Chapter 145: The Demon Duke's Wrath
The world shattered into pain.
Kael staggered, the blade still lodged through his chest.
His vision blurred.
His breath hitched.
Everything—his mana, his strength, his senses—felt like they were slipping from his grasp.
The Demon Duke leaned in, whispering, "What's wrong, Sigilist? Does it hurt?"
Kael gritted his teeth.
His hands trembled—but not from weakness.
From rage.
A storm of mana erupted around him.
And then—
His wounds vanished.
The Healing Rune carved into his skin flared to life, golden light sealing the hole in his chest as if it had never existed.
The Duke's eyes widened slightly. "…Interesting."
Kael exhaled slowly.
Then, his lips curled into a smirk.
"You'll have to do better than that."
The Demon Duke barely had time to react—
Because Kael moved.
System Activated: Berserker's Ascent – Grand Tier
A red aura exploded around him, raw mana surging through his veins like liquid fire.
Kael's body shifted—his muscles tightening, his reflexes sharpening, his very existence becoming a force of destruction.
+100 to All Stats for 10 Minutes
His speed doubled.
His strength tripled.
And the Demon Duke felt it.
Kael's blade burned crimson as he swung with all his force.
The Duke blocked—barely.
The impact sent him skidding back.
And for the first time—his smirk disappeared.
"…So, the human still has fangs."
Kael rolled his shoulders. "Keep talking. I want to see how smug you are when you're bleeding out."
The Duke chuckled—but his grip on his swords tightened.
The Demon Duke moved first.
A wave of black flames erupted from his swords, the fire twisting with demonic corruption.
Kael's eyes flashed.
"Arcane Sever!"
A pulse of raw anti-magic exploded from his body, shattering the demonic flames before they could even reach him.
The Duke's brows furrowed.
Kael didn't give him time to react.
He charged, his sword trailing Crimson Sigils, the blood-infused runes pulsing with devastating energy.
He swung.
The Demon Duke blocked—
But Kael's sigils detonated on impact.
The explosion tore through the battlefield, sending the Duke crashing through the ruins.
Vasaria landed beside Kael, breathing hard. "You could've done that earlier."
Kael wiped blood from his lips. "Didn't feel like it."
Vasaria grinned. "Liar."
The dust settled.
The Demon Duke rose from the rubble, his armor cracked, his gaze darker than before.
He exhaled, stretching his shoulders. "Alright. No more games."
Then—his power erupted.
The sky darkened.
A pulse of pure demonic mana surged outward, warping reality itself.
Vasaria stiffened. "What the hell is—"
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Celestial Sigil—Divine Rune: Overwrite."
The moment his rune activated, the world shifted.
The Duke's magic collapsed.
His presence—his very existence as a demon—became unstable.
The concept of his power, his immortality, his endless regeneration—nullified.
For ten seconds, he was nothing more than a mortal.
And Kael would make them count.
Kael vanished from sight.
The Duke's eyes widened—then Kael was behind him.
A slash.
Then another.
And another.
Ten strikes in an instant.
Each one laced with Crimson Sigils, burning deeper, severing through the Duke's defenses.
Kael whispered, his voice deathly calm.
"You die here."
And then—he plunged his sword straight through the Demon Duke's chest.
The world went silent.
The Duke staggered, his body trembling.
Then—he let out a breathless chuckle.
"…Magnificent."
His body crumbled into ash.
And the battle was over.
Kael let out a slow exhale, his aura fading.
His body ached.
Vasaria watched him carefully. "You good?"
Kael wiped blood from his chin. "Better than him."
Raithon scoffed, stepping forward. "I suppose you're useful, after all."
Kael smirked. "Careful. You almost sound impressed."
Raithon clicked his tongue. "Don't push it, blood bag."
Vasaria leaned in, grinning. "Oh, he's definitely pushing it."
Saria snorted. "Can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm starting to like you, Kael."
Thalric stretched. "Let's leave before more of them show up."
Kael exhaled. "Agreed."
The group turned, leaving the battlefield behind.
The demons were getting stronger.
And this was only the beginning.