her and the devil. And then after a few seconds of contemplation, she reached a simple conclusion.
His stats are increasing, and at a rapid rate. Wait! What's that?!! She halted in her thoughts before jumping back a few times, increasing the space between them.
"Ho! Smart move there," the devilkin spoke as his vitality was seemingly returning. If he looked like a 60-year-old before, he was now similar to a 50-year-old man.
"I wasn't supposed to use this until I finished things over here, but as we have reached the final phases of my work," he raised his left hand, looking at it as he clenched it tightly. Blood seeped from within before it started flowing up, crawling on his skin. And with that, he continued,"… I think I can use the vitality that I have been collecting till now."
As his vitality returned, his age started reverting back to the early 40s, 30s and finally peaking somewhere around 20 to 25. His skin, previously white, was also turning red, with dark lines covering all around his hands and face.
Outgrowing his small clothes, he tore them apart, revealing a red muscular body brimming with energy, enough to send chills down the viewers.
And when he was done with this metamorphosis, he looked at Raven with a cunning smile.
"Now, young one, shall we begin the next round?"
[Water7: Damn that's scary! I can feel the chills here even in my room!]
[Frickiiiiiiii: That's just far too creepy! I know this game is supposed to mimic fiction in absolutely realistic graphics, but… that was just too creepy for me!]
[RavenFan11: Poor Raven. Please be safe!]
[Ginger01: How are you guys even faring there? The dark atmosphere and that devil look too scary! The devs really went all in with that one!]
[MinasotaPlayer: I know, right? Even the average ugly monster is creepily realistic. I can't even imagine how these players are standing in front of that devil without their legs shaking right.]
[Adia: Is it really that hard? I don't think it's much of a deal. It's just a game, you know?]
[Enchanter01: Some can, some can't. I don't mind much, but my partner really can't handle the gruesome things this game offers. As much as she loved adventuring, she decided to be an alchemist instead.]
[TristanBear: I guess so. Though I don't think our players here are much affected. They seem to be fine. Isn't it right, Blaze? Link?]
Blaze looked at the comments and then at the devilkin standing in front of him.
He does look menacing, but… I don't think I feel fear towards him. It's just that all those rewards are at stake, and losing a level means losing the hard earned exps. Otherwise… nope. I don't think it affects me as much.
And then, recollecting his thoughts, he gave his honest opinion,
"Can't exactly pinpoint it, really. I mean, overall, it's not that scary. True that it's crazy and hyper realistic, but overall, the only thing that worries me is the quest itself. I don't want to lose my previous levels and those rewards."
Link heard Blaze and then added his own thought to it,
"I think it's more about the dark atmosphere, the cold winds and the emptiness of the settlement. The devilkin is an added touch to it. That is if we are only talking about the feels."
[Ginger01: You guys are freaks. I could never.]
[Water7: I wouldn't be able to do these quests at all. Being a [Water Magician] I guess it's a relief that at least I can do utility quests and choose a non-combat path at least.]
Blaze just smiled at that comment before looking at the Boss moving closer to Raven now. Just like them, Raven didn't seem to be worried about the boss at all, heck, she even seemed to be somewhat enjoying the fight right now.
She is kinda cool. Blaze smiled as he observed her concentrated look, ready to go for another round against the devilkin.
"Seems like he is done with the transformation, huh?" Link spoke before looking at Ezekiel and then at the timer. Hearing those words, Blaze, too, turned to Ezekiel before turning to the timer.
"Well, 10 seconds more, I guess," he spoke in relief as the timer was almost over.
With this, we have done the most we could do. Well, whatever the result will be, I guess I am fine with today. It's already way more than enough. Blaze smiled, looking at the subscribers and the views he had gained today.
-BOOM!!!
At that moment, a loud voice caught Link and Blaze's attention as Raven dodged the devilkin's fast attack. Though it was even more amazing how Raven dodged it, before she started preparing to fight once again.
Fast! Blaze thought before aiming his spear to throw at the devil.
Strengthened by his newfound vitality, both the speed and strength of the devilkin increased by a huge margin. Previously Raven could match his speed somewhat, using her own skills, to keep attacking him as much as possible, keeping him busy dodging the incoming barrage of attacks. But now, as the situation reversed, Raven had to keep all her focus on not getting hit by the Devilkin.
Even Blaze, as much as he tried to do, failed to follow along the Devilkin's path, unable to use his [Throw] skill anymore. All he could do was watch how the devil was getting closer and closer to Raven, reaching closer to her with every exchange that they were making,
The situation was grave.
The only redeeming factor was that the boss was now completely focused on Raven, forgetting about Ezekiel. While it didn't seem much, the fact that Raven didn't have to make sure that devilkin turned to Ezekiel, or the Witch, was a huge burden released from her, allowing her to solely focus on dodging now.
I wonder if I can use that. Blaze couldn't follow the devil's path, but he guessed that if he was following Raven, and if he focused on the position where Raven was, there was a high chance that the devil followed that path, allowing Blaze to interfere with him.
Even if it were for a moment.
Blaze concentrated on Raven for a few seconds, and then prepared for the best time to attack. And within the next moment as Raven jumped back, dodging another one of the devilkin's attacks…
Now!
[Throw!]
Just as Blaze calculated, the devil did reach Raven's position, and the spear was indeed in the right direction. However, sadly, the attack still did not connect.
Stopped in mid-air, the devil caught the spear with one hand, a smirk plastered on his face, as he slowly turned to look at Blaze.
"The same trick won't work twice," the devilkin smiled.
Though…
"It did work though."
Blaze answered with a slight chuckle.
After all, one minute was over.