Chapter 30: Play?

"Ethan, Stay sharp!"

Leon's urgent warning snapped Ethan back to the present. The seriousness in Leon's eyes was stark against the chaos erupting around them.

"Get to safety!" Leon's command was underscored by a cruel smile, hinting at something more sinister at play.

"What could be the reason for his sudden seriousness?"

Ethan's confusion turned to alarm as he scanned the auction hall. The luxurious ambiance had been abruptly overshadowed by an encroaching darkness.

Strange humanoid creatures, their forms grotesquely twisted, emerged from every corner. With their horns jutting from their foreheads, tails flicking behind them, and eyes glowing an unnerving red, these creatures were unmistakably demons.

"Ah! Demons!"

"Help!"

The demons' presence sent ripples of terror through the crowd. Their sudden appearance was a brutal reminder of the dark history of this world, where two realms existed in constant strife.

Ethan suddenly recalled the history of this world. The vast world of Mythraldor was devided into two realms. The human land of Solis, blessed by the gods, and the demon land of Abyss, cursed and forsaken, were eternally at odds.

The vast majority of land of Solis were occupied by the humans, and alongside them lived Demi-humans and Elite magical creatures such as Dragons, Phoenix and more dominant ones.

On the other hand, Abyss was full of Demons, deemed the cruelest creatures for mankind.

Demons, the embodiment of cruelty and suffering, were bound to their bleak land until they found their Demon God. This Demon God deity granted them the power to breach the boundaries between the realms, leading to catastrophic invasions.

The demons, after breaking into Solis, had wreaked havoc on humanity.

Then, came the Heroes who were picked by the system to grant Salvation for the humans.

The arrival of the Heroes, wielding the holy power of elements, was the only way kill these demons forever as demons were nearly immortals due to their species ability. Therefore the Heroes gained the status of deities from mankind, making them subjects of worship and reverence.

Their battles with the demons were fierce and costly, culminating in the defeat of the Demon God and a temporary retreat due to his serious injuries. The Demon God accumulated grudge with the heroes because of this.

However the heroes were not unscathed either. In that battle two out of seven heroes died, leaving humans in remorse for their loss.

Like this, the cyclical invasions, occurs every few centuries between two parties. As a aftermath billions common humans dies evey time it occurs, even then no significant result achieved untill the appearance of Hero Libros, titled The Demon Slayer. He got the Demon Slayer sword, and let the humans made the replicas of the sword.

These replicas allowed other regular hunters also joined in the frey and vanquish demons of their immortal ability. As a result, the humans gained a upper hand and sent back demons to the Abyss with catastrophic damage for the demons.

It happened nearly 500 years ago, and presently the demons began to extend their demonic clutches towards the Human Land once again.

Back to the present.

As the demons began their brutal assault, panic surged throughout the hall. Shouts of terror filled the air, and people scrambled, their fear palpable.

Ethan saw one unfortunate soul being drained of blood by a demon, his body rapidly desiccating into a skeletal husk. The sight was horrifying, underscoring the demons' deadly hunger.

Ethan trued calm his goosebumps, and find a safe place to hide.

Amid the chaos, Mirrel Nortel, leader of the Winged Tiger clan, stepped into the fray. His display of raw strength was impressive as he crushed a demon with his bare hands. Yet, even this did not end the threat, as the demon began regenerating almost immediately. The regenerative ability of the demons was a terrifying prospect. This was the same ability that made them unkillable 500 hundred years ago.

However, humanity had devised a countermeasure: Holy elemental swords capable of destroying even these creatures.

Mirrel brandished his Holy elemental sword, its blade shining with a purifying light. With a decisive swing, he struck the demon again, this time reducing it to ashes. The flames of purification consumed the demon, ensuring it could not regenerate.

"Silence!" Mirrel's commanding voice cut through the chaos, restoring a semblance of order. His authoritative presence reassured the crowd. "Everyone, calm down! These fiends cannot harm you as long as we five great clans are here."

Every clan members took out their Holy Elemental Sword as if they were prepared for this beforehand.

The other clan leaders, floating above the ground, exuded an aura of immense power, further reassuring the frightened crowd. Their combined presence was a formidable deterrent against the demonic threat.

Aria's father, Alger Silvermoon, addressed the crowd with a grave tone. "We have everything under control citizens.

From the beginning this trap was planned to deal with both the demons and the traitors among us." His declaration about the trap, using the ancient key as bait, sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd.

Ethan, though somewhat understanding the strategy, was troubled by the recklessness of risking so many lives.

"Yes, the lords are right guys. We have the best of the best powerhouses amongst us. We don't need to worry."

"Yeah, how can we forget the five great clan members are amongst us? They will save us for sure." Some people began to murmur, feeling reassured.

"Hoho..."

As the crowd began to calm down somewhat, Gideon, the Devil Ape clan leader, made a dramatic entrance. With him were several high-ranking demons, their formidable presence adding to the tension.

"Ohh, are you that sure, cockroaches?" Gideon's taunting words revealed his betrayal. "Look closely! I've brought these elder demons to ensure that no one leaves here alive." His maniacal laughter filled the hall, heightening the dread.

Aria's father's voice thundered with righteous anger. "So, our suspicions were correct. You are the real traitor, Gideon!" The other clan leaders joined in the condemnation, their voices echoing their outrage.

"What a shameless traitor!"

"He should be burned to death."

"Kill him!"

Gideon remained defiant, his confidence unshaken. "You think you can handle this? These elder demons will bury you all here alive!" His taunts were met with resolve from the assembled leaders.

Mirrel Nortel's gaze was steely, his sword gleaming with anticipation. "Just Five elder demons? We have more than enough power to deal with them."

His preparation for battle was evident, and the other clan members prepared themselves for the impending conflict.

The auction hall had transformed into a battleground, with the fate of everyone present hanging in the balance. Ethan, caught in the midst of this epic confrontation, had no choice but to brace himself for the inevitable clash between the forces of light and darkness.