Before the demon could retaliate, Sylvaris struck.


    The massive serpent coiled tightly, his body snapping forward like a whip. His fangs bared, dripping venom, as he sank them into the demon''s shoulder.


    The demon roared in pain, ck ichor gushing from the wound. Sylvaris didn''t stop. With a sharp hiss, he uncoiled and mmed his tail down with a devastating Land Smash. The stone beneath the demon cracked and splintered, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the arena.


    The demon staggered, barely able to remain upright.


    Sunless moved in next.


    The undead knight''s glowing eyes red as his body seemed to radiate dark energy. He activated Rage, his skeletal frame trembling with power. The rusted de he held suddenly felt sharper, faster. Sunless swung it with ferocity, every strike now heavier, every movement imbued with violent precision.


    The demon raised his ws to block, but the force of Sunless''s blows pushed him back, step by agonizing step.


    Lupin darted in alongside them, his fangs snapping at the demon''s exposed sides, drawing shallow wounds that further drained the demon''s strength.


    The Goblin King roared, his massive club swinging toward the demon''s chest. The blow connected, sending the demon crashing to his knees.


    The demon growled low, his body trembling as he tried to rise. His molten veins red violently, his fiery eyes burning with hatred. "You think this is enough? I will—"


    A sharp blow from Neko''s ws struck his face, silencing him mid-sentence. She perched on his back, tilting her headzily. "He''s all bark and no bite-nya. How embarrassing-nya." Discover hidden content at empire


    Arthur crossed his arms, his voice calm and decisive. "Enough."


    The demon knelt on the cracked stone floor, battered and bleeding, his jagged armor shattered, ck ichor pooling beneath him. His breaths came in ragged gasps, each inhale sounding like broken ss grinding together.


    Arthur stepped closer, his dagger hanging loosely at his side. His eyes locked on the demon with a cold, piercing gaze. A faint chuckle escaped his lips.


    "What happened? Did the cat eat your tongue?" He tilted his head toward Neko, who perched gracefully on a nearby rock,zily flicking her tail.


    Neko''s golden eyes glinted with amusement as she let out a soft, dismissive purr.


    The demon growled low, his fiery eyes narrowing. "Laugh while you can, human." His voice was strained, trembling with pain, but there was still defiance in his tone. "You think you''ve won, but this means nothing. Chaos will soon descend. Your pitiful world will crumble."


    Arthur''s smirk faded, reced by a sharp frown. His voice dropped, calm butced with steel. "Chaos? What are you talking about?"


    The demon''s gaze flicked up to meet Arthur''s, his molten veins dimming slightly as his body sagged under the weight of his injuries. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came.@@novelbin@@


    Arthur stepped closer, his voice sharper now. "Answer me. What do you mean by chaos?"


    The demon''s lips curled into a faint, mocking grin, bloodied fangs showing through the ichor dripping from his mouth. But he didn''t speak.


    Arthur exhaled through his nose, his patience wearing thin. "Fine. If you won''t talk, you''re no use to me alive."


    His gaze shifted to his summons, each standing ready. Sylvaris hissed softly, venom dripping from his fangs. Sunless loomed behind the demon, his rusted de raised high, the dark energy of Rage still crackling faintly around him.


    Arthur gestured with a sharp flick of his hand. "End him."


    The summons moved in unison.


    Sylvaris struck first, his massive tail snapping like a whip, mming into the demon''s chest and pinning him against the cracked stone. The impact reverberated through the arena, ck ichor sttering across the floor.


    Sunless followed, his de slicing downward in a brutal arc. The demon''s fiery eyes red onest time as the de bit deep into his torso, carving through armor and flesh with precision.


    Lupin darted in, his fangs tearing at the demon''s exposed side, leaving deep gashes as the demon''s molten veins flickered and dimmed.


    The Goblin King roared, his massive club crashing down with finality, splintering the ground beneath the demon as his body shimmered briefly before fading into particles of light.


    [You have in Level 11 True Demon (Superior-Rank Boss).]


    Arthur''s sharp eyes scanned the glowing notification as a satisfied smile spread across his face. He stepped forward, his boots crunching softly against the cracked stone floor, and picked up the rare item left behind by the demon.


    Without hesitation, he tucked it securely into his backpack.


    He turned to his summons, their forms illuminated by the faint glow of dissipating energy where the demon had fallen. His voice, calm and steady, cut through the heavy silence.


    "Well done, everyone. You did amazing."


    Sylvaris hissed softly, uncoiling from his strike position, his venom-coated fangs retreating. His massive tail coiled protectively near Arthur, his glowing eyes fixed on his master.


    Sunless stood still, his de lowered, the faint remnants of Rage fading from his skeletal frame. He gave a sharp nod, acknowledging the praise


    Lupin padded closer, his fur matted but his movements still sharp and ready. His ears perked up at Arthur''s words, a faint growl of approval rumbling in his throat.


    The Goblin King hefted his massive club onto his shoulder, grinning wide as if proud of the chaos he''d helped cause.


    Arthur''s gazended on Neko, who was perchedzily on a nearby rock, licking her paw. Her tail flicked in a rxed rhythm, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. She didn''t need to respond verbally—her smug expression said it all.


    Arthur''s smile softened, though his tone remained firm. "The demon we just fought will soon be joining us as a friend. What happened earlier is in the past. Don''t take it to heart. Once he bes part of this team, he''ll fight beside you, not against you."


    All the summons responded in agreement, they were used to fighting against each other before uniting under Arthur and fighting together, and the demon was no exception to that rule.


    [Ding! You havepleted the Hidden Trial: Protector of the Vige.]


    [Ding! Hidden Requirements fulfilled. You have been chosen to participate in a second trial. Sess in the trial will grant bonus rewards.]


    [Participation in the second trial is not obligatory and will not affect the rewards of the Hidden Trial: Protector of the Vige.]