Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 273: Something is Fishy [2]

Suddenly, a demonic scream echoed through the air. I reappeared behind one of the demons, the Sword of Sin slashing through the creature's form with ruthless precision.

-Spurt!

Dark energy erupted from the demon's wound as it crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The remaining demons, now aware of my location, turned their attention towards me.

Their initial calmness waned, replaced by a palpable tension. The Sword of Sin, stained with the essence of demonic life, beckoned for more.

"Die"

"You can't escape."

A split second after Lucas decapitated the demon, moving backwards, Lucas narrowingly avoided the hands of two demons as a strand of his hair flew in the air.

-Astral Dash

Tensing his calves he activated his movement art again, Lucas quickly shot backwards and distanced himself from the other demons. As he moved back, a green hue enveloped the bottom of his feet as his movement increased with every step.

"Get him!"

"Die you vermin!"

Staring at the Five demons that were quickly approaching him, Lucas's face remained calm. Rather than focusing on their attacks, his attention was drawn towards their face.

…and he soon noticed one thing. How completely unfazed they were by the fact that their comrades died before them. There was no shred of fear or hesitation in their eyes. Almost as if they didn't care about dying.

Noticing this, Lucas glanced in Yato's direction. He was currently back on the ground fighting against the demon leader.

The leader of the demon was attacking Yato with all his might but Yato effortlessly dodging, right now Yato didn't ever raise his sword to attack him. By the looks of Yato's face, Lucas knew that Yato was toying with that demon.

...And when Yato was finally bored by this he would kill the demon in one shot.

"Don't ignore us." One demon shouted as he saw Lucas wasn't even paying attention to them.

Demon slashed his claw at Lucas's direction.

-Thuaam!

Subsequently, as the demon slashed, a blue translucent image of a claw quickly headed in Lucas's direction.

-Swoooosh!

Briefly glancing at the translucent claw headed in his direction, without hesitation, Lucas pointed towards them as his sword drew a circled

A blue transparent ring appeared as Lucas completed the circle.

This was the defensive sword art that he had received from Isabella, [Phalanx Guardian Form].

It was the first time Lucas had ever used it in a real fight after receiving the sword art before he only ever used it in practice.

As the ring formed it directly moved forward and blocked the demon's attack.

-Bam!

-Crash!

As the claw clashed against the ring, for a couple of seconds neither refused to budge.

The clash between the demonic claw and the protective ring created a momentary stalemate. The air crackled with the opposing forces, each pushing against the other. A tense silence settled over the battlefield as both sides assessed the strength of their adversary.

The demon, fueled by rage and determination, exerted more force, attempting to break through Lucas's defence. However, the Phalanx Guardian Form held steadfast, the translucent ring acting as an impenetrable barrier against the demonic onslaught.

Lucas, maintaining his calm demeanour, observed the struggle. The demons, no longer exhibiting their initial calmness, grew increasingly frustrated. Their attempts to overpower Lucas met an unexpected resistance.

Amid the clash, Yato's battle with the demon leader continued. The air around them crackled with energy as Yato gracefully evaded the demon's attacks. It was evident that Yato was probing the demon's capabilities, waiting for the opportune moment to deliver a decisive strike.

The remaining demons, witnessing the standstill between Lucas and their comrade, exchanged wary glances. They realized that underestimating Lucas would be a grave mistake.

With a swift motion, Lucas shifted his focus, transitioning from defence to offence. The Sword of Sin gleamed with an ominous aura as he lunged towards the demon whose attack had been thwarted.

"Your arrogance blinds you," Lucas remarked, his voice cutting through the tension.

-Slash!

The Sword of Sin sliced through the air, aiming for the demon's vulnerable flank. The demon, caught off guard by the sudden change in momentum, attempted to evade, but Lucas's strike was swift and precise.

-Spurt!

Dark energy sprayed from the wound as the demon staggered backwards, wounded but not defeated. The other demons, recognizing the shift in the tide of battle, abandoned their coordinated attacks and dispersed, each evaluating their next move.

The demon leader, engaged in combat with Yato, sensed the disturbance among his ranks. A glimmer of frustration crossed his demonic features as he struggled against Yato's seemingly effortless evasion.

Lucas, with a calculated expression, advanced towards the wounded demon. The battlefield now held an air of uncertainty, with each participant assessing the unfolding dynamics of the confrontation.

Amid the chaos, a voice echoed through the battleground. It was Yato, his words carrying a weight of authority.

"This ends now."

With those words, Yato's movements became more deliberate. Each step, each strike, held a purpose.

The leader of the demon gritted his teeth, he held his sword upward, above his head and slashed it at Yato's head.

However, the attack never met Yato's body.

-Swish!

"Huh? Where did he go?"

"Are you searching for me?"

Soon enough demon received his answer, turning his head back he saw Yato standing right behind his back.

"It was fun but I'm getting bored now. Also, I have to get my disciple back to the academy as his mid-exam will start tomorrow. So let's end this." Saying that Yato punched the Leader of a demon in its chest.

-Boom!

Everything exploded, the shockwave Yato punched went through the demon's body destroying everything on it.

On the other hand, the demon's body exploded into millions of pieces and the remnants of dark energy scattered across the battlefield. The shockwave rippled through the air, causing a momentary stillness as debris settled.

Yato, unruffled by the explosion, stood amidst the aftermath with an air of nonchalance. His gaze shifted towards Lucas, who was still in an idmist battle against a demon.

"Well, I think I should help him. It's getting let now." Saying that Yato disappeared and appeared before Lucas.