The jungle was lit up by a bright pillar of flame that broke through the mist and into the night sky.
Raziel was long gone by then, running along the jungle with a calm expression etched across his face.
"That would keep him busy," he muttered, increasing his speed.
He had successfully pulled off the first part of the plan. All that was left was to prepare for the hardest part.
His plan from the start was simple: to try and separate the duo, ensuring one was busy enough not to interfere with what he was about to do.
That Demic had been the key to the whole plan. What stage was it... that he couldn't quite figure out.
Raziel had been sent along with the other heirs of his family into this pocket dimension, all in the sake of some trial. A test that would set them apart from their peers and groom them into formidable Exorcists.
The task was quite simple. They had to survive two weeks in this hellish dimension. And indeed they had done it, well... except him, the Cursedborn–as he was regarded–of the Shindo clan. His death was something he didn't want to think of... not yet.
His first week in this strange place was a nightmarish one. Having to hide in fear from the Demics that dwelled in the region. He had stumbled upon this place after escaping a dreadful battle, hoping to seek refuge when he was stopped by one of the heirs.
She had warned him of a terrifying being that had turned the whole area to its nest, saving him from inescapable death, which would have led to yet another cursed reincarnation.
Come to think of it... He did wonder why she saved his life...
'Not time to think about that.'
Shaking his head, he focused on the path ahead.
Running through the jungle, he finally slid to a stop. The jungle was fully active now.
The battle going on between the strange Demic and Bo had caused quite the ruckus.
The camouflage skill was active though, so he was able return back to the previous area without much stress.
Looking at the scene before him, same couldn't be said for the mohawk guy.
The floor around him was littered with bodies of Demics, their dark blood already forming a pool.
"Dammit! What the hell is going on!"
The mohawk guy gritted his teeth as he cut down another spawn.
"They just keep coming!"
Not that they were strong enough to pose a threat to him, just that he was still human. Even with his supernatural abilities, he was beginning to get tired.
After all, he didn't have infinite reserves of energy. With each second that passed, his situation turned dire.
Once his energy gets exhausted, he won't be able to activate his powers.
Dammit! Where's that damn Bo!" He cursed as he evaded another spawn creature that had joined the fight.
The countless corpses littering the ground were bound to only attract more creatures to the area. Their best choice was escaping the area entirely.
Cutting down one of the creatures, his eyes suddenly widened. Swinging his bone sword in an arc, he barely managed to block the silver sword just a few inches away from detaching his head from his body.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Straining his muscles, he pushed back the sword with a grunt. Just as the second creature leapt forward, his other hand shot out another whitish bone, impaling its forehead.
His little action, though, had left him unprepared for what came next.
The new figure that appeared from nowhere swung down once again. This time, the attack was faster than the first, causing the Mohawk guy to react late.
A thin line appeared on his cheek with blood slowly dripping down.
The stinging pain on his cheek wasn't enough to stop him in his tracks. Yet, he stood still, eyes wide.
"D–damn brat! How the hell... how the hell are you alive!" He exclaimed, gripping his weapon tightly.
The figure stood calm, his silver hair fluttering behind his back.
"Am I hallucinating? No... The attack was real." The stinging pain on his cheek was evidence.
'Probably a mind attack? Maybe some sort of powerful creature manipulating his mind from the shadows?'
He didn't have time to ponder much as Raziel was already onto him.
"Dammit!" Swinging his bone sword, he deflected the attack, and yet another strike.
'We need to get out of here! Damn it! Bo! How did you end up far away from here!'
If it truly was a creature capable of manipulating his mind, then they had no chance against it.
Blocking a series of sword strikes, his leg shot out, landing on Raziel's chest.
Skidding back, his feet digging trenches across the ground, Raziel raised his sword just in time to deflect the bone sword from above.
'He's strong.'
He knew right from the start the battle was going to be a tough one. Even with the Amplifier skill active, he was still struggling.
Charging forward, they exchanged a couple of strikes. Their form weaving through the littered corpses.
Raziel was getting overwhelmed. He blocked the bone sword coming at him from his sides, only for another to shoot out from his opponent stomach. Twisting his torso, he barely evaded it, the sharp edge slicing through his abdomen.
Tsk.
Leaping backwards, he let out a soft breath.
"It is really you." The Mohawk guy muttered, a wide grin forming across his pale face. "How the hell did you manage to survive, brat?"
His tensed muscles slowly relaxed, his bone sword hanging limply at his side as he stared at Raziel, his grin blooming.
Raziel didn't answer. Exhaling softly, he adjusted his stance, shoulders rolling back as he prepared to charge forward.
His body was getting attuned with his memories and though, he couldn't use any of his old powers, the same couldn't be said for his deep well of combat knowledge. Countless of numerous battles fought, foes capable of destroying this low realm world with just a gaze.
Raziel didn't see himself losing this fight. It was going to take time, but in the end, he would come out victorious. He was sure of that. So, he gripped his sword tightly and charged forward.
Their weapons clashed once again, letting out white sparks as they danced across the ruined terrain.
"This is fun. Having to be the one to get rid of the scum of the clan. Hahaha." The Mohawk guy shouted, laughing out loud.
Raziel remained quiet, slowly adjusting to the rhythm of the battle. His sword flashed with precision, oozing with his killing intent.
Soon, his opponent realise he was slowly getting pushed back.
Evading an horizontal swing, Raziel swung his sword forward and then followed up with his palms.
Easily blocking the blade, the mohawk guy failed to stop the palm flying towards his face.
"Dammit!" A bone shot out from his cheek, piercing through the hand, yet Raziel didn't slow down. His palms struck his face with a loud thud, swinging his head backwards.
"Ughhh... damn bastard!" He cursed with a groan. "You'll pay for thi–"
Raziel wasn't done yet. Pushing the side of his face, his knees shot up, digging into his sides.
Again... then again. And yet... again.
Snapping the bone from his hand, he jumped backward just in time to evade the burst of bone spikes that shot out from his opponent body.
Exhaling softly, Raziel stared at the Mohawk guy who stood motionless.
"Damn it... S–something is wrong." He muttered, staring at his palms. The bone sword on his hand broke into particles, entering his body back. Not only that, he felt... he felt his body behaving strangely.
"You did something! What the hell did you do!" He roared, staggering forward.
Raziel blocked the fist heading right at his head and thrust forward. "Did you think you were going to win before?"
He calmly said, staring at the withered flower pattern pulsating on the left side of the guy face.
Twisting his sword, the guy let out a weak groan. His knees buckled, unable to bear his weight again. "Damn... cough... cursed... brat... you won't... get away with... this." He spat out with a weak voice.
"Ohhh. I bloody will." Raziel muttered with an expressionless face. "Too bad you won't be alive." Calmly placing his hand on his face, he muttered softly.
Devour.
The guy's body was wrapped in a dark glow as he suddenly began to corrode, turning into wisps of particles that flowed into Raziel.
"Don't worry... I'll make good use of your powers..." he muttered, eyes glinting coldly.