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The Dark Novels

In a world where the chosen one has defeated the demon lord and brought peace to the realm, now 500 years have passed since the demon's defeat. Aetheria, the world, appears peaceful, but is it truly so?

Q_Tip · Fantasy
Not enough ratings
337 Chs

Chapter 80

Kazon didn't understand. He couldn't comprehend why this boy harbored such intense Hatred in his eyes. It was a darkness that seemed to permeate the very air around him, unsettling even to a demon. Yet there it was, burning brightly within the boy's gaze.

"What are you truly?" Kazon asked, but the boy remained silent, his stare unwavering, filled with nothing but Hatred. The moment for words had passed; now, only action remained. With a barely perceptible lean forward, Kazon surged towards the motionless boy. *One strike, that's all it takes,* he reassured himself. However, somewhere deep within him, Kazon sensed that this assumption was flawed.

Moving faster than lightning, he aimed a right fist at the boy's head. However, the boy evaded with a tilt of his head, leaving Kazon striking at nothing but air. Before Kazon could retract his fist, the boy grabbed hold of his writhing armor with his left hand. The boy's hand bled and his flesh tore, but he paid no mind. With a forceful tug, he pulled Kazon's arm downwards, sending him stumbling forward.

Surprised by the boy's unexpected strength, Kazon barely had time to react as a clenched fist hurtled towards him. Much like the boy, he dodged the blow by tilting his head. Without hesitation, he reached behind his back and drew a dagger, slashing towards the boy with a swift motion.

The boy didn't release his grip on Kazon's arm; instead, he leaned back, completely evading the slash, as if he anticipated Kazon's move before he even made it. *How is he able to do this?* Kazon wondered, perplexed by the boy's uncanny foresight.

With lightning speed, the boy coiled his leg and unleashed a powerful kick towards Kazon's stomach. Reacting swiftly, Kazon brought down his left hand to block the kick with his forearm, feeling the force of the blow rattling his arm. *I don't sense him using mana to enhance himself either.*

Seizing the moment, Kazon sliced up with his dagger towards the boy's face, but the boy effortlessly tilted his head, avoiding the blade. Unfazed, Kazon adjusted his grip on the dagger and swiftly brought it down diagonally, aiming to stab the boy in the temple. However, the boy suddenly let go of Kazon's arm and lunged forward, evading the stab as he wrapped his arms around Kazon, his armor offering protection against Kazon's own.

*What's the source of his strength?* Kazon lifted his dagger and attempted to bring it down on the boy's back, but before the stab could land, the boy shifted his position, now standing behind Kazon with his arms still wrapped around him. *I wasn't planning on taking this long.* Kazon felt himself be lifted off the marble floor before getting slammed right back into it on his back.

Kazon wasn't hurt, though the same couldn't be said about his armor, which writhed more erratically as if it were in pain. Hastily, Kazon began to rise to his knees, but as he did, the boy swung his leg horizontally, brutally connecting with Kazon's head. The impact sent Kazon's head snapping to the side. His armor seemed to plead with him, almost yelling at him to stop fighting, conveying fear and pain. Kazon blocked out the armor's cries and pushed off the ground, swiftly landing on the ceiling.

The boy watched him as Kazon began to run at speeds faster than lightning on the ceiling, then the wall, then the floor, and back on the wall. He maneuvered all over and around the boy, who appeared to struggle to keep up. In that moment, Kazon decided to strike. He rushed the boy with the dagger in his right hand and his left hand behind his back. *I hope you can survive this. I need to bring you to my lord alive after all,* Kazon thought as his dagger was about to stab into the boy's spine.

But the boy, once again, as if he anticipated Kazon's move before he even made it, twisted his body to evade the stab. However, Kazon expected this. He retrieved another dagger from behind his back and slashed towards the boy's chest. However, his left arm came to a halt as the boy stopped it mid-swing with his forearm. *How did you know?* Kazon questioned as the boy wrapped his arm around Kazon's and then grabbed him by the back of the head before bringing it down and kneeing him in the helmet.

Kazon attempted to stab the boy in the leg, only to miss as the boy lifted his leg and then stomped down on Kazon's foot. *I might have to put aside my honor if I want to win this swiftly,* Kazon thought. He was slammed headfirst into a wall once, then twice, then thrice, repeatedly, before the boy ripped his head back and landed a punch on his helmet, denting it and launching him backwards.

Rolling on the floor, Kazon dropped his daggers before rolling back to his feet, his armored feet sparking as they scraped against the marble floor. The boy charged at him relentlessly, and as Kazon put both his hands on the floor, an explosion occurred. Hellfire erupted, catching the boy visibly off guard as it fully surrounded him. The boy looked for a way to escape, but before he could do anything, he was engulfed by the fires of hell.

Standing up, Kazon looked at where the boy had stood, covered in smoke. "I'm sorry I had to resort to that, but you gave me no choice," he said calmly, though it sounded genuine. Suddenly, Kazon heard a voice.

"Lying piece of shit! All of you fuckers go on about honor, but in the end, all of you damn knights are the same!" This was not the voice of the boy; it couldn't be. It sounded far too different, but it came from within the smoke. "Who are you?" Kazon asked as he watched the smoke begin to clear.

"Someone crawled from death to put scum like you in place!" exclaimed the voice as it stepped out of the almost cleared smoke, causing Kazon to take a step back in utter shock.

Stood in front of Kazon wasn't the boy; in fact, the boy was nowhere to be seen. Instead, before Kazon stood someone just a foot smaller than he is, clad in nothing but some torn black pants. Black, thick, scaly skin1 covered some of his chest, the outskirts of his face, his arms, and most likely his legs. His nails were replaced with black, 2-inch claws, and he had two imperial horns2—one colored red, the other blue. And finally, feline-esque green eyes stared back at Kazon, filled with Demonic Hatred.

Now that's what I call a cliffhanger!

Au freacking revoir!

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