Ronan glanced toward the flag planted in the middle of the camp and curiously asked, "What's that?"
"Mercenary flag."
From afar, the voices of humans drifted over, exchanging numbers of the demonic creatures each team had captured or killed.
A man holding a torch wandered off to the side, and it was then that Ronan noticed not only the two iron cages hanging in the air but several larger ones on the ground. As the firelight flickered, he saw that these cages were filled with a shocking number of demonic creatures.
"I know you want to save your friend," Ronan spoke earnestly, aware of how fast Kael could be, but there were too many people over there. And as a demonic dog, he wasn't sure how much he could help. "But you need to think calmly about how to—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the demon beside him had already charged out.
The hundred-meter distance disappeared in an instant. Ronan watched wide-eyed as Kael tore into the human camp like a speeding train, impaling a man with his bare hands before tossing him aside.
Screams and alarms quickly replaced the previously calm atmosphere. Kael, like a god of slaughter, punched through another man's chest with one hand, then leaped to tackle another.
Ronan didn't even have time to stand before Kael had already snapped the neck of a second man inside the camp.
As that man's head rolled to the ground, Kael immediately set his sights on the next target—a man armed with a bow and arrow.
At such close range, the archer had no chance to use his weapon effectively. Realizing he had been spotted by the rampaging demon, the man smartly began retreating.
A well-armored warrior stepped forward to shield the archer, blocking Kael's kick.
Kael's toes were razor-sharp, and the strength in his legs was terrifying. Though he didn't manage to injure the warrior with the initial strike, he quickly shifted direction, his fingers as sharp as daggers. He grabbed another man's arm and, with a slight exertion of force, ripped it clean off his body.
A piercing scream tore through the sky as blood sprayed everywhere, staining the entire body of the demon.
Ronan, who had just started rushing forward, came to a halt, staring in confusion at Kael, who was now drenched in blood and fighting furiously.
The Kael before him was nothing like the respectful, gentle figure he had known. Now, he looked like a harbinger of death.
Humans scattered throughout the camp, and more kept pouring out of the tents.
Kael found an opening and dashed toward the cages on the ground. He tried to pry one open, but as soon as his fingers touched the bars, a ripple like water spread out. It was as if he had touched fire—the sound of his fingers sizzling and burning filled the air.
Despite the pain, Kael gritted his teeth and forced the bars apart.
The demonic creatures imprisoned in the cages grew restless and rushed to escape through the gap Kael had created.
With the demonic creatures now running rampant, the human camp descended into complete chaos.
Ronan snapped out of his daze and noticed that amidst the confusion, an archer had already drawn his bow, aiming directly at Kael.
He bolted forward, crashing into the archer's leg at the last second. The arrow flew off course, grazing Kael's ear.
Seizing the moment, Kael leaped onto one of the hanging cages. But before Ronan could make his next move, a man nearby kicked him hard.
"Whimper!" The demon dog yelped as it hit the ground. Ronan felt like all his internal organs had shifted. The man who had kicked him wore thick leather boots with hard steel toes, and his strength was immense.
Just as Kael clambered onto the cage, a flash of magic runes appeared, flinging him backward. Before he even hit the ground, a warrior wielding a shield sent him flying again. Kael spat out a mouthful of blood, and when he tried to get back up, his movements were noticeably slower.
Ronan heard the whistling of arrows, and the fierce demon abruptly retreated.
Three arrows were lodged in Kael's chest, but with a savage grunt, he yanked one out, causing a torrent of blood to gush from the wound.
The humans, whose ranks had been thrown into disarray by the fleeing creatures, had reorganized themselves by now. After being shot, Kael was further assaulted by the warriors, who cooperatively hacked off his left arm.
Kael let out a cry of agony. Inside the cage, his friend, who had been on the brink of death, suddenly awoke. Seeing who was under attack, he began to hurl himself against the bars in desperation.
The battle, coupled with the scent of blood, ignited a frenzy among the other imprisoned demonic creatures. They howled wildly, while Ronan, seeing Kael gravely injured, tried several times to rise and help him.
Among the humans, the leader shouted, "Kill it!"
In this sudden ambush, the mercenary group had lost six men. No matter what, they would not let this audacious demon go unpunished.
Kael grinned, showing no sign of retreat. Instead, he charged forward once again.
Ronan finally staggered to his feet, ready to go help. But suddenly, flames erupted in front of him. He moved to the side, only to find the fire following him, forming a ring that trapped him inside.