The silhouette of the woman in a black coat pulled the trigger of the giant.
In the midst of the endless white snowstorm, a sudden burst of purple light illuminated the surroundings. The intense glow scattered through the countless snowflakes, creating a dazzling display of lights.
A powerful beam shot from the gun's barrel, slicing through the pulsating runic patterns of light in its path. With each passing moment, it grew brighter, transforming from a distant star into a blazing purple sun as it passed through the magic constructs of the floating runes.
The surge of energy and heat swept over Tia, causing massive clouds of steam to rise in its wake as the beam disappeared into the distance after its brief pulse. The recoil kicked her back like a horse, but she held her ground.
Just as swiftly as it appeared, the light vanished, plunging everything back into darkness under the thick canopy of clouds.
The pulsing aura of violence dimmed down, but just as she wanted to breathe out in relief, it flared back to life.
"It survived," Tia muttered in disbelief, her muscles tensing as she braced herself for an extended battle. She sensed eyes watching her from behind but paid them no mind, fully focused on her own survival.
"It's coming," she whispered, narrowing her eyes as a violent aura approached rapidly, accompanied by a howling wind like a speeding arrow.
Tia cleared her mind, bent her knees, and wove invisible strands of kinetic force around herself—she was ready to react at the split second of notice.
Red lights pulsed in the distance, rapidly approaching and growing brighter.
"What's happening? Is it dead?" Panic-filled voices echoed from behind Tia, but she ignored them; her mind focused on the unfolding situation.
Her eyes pulsed one last time as she caught the flash of red light and reacted at the last moment.
With a burst of energy, Tia propelled herself sideways, leaping through the air with a trail of swirling snow in her wake. Her black coat and long hair twirled like a vortex.
The intense red light nearly blinded her, and a shockwave washed over her, sending snow flying in all directions. However, even amidst the shockwaves, she elegantly landed in the soft snow.
'Demon!'
In the place where Tia had stood just moments ago, a tall, dark figure, radiating a red glow and covered in ice crystals, appeared—a menacing blend of frozen blood and dark shadows. It's hunched tall above her.
The sensation of freezing cold on her face and the smell of sulfur hit her like a hammer.
"Why do you protect this insignificant mortal? Why do you dare obstruct my path?" A voice, like a tortured radio transmission amplified to deafening levels, reverberated through her.
Tia's heart raced as she stared at the horrifying figure before her. Its twisted, grotesque form oozed malevolence, and its eyes burned with an intense, blood-red glare that sent shivers down her spine.
"Give me that mortal, and perhaps I will show you mercy!" The voice thundered, its words dripping with malice and threat.
Tia grappled with paralyzing fear, torn between the agonizing decision to abandon her contract or face the terrifying wrath of this demonic presence.
'Either I can face the demon or the unknown consequences of breaking my contract.'
"I can't," Tia replied firmly, her voice trembling slightly. "I am bound by a debt."
She was ready to grab the dumb boy and flee. Even though she couldn't guarantee she would be faster than the demon, she decided to at least try, as the thought of breaking the contract sent a wave of disgust and fear through her.
'Contracts and deals can't be broken, and debts must be paid...' She knew it—the knowledge was ingrained deep within her.
The demon's demeanor suddenly shifted. Its menacing presence receded, and the red glow in its eyes dimmed.
"I see," the demon said, its tone less threatening. "You are not willingly obstructing my path. You are forced, as debts must be paid."
Tia didn't breathe in relief. Instead, she tensed even more, slowly moving toward the boy, step by step. She wasn't to believe a demon so simply—a being known for its treacherousness.
The demon continued its speech, each word feeling like cold blades entering her ears, while she crept closer and closer to the boy sitting in the snow. "A single mortal isn't worthy of damaging our vessels over him."
'Vessels? Why does it feel like it excludes me from them, mortals? Is it again about my soul not being a human one? Maybe I can get it to talk more and gain some time.'
"Why are you even pursuing him?" Oppressive silence fell after Tia's words, and each second felt to her like an hour.
Then the demon's words exploded into a storm of fury: "Why?! Why?! Because I am SICK of these insufferable mortals barging in, shattering my dominion with their sanctimonious glory and their shining swords! When a soul willingly binds itself to me, it is a sacred pact, unbreakable by these meddlesome fools. This mortal dares to defy the laws of a dark covenant and interrupt the sacred and willing trade, and for that, he shall know my unbridled fury!"
(AN: Oops, I didn't realize how long it had been since the last chapter... Sorry.)