As the intense battle erupted between Rivale, the Bloody God of War, and Siegfried, the self-proclaimed savior, the air crackled with absolute dominance. Steel clashed against steel as the two warriors exchanged powerful blows, each testing the other's strength and resolve.
Stoltz, who had been observing the battle, couldn't help but wonder, "How was he and his weapon able to withstand that demon's heavy blows?"
"He was using a magic that increases the durability of everything he imagines," Eisen replied, explaining what was happening. "It's called Verstärken."
Hearing that, the warrior was speechless. He had never imagined a warrior using such magic with such finesse.
"Magnificent! You've lasted much longer than that human!" Rivale remarked, clearly enjoying the challenge as their weapons clashed, sending sparks flying everywhere.
With a calm and composed expression, Siegfried skillfully blocked the demon's powerful axe swings. "Don't underestimate them. Humans have their way of growing stronger."
With a sharp twist of his wrist, the elf deflected another powerful strike, stepping aside and countering with a swift slice aimed at Rivale's side. However, the demon blocked the attack, and his grin persisted.
"Stronger, you say?" Rivale taunted, his voice rumbling like thunder. "It doesn't matter how much they grow, they'll remain weak compared to a demon."
"...."
Siegfried remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized his opponent closely. Every swing, every shift in stance, was a potential opening. He wasn't interested in the demon's bravado—only in finding the perfect moment to strike.
Rivale, sensing the elf's focus, grinned wider. "What's the matter? Run out of clever retorts?"
With that, the towering demon swung his massive axe again, aiming to split his opponent in two. But as the blade was about to connect, Siegfried vanished from sight.
Rivale's axe cleaved through empty air, the momentum of the missed strike throwing him off balance. His predatory eyes searched for the elf, but before he could react, he felt an intense pain at his back—a well-timed slash that knocked him forward.
"W-what just happened?!" Stark exclaimed, surprised by Siegfried's sudden action. "How did he get there so fast?"
"He uses a magic that allows him to appear wherever he pleases," Eisen explained, his tone almost nonchalant. "It's called Schattenschritt—his favorite trick when dodging attacks."
Stoltz didn't react to the dwarf's explanation. His eyes were focused on the battle in front of him. He realized that the elf was not just a warrior using magic, but a powerful mage.
Meanwhile, Rivale recovered from the surprise attack and glared at Siegfried with murderous intent. "You thought you've won just because you caught me off guard? Think again!"
With a deafening roar, the Bloody God of War stomped the ground, sending tremors rippling through the earth. The sudden quake threw the elf off balance, and Rivale seized the chance to charge, raising his axe for another crushing blow.
As the axe descended, Siegfried vanished once again. The demon, anticipating a strike from behind, swung his weapon wildly in a wide arc, hoping to catch his elusive foe.
However, Siegfried hadn't moved at all.
The elf remained exactly where he was, his expression tolerant as ever, waiting for Rivale to overextend. And the moment the demon left himself open, he struck.
"Where are you swinging at, dumbass?"
With a swift, precise movement, the elf sliced the Bloody God of War's exposed side, cutting deep into the demon's flesh. A roar of pain and fury erupted from Rivale's throat as he reeled backward, clutching his wound.
For the first time, the demon's grin faded, replaced with a mix of disdain and stringency. He hadn't expected his prey to outmaneuver him so completely.
"You..." Rivale murmured, his voice becoming serious. "You won't get away with this!"
"Oh, I think I will," Siegfried retorted, brandishing his weapon. "You've already lost."
Offended, the Bloody God of War charged again, but this time there was a desperation in his movements. He swung wildly, his attacks fueled by beastly instinct rather than strategy. But Siegfried was no longer interested in dodging. This was the moment to end it.
Closing his eyes, Seigfried brought his hands together and chanted solemnly.
"Imaginary Armory Magic, Klingenarbeit."
At that moment, the battlefield shifted, transforming the devastated village into a vast desert filled with thousands of weapons. The demon halted his advance, surveying the new location in disbelief.
"What... What the heck is this?" he demanded, feeling vigilant and apprehensive.
Siegfried smiled as he opened his eyes. "Welcome to my domain... and your grave."
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While the battle was about to reach its highest peak, Stoltz, Stark, and Eisen, along with the other warriors and demons, were astonished to find that their location had shifted.
"W-what is happening?" Stark asked as he hid behind his brother.
Stoltz, while protecting his younger sibling, looked around. "Where are we?"
"We are all inside his boundless hammerspace of weapons," Eisen calmly responded as if this bizarre phenomenon was something he had witnessed before.
The vast desert of blades stretched endlessly in all directions. The sky above was saturated orange, casting a warm glow over the countless weapons. Rivale, despite his shock, quickly regained his composure. His predatory gaze locked onto the elf standing at the heart of this strange domain.
"You think this will intimidate me?" the demon growled, his voice dripping with contempt. "All these weapons won't change the outcome because I will still crush you."
Siegfried, unfazed by his opponent's threats, huffed confidently. "You could try."
With a roar, Rivale charged once again, his massive axe swinging with reckless abandon. But the elf raised a finger and a bunch of bladed weapons began to levitate in the air. Then with a flick of his hand, Siegfried sends his arsenals flying toward his opponent.
The Bloody God of War, upon seeing the incoming projectiles, swung his axe in broad curves, smashing through the incoming blades. The demon managed to parry most of the projectiles but several of them grazed his skin, cutting into him and drawing black blood.
"Erk!"
The demon winced but he quickly brushed off the pain.
"Is that the best you've got?" Rivale roared, stomping the ground defiantly. "You'll need more than that to bring me down!"
"Oh, I have plenty more weapons to turn your body into a pin cushion," the elf retorted, lifting his hand to levitate an even greater number of blades.
The air crackled with tension as the weapons hovered ominously above. Rivale's expression darkened, with bloodlust igniting in his eyes. However, he felt his body stiffening, realizing he couldn't move.
"What the heck? Why can't I move my body?" demanded the Bloody God of War, confused as to why he couldn't control his limbs.
Siegfried chuckled, relishing the demon's confusion. "Ah, I forgot to mention that some of my blades were coated with paralyzing poison. My bad."
Rivale's eyes widened in horror as he fought against the paralyzing effect. He let out a fierce roar, but Siegfried stayed composed, a contented smile appearing on his face.
"Now, let's see how well you fare against this," he declared, lowering his hand.
The blades dropped like a deadly storm, slicing through the air with lethal grace. Rivale could only watch in helpless rage as the onslaught began. Each blade struck true, embedding itself in the demon's flesh, piercing through muscle and tendons.
"Aaaaarrghh!!! Curse you, damn elf! I'm Bloody God of War!"
With each impact, Rivale let out guttural roars of pain, his confidence shattering as the elf's relentless assault continued.
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After several minutes, the storm of blades finally ceased, revealing Rivale's hulking form, now riddled with countless weapons. Blood oozed from every wound, pooling beneath him as his body trembled. Each labored breath was a struggle, his once-powerful frame weighed down by a thousand cuts.
The ferocity and confident personality he had once displayed had diminished into a broken, bleeding mess, completely shattering his bravado.
"It's over, Rivale," Siegfried calmly stated as he approached the demon. "Your reign of terror ends here."
Despite being on the brink of collapse, the Bloody God of War couldn't help but laugh, blood trickled from his lips with each chuckle. "You think... you have won... but I... still have a... trick up my sleeve..."
Siegfried's brow arched in curiosity, asking, "Oh? And what might that be?"
With a twisted grin, Rivale bellowed loudly, his voice echoing across the desert of blades.
"MY HENCHMEN! COME TO ME AND DEFEAT MY ENEMY!"
In an instant, the lesser demons that had been committed in battle with the human warriors froze, their attention snapping to their master's words. Without hesitation, they abandoned their fights and rushed toward Siegfried, their eyes gleaming with violent intent.
Stoltz, who had stood his ground alongside the others, noticed the sudden change. "They're heading straight for him!"
"Brother, we need to do something!" Stark pleaded, gripping his older sibling's mantle.
Eisen stepped forward, his burly hand firmly gripping the handle of his battle axe. "Stay here, you two. I'll go help him out."
But before anyone could act, the swarm of demons was within Siegfried's range. The half-elf just sighed, raising his hand to call his signature weapon. In an instant, a sword came hurtling toward him, landing perfectly in his grasp.
Running his finger along the blade's surface, he calmly whispered, "Zoltraak."
The moment the word left his lips, the sword began to glow, emanating a radiant light. With a swift, fluid motion, Siegfried swung the weapon, sending a luminous slash-shaped projectile soaring toward the oncoming demons. The magic attack tore through the crowd, effortlessly slicing most of them into several pieces.