The wind cut across the open field as we advanced once again. The sequence of battles was beginning to form a pattern, but I refused to let my guard down. The easier everything seemed, the greater the chance that we were being led into a false sense of control. The enemy had already shown enough intelligence to manipulate movements, so assuming everything would be straightforward would be a mistake.
We moved in a loose formation, maintaining enough distance to react quickly to any changes. Lyannis and Vespera were scouting ahead once more, disappearing and reappearing among the rises in the terrain, while Scarlett kept her wing aligned farther behind. Elara and Rai'kanna remained at my side, and Liriel observed everything with that attentive gaze, always sensitive to any fluctuation in the energy around us.
After a few minutes of advancing, I felt it before any warning came. A different pressure, denser than before. It wasn't just the presence of an ordinary horde. There was something more concentrated there.
"Stop," I said, raising a hand slightly.
The entire group responded immediately.
Lyannis appeared shortly afterward, her expression serious.
"Bigger than the previous ones. Much bigger."
"How many?" I asked.
"More than five hundred," she replied.
Vespera appeared right after.
"And this time... they're organized."
That changed everything.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes.
"Finally something that looks like a real threat."
Elara crossed her arms.
"An organized formation means command."
"Or at least an attempt at coordination," I added.
Rai'kanna looked toward the horizon.
"So this is where it truly begins."
I took a deep breath and stepped forward until I had a clear view of what awaited us.
The horde was much larger. Unlike the previous ones, they were not scattered irregularly. There were lines. Not perfect ones, but enough to show intention. Some larger demons stood at the front, while others moved along the flanks, creating a kind of preemptive encirclement.
This was no longer just an advance.
It was preparation.
I remained silent for a few seconds, analyzing.
Scarlett stepped a little closer.
"Now you're not going to tell me you're going alone."
I didn't answer immediately.
Elara took a small step forward.
"This number, with this formation... already requires coordinated combat."
Liriel nodded.
"If there's any delay, the miasma could spread even further."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"And this time they'll actually fight back."
Vespera added,
"It won't be like before."
Rai'kanna looked directly at me.
"What's the decision?"
The wind blew harder at that moment, lifting small particles of dust from the dry ground. I looked at the horde again, feeling the pressure increase, but at the same time, something inside me remained steady.
"You'll hold your position," I said.
The silence was immediate.
Scarlett let out a humorless laugh.
"You have to be joking."
"I'm not."
Elara frowned.
"This isn't control anymore. It's stubbornness."
"No," I replied, without taking my eyes off the enemy. "This is still within what I can handle."
Liriel stepped forward.
"Takumi... this isn't necessary."
"It is," I replied. "If I can avoid any risk to you, then it's necessary."
Lyannis shook her head slightly.
"You're taking this too far."
"Maybe," I answered. "But it's still not the limit."
Vespera watched me silently for a few seconds before speaking.
"Then prove it."
Scarlett crossed her arms, clearly displeased.
"If you fail, I'm going in."
"You won't need to."
Rai'kanna kept her gaze firmly on me.
"Come back."
I gave a slight nod.
Without another word, I began walking forward.
With every step, the presence of the demons grew stronger. This time, they reacted before I even got close. The formation began to move, adjusting positions as if they were already expecting the confrontation.
I stopped at a sufficient distance.
Took a deep breath.
And activated the blessing.
The energy expanded instantly, more intensely than before. The world around me seemed to slow down again, but this time with even greater clarity. Every enemy movement, every intention... everything was visible.
The armor responded as well, releasing its full power, while the sword vibrated in my hand as if it were ready.
I charged forward.
The initial impact was different this time.
They tried to resist.
Several of the larger demons advanced together, creating a barrier of brute force.
But it wasn't enough.
The first strike shattered the line.
The second opened a path.
The third destroyed any attempt at formation.
I continued advancing without stopping.
This time, the environment reacted with greater intensity. The ground collapsed beneath the impacts, creating deep cracks. Rocks were launched into the air, and distant trees were uprooted by the pressure of the blows. The very structure of the terrain seemed unable to withstand the level of force being unleashed.
The demons tried to surround me, regroup, attack together.
But there wasn't enough coordination to deal with me in that state.
The blessing nullified every advantage they could have had.
I didn't need to defend.
I didn't need to retreat.
Only advance.
And eliminate.
Time itself seemed distorted. There was no clear sense of how much had passed, only the constant flow of movement and destruction.
Until, little by little, the resistance began to collapse.
The formation completely fell apart.
The attacks weakened.
And then... stopped.
Silence returned, heavier than before.
The horde had vanished.
I stood still for a few seconds, observing what remained. The terrain was unrecognizable. Deep fissures cut through the ground, elevated sections had been destroyed, and the air still carried traces of the energy that had been released.
I slowly deactivated the blessing.
Took a deep breath.
And turned around.
When I began walking back, I noticed that the group hadn't moved an inch. Everyone was standing exactly where I had left them.
But now...
The look in their eyes was different.
Scarlett was the first to speak, her voice lower than usual.
"This... isn't normal."
"I know," I replied.
Elara observed the devastated field.
"You didn't just win... you erased everything."
Liriel lightly placed a hand against her chest.
"The amount of energy released... was absurd."
Lyannis let out a soft whistle.
"It didn't even look like a battle."
Vespera nodded.
"It was an annihilation."
Rai'kanna walked forward until she stopped directly in front of me. Her gaze was firm, but there was something more there. Something beyond simple evaluation.
"You're becoming something beyond an adventurer," she said.
I thought for a moment.
"Maybe I need to be."
Silence returned once more.
But this time... there was no doubt.
Only the confirmation that this was no longer just an ordinary war.
It was the beginning of something far greater.
And I was already at the center of it.