The demon king suddenly realized that he was born by his own will.
From the beginning, the king was powerful—a massive body without weakness, filled with aggression and strength. He possessed intelligence that was not far behind humans.
Wherever the king went, monsters bowed their heads in submission. It was then that the demon king realized he was the ruler of his own destiny.
The king did not tolerate any beings that opposed him and eradicated them. Even the highest-ranking monsters with massive bodies and great strength were helpless against him.
He successfully subjugated even the highest-ranking monsters and gradually expanded his territory.
However, the king could not easily surpass the massive wall erected by humans. Nevertheless, he desired to slaughter all humans and feast on their blood and bones.
Of course, the king knew that humans were formidable beings, so he did not act rashly.
The negative emotions that brought him into existence had taught him that humans were fearsome creatures. He began to prepare carefully.
The king began to form his forces in earnest. He commanded lower-ranking monsters through the highest-ranking ones he had subjugated and made the monsters born everywhere recognize that he was the king.
And finally, the king became confident that his forces could overcome the massive wall erected by humans.
Thinking that all preparations were finished, he was about to advance.
Suddenly, a whirlwind of chaos swept through his army.
* * *
The demon king saw his forces in disarray. As someone who had not faced many human enemies, he couldn't understand why such turmoil had occurred.
Unlike humans who had fought numerous battles against monsters, the recently born king was ignorant about magic.
However, the king knew that this was not an ordinary occurrence.
His army was faltering.
It was not a good sign. His goal was to go beyond the massive wall, expand his territory, and devour humans.
Consumed by rage, the demon king advanced toward the camp where the first skirmish had occurred. His massive and somewhat grotesque body emanated tremendous power.
Were his forces decreasing? No, they were overflowing with monsters. Instead, he needed to eliminate those who opposed his will and establish a new spirit.
He tore apart the monsters who resisted him with the power emanating from his massive body and began to establish a new command system.
Realizing that he could no longer delay his advance, the king raised a gigantic axe made from his own bones with one hand and stood at the forefront of the highest-ranking and upper-ranking monsters.
His strong determination to slaughter humans and go beyond the wall spread throughout the monster army.
Numerous scales intertwined, and madness began to fortify the bodies of the monsters, strengthening them.
The demon king advanced toward the massive wall.
* * *
[Physis' POV]
Urgent bells rang out in various places.
"They are advancing!"
Soldiers who were watching the monsters from atop the wall shouted as if in a scream. Knights, soldiers, everyone took up a combat stance and climbed up the Ice Wall.
We had used Adilun's magic several times to disorientate the monsters, but it seemed that our constant shaking of the monster army had aggravated the king's impatience.
As a result, the number of the monster army had visibly decreased. At this rate, our current troops would be enough to challenge the demon king, especially with Adilun's presence.
It was an army of 30,000, which was unbelievable as the army of a local lord.
The size of the army was possible because the Empire was huge, and Rodenov had the most powerful military authority among them.
Under the wall, a massive monster broke the ground with its fierce steps and appeared. At the sight of the monster running ahead, everyone immediately recognized who he was.
He was the demon king.
"Fire!"
Soldiers who had undergone special training drew their bows and released their arrows. The sound of arrows tearing through the air was heard, and the monster hit by the blind arrows fell instantly.
The demon king swung his arm powerfully toward the incoming arrows.
- Whoosh!
Then, the arrows heading toward the demon king lost their power and scattered in the air in an instant. It was truly an overwhelming force.
Upon seeing this, the knights also raised their weapons. They knew they had to strike the demon king before he reached their position.
Arrows infused with mana poured down, and flames surged from the ends of the mages' staffs as they prepared for the monster's advance.
Fierce flames poured toward the demon king. However, all of the attacks dispersed uselessly, and the demon king approached the Ice wall.
With a body about half the height of the Ice wall, skin as hard as steel, and intense aggression supporting him, the demon king lived up to his title.
In front of the Ice wall, he swung the massive axe he held in his hand toward the Ice wall.
"Take cover!"
- Kwaaang!
Adilun's urgent shout resonated through the magic, and at the same time, a deafening roar tore through the heavens and earth.
A part of the Ice wall was deeply dented by the axe blow just now.
Surrounded by all sorts of magic, the soldiers had never thought scars would be so easily carved on the Ice Wall, which was unblemished even by the attacks of the highest-ranking monsters. A commotion began to rise from the soldiers who watched the scene.
Because they had never seen anything like this before.
Even amidst numerous monster invasions, the Ice Wall had never been marked by any scars. The fact that it was now wounded was enough to dampen the soldiers' morale.
"Halt the demons!"
Sir Aidan's command echoed down from the wall. Yes, the problem was not just the demon king. The massive monster army following him was also a problem. If they only focused on the king, that fearsome force would break through the Ice Wall in an instant. They needed to stop the monsters first, even if it meant enduring damage to the Ice wall.
Arrows rained down once again. This time, it was an attack ignoring the demon king. The monsters behind him were hit by arrows sent flying by the knights and soldiers, causing their advance to slow down.
But that wasn't all. The mages' magical attacks were also directed at the monsters. They froze or were cut in half by blades of wind or burned in flames.
The demon king swung his axe once again, aiming to split the wall.
But at that moment, Adilun chanted her magic.
A massive barrier appeared between the Ice wall and the demon king.
The powerful axe blow aimed at the barrier, but Adilun had poured all her strength into protecting it, making the barrier impenetrable.
As I watched all of this unfold, I took a step forward.
I hadn't just been standing there doing nothing. I compared my abilities with those of the demon king and calculated if I could confront him.
The information that the eyes that could see through essence sent me was simple.
It was worth a try.
If that was the case, then I had to do it. The only person who could stand against the demon king in this situation was me. I couldn't simply leave him alone like this; it wasn't my style to back down from a fight with no chance of winning.
"Physis?"
Adilun's eyes, which had been focused on her magic, widened in astonishment.
"What are you doing now?"
"I'll stop him. You prepare the magic. You've been researching it all this time, haven't you?"
"...It's dangerous."
"Don't worry, I won't die. I won't stick my neck out in a fight where the odds are against me. You know my personality."
"But still..."
"I'll buy as much time as I can, so release the barrier and prepare the Star of Hope, Adilun."
Adilun nodded firmly, realizing that I wasn't joking.
"...Yes."
"Don't worry too much. I'll be fine."
"I believe you."
"Good."
As soon as I finished speaking, I threw myself under the Ice wall.
I surrounded myself with mana and strengthened my body. My physical prowess activated, and immense power surged through my entire being.
- Kuwoong.
I landed on the snowy ground below the Ice wall, and at the same time, our gazes met. Then, the barrier that had stood between the demon king and me was released.
Without a word, I ran toward him, and he ran toward me.
- Kwaang!
As his axe clashed with my fist, a powerful shockwave erupted. The other monsters didn't dare interfere in the battle, even though they knew their king was being attacked.
They were being bombarded with immense magical attacks. Given the scale of the assault, it had to be Adilun's magic.
While she prepared the Star of Hope, it seemed she had some spare energy to hold back the monsters. Her magical abilities were more than capable of dual casting.
I activated my essence-piercing eye to the fullest. I could see where his attacks were directed, how his muscles moved, and the vulnerable parts of his body. All of this information flooded into my eyes.
However, even with this knowledge, there was still a considerable difference in our abilities at the moment. It wasn't an insurmountable gap, but if I allowed even a single one of his attacks to land, I would likely be seriously injured.
Even so, I couldn't let fear hold me back.
In my previous life, I overcame numerous dangers with my bare hands. Facing all sorts of perilous monsters, I stood alone without anyone's help.
Compared to that, my current situation was much better. So, I could do it.
After bolstering my determination, I charged toward the demon king once again.