Chapter 31: Tension! Immense Hatred
"Why am I even asking? Your stance in all of this is as clear as daylight—you despise humans."
They were at a deadlock. Each time he attacked, she dodged to the best of her ability. When she used a spell to counterattack, he would immediately evade or defend with the sword in his hand.
She had sustained minor injuries, and though she had received several potentially fatal blows, they were all to relatively safe areas. It felt as though he was mocking her. She tried to exploit his arrogance, but when she managed to land a cut, he healed at an alarming rate.
'Phenex!?'
She was shocked to see him recover from the gash on his chest so quickly. Upon closer inspection, she realized it wasn't quite the case.
'If he were a Phenex, a burst of flames would've been evident, but he regenerated without any warning.'
"That was one hell of a nasty cut, dammit!" the masked man said, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Guess I wasn't fast enough... No, I got cocky. Should've killed me when you had the chance. Now, though? I'm a hundred percent cautious."
Grayfia, who had already labeled him as a demon, could feel his growing intensity. "Your arrogance will be your downfall, Demon," she said calmly, but inwardly, she was panicking. Nothing was working against him. He was too fast, too strong, and far more unpredictable. His fighting style was wild and had a few holes, but his reaction speed more than made up for it.
It was clear that while he had battle experience and his skills were honed, this was likely his first time participating in a war. A realization flickered in her mind, but it was short-lived as the battle continued to intensify.
"You call it arrogance, but it's part of everyone's nature. Humans, Devils, Fallen Angels—what difference is there, really? We all want to survive, we all have sins and emotions. Pride is just one among many."
With those words, he launched himself at her, brandishing his sword.
Grayfia had no choice but to form an ice blade, reinforcing it with her energy.
Clang!
Their weapons clashed, sending sparks flying.
"Yet humans suffer the worst. Every other race sees them as nothing more than ants, puppets to be controlled. And what can they do? They are born weak..."
He parried her strike, forcing her to retreat a step, but she managed to form a barrier just in time.
"I hate you devils because of that. I'm damn sure you see humans the same way—as disposable, beneath you!"
A burst of energy surged into his sword. Grayfia barely had time to react before her ice blade shattered upon impact.
The next moment, his leg lashed out like a whip, moving at lightning-fast speed.
Helpless to evade, she raised her arms in defense. The impact sent her flying several meters back. But before she could recover, he was already behind her. A strong hand clamped around her throat.
"Tell me, Lucifuge—how does it feel to live in fear? To wake up every day knowing death is just around the corner because of your kind?"
His grip tightened. His voice burned with fury.
"I lost my father because of you!"
In the next second, she was hurled aside like a piece of trash. Grayfia barely had time to brace herself before she crashed into the ground. She knew it wasn't over.
Before she could move, an iron grip seized her wrist. With inhuman strength, he swung her into the air and sent her hurtling toward a distant mountain.
His voice thundered across the battlefield.
"I've carried this hatred since I was four! Are you proud!? Are you proud that you left a scar on an innocent child? HUH!?"
Grayfia gritted her teeth, steeling herself. Lightning crackled around her as she summoned an electric field, surrounding herself with a protective aura. With a flick of her wrist, she launched several ice spears, forcing him to dodge.
He staggered slightly.
It wasn't much, but it was enough.
Grayfia shot forward with incredible speed, closing the distance in an instant. She raised her sword, her gaze locked onto his exposed shoulder.
And then—
Shatter!
Her blade faltered upon contact with him, as if striking hardened diamond. He remained unscathed.
"Do you have nothing to say, Lucifuge? Do you despise the human race so much that you'd go to such lengths to bring suffering to others?" His voice was grim, the eerie calm before an inevitable storm.
With a wave of his hand, a powerful gale surged toward her. She barely sidestepped it—only for him to close the distance in an instant.
"RASENGAN!"
A crimson sphere of energy erupted into existence as he turned toward her, aiming to drive it straight into her midsection. By pure instinct, she dodged right, his arm brushing past her.
Seizing the moment, she spun on her heel and unleashed a devastating spell at point-blank range, aiming for his neck. But before it could land, he vanished—the sound of a sonic boom tearing through the battlefield.
Fearing a counterattack, she retreated into the sky. Yet before she could stabilize, a roundhouse kick came flying at her, followed by a crushing axe punch aimed at her temple.
She barely dodged, retaliating with an ice-forged knife. He evaded each strike effortlessly, responding with energy blasts. She conjured a magic circle to shield herself, but the instant the first explosion detonated, she knew she had made a mistake.
'I need to get out of here. Why does he value humans so much? What have the higher-ups gotten us into this time?'
Determined to escape, she charged to the right, shielding herself from the cascading explosions.
He stood motionless, steel-like in presence, his condescending gaze boring into her. She met his glare but dared not make the first move.
"Humans are parents too. They are children. Sometimes, even infants. How would you feel if your so-called superior race suffered as they do?"
His words struck a nerve. She had no time for lectures, especially not from an enemy. Yet, imagining her own kind subjected to the same pain caused something deep inside her to waver.
Frustration boiled over. "Why do you even care?! You speak as if you're one of them! Yet I don't recall ever wronging your race!"
She charged at him, a magic circle forming before her as she unleashed a concentrated blast of magic. The explosion sent him flying, but he landed on his feet, crouching low as the dust settled. Though he had taken some damage, his expression remained hidden beneath his golden bangs.
Grayfia noticed three things.
First, the malicious aura surrounding him had completely vanished, replaced by something far more ordinary.
Second, as he rose to his full height, she couldn't help but acknowledge how handsome he was.
But the most shocking realization of all—he was young.
"How are you so sure, silver haired onee-san?" he said with a raised eyebrow, almost a casual display.
"You are... human!?" she exclaimed, wide-eyed. Of all things, she never expected a human to be such a formidable opponent.
"What did you think I was? A monster?" His voice was laced with resentment. "I am a bona fide human. Do you have any idea how painful it is to live under someone else's whims? You keep looking down on us, and I hate that. When will you finally leave us alone!?"
As much as she wanted to strike him down, something held her back. That woman had claimed he was her child, and she couldn't even begin to imagine the pain she would feel if he died. He wasn't fighting for devil politics—he was fighting because of what her race had done to him.
"Lucifuge, I see you've sided with the Old-Satan Faction," he continued, his voice softer now. "But is your heart truly in the right place? You're only here because of clan obligations... but is the slaughter of countless innocents really worth it?"
A dark, almost pitch-black red energy gathered in his hand, and in an instant, the same eerie mask from before formed over his face. The demon had returned.
"Is it amusing?" His voice dripped with quiet fury.
"You still have a chance," he said, turning away from her. "Join our faction, and I will ensure your clan survives—as long as they are not evil."
Slowly, he began walking away, floating above the battlefield.
"Prove to me that my judgment is not misplaced." His tone was almost sorrowful. "If you don't..." He trailed off, his presence growing fainter.
"Then surely, I would be heartbroken and disappointed..."
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What do you guys think? Did I go to far with his personal hatred. I don't think I did, if you have read Chapter 1, them you gotta know the MC is definately traumatized. He isn't angry with Grayfia though. Call it guilt tripping if you may.
Anyways, I will change my release dates. Tuesday and Friday. I have too much to do right now guys.
Only 4 Powerstones, and you get an extra Chapter. You can check it out yourselves in the Powerstones Section.
Happy Reading Everybody! Correct me if I have made plot mistakes.
Don't forget to add this to your collection, or you will miss out.