Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 270: Bad Luck [1]

The place that I ate earlier is at the edge of Frost City, it's called Fira Village and it's the closest place to the western mountain range.

After coming out of the restaurant I and Yato started to walk toward the Frost City train station, from there we went to Nova Academy by the teleportation gate.

Anyway, The town was fairly beautiful as greenery could be found everywhere. Moreover, the fresh air, and beautiful architectural structures of the town, made this place look extremely lovely.

The whitewashed houses that filled the town were especially beautiful, but that wasn't what truly made this town stand out. No, it was that the structures were built directly into the rocky cliffs surrounding the town, giving Fira Village a unique and almost magical appearance.

As we walked through the cobbled streets, I couldn't help but admire the intricate details of the buildings, some adorned with colourful flowers and vines. The air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of pine trees and the distant freshness of the snowy western mountain range.

The hustle and bustle of the town's residents, the cheerful chatter, and the occasional sound of merchants hawking their wares created a lively atmosphere.

As we were walking, glancing towards my surroundings, I couldn't help but notice that there were fewer and fewer people on the streets.

…Soon, a couple of minutes after I noticed this fact, no one was within our sights. Everything was deserted. Almost as if every person from the face of this world disappeared.

Frowning deeply, I couldn't help but say

"Why is everything so quiet around here?"

Glancing around, Yato too noticed the changes as a deep frown also appeared on his face.

"…now that you mention it, it is indeed quite—huh?"

Not even halfway through his sentence, the world around Yato and I distorted.

—Vuam!

Thereafter, a large invisible dome appeared covering the area where Yato and I were. Seeing the dome, Yato couldn't help but shout as he quickly summoned his sword and took a stance

"A dimensional space…crap it's an ambush!"

Opening my eyes wide, I couldn't help but freeze for a split second. Shortly after, looking at Yato next to me who was ready in a battle position, I couldn't help but think to myself…

'…Why is this happening? This scene never appeared in the novel'

The sudden shift in the surroundings and Yato's reaction sent a shiver down my spine. This unexpected turn of events didn't align with the experiences I had read in the novel.

Yato, with his sword drawn and senses heightened, scanned the invisible dome that encased us. His eyes darted around, searching for any signs of the imminent threat.

"This is not ordinary dimensional magic," Yato muttered, his brows furrowed in concentration. "Stay alert, Lucas. We're dealing with something unpredictable."

I nodded, my anxiety escalating. The deserted town, the mysterious dome, and Yato's readiness painted a picture of danger. Questions raced through my mind, but there was no answer.

Gritting my teeth I took out my sword, the sword of sin.

'Just what in the world is going on?'

-Guam!

Glaring towards one of the houses in the distance, Yato pointed his sword in that direction as a red hue enveloped the body of his sword. Thereafter, he shouted

"Get out, I know you're hiding there"

"kekeke, guess you found us out"

Chuckling, a black humanoid creature with two horns on his head and bat-like wings showed up from behind one of the houses.

"Demon!"

Noticing the identity of the creature that came out, Yato's whole demeanour changed.

As well as mine. A few minutes ago we were happily having towards the Frost train station and now we have to deal with a demon.

And how the heck demon could bypass the barriers that are placed between the East and West continents.

"Master demons aren't supposed to get this side right?" I asked Yato as I gazed at the demon.

"You are right, they aren't supposed to come to this site, however, it seems that demons now can bypass the barriers, 2 months ago a small army of demons managed to do so."

My eyes widened at that! This was the first time I heard this! If what Yato is saying is true then that means the war that will happen ten years later might have happened earlier than expected.

'Fuck! Why is my luck so bad.' I cursed inwardly at my bad luck.

-Fwaaa -Fwaaa -Fwaaa

As soon as Yato finished speaking as if on cue, appearing from nowhere, multiple black humanoid-like creatures with bat wings and horns on their head appeared in the surroundings.

A twisted malicious smile appeared on each of their faces as they looked down on the both of us like a ripe fruit ready for the taking.

"Who sent you?"

Standing his ground, unfazed by the demons that had just shown up, Yato's cold and emotionless voice resounded across the area.

"Who sent us…?"

Glancing at each other, the demons in the air merely laughed at Kevin in ridicule

"kekeke, why must we tell you?"

"You're merely our prey, what right do you have to ask who we are"

"Just stand there quietly and let us feast on you"

Nodding his head, Yato looked at the demons in the air. There were about fifteen of them, moreover, from what Yato could tell from judging the fluctuations they released most of them seemed to be [D] ranked.

"Huuuu…very well, Lucas kill them all."

My body flinched back, and turning my head toward Yato I couldn't help but complain "But why me, Master? I'm sure that you will be able to kill them within seconds."

The cold look in Yato's was slowly disappeared, he chuckled and said: "Where is fun at that? I want to see how my disciple will do against the demons."

"But I-... Whoa!"

"No buts" Before I could say anything to him Yato grabbed the back colour of men and threw it toward the demons.

"Master you are a very big JERK!" I shouted top of my lungs as I tossed towards the demons.

"Yeah, Yeah, I heard loud and clear. Now go and kill those things and if you fail know this you will receive a beating from me." Yato laughed and replied, I could feel the cold shiver run down my spine at the word 'beating.'

Thrown into the midst of the demonic horde, I unsheathed the Sword of Sin, a weapon I had yet to fully master. The black demons circled me, their eerie laughter echoing through the air.

"Alright, demons, let's dance," I muttered to myself, steeling my resolve.

The demons lunged at me with surprising speed, their claws and fangs ready to tear me apart. Dodging their attacks, I swung the Sword of Sin, its crimson blade cutting through the air.

I could feel the dark energy emanating from the demons, but Yato's eyes remained fixed on the scene, his expression unreadable.

As I clashed with the demonic horde, I couldn't help but wonder about the sudden intrusion of demons into this realm. The barriers separating the continents were supposed to prevent such incursions.

"Master, any idea why demons are breaching our world?" I shouted, parrying a demon's strike.

Yato's response was calm but focused. "There are mysteries at play, Lucas. We must first deal with the immediate threat. We can ponder the 'why' later."

That's right I could think about 'why' later now I have to focus on the battle up front.

I quickly warped my shadow with my body as well I focused on my mana, and soon enough my body started shimmering with colour mana.

It's Mana Coating.

With this, my strength, speed and reflexes have been enhanced.

Now the real fight began.

"Guuwak... So you are Lucas Darkheart? We have come for you."

As soon as my transformation was completed, Stepping forward, the leader of the demons directly called my name and as if a thunderclap had descended, my mind instantly entered a state of turmoil.

What?

What's happening? How did he know who I was? Were they really after me?

A million questions emerged in my mind as I couldn't help but look at the demons above me in shock.

I don't ever recall provoking demons be—no way.

Stopping my thoughts there, my mind raced as multiple scenarios replayed in my mind.

The further I thought about it, the more I realized my arrogance and complacency.

…I did interact with demons before.

Not once, but twice.

Once when I killed Tony back at Silva City with my Nightshadow bow and one more time with the Patriarch, when I killed Samual, though indirectly.

Thinking thus far, everything started to click. If it was indeed like I thought it was, then it was either the Patriarch or demon who made Tony into a fallen human.

Yato's carefree expression changed as soon as he heard that these demons were coming here for his disciple, however, he still didn't move from his spot he wanted to see how Lucas would handle himself in this situation.