Chapter 64: Unleash All Killer Moves! Battle the Scythe-Wielding Devil

Zach couldn't help but marvel at the Devil's scythe. The weapon wasn't just terrifying in design—it exuded raw, destructive power. A single strike from that blade could spell certain doom, armor or not.

"If this thing hits me," he thought grimly, "even nano-level body armor won't save me. The impact alone could shatter my ribs."

The Devil wasted no time. With an ear-splitting roar, it leaped into the air, soaring seven or eight meters high—like a cannonball fired from a siege engine.

Boom!

It came crashing down with immense force, scythe arcing in a deadly horizontal slash aimed at Zach's left side.

The sound of the blade slicing through the air was deafening, like the scream of the wind itself being torn apart.

Zach acted on instinct. Using his mantis arms as leverage, he kicked off the ground and flung himself backward, narrowly evading the strike. The scythe missed by inches, carving a deep trench into the ground where he had stood moments before.

Without hesitation, Zach raised his twin pistols and opened fire, aiming for the glowing red spot on the Devil's abdomen.

Da-da-da-da!

The bullets hammered into the Devil, but it quickly pulled its scythe close, using the three lower blades as a makeshift shield. Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off its dense, armored flesh.

"Of course," Zach muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "Why would firearms actually work in this dungeon?"

He released the pistols, allowing them to vanish back into his system backpack, and pulled out a shotgun.

The Devil lunged, scythe raised high. Zach anticipated the move and dropped into a prone position, using his mantis arms to stabilize himself.

Whoosh!

The massive scythe swept over him, missing by a hair's breadth.

Zach seized the opportunity, pumping the shotgun and firing at point-blank range into the glowing red section of the Devil's abdomen.

Boom!

The blast left several deep wounds, but to Zach's horror, they began to heal almost instantly.

"Seriously?" he muttered, pumping the shotgun again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Shot after shot landed, but the regeneration outpaced the damage. Worse, the Devil was now enraged.

With a guttural roar, it raised its scythe for a devastating overhead strike. Zach crossed his mantis arms defensively.

Clang!

The impact sent shockwaves through his body, forcing his mantis arms deeper into the ground. His legs buckled under the strain, but the reinforced limbs absorbed most of the force, sparing him from being crushed outright.

Gritting his teeth, Zach pushed back with all his might, deflecting the scythe and forcing the Devil off balance. Seizing the moment, he drew his twin elemental blades—one wreathed in flame, the other radiating icy energy—and lunged forward.

The fire blade left trails of flame as it slashed across the Devil's abdomen, while the ice blade left frostbitten gashes.

The creature bellowed in pain as magical damage bypassed its defenses. For the first time, Zach felt like he was making progress.

But his triumph was short-lived.

A sudden wave of oppressive energy filled the air, and Zach froze for a split second, his instincts screaming at him to retreat.

He didn't hesitate.

Leaping backward, he narrowly avoided the Devil's furious counterattack. Its scythe blurred into motion, transforming into a storm of spinning blades. The attack left deep scars in the ground, and Zach knew that if he had stayed even a moment longer, he'd have been shredded into ribbons.

The Devil paused, its wounds beginning to heal once more. Zach's frustration mounted.

"This thing just doesn't die," he thought. His last card was the laser cannon mounted on his arm, which had been silently charging throughout the fight.

As the Devil charged, scythe raised, Zach sprang into the air, his insect wings carrying him out of reach.

Hovering a few meters above the Devil, he steadied his right arm with his left, aimed the cannon at its grotesque face, and fired.

Boom!

A searing beam of energy blasted the Devil's head, melting flesh and charring bone. It reeled back, roaring in agony.

Zach landed with a heavy thud, panting. The energy cannon had completely drained its charge.

He glanced at the Devil, now blinded and partially disfigured. Its flesh sizzled and cracked, revealing a sinister skull beneath.

But it wasn't dead.

The Devil staggered, then steadied itself, a low, guttural growl emanating from its chest.

"Of course, it's still alive." Zach wiped the sweat from his brow, grimacing. "God, you really want me dead, huh?"

Before he could act, a system notification flashed across his vision, accompanied by a familiar chime.