At first, there were only three imps. Easy prey, one might think.
But now, they seemed to have multiplied many times their number in the short time Dignitas wasn't looking.
This was one of the traits of D-rank imps. They possessed the ability to call on other demons of the same species. This was how they won their battles even if the power level was that different.
Power in numbers, or so they say.
"What are you waiting for? Don't wait until the imps multiply into hundreds. Go." Sayuri urged Dignitas.
Hesitant, Dignitas fiddled with Dainsleif's hilt before he finally pulled it out.
The sword's red shade glowed brilliantly. Even after numerous battles, it still retained the same sharpness and durability of a newly forged sword, thanks to the runes that were inscribed.
'That sword never ceases to amaze me no matter how many times I look at it. I wonder how someone like him managed to obtain such a wonder.'
Even if she wasn't the brightest swordsmith, Sayuri knew a thing or two about the beauty of swords. It was required to fuel her hobby of wielding different blades.
As such, she was stupefied as to how Dainsleif landed in the hands of a mere D rank.
But as the mentor of the person who wielded said sword, it was her responsibility to make sure it was wielded elegantly.
The imps seemed to have noticed Dignitas long ago. They just never bothered to take him seriously due to their numbers.
However, the moment they glanced upon the sword known as Dainsleif, they recoiled back in shock.
"Fuck it. Elegantly, it is." Dignitas charged forward, his sword in hand.
The imps, many still frozen in fear, were at the mercy of Dignitas' blade.
One, two, three swings. Each one carried the embodiment of grace. Or at least, it looked like dancing. From the outside.
Dignitas did his best to move from foe to foe with quick, precise movements.
"Kwaaaak!" The imps screamed in fear. Their numbers were beginning to lower.
One imp, particularly colored white, was one of the first to regain its senses. It screamed, perhaps in an attempt to rally them.
Soon, the imps began to calm down until they eventually stood still, watching Dignitas mow through their comrades with refined movements.
"Wrraaaakk!"
However, Dignitas' initial momentum began to slow down. The imps were now banding together and using their numbers to their advantage.
*shrunggg*
In an attempt to take down a considerable number immediately, Dignitas unleashed a wide swing.
This single movement allowed Dainsleif to cut through tens of the imps who were unlucky enough to get caught in the arc.
"Wraaaakkk!" Two imps slashed at Dignitas. The hits connected, and blood spurted out from the wounds.
Dignitas had long since activated Death's Vision and was the reason why he was able to do so much damage at the start without taking as much as a single hit.
But now that the imps had rallied together completely, they were no different from an organism that consisted of millions of bacteria.
They moved as one, attacked as one, and defended as one.
Dignitas fell back upon realizing this.
"T–teacher! Do you really think this is something you give to your disciple as one of his first assignments?"
"Are you questioning me?"
"Well, ye–ow!"
"Well, don't! If you listened to my teachings, then you'd know what to do. Find your elegance."
Suffice it to say, Sayuri didn't teach him much, if anything.
***
The residual damage from the star had caused a massive supernova to erupt in the universe.
It was only a single explosion, but the entire world, and possibly other worlds were able to witness the might of the Hero known as Cendria Macador.
"H…he should be dead by now."
Cendria gasped for breath. That single attack had taken a lot out of her and possibly used up a large percentage of her power.
Even she would find it hard to believe that Kano survived the blast. Otherwise, she'd have no choice but to crown him as the ultimate rat with the way he scurried away so quickly.
Cendria herself was damaged quite a lot. In the last few seconds before impact, she had used the last bit of mana she could muster immediately and created an indestructible bubble using her green card.
Even the bubble, while powered using her excess mana, was barely able to withstand the full force of the star.
"You almost got me. It was a great idea, and the execution was flawless. If my reaction time was just a bit slower, then I would've been burnt to a crisp."
Cendria's blood turned cold. How was Kano still alive? After an attack of that magnitude, one would think that dust was all that was left.
"Y-you!"
"I told you, didn't I? In this place, only space rules supreme. You probably would've gotten me if my innate affinity wasn't Spatial. Alas…"
Kano raised his hand, and in an instant, the space around Cendria began to converge on her from all sides.
From every angle and every side, there was a force incomparable to even The Mountain God's fists.
Cendria's last bit of defense was set up already. A transparent bubble like the ones before had surrounded her, alleviating some of the pressure.
But she knew that it couldn't possibly hold on forever. Her strength was reaching its last legs and her mana was basically nonexistent.
Cendria stared at her pocket. What was inside was something she never thought of using once. It was too powerful, too uncontrollable.
The black card. The one that symbolizes death.
She had no choice, though. If she didn't stop this monster here, then he could possibly call upon more demons.
"At least, until the others come…"
Cendria took a deep breath. Then, she pulled out a card that was as dark as the night sky. It carried with it a menacing aura that threatened to swallow the entirety of space.
This was the black card and Cendria's final method of attack.
Just as the color black often symbolized death, this card had the ability to call upon an emissary of the grim reaper.
As for what would happen when they appear, that depended on whether Cendria's opponent was strong enough to resist it.
"It can't be… you! This aura!?" Kano's demeanor instantly broke. He stared at the emptiness of space, feeling a strong number of fluctuations beginning to assault it.
Even Kano was left completely silent.
*whoom*
In the empty darkness of space, a portal of devastating size opened. It grew to the size of an entire skyscraper, towering over both Cendria and Kano.
In this place where there should've been no ground, both of them heard the sound of the earth rumbling.
Or perhaps, it was the sky breaking apart, unable to withstand the unfathomable amount of dark energy pouring out of the portal.
Then, from that same portal, a figure that stood taller than even the tallest of giants phased through. Its body was completely black, and was covered in a long robe that extended past its legs.
Kano could not find the strength in him to teleport away. He was left dumbstruck, unable to even think.
This was just one of the many emissaries of death!
The Bringer Of Calamities, The Destroyer Of Worlds! The Missionary Of Death Himself!
These people are known by many titles such as these, but they all share one thing in particular.
They are Those Who Must Not Be Named.