The final strike

This was an unbeatable enemy.

At least for now.

Each Demon Lord Servant possessed unique mechanics and incredibly high stats.

During the monster extermination, encounters with such monsters typically occurred only in the mid-to-late stages.

If the Demon Lord was the ceiling of this war, the next tier was the Demon Lord's elite guard, led by lesser Demon Lords.

The second tier was these seventy-two Demon Lord Servants.

In the entire monster world, even the entire world, there were fewer than twenty beings stronger than these seventy-two Servants!

And Anyi had only been on this monster extermination quest for a year.

Not only could he not win now, even with five more years, he might still not be a match for this enemy!

Even the system couldn't provide an absolute stat advantage!

The system's response:

Only a warning!

"According to Elven customs…

I must say, you're captured. Cease resistance?" Phoenix smiled warmly.

Were it not for what had happened, no one would believe this was the malevolent demon who'd dropped the "sun" moments ago!

"Alright, alright…" Audrey weakly leaned against Anyi's chest, giving a wry smile. "Which eye did you see capable of resisting?

My sword arm's gone. What more resistance is there?

Going with you is fine, but may I propose a condition?"

"Do you think you have the right to make demands?" Phoenix asked with a smirk.

"Ah… Of course not?

But don't rush, I'm already like this, hearing my condition before capturing me isn't too late." Audrey said.

"Very well, persuade me.

Go ahead, though whether I'll agree… you'll have to guess." Phoenix watched her with interest.

"Fine, listen then.

I want to say…

Whether you can take me away depends on whether my disciple agrees!" Audrey chuckled.

"I understand."

Anyi gently laid Audrey down on the ground, then stood, a white light flashing in his hand as a longsword appeared.

He assumed a combat stance.

He knew how powerful this enemy was; even in the game, they were incredibly difficult to deal with.

With his current stats and equipment, the opponent probably wouldn't even need to attack; a single finger could instantly kill him.

Escape skills and techniques were meaningless against absolute stat dominance!

The opponent could simply pierce him with a feather, and he would turn to ash instantly, with no room for maneuver.

But…

「Sword of the Rage, Final Form: Furious Gale, Multiple Release.

Mana Release…

100%! 」

[ Skill: Furious Gale ]

A fusion of all Sword of the Rage techniques, dealing double damage with the same mana cost.

This was Anyi's strongest available skill!

"Bang!"

Anyi moved, like a whirlwind, attacking Phoenix!

Phoenix slightly raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

The previous attack had depleted the surrounding wind element, yet… wind element appeared around this human?

"Bang!"

The attack landed!

"Clang Clang Clang Clang Bang Bang!!"

The clash of metal echoed incessantly. Anyi's attack speed was far beyond the perception of the normal human eye, each slash sending sparks flying off Phoenix's body!

Impossible!

The wind blades grazed Phoenix's body, but it was merely a light breeze, posing no threat.

Anyi's attacks did not inflict any damage!

Neither the seemingly soft red robes nor his skin could be pierced; they were as hard as metal!

"Sigh…" Phoenix endured the continuous attacks, sighing softly, "You can't even scratch me."

It wasn't disappointment, but expectation.

This human's strength was negligible in his eyes.

His physique was unremarkable, his mana wasn't high; only his stable mana release was commendable.

However, given his consumption rate, he'd likely exhaust his mana in ten seconds.

Phoenix clearly saw Audrey using mana for healing magic, a stalling tactic.

But what good would that do?

Phoenix watched their struggle, not even bothering to crush these two insignificant weaklings.

It was like seeing ants carrying food; on a bad day, one might crush their line for amusement.

But usually, one wouldn't be so bored.

"Bang!"

With his final strike, Anyi's sword was knocked from his hand.

Exhausted, his knees buckled, and he knelt, using his sword to prevent himself from falling.

"Only this much?" Phoenix looked down at Anyi, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

No one would be bored enough to disdainfully look down upon an ant.

Such behavior would seem foolish.

"You don't even qualify for my killing.

I admire your courage, but die a glorious death against opponents of comparable strength.

That way, it would seem like you tried.

Instead of foolishly challenging a force beyond your capabilities."

"Ah, thank you for the advice…" Anyi snorted.

「Immortal Bird · Phoenix, has nine lives.

The first stage is humanoid; this is its highest Durability form, with relatively weak attacks and few offensive options.

Once its health is reduced to zero, its humanoid form will be destroyed.

Then it enters the second stage, its Elemental Body Firebird form.

The destroyed humanoid Phoenix will transform into eight elemental fire birds, attacking the Hero from different directions.

This is the most challenging evasion phase, but…

It's also Phoenix's weakest stage.

By destroying each of the eight birds, one can end its second life.

Finally, there is the third stage, the Nirvana form.」

In this form, Phoenix will unleash numerous area-of-effect skills, most requiring Hero coordination to counter.

Upon reaching zero health, it automatically enters its next life, relentlessly attacking until all lives are depleted. Then it dies.

Anyi didn't know what other killing moves Audrey possessed, but he knew…

He had only one chance left to destroy Phoenix's humanoid form and force it into its weakest fire bird form!

Without counterattacking, they would simply die!

In this situation, he had to do this!

The rest was up to Audrey!

Behind Anyi, the seemingly frail Audrey levitated, a blue light rising around her as a whirlwind gathered from all directions.

Unlike the previous use of Wind's Blessing, blue light illuminated every vein in her body, like flowing blue blood.

She opened her mouth, her voice carried on the wind.

"Wind God, I, Audrey Celeste, one of the twelve Royal Elves of the Elven King, implore your aid.

Grant me Strength.

I offer my life in exchange.

Let me deliver this final blow, mine to make!"

"Hum ——"

A buzzing sound filled Anyi's mind.

Exchanging her life…?

He gritted his teeth, using his sword to support himself, straining every muscle to stand, veins bulging on his forehead and knuckles!

"Immortal Bird… Phoenix!"

Anyi gritted his teeth, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

He laughed.

A hideous, ferocious laugh.

"Stand still!

Let me show you, before my Master…

This is my… final one sword!"

[ Ability Activation Confirmed!

You said [One Sword], correct?

Do you wish to activate the [Sever the Enemy in Two] ability? ]

Anyi struggled to maintain his balance, gazing at the calmly smiling Phoenix.

Then, he closed his eyes.

Because the next time he opened them…

He would see that face split apart!

「Yes.」

[ Ability Activated: [Sever the Enemy in Two]

Hero, please note: This ability has a one-month cooldown. Please protect yourself. ]

Phoenix remained motionless, contemptuous of the two.

Even at its peak, wind wasn't the strongest offensive element.

Wind excelled at disrupting other elements; strong winds could erode even stubborn rock, easily dispersing elements like water and fire.

However, his humanoid form was stable and not easily disrupted by other elements.

Therefore, even if Audrey employed any power-enhancing methods, even if she momentarily returned to her peak strength, as long as he focused on defense, she couldn't defeat him.

But how long could such power enhancement last?

She was burning her life force; Phoenix didn't mind bringing back a corpse.

In truth, ceasing resistance and obediently following him would be best.

It seemed they still didn't understand the disparity in strength.

At that moment, Phoenix saw Anyi raise his sword, his whole body trembling.

Phoenix chuckled, thinking this human had no mana left; what use was raising a sword?

Was he planning to bludgeon him to death with the sword's weight?

He was completely limp, yet still struggling?

The sword fell.

Phoenix remained motionless, as the sword would simply bounce off him…

Or so it should have.

"Swish——!"

The sword slid down, creating a faint whistling sound.

Huh?

Phoenix was taken aback.

Had the sword just passed through him?

Was the force so light he didn't even feel the contact?

"Hum——!"

Suddenly, flames erupted before him.

These flames didn't originate from elsewhere but from his own body.

"What?" He was stunned.

At that moment, Anyi opened his eyes.

Before him stood Phoenix, still unaware of what had transpired.

He maintained his previous stance, yet from head to toe, he was now laced with a thin, invisible thread.

The thin thread began to continuously release flames until…

More and more flames erupted, tearing his body apart!

"What… happened?"

Phoenix's split face looked down, his expression filled with disbelief at the fissures in his body.

His fiery robes split and slid down, hanging from his arms, revealing his genderless body.

What happened?!

What happened?!!

"I… I'm splitting apart?

I'm splitting apart?!!!"

He screamed in terror, his previously deep and calm voice now a broken shriek.

Impossible!

Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!!

Phoenix frantically tried to force his body back together, as if to repair the split.

But his defenses had been breached; recovery required rest!

He could only watch helplessly as his body was consumed by flames, cracking and shattering piece by piece!

"You! Did! What?!!"

Finally, Phoenix reacted, his rage focusing on Anyi.

In an instant, the surrounding fire element converged on Anyi.

Phoenix could incinerate Anyi with a single thought!

"Boom——!!"

Suddenly, a violent gust of wind struck Anyi, instantly dispersing the surrounding fire element!

The wind shifted, flinging Anyi away from Phoenix, landing him beside Audrey.

The gentle wind supported him, preventing him from falling, slowly lowering him to the ground.

"Aaaaaaaaa——!!!"

The fire birds shrieked, the fire element in the air becoming turbulent, surging towards Audrey and Anyi.

But the whirlwind acted as a barrier, preventing any fire element from penetrating; elements were torn apart before they approached!

Anyi lay on the ground, looking up at Audrey: "Mas…ter."

Audrey had changed; blue light flowed around her, her eyes flashing with blue light, including her lost right eye.

Her broken left arm and necrotic right arm were now entwined with dark wind, the blackened earth swirling within.

She spoke: "Being stared at from that angle, even Master feels embarrassed."

Her voice carried on the wind.

"Then I'll close my eyes." Anyi said, about to close his eyes.

"Please don't! Don't you realize this might be the last time you see me?

Look as much as you can, engrave it in your mind!

A Master with such a beautiful figure is rare!" She laughed.

"Yes, Master."

Anyi obeyed, deeply imprinting this moment of Audrey in his mind, without a single impure thought, only filled with respect.

He wanted to forever remember the Master who had taught him swordsmanship, fought alongside him, always helped him, guided him, and protected him.

As Audrey said, this was Anyi's last meeting with her.

"Hmph! Hmph hmph! Aaaaaaaaa!!!"

"Boom!!"

A deafening roar followed a ground-shaking bang; blinding flames erupted from Phoenix's body, eight colossal fire plumes soaring into the sky, transforming into burning birds circling in the air.

"Destroy my physical form!! I will make you all—

Die!!

Become ashes in the flames!!"

The eight burning birds shrieked in unison; countless fireballs, each large enough to consume three adults, surged towards Audrey and Anyi!

"Boom Boom Boom Boom——!!"

The continuous impacts against the wind barrier created resounding booms, like incessant cannon fire.

"Master…" Anyi looked at Audrey, who was floating beside him, and spoke, "You… still have a chance to survive?"

"No," Audrey answered frankly. "Without sacrificing my life, we would have died together.

Now, at least I can save you.

Didn't you save my life once? Our first meeting.

Honestly, if you hadn't been there, I might have died.

So, I'm repaying that debt."

"Master… Phoenix has nine lives; I already ended one, this is its second.

Starting with the third life, it will endlessly regenerate until all its lives are exhausted.

That gives the illusion of invincibility." Anyi explained to Audrey.

"Ho ho, Master is surprised, Anyi knows even this,"

Manipulating the wind to deflect the attacks, Audrey descended to the ground, crouching beside Anyi.

"I really want to pat your head and reward you, but…ha ha, I don't have hands anymore.

Can I use my forehead to rub against yours?"

"Yes," Anyi replied.

Audrey leaned closer; her face, with glowing veins and eyes, was no longer beautiful, not ugly either, but strangely eerie.

She bowed her head, smiling, her eyes closed, rubbing her forehead against Anyi's hair.

Finally, to Anyi's astonishment, she lightly kissed his lips.

"About to die, haven't had a first date, but the first kiss should at least be mine, right?"

Audrey chuckled playfully.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a violent gust of wind swept Anyi away, flinging him out of the city.

Massive fireballs approached, but were torn to shreds by the storm.

"I have nothing more to teach you; the Sword of the Rage will be stronger in your hands.

As a parting gift, I have nothing to offer, so this sword is yours,"

Her voice carried on the wind.

The ancient longsword was enveloped in the wind along with Anyi, carried out of the city.

"Sorry, not much of a gift, but it serves as a memento?

Carry it with you, so that seeing it will remind you of me?

Well, this is all I can do.

I love you.

Remember me."

The wind's voice faded; the sound of the wind and flames disappeared, the world falling silent.

Anyi saw a blue light rising from the ground, shattering the eight circling fire birds.

The flames erupted, a gigantic fire bird appearing above the city.

The wind raged, dark clouds gathered, and a storm erupted from the earth.

Wind and lightning clashed, filling the sky, twisting, intertwining, colliding, tearing.

Finally, like a volcanic eruption, the flames soared towards the heavens, burning everything.

The world, fell silent.

...

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Anyi ran at top speed, day and night, to his hometown village.

The village was deserted.

But there lay his father, mother, and sister.

There lay his family.

Before his family's graves, he bowed deeply.

Then he stood, raising his sword to the empty ground beside the graves, carving a deep hole.

He knelt before the hole, removing the cloth pack from his back and placing it on the ground.

He opened it; inside was Audrey's beloved sword.

It was said that sword had been with her for over a thousand years.

He carefully lowered the sword into the hole.

Then, handful by handful, he covered the sword with earth.

"Master, there's something I want to tell you.

I'll remember you, forever.

I'm sorry I couldn't hold a proper funeral for you."

He could only bury this sword.

All he could do… was bury her with his family.

Anyi didn't want to see this sword again.

Because every time he saw it, he would uncontrollably feel heartache.

Because he remembered their parting, Audrey's confession, their farewell.

And his inability to respond.

He could no longer respond.

On another bright morning, the world remained as it had been yesterday.

...

But now, he returned.

To a yesterday further back than the previous one!

To a yesterday where he could meet her again, save her!

The next morning, Anyi woke early.

"Good morning, Holy Maiden.

We should gather intelligence."

Regarding [Audrey Celeste], no one in this world knew more than Anyi.

There was no need for "investigating the culprit's information."

However, he couldn't just fabricate this information; since there was no relevant intelligence in the human world, he had to act.

Many people among the monsters knew about [Audrey Celeste]; even if they didn't, the Sword Demon would spread the news.

It was simple: without knowing the true nature of the culprit, how could one incite public fervor?

First, she needed to be established as an enemy, building momentum for a smoother operation!

Therefore, Anyi and Ariana effortlessly gathered information from the monsters.

Now they at least knew the culprit's name, race, and identity.

With this information, they could start searching for relevant books on the Elves.

After a day of information gathering, Ariana fully understood who [Audrey Celeste] was!

During the evening meeting, Ariana rapidly wrote a large amount of information about Audrey on the whiteboard.

"This time, the culprit we're saving…

Is a superpowered culprit!" she exclaimed excitedly.

The others looked at her dubiously.

"Superpowered? How strong?" Hilo asked. "Stronger than us Heroes?"

"Much stronger!" Ariana chuckled. "This culprit is an Elf!"

"What's an Elf?" Layton asked.

"I know," Eira said. "They are an ancient race, capable of wielding magic many times stronger than humans.

We learned about them in the basics."

While human knowledge of Elves was limited, it wasn't nonexistent.

Hilo couldn't recall immediately but still boasted, arms crossed, "I… I know too!"

Sephie: "Did anyone ask you?"

"Ahem, before explaining the culprit's strength, we need to understand basic monster knowledge!" Ariana continued.

She drew a large triangle on the whiteboard.

"First!"

Ariana drew a horizontal line across the top of the triangle, writing [Demon Lord] on the line.

"The Demon Lord is the apex of all monsters, the strongest monster king!"

She then drew another horizontal line below, writing several names above it.

"Next are the lesser Demon Lords, powerful monster kings but not at the top, such as the Succubus Queen, Demon King, Evil Dragon King, and Necrotic King.

Below them, beneath the various Kings, are the Demon Lord's seventy-two Servants!"

Ariana drew another layer, writing [72 Servants] in a circle within the triangle.

Then, she drew a long line connecting the second and third layers.

"Finally, the important part! Everyone pay attention!"

On the second layer, the lesser Demon Lord tier, Ariana wrote [Elven King].

"The Elven King, the ruler of the Elves, is on the same level as the lesser Demon Lords.

"And the Elven King also has twelve powerful servants, called the twelve Royal Elves of the Elven King."

Ariana drew lines extending outwards from the third layer, writing [Twelve Royal Elves].

"Bang bang!"

Ariana slapped the whiteboard emphatically.

"Next! Incredibly!

The culprit we need to save is…

One of the twelve Royal Elves of the Elven King!

Audrey Celeste!"

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Then, they erupted.

"Wait! You mean… the culprit's strength ranks among the top 100 strongest monsters?!" Eira slammed her hand on the table, standing up.

"A superpowered culprit… truly a superpowered culprit!" Sephie exclaimed.

"Among all monsters, fewer than a hundred are stronger than her… just how strong is she?!" Layton couldn't help but say.

While everyone else was exclaiming, Miruku felt a sense of unease.

No, wait…

If she's really that strong… why is she in a city full of level four and five monsters?

Why didn't one of the seventy-two Servants capture her themselves?

Even if she was once incredibly powerful, she probably isn't now, right?

Miruku looked at Anyi…

You should be more careful!

Don't get too excited!!

"Then there's a strong need for a rescue." Anyi said calmly.

Miruku: "..."

Mr. Anyi aaaaa!!!

Miruku gloomily approached Anyi, whispering in his ear: "Mr. Anyi…

If she's that strong, she wouldn't be captured in a place like this, right?"

"What if there's an enemy of comparable strength who captured her here?" Anyi countered.

"Then how do we rescue her?!?" Miruku suddenly yelled in frustration.

Everyone's attention turned to her.

Miruku froze, then smiled, smoothed her skirt, and silently knelt.

"I'm very sorry for raising my voice so loudly, I sincerely apologize to everyone.

I'm sorry."

"She asked why, if the opponent is so strong, she'd be captured in such a place," Anyi said.

He occasionally had to act as Miruku's mouthpiece; otherwise, she'd be too pitiful.

"Right, why?" Hilo looked at Ariana.

Before Ariana could respond, Anyi answered himself: "Because she's been hunted for hundreds of years.

Elves fight using mana, and relentless combat leaves her no time to recover.

Her current strength is probably less than 1% of her peak."

"Correct!" Ariana nodded.

Anyi had gathered this information with her, so he already knew.

The kneeling Miruku went pale again.

Just now…

Mr. Anyi was teasing me, wasn't he?

Was that considered bullying?

Miruku froze, then tilted her head to look at Anyi.

Suddenly, she felt warmth in her heart, her color returning.

Teasing her, bullying her… did that mean he considered her a friend?

…It felt… kind of nice.

"He he… he he…" Miruku giggled, staring at the floor.

Anyi: "?"

What happened?

Was she shocked by the intense situation?

What to do?

Anyi silently reached out and patted Miruku's head.

A pat on the head, a bit of comfort, as an apology.

Miruku giggled to herself; Anyi patted her head silently; a harmonious scene unfolded in the gloomy corner.

"So if we rescue this Elf and she recovers, wouldn't she become the strongest fighting force for all of humanity?" Eira asked.

"That's right!" Ariana nodded.

"But… there's a problem," Sephie pondered, "If we rescue her, what if the monsters attack human territory?"

"They won't," Anyi shook his head. "Imagine you're monsters, and your Elven prisoner is stolen.

And the thieves are creatures similar to Elves.

So, who do you think stole the prisoner, other Elves, or humans?"

"Definitely other Elves!" Even Hilo could figure that out.