Chapter 11 : Even If It Kills Me - You Die First

"You're nothing but a nuisance, human," the demon sneered.

Jihoon's voice rang out—cold and unwavering."Oh? Is that what you think?"He stepped forward, eyes burning with defiance."Then tell me, Demon… will you keep barking all day? Or are you finally ready to die?"

Before the demon could respond, Jihoon reappeared right in front of him, swinging his sword with lethal precision.

But the demon caught the blade with one hand, completely unfazed.

Jihoon smirked. That was exactly what he expected.

He released the sword mid-swing and teleported again - this time beside the demon. Dark mana surged into his clenched fist as he drove a brutal punch straight into the demon's ribs.

BOOM!

The impact hurled the demon backward, flinging him like a ragdoll—straight into his own black flames.

The seething fire swallowed him whole.

A furious scream echoed across the battlefield."AAARRRGGHH!! HUMAN!! I'LL KILL YOU!!"

Jihoon laughed, his voice laced with madness."Ahahaha… How does it feel, Demon? To be burned by your own flames?"

[Enemy HP and MP are slowly decreasing…][Enemy HP: 18,000 → 8,000]

Without wasting a second, Jihoon activated Shadow Step, vanishing into darkness. His sword surged with black energy as he reappeared and unleashed Abyssal Laceration—a slashing wave that split the very air.

The demon raised his arm to block -The blade connected.

It didn't cut deep… but it cut enough.

Gashes ripped across the demon's hands, and thick black blood oozed from the wounds.

Jihoon grinned. "So that's the color of your blood, huh?"

But the moment of satisfaction was brief. A sharp pain shot through Jihoon's leg, and the world around him blurred.

"Damn… I'm getting dizzy…"

The demon seized the opportunity, lunging forward and driving a fist into Jihoon's gut.

But Jihoon was ready.

With a flick of his hand, he triggered Blood Reap—invisible blades tearing across the demon's body.

[You have damaged your enemy.][Enemy HP: 8,000 → 5,000]

"This time… you die," Jihoon hissed.

The demon roared in fury. Black flames erupted around him, shaping into a massive, blazing warhammer. With a monstrous howl, he hurled it toward Jihoon.

Jihoon smiled.

He disappeared in an instant.

From a distance, his voice mocked, "Where's your hammer now?"

The demon chuckled darkly."Behind you."

Jihoon's eyes widened.He turned—

BAM!

The hammer struck his back like a meteor, sending him crashing into a wall. Blood sprayed from his lips.

The hammer vanished, but the cursed black flames clung to his skin, searing him alive.

Jihoon coughed violently. "Heh… Not bad. That actually hurt."

Then he started laughingm- loudly, uncontrollably.

"BUT NOT ENOUGH! GIVE ME MORE! I'M STILL STANDING!"

The demon's eyes narrowed."Then I'll show you the meaning of true pain."

[Your HP and MP are slowly decreasing…][HP: 8,500 → 4,000][MP: 6,000 → 2,000]

Jihoon staggered to his feet.

"This is far from over…"

He rushed forward again, activating Shadow Slash. The demon countered with a fierce punch, but Jihoon slipped in close and struck with Blood Reap again.

[Enemy HP: 5,000 → 3,500]

The demon gasped, stumbling back."What… What are you?! How am I losing… to a human?!"

Jihoon didn't answer. He lunged again, blade raised for the finishing blow.

But the demon blinked—dodging at the last second—and countered with a devastating punch to Jihoon's ribs.

[Your HP: 8,500 → 3,000]

Jihoon gritted his teeth. "I didn't come this far… just to lose now!"

Blood dripping from his lips, he unleashed Blood Reap once more - five deadly slashes racing toward the demon.

The demon scoffed. "Is that the only trick you know?"

Jihoon smirked and vanished again.

He reappeared beside the demon.

"Huh? Come to die early?" the demon growled, fist raised.

But Jihoon pointed behind him."Why don't you look back?"

Instinctively, the demon turned—

SLASH!!All five attacks struck him from behind, slicing deep.

The demon spun around, snarling. "This'll hurt you too, human!"

But Jihoon was glowing. His blade pulsed with abyssal light.

"Abyssal Laceration," he whispered.

CRACK!!

A colossal wave of dark energy erupted from his sword, tearing through the demon's body.

The demon howled in agony, collapsing to the ground.

[You have damaged the enemy.][Enemy HP: 18,000 → 500][Your HP: 8,500 → 2,000][MP: 6,000 → 500]

Jihoon fell to his knees, panting."Damn… He's almost dead. But so am I. And Abyssal Laceration's on cooldown…"

But there was no turning back now.

He activated Shadow Step one last time, flashing forward for the final strike.

But the demon caught his blade - barehanded.

Jihoon leapt back and swung again and again—but the demon blocked them all.

Then, with a grunt, the demon disarmed Jihoon and slammed a punch into his stomach.

The blow lacked strength. He was weakening.

Jihoon breathed hard. With one final Shadow Step, he appeared inches from the demon's face.

The demon couldn't react in time.

Jihoon roared and drove his sword straight through the demon's chest.

Blood burst from the demon's mouth as he dropped to his knees.

"You… really are a painful existence… human…"

His body hit the ground.

Jihoon stood trembling. He pulled the sword free and took a shaky step back.Then collapsed, setting the blade beside him.

Tears welled in his eyes.

"I… finally did it, Teacher…"

He looked up at the blackened sky."Mom… I got strong. I can protect you now. I swear I will."

He tried to stand. His legs barely responded.

But something felt off.

"…Wait… why hasn't the system said anything? Didn't I… kill him?"

His eyes widened.

"No… don't tell me—"

He turned.

The demon stood behind him.

But something was different. Its form was twisted—grotesque. Undead rage burned in its eyes.

"Impossible…" Jihoon whispered. "I… killed you…"

The demon grabbed his throat and slammed him into the wall.

"I'll show you despair, human!"

Punch after punch rained down on Jihoon. He was tossed across the room like a broken doll.

[Enemy has activated: Immortal Will — Will survive with 1 HP once per battle.][Your HP: 8,500 → 1,100][WARNING: Forced Summon Imminent]

"No… NO!!" Jihoon screamed. "Teacher! Just one more chance… please!"

Breathing ragged, Jihoon's eyes darted frantically - until he saw it.

The wound.

Right on the demon's chest. Still open. Still bleeding.

He looked at his hands. A flicker of mana remained.

"…That's enough."

He rushed forward.

The demon swung its tail but Jihoon caught it, pushed it aside, and leapt.

He drove both hands into the open wound.

"AAARRRRGHHH!!"

The demon shrieked in agony. Its tail slammed into Jihoon again and again - but he didn't let go.

Blood flooded from Jihoon's mouth. His body screamed in pain.

But he didn't stop.

With a final scream -He ripped out the demon's heart with his bare hands.

SHRRRRAKK!!

The demon collapsed.

Jihoon, too.

His blood-soaked hands trembled. He lay still on the ground, his body drenched in blood his and the demon's.

[You have successfully slain: Dread Lord Azareth.]

A tear slipped down Jihoon's cheek.

And through all the pain…

He smiled.