The Windless Swordswoman
It wasn't something that they went out of their way to do, but Adam and his allies entered combat. It was a skirmish of several demons and humans. Each surprisingly powerful in comparison to the ones at the first hero's tomb.
"Go on the offensive. I'll help the other humans. Tiffany, with me. They may need emergency healing." [Felix]
"Understood." [Adam] [Tiffany]
They split off in a ground of two, where Adam rushed headfirst towards the nearest demon.
"Today will mark your grave, human!" [Demon]
Armored and equipped with a halberd, Adam ended up facing a rather powerful demon. Each swing seemed to make the air snap, and a trace of lightning followed in the weapon's movement.
"Adam, need my help?" [Krino]
("Nah, I have something I want to test out.") [Adam]
Evading the demon's attacks several times, Adam stepped in at an opportune moment and grabbed the halberd by the handle.
"Hah! You walk into death yourself!" [Demon]
A charge of electrical energy surged into the handle, shocking Adam. However, Adam expected it.
"Compression." [Adam]
Using his ability, he captured the electricity and forged it into a bolt of lightning in his palm.
"...Huh?" [Demon]
Surprise escaped the demon's lips, leaving them stunned at the sight of their stolen power.
"This is a little harder than I thought." [Adam]
The energy rampaged within his grasp, like an eel trying to slip away. Seeing this, Adam decided to use it quickly before he failed in controlling it.
"You can have this back." [Adam]
("This is bad…!") [Demon]
As Adam raised the bolt of lightning, the demon released their grip on the halberd to make their escape.
"Smart choice." [Adam]
Even if it was currently the best choice, it doesn't mean it was correct. Tensing up his arm, Adam threw the bolt of lightning.
"S-Save me!" [Demon]
As if to answer the demon's cries, the bolt of lightning shattered with the swift slash of a blade.
"Eh?" [Adam]
There stood another demon. One with a red skin, two horns, black hair tied into a ponytail, and only a single wing on their left side. The demon's outfit was also different. Instead of full plated armor, it only covered the shins and forearms. The rest was cloth folded over each other like a robe. Besides that, they also had a thin curved sword by their side.
"...A scimitar?" [Adam]
"No, that's a katana." [Krino]
"A weapon that excels in slicing. It's rather idiotic using it against people with armor." [Astos]
Putting the argument of weapon choice aside, it didn't change the fact that a new opponent has appeared.
"C-Captaaain!" [Demon]
The previous demon was bawling at the sight of their superior saving them.
"Bellen. Fall to the rear. This man is not your opponent." [Superior Demon]
"Y-Yes ma'am!" [Demon]
As the demon ran, their superior confronted Adam.
"I am Asil of Lithik. Captain of squadron four and acting Feerae. State your name, hero." [Superior Demon]
("Hero?") [Adam]
It appeared that the demon had mistaken him as one.
"I am Adam of uh…" [Adam]
He paused for a moment to think of where he should come from.
"You're not going to say Stradori, right? That's only on Earth." [Krino]
"Just say the first village that comes to mind." [Astos]
("If you say so.") [Adam]
"I am Adam of Metus. Wandering hero." [Adam]
The superior demon, Asil, proceeded to sheath their sword and take a stance where they held a hand over the sword handle.
"Is that an iai stance?" [Krino]
"It looks to be the windless slash stance. It doesn't make sense though. It's a slashing technique to draw the blade as fast as lightning." [Astos]
"...So iai stance?" [Krino]
"No, it's the windless slash stance." [Astos]
("Can you guys shut up? I need to focus.") [Adam]
Judging by the length of the blade and the length of her arm, Adam could estimate the reach of the blade when it is drawn. That is, until she drew it from afar.
"Duck!" [Krino]
Adam hit the ground, quickly realizing that an invisible blade just passed by. From behind, he could hear the collapse of several trees.
("...Yep, I'm gonna assume that is the windless slash stance.") [Adam]
"Why is it called windless when there's wind though?" [Krino]
"Well, that's because-" [Astos]
("Shut up! I'm in the middle of something right now!") [Adam]
Asil closed distance within an instant, slashing three times within a second.
"Urgh!" [Adam]
Three shallow cuts appeared on his arms, leaving Asil wide eyed with surprise.
"...You're quite durable." [Asil]
"And you're quite fast!" [Adam]
Adam swung his fist, forcing Asil to block with the side of his sword.
"Ngh!" [Asil]
Asil felt immense force behind the blow, causing her arms to tremble as she distanced herself.
("He's strong. In terms of strength, he far outclasses me.") [Asil]
She then stared at the shallow cuts on Adam's arms.
("However, my speed isn't something he can easily overcome. I'll just whittle him down until he succumbs to his wounds.") [Asil]
"Fuya de medicis. Heal." [Adam]
A green light shone over his arms, resulting in the wounds closing.
("...Or maybe not. Is he an immortal?") [Asil]
She stood at a distance, wary and cautious.
"What? Nervous now?" [Adam]
Adam grabbed a handful of dirt and compressed it into a needle.
"You're not the only one who can attack from afar." [Adam]
He fired the needle. It was an attack Asil hadn't seen before, leading to her receiving a small cut on her cheek from a narrow escape.
("Earth magic?! He's a mage?!") [Asil]
Seeing this, the logical solution was to engage in close combat. Though, she didn't have a choice considering Adam was already right in front of her.
("When did he-?!") [Asil]
"Boo!" [Adam]
He threw a punch aimed at the abdomen, pressuring Asil to block another attack with her sword.
"Guh…!" [Asil]
Asil's arms almost gave in, and a crack appeared on her blade. She also slid back a few meters from the momentum, granting her a moment to breathe.
("Is he a mage or a martial artist?!") [Asil]
She observed Adam, who was standing there with a smug expression.
"If you have any more tricks, now is the time to use them." [Adam]
Asil grew frustrated at his provocation.
("I'll have to take his head in one slash if I want to win.") [Asil]
Sheathing her blade, Asil returned to the same drawing stance as before.
("Really? The same move?") [Adam]
"Be wary. It may not be what it seems." [Astos]
Astos' words were true. Unlike before, Adam could feel great amounts of air flowing past him.
("The air… is getting sucked in?") [Adam]
Air was getting sucked into Asil's sheath, so much so that the air itself was almost visible.
"She's compressing the air!" [Astos]
"Avoid it!" [Krino]
"|Windless Slash Arts: Single Point Draw|." [Asil]
"Krino!" [Adam]
With a flash of lightning, and the flicker of a blade, Krino blocked an invisible slash. Unfortunately, Krino was unable to completely protect Adam due to the size of the attack and improper positioning with the narrow timing.
"Argh!" [Adam]
Only barely managing to arrive in time, half of Adam's neck was cut cleanly. Blood spewed everywhere, and caused Adam to be dangerously close to passing out.
"Fuya de medicis! Heal!" [Adam]
Quickly before the wound could get worse, Adam closed the wound on his neck. He then placed a hand over it as if to check if he was still alive.
"I-Impossible… You lived?" [Asil]
Surprised that not only did Adam survive, Asil was baffled that Adam's sword didn't break under her skill. It was lucky that Soul Weapons were indestructible.
"Yeah. Though, I'm thoroughly shaken and actually pretty pissed." [Adam]
This was the closest Adam had been in a while to death. As he began to acknowledge his opponent, and faced her with serious intent, another demon came running.
"Captain! We're being pushed back!" [Demon]
"What?!" [Asil]
Over on the far side, Adam could see Felix and other humans mowing down the rest of the demons.
"...Shit!" [Asil]
Seeing as how her allies were being cornered, Asil grit her teeth before making a decision.
"Retreat! Issue a command to retreat!" [Asil]
"Yes ma'am!" [Demon]
Her subordinate scampered off, while Asil herself aimed her sword at Adam.
"Don't think this is over. I will have your head." [Asil]
Adam felt like this would be where he would say something along the lines of:
"Do you think I'd let you get away?"
However, he felt like Asil would be able to escape anyway. So, he just waved her goodbye.
"See you next time." [Adam]