Another goat demon finally reacted, letting out a sharp screech.
Despite the urgency of the situation, it remained unnervingly calm, displaying its seasoned combat experience.
Its elongated arm swung in a perfect arc, its black fur-covered claw clenched tightly as its fist, like a massive hammer, aimed directly at Edward's spine with incredible force.
This attack was not just a reflex; it was a well-honed skill developed over years of practice.
The power behind the blow was enough to break an opponent's back.
Simultaneously, its other arm was ready to follow up with a lethal strike once it landed the first blow, ensuring Edward's complete destruction.
Edward, still pressing down on the fallen goat demon's head, remained expressionless.
As the attack came dangerously close, his other hand moved with deliberate ease, raising to block the incoming fist.
Bam!
The sound of impact echoed through the room as the two forces collided.
But the immense power of the goat demon's strike was effortlessly absorbed by Edward.
What seemed like a casual block completely neutralized the demon's supposedly unstoppable attack. The crushing force of the demon's blow dissipated instantly.
Without hesitation, Edward's hand shot forward, his fingers wrapping around the goat demon's throat.
With a simple squeeze, the sound of its neck snapping echoed through the room.
The demon's struggles grew weaker, its desperate thrashing reduced to futile spasms as Edward tightened his grip.
He hadn't even looked at the demon as he calmly crushed its windpipe.
"Raaaagh!" A piercing scream of fury erupted from the last demon, the elder goat demon still sitting in its chair.
It paused for a moment, disbelief and confusion washing over its twisted features.
The demon, once confident in its dominance, now faced an adversary it no longer recognized.
Edward's every move defied its expectations.
And then the moment of realization hit—it was holding a hostage that meant nothing to Edward.
Russell, who it thought would be a bargaining chip, was of no consequence.
On the other hand, Edward now held its own kin, its child.
Overcome with rage, the elder goat demon kicked Russell away with a vicious blow, sending him crashing into a corner.
The demon then leapt into the air, stomping on the table as it launched itself toward Edward with a shrill scream.
"Stop!" it screeched, its voice filled with desperation.
But Edward ignored the plea.
He calmly withdrew his hand, flicking away the red and white remnants of the demon he had just killed.
As the elder demon closed in, Edward's hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, ready to strike.
Yet something about the approaching demon caught his attention, and his movement slowed.
The elder demon's bloodshot eyes filled with black mist, and soon that same dark fog began seeping from its fur.
The mist coalesced into a chain of black smoke, twisting through the air like a serpent, aiming for Edward.
The chain radiated an eerie coldness, like a freezing wind that sought to burrow into his bones.
It was not just physical; it carried with it an insidious force that threatened to erode his mind.
This was Edward's first encounter with the magical powers of a demon.
The black mist chain exuded a chilling aura, sharp as a blade, and Edward felt its cold tendrils gnawing at his skin, as if trying to infiltrate his very soul.
For the first time in a long while, Edward sensed real danger.
Although he had completed the First Transformation, he hadn't sensed any extraordinary power from these demons.
But now, as he faced the elder demon's magical attack, he understood that this was no ordinary threat.
His mind raced as his sword, now partially drawn, gleamed with a faint silver light.
This time, however, the blade was enveloped in a thin veil of red mist, reminiscent of blood flowing along its surface.
The air around the blade grew tense, and the killing intent in the room thickened.
In a flash, Edward's blade cut through the air, slicing toward the charging demon with a crimson streak of light.
The elder goat demon's eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend what was happening.
It had been so close—its clawed hand was inches away from Edward's face, ready to tear him apart.
But it couldn't move forward. Its body, frozen in mid-air, began to tremble.
It looked down, horrified. Its once-powerful legs were severed cleanly at the thighs, leaving two massive stumps.
The legs fell to the ground with a dull thud, while the demon's upper body hovered for a moment before crashing to the floor.
Clang.
The sword's metallic ring echoed through the room as Edward calmly sheathed his blade.
The swift and deadly strike had taken no more effort than a casual swing.
He stepped over the severed legs of the goat demon, his face as impassive as ever.
The elder demon's body, drained of life, collapsed into a heap, its once-threatening presence reduced to a pathetic shell.
In the corner, Russell lay battered and bruised, barely clinging to consciousness.
His dazed eyes followed Edward's movements, his lips trembling as if trying to form words. But his fear paralyzed him.
The pain in his body had numbed his senses, but the terror Edward invoked was all too real.
He had just witnessed Edward, effortlessly slay three powerful demons.
This level of skill and power wasn't something acquired overnight.
As Russell recalled Edward's drunken debauchery and frail appearance, he couldn't help but shudder.
What had Edward been hiding all this time?
Why had he concealed such strength?
Russell's mind raced, trying to piece together the mystery of the man standing before him.
He was terrified. He wanted nothing more than to distance himself from Edward, to never cross paths with this enigma again.
Before Russell could process his thoughts, Edward had already approached him.
Instinctively, Russell raised his hands to shield his face, expecting the worst.
But instead of a blow, Edward knelt down and hoisted Russell onto his back, carrying him with ease.
The trembling in Russell's body didn't go unnoticed by Edward, who sighed softly in exasperation.
"Why are you so scared? I'm not going to hurt you."
Edward said, his voice tinged with mild irritation, as if he couldn't understand why Russell was so terrified.
Russell remained silent, unable to respond, his fear still gripping him tightly.