Essence of Perfection

Deep within the Black Forest, a towering figure sat in eerie silence, surrounded by swirling tendrils of dark mana. The monstrous being exuded a terrifying presence, its immense form barely visible through the thick fog that stretched endlessly through the corrupted land.

Slowly, the demonic minotaur opened its glowing red eyes, a sinister grin spreading across its massive face.

"Kekeke… I sense them. Twenty B-rank knights… and one strong individual leading them," it mused, its guttural voice reverberating through the air like an unholy chant. "Interesting. Looks like I'll have some fun tonight."

The demon's chilling laughter sent shivers down the spine of a frail, blonde-haired girl who was tied nearby. Weak from hunger and terror, she barely managed a whisper.

"H-help me…"

Her voice was lost in the dark wind.

The Knight Commander abruptly halted, his sharp eyes narrowing as he peered into the thickest part of the mist.

"It's here," he announced, his voice steady but grave. "The demon general is close."

A tense silence settled over the group.

"Prepare yourselves," he ordered. "This demonic minotaur is powerful—an S-rank threat. Steel your resolve. This battle will determine whether we live or die."

The knights swallowed hard, gripping their weapons with white-knuckled intensity. Some trembled slightly, but none turned away.

Seeing their hesitation, the Knight Commander suddenly unsheathed his sword, a weapon so polished it gleamed even in the darkness. His body erupted in a radiant blue flame of mana, causing the very ground beneath him to tremble.

Then, in a burst of impossible speed, he vanished from sight—only to reappear closer to the enemy, his blade humming with restrained power.

The knights, momentarily awestruck by the sheer force of their leader's mana, found their courage reignited.

"With the Commander leading us, we can do this!" they roared.

A battle cry echoed through the night.

Thunderous footsteps shook the earth as the demonic minotaur strode forward, an enormous axe slung casually over its shoulder. With every step, the ground cracked beneath its monstrous weight.

"BOOM… BOOM…"

The monster halted just before the knights, its sinister grin widening as it surveyed its opponents.

"Hahaha! Humans, you dare challenge me? Good! Let's make this interesting!"

It lifted its weapon with one hand and brought it down in a devastating arc.

"RUMBLE… DOOMPH!"

The sheer force split the ground apart, sending a powerful shockwave through the battlefield. Trees splintered, and dirt erupted into the air, blinding those too slow to react.

Before the attack could obliterate the front line, the Knight Commander surged forward, intercepting the minotaur's strike with a single, precise slash.

"SWOOOOSH—CRAAAACK!"

A thunderous impact resounded as his blade met the colossal axe, sending out a ripple of force that blasted debris in all directions.

The minotaur's grin faltered, replaced with intrigue.

"Oh? A swordmaster of S-rank? Now this is unexpected," it chuckled, dark mana swirling around its form. "You want the princess, don't you?"

The Knight Commander's eyes remained cold. "Hand her over, and we'll leave."

The demon general sneered. "Kekeke, no can do. If you want her, you'll have to take her from me!"

The Knight Commander's grip on his sword tightened. "Then let's end this."

His subordinates hesitated. "Commander, are you sure you can handle this alone?"

"Stay back!" he ordered sharply. "This creature's killing intent alone could paralyze you. Let me deal with it."

The knights obeyed, retreating while the battlefield trembled with raw power.

The minotaur let out a deep laugh, hoisting its axe again. "Hahaha! Good! I was hoping you'd say that!"

Then, without warning, the two clashed.

"SWISH—KABOOM!"

The force of their collision sent a shockwave tearing through the trees, uprooting them as though they were nothing more than twigs. The knights struggled to stay upright. The blonde princess, still weak from captivity, shielded herself from the blast.

The Knight Commander was pushed back slightly, blood trickling from her mouth. he wiped it away with the back of his hand, his expression never wavering.

"I can't let this drag on," he murmured. His sword ignited with a new intensity. "Aura Infusion."

The minotaur raised an eyebrow. "Serious already? Good."

Dark mana surged around the demon, distorting the air itself.

"You're strong," it admitted. "What's your name, human?"

The Knight Commander's eyes gleamed. "Randell. Swordmaster of the Starborn Empire—the one who will take your head."

The minotaur let out a booming laugh. "Hahaha! Then come, Randell! Let's see who survives!"

The battle resumed, each strike shaking the very earth beneath them.

Meanwhile, Rua dashed through the forest, moving like a shadow through the trees.

The tremors in the ground had grown violent, and even from afar, she could feel the sheer pressure of the ongoing battle.

The moment she stepped into the battlefield, she took in the scene: a massive demon, a lone warrior, and knights too fearful to interfere.

She ignored them all, her sharp eyes scanning for one thing only—her stepfather.

"Hahaha! This is fun!" the minotaur bellowed. "You've managed to make me sweat—good job, old twerp."

Randell didn't respond. Instead, he surged forward with a powerful swing. "Thunder Slash!"

A devastating wave of energy carved through the battlefield. But before it could land, the minotaur caught the attack in its bare hands.

"VWHOOSH!"

Randell's eyes widened. "Impossible…"

The minotaur sneered. "You think this is my limit? Let me show you real power."

Dark mana burst forth, twisting reality around them.

But Randell had already made up her mind.

he murmured an incantation under his breath. His body began to glow with an otherworldly light. The ground cracked beneath her.

The minotaur's grin faltered.

"What… what is this power?"

Randell took one last breath. "Heaven's Wrath Slash."

he swung.

A blinding arc of energy erupted from his sword, cleaving through the minotaur's entire form.

"WHOOOOM—CRRRRRAACK!"

The battlefield was obliterated.

"BOOOOOM!"

The force of the explosion sent the princess tumbling through the air. But before she could crash, small hands caught her mid-fall.

Dazed, she looked up—only to see Rua's cold, indifferent face.

"Th-thank you," the princess stammered.

Rua ignored her, turning away.

"Hey! Who are you?" the princess demanded.

But Rua was already moving.

By the time Rua reached the battlefield, the destruction was absolute.

Randell slumped against his sword, his body withered and frail.

Rua approached her without hesitation. "Have you seen Uncle Leo?"

Randell chuckled weakly. "Your old man… is alive. He left to find your mother."

Before Rua could react, the ground quaked violently.

A twisted, monstrous voice echoed.

"No… no, this can't be!" Randell gasped, eyes wide with horror.

The minotaur's remains were moving.

Dark mana surged, and its form began to regenerate.

Randell's face turned pale.

"Run… both of you!" he choked out. "Get out of here before it's too late!"