Chapter 81

Elta raised his claws high, his intent clear. Maria clung desperately to Zoth's lifeless body, her tears soaking into his clothes. She didn't flinch, didn't move. To her, the world beyond Zoth no longer mattered.

As Elta swung, his claws collided with something—no, someone—that appeared out of thin air. Sparks flew as the sharp edges met an unyielding surface.

Startled, Elta took a step back. His eyes narrowed as he examined the figure that had materialized in front of him. Meldis and Gletta froze in place, their shock mirroring his.

It was a shadowy figure, completely black, with the faint shape of a child. The air around it pulsed with ominous energy, distorting the space it occupied.

The figure—I—stood there, gazing down at Maria and Zoth.

I turned, scanning Zoth's lifeless form. My heart tightened for a moment, though I didn't let it show. His core was destroyed, his body broken—but his expression… he was smiling. Even in death, Zoth believed his sacrifice had meaning.

I couldn't help but smile too, despite the sorrow.

My gaze shifted to Maria, who clutched Zoth tightly. Her sobs had quieted, but her trembling body spoke of a grief that words couldn't express. She seemed utterly lost, unaware of her surroundings, her reality reduced to the weight of Zoth in her arms.

Gently, I placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair in an attempt to soothe her. The sudden warmth startled her, and she slowly looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine.

"A-a-a y-y—" she stammered, unable to form words.

I chuckled softly, though no sound escaped my lips. Her reaction, though born of trauma, struck me as oddly endearing.

But my moment with Maria was interrupted.

Elta lunged at my back, his claws slashing with deadly intent. He struck, but his attack met the same unyielding resistance as before, bouncing off me harmlessly.

I didn't even flinch.

Turning to face the demons, I took them in—three of them, each radiating immense power.

My voice, cursed and otherworldly, echoed through the space. It wasn't just heard; it was felt, resonating in their very cores.

"If you submit now," I began, my tone laced with divine menace, "I may reconsider executing you for killing my servant."

Gletta burst into laughter, her voice dripping with mockery. "Seriously? Who do you think you are? You think you can take on a demon god?"

She sneered, but I remained unmoved.

"You can try all you want," I said calmly, "not that it matters. As for the humans outside…"

I raised a hand, and my form shimmered. From my shadowy body, hundreds of clones emerged, each one rushing out in a blur to evacuate the civilians and eliminate lesser demons.

"This much should suffice," I finished, descending back to the ground.

Gletta's confident demeanor faltered as she clenched her fists. "You… you bastard! You dare interfere with our plans!?"

I tilted my head, my tone darkening. "I'm here to offer you a choice. Fight me and fail, or submit and live. Either way, justice will be served for your crime."

Elta, snarling, disappeared in a flash of speed. He reappeared in multiple places around me, hurling a barrage of ice blades from every angle. The projectiles shattered on impact as they struck my body, their shards scattering uselessly around me.

Meldis roared, charging forward. His massive hand wrapped around my neck as he poured his strength into lifting me. The ground beneath us cracked from the sheer force he exerted.

Yet, I didn't budge.

Meldis's eyes widened in disbelief. His grip tightened, his muscles rippling as he pushed himself to his limit, but I remained still.

"Impossible…" he muttered. His pride as a warrior crumbled before his eyes.

In desperation, he roared and swung a massive fist at me. The force shattered the ground and sent dust flying—but as it cleared, I stood untouched, my gaze unwavering.

Maria, still on the ground, watched in stunned silence. Her tear-streaked face turned into one of awe as she realized I was effortlessly handling the demons that had overpowered Zoth.

Panting and drained, Meldis stumbled back. His mana was nearly depleted.

Gletta stepped forward, her face contorted with fury. "You treacherous abomination! What even are you?!"

Her words pulled my attention. My voice sharpened, laced with an edge that sent shivers down their spines.

"Didn't your mother teach you manners?" I growled. "You should know better than to speak to an adult like that."

Gletta snapped, her golden eyes burning with unrestrained rage. "Unholy Slash!"

A radiant beam of cursed energy shot from her hand, tearing through space and time as it raced toward me.

"Now die, you bastard!" she screamed, her smile wild with satisfaction.

The beam struck me head-on, the ground trembling under its might. But instead of obliterating me, the energy shattered on contact, its fragments absorbed into the surrounding air.

Gletta froze, her expression turning to one of disbelief.

I stepped forward, my presence overwhelming.

Her mind raced as she stared at me, unable to comprehend what she was facing.

'Just… who is this abomination?' she thought, fear gripping her heart for the first time.