Re-Awakening
Baal flicked away the blade from her with ease. She then flicked her fingers casually, and in an instant, Paimon's battered form vanished into thin air. Not just that, but Paimon's demonic aura also disappeared.
"I've sent her away," Baal said calmly, as if explaining something mundane. Her voice carried an authority that made me tremble. She glanced around, her black hair with red streaks flowing gently in the unnatural breeze of residual mana. Her eyes locked onto me, filled with a chilling intrigue.
"What do you want?" I demanded, gripping Paimon's sword. The only weapon that can damage a Demon Lord Envoy. My gaze flicked briefly to Thalamik and Carmilla.
I can see Thalamik still lying collapsed, blood staining the earth beneath him, his face pale with exhaustion and pain. Carmilla, too, was breathing heavily, visibly drained from using her powerful sealing magic.
I have to protect them.
"I want a duel," Baal stated as her lips twisted into a confident smirk. "You're interesting, human. That raw, monstrous power you wield intrigues me. Let's test it."
"No," I said flatly. "I can't leave my friends like this."
"Oh, but I can deal with that," Baal replied smoothly, waving her hand toward Thalamik and Carmilla. "If you accept, I'll heal your friends. Furthermore," her eyes flashed with excitement. "If you land even one blow upon me, I'll retreat. Today's victory will be humanity's."
Suddenly, I could hear a ring as the voices of Thalamik and Carmilla became clear.
"Ray, don't do it," Thalamik coughed weakly, raising his head slightly. "She can't be trusted!"
Carmilla, leaning heavily against a ruined building, managed a nod. "Thalamik is right.... We'll find another way, Raymed."
Another way?
In this kind of situation?
In a sense, I think I can get Carmilla and Thal out of here this instant.
But what about everyone else?
Am I supposed to leave them all here?
Leave the people of this village here?
Should I do that?
"No. This will be my mission. I will fight her. In that timeframe, you must all evacuate the people here. I said through the telepathic link.
"What are you saying, Ray? What are in the actual f*ck are you talking about!" Thalamik spat in anger.
"Ray.... I am not sure this is the best course of action.... I am sure with more time we can...." Carmilla tried to bargain with my decision.
"I am afraid we don't have that kind of time.... now do we?"
Baal watched my hesitation with open amusement.
"If it's trust you're worried about, human, I'll even form a cursed covenant with you," Baal offered, her tone turning serious.
"It's a binding magical contract. Should I fail to honor my word, the curse will punish me severely—far worse than anything you could do." Her explanation was clear and devoid of deception. I studied her face carefully; her eyes showed no sign of deceit. She offered a hand to shake.
"Ray...Even if she is not lying! There is no way there will be no catch to this!"
"Thalamik is right! This is too much of a gamble. Please don't do this, Raymed!"
I smiled.
"The future of humanity's warriors... I entrust them all to you..."
I began to increase my mana output as the link of telepathy between me, Carmilla, and Thalamik was severed.
"I accept," I said, determination flooding my veins. Grabbing to shake her hand. "Now, heal them first."
"Ray!" Carmilla protested sharply.
I didn't look back.
I have to win this.
No, even if I lose this.
They will be fine and continue to live on.
I can finally protect someone I care about with my power.
With a flick of Baal's hand, waves of mana enveloped Thalamik and Carmilla.
To my relief, their injuries rapidly healed, and color returned to their faces. I exhaled deeply.
"Now, human," Baal stepped back, spreading her arms wide in invitation. "Show me the depths of your monstrous mana."
I gripped Paimon's blade and increased my mana output.
I charged forward, unleashing a burst of speed and power.
Our blades clashed violently, sparks erupting from the sheer force of impact.
"My my~ how impressive," Baal laughed, easily matching my strength. "Where do you even store such raw mana? It's almost inhuman."
I gritted my teeth, pushing forward, increasing my mana output steadily.
10%...
Baal danced around each of my strikes effortlessly, a wicked smile on her face. Her movements were graceful yet frighteningly precise.
20%...
The ground cracked beneath our feet as I unleashed wave after wave of raw magical energy. Each strike sent shockwaves through the battlefield, ripping apart the earth and scattering debris.
50%...
"You are fascinating," Baal said gleefully, parrying another powerful blow. "Show me more, human!"
I continue pushing myself even further. My muscles screamed, and veins surged beneath my skin as raw power surged uncontrollably.
"HUAAA!!!!!!!!!"
75%...
She was still holding back, but now her smile had dimmed slightly. Each clash became heavier, and her eyes narrowed with a newfound seriousness.
90%...
The landscape began to distort around us from the sheer mana pressure I emitted.
Baal finally frowned, exerting herself genuinely as her defenses grew strained.
"Remarkable," she murmured. Her amusement had faded, replaced by wary respect.
Finally, I let out a roar, reaching the peak of my strength.
99%!
The air exploded around us, shockwaves flattening nearby ruins. My mana roared like a tempest, destructive and unbridled. For a fleeting moment, Baal's eyes widened, genuinely impressed, perhaps even threatened.
I swung Paimon's blade with all my might, the force aimed directly at Baal's body.
"REND!"
Red magical energy made a tail from my movement.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Still too slow..."
Baal effortlessly sidestepped my full-powered strike, her movements so fluid and precise that my blade sliced only air, cleaving a deep, jagged fissure into the earth. I stumbled forward, off balance, as she appeared behind me with terrifying speed.
"Such immense power, yet so poorly controlled," Baal mused calmly, grabbing the back of my collar and hurling me effortlessly across the battlefield. My body crashed violently through stone and debris before finally skidding to a halt.
I staggered to my feet, gasping for air, my muscles trembling from the strain of maintaining 99% mana output. Baal walked towards me leisurely, an amused smirk fixed upon her lips.
"You amuse me yet also disappoint me," she said mockingly. "I expected more from a human of your caliber."
"I'm... not... finished yet..." I panted, pushing myself upright. Blood dripped into my eyes, blurring my vision. The blade in my hand trembled as I tightened my grip.
I can't move my body easily.
Yet... I should...
Move my body...
Move....
Don't be like that when it happens.
A vision appeared before me of what happened in South Jaka City.
Without another word, Baal vanished from sight again. I instinctively turned, raising Paimon's blade defensively just as her powerful strike landed. The impact sent me flying once more, pain exploding through my body.
No doubt at this point she was toying with me.
Each strike was calculated, precise, and devastating, yet not meant to hit me fatally.
It was purely meant to break me physically and mentally.
In every desperate counterattack, my advances were easily parried, each burst of raw mana harmlessly dissipating against her unshakable defense.
"Your mana is no doubt extraordinary, but without control, it means nothing," Baal taunted, countering with a casual shove at my face that sent me sprawling to the ground again.
I knelt, clutching my side.
My body felt heavy....
I must get up...
But how can I get up....
I decided to look around and inspect my surroundings.
Thalamik and Carmilla were no longer there.
Hah... I am glad.
I had kept my promise....
I had succeeded in helping them escape...
All that's left is to...
Baal stood over me, triumphant, her eyes filled with disdain.
"Perhaps I've wasted my time," she sighed, disappointment evident in her voice.
"You humans truly are—"
Suddenly, something shifted within me. A surge of mana welled up from deep within, unexpected and overwhelming. My breath caught as raw, untamed energy surged through my veins, more extraordinary than anything I'd ever experienced.
Mana??
But my reserves are?
No, this is healing magic?
No, it's also raw mana.
"What…?" Baal muttered, eyes widening slightly in confusion.
I could feel it—my mana reserve was increasing again, impossibly, uncontrollably.
It surged violently, tearing through everything around me.
The ground beneath me cracked and shattered, reacting to my chaotic energy.
My vision cleared, and a newfound strength filled every muscle.
Rising steadily to my feet, I met Baal's startled gaze with a fierce intensity.
Baal's expression shifted from curiosity to excitement, her lips curving into an eager grin. "Interesting. So that's how it is, huh? Your body is an anchor, a battery if you will..." She said.
"Your body doesn't only exert mana, yet it can absorb residual mana with every blow you take," Baal explained with a nod.
My body is like a battery for mana?
I can absorb mana residue from every blow I take?
"Not to mention... your friends over there had been supplying you with healing magic and mana too," Baal said as she pointed toward Thalamik and Carmilla's figure from afar.
"Naturally, all this time, you have also absorbed some of my mana through combat." Baal continued. I hope that now is enough for you to land a blow on me, though. If not, I would be so disappointed. Baal then raised her aura; her mana was surging.
I'm not sure I fully understand the situation.
Yet, what I am sure of is that...
"hEY Ashhol*** you dare cut off the connection like that again I will end you! Carmilla is focusing on healing magic and transmitting it to you now! She can't talk!"
A familiar voice called out to me.
"We're doing this together.... This is not Ray vs Demon Lord!! It's humanity vs demon lords!"
"I get it, Thal. Please provide backup for me." I said to him.
A blue wave of magical energy was provided to me as it flew around me. A properly controlled Mana, so this is how it felt. Then, as I rose my aura to match Baal, sparks of magenta colored mana appeared.
"Watch me... This time we'll win for sure!"
I gripped my sword and rose it.
"I am Raymed of the Humans. Pardon me for not introducing myself sooner."
"I see... Raymed. What a wonderful name... Let's have a good, real fight then.