Using the shortcut back to the dungeon entrance, Evan, Elara, and Rivena made their way through the forest, stepping out into the clearing surrounding the town of Sylvanreach.

Black smoke rose from behind the wall that surrounded the town as bodies of dead people came into view. The clearing was littered with dead, both human, demon and elven.

“Wha… What happened…” whispered Elara as she shivered. “So many dead…”

“Evan!” shouted a voice ahead of them. “I’ve been waiting for you. I am so happy it was me who found you first. Ah.. and you brought me a plaything. No. Two playthings. Haha.”

“Gromm.” Cursed Evan.

“Haha… Do you want to see my plaything, Evan? Haha. I bet you do!” Roared Gromm in laughter as he pulled a thin woman from behind him. Chains were wrapped around her wrists and legs. She was naked, her fur standing out against the bruises that marred her skin. “Say hello, Lyra.”

“Lyra,” Elara and Rivena screamed at the same time.

Gromm laughed harder as he yanked on her chains, pulling her from her feet. As she landed on her knees, Gromm backhanded her, sending her skidding across the ground as far as her chains would let her. Lyra lay there, not moving, as sobbing could be heard coming from her.

Gromm continued to laugh as she looked at Evan. “You should have heard her scream. Haha. It was so beautiful. She begged and pleaded for it to stop. Ha. Too bad her cunt was simply too good to stop. I think she is broken now, though. Doesn’t even move anymore.”

Elara screamed as she cast a fireball at Gromm. Evan watched as Gromm raised his hand, and the fireball blinked out.

“Wha.. How…” Stuttered Elara. “That shouldn’t be possible.”

“Oh. Yeah, I forgot to mention. The demons gave me a few new toys as well.” Chuckled Gromm as he drew his sword. “Now. Let us settle this once and for all, Evan. I’ll even give you a prize if you can beat me now. Lyra. I will give my slave ownership of her to you if you can beat me. But lose, and those two with you will become my new playthings.”

Evan heard both Elara and Rivena gasp at his statement. “I won’t wager them. But I agree to give you a quick death.”

“Haha. Deal,” smirked Gromm as he swung his sword around. The blade gleamed a dark red as sparks flew from the blade. “Like my new sword. Haha. It was a present from the demons. I call it Wildfire.”

“Ardentrex”, Thought Evan as he readied himself. His old rusty sword was in front of him. “I need chaos magic to win this. Any idea when it will stop making me sick to use?”

“Human.” Replied Ardentrex’s voice with a noticeable sign. “I told you. Whatever the goddess did to you. It upset chaos. Every time you use it, it gets worse. The pain, weakness, all of it. You will need to make a new contract with them. This does not seem like a good time to do that.”

“Shit.” Cursed Evan loudly, causing Elara to look at him.

She nodded in his direction. “Don’t worry, Evan. We will fight him together.”

Rivena stepped beside him and looked Evan in the eyes. “You distract him, I’m going to help Lyra.” She said as she drew two daggers and dropped into a low stance.

Evan struggled to remain calm as he readied himself, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he squared off against Gromm. Evan shook his head, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. He pointed the blade at Gromm, a silent challenge in his eyes while motioning with his free hand for Elara and Rivena to stay back. Gromm’s twisted grin widened as he licked his lips, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. Without warning, he vanished from sight, his form melding into the air.

Evan’s instincts screamed at him to move, and he barely managed to react in time, instinctively ducking as Gromm materialized in front of him with blinding speed. The air crackled as Gromm’s sword sliced through the space where Evan’s head had been just a heartbeat earlier, the deadly arc of the blade missing its mark by mere inches.

Before Evan could regain his footing, Gromm’s next move caught him off guard. With a swift and merciless kick, Gromm sent Evan hurtling backward, the force of the blow propelling him through the air with a bone-jarring impact. Evan crashed into a charred and splintered cart, the remnants of its wooden frame offering little resistance as he collided with it with a sickening thud. Pain lanced through Evan’s body as he struggled to push himself upright, the acrid taste of blood filling his mouth.

“Haha. What was that? I expected better from you, Evan,” Gromm taunted, his laughter echoing through the clearing as he materialized again in front of Evan. “I was hoping for a real fight, unlike the worthless bottom-feeders that called this place home. Not a single one of them could challenge me. These little gifts make me all but invincible.”

Evan gritted his teeth against the searing pain that burned through his body as he struggled to his feet just as a fireball exploded across Gromm’s back, the flames erupting fiercely. But before the spell could fully connect, Gromm vanished, reappearing in front of Elara with blinding speed.

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With a cruel smirk, Gromm delivered a brutal backhand to Elara, the force of the blow sending her hurtling across the ground like a ragdoll. Evan’s heart clenched with helpless fury as he watched her body tumble and roll, coming to a painful stop on the unforgiving earth.

Enraged by the sight of Elara lying on the ground, unmoving, Evan’s primal instincts took over, driving him forward in a blind rush of adrenaline-fueled fury. With a primal scream, he charged at Gromm once more. His sword raised high in a desperate attempt to strike down his tormentor. But Gromm was one step ahead, effortlessly sidestepping Evan’s attack with eerie precision.

Before Evan could react, Gromm’s fist connected with devastating force, slamming into his stomach with bone-crushing impact. Agony tore through Evan’s body like lightning as he struggled to breathe, falling to his knees, every muscle screaming in protest. The world spun dizzily around him as darkness threatened to consume him.

Gromm spun, his arming coming up. “Gah.” Gasped Rivena as Gromm grabbed her by the neck. Her attempt to silently attack Gromm failed before she even had a chance.

“Pathetic.” Sneered Gromm, throwing Rivena’s body away like a doll. Turning, Gromm sighed as he stared at Evan. “Come now, Evan. Both of these women have done a better job than you have. You should be ashamed that you couldn’t even protect them. I will enjoy breaking them. Hmm… I know. Ha. I will have you tied to a chair and have you watch as I fuck each of them.”

As Evan struggled to rise from his knees, Gromm’s laughter echoed through the clearing, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Evan’s spine. With a mocking grin, Gromm sauntered towards him, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator toying with its prey.

Gromm lunged forward with blinding speed, his sword slashing through the air with deadly precision. Evan barely managed to deflect the blow, the force of the impact sending shockwaves reverberating through his body. The ground beneath them trembled as Gromm’s blade collided with Evan’s, leaving a deep gouge in the earth where they clashed.

Desperate to gain the upper hand, Evan countered with a flurry of strikes, each blow fueled by sheer determination. But Gromm danced effortlessly out of reach. With a cruel smile, he taunted Evan again, his words dripping with malice.

“Is that the best you can do, Evan?” Gromm sneered, his voice laced with contempt. “I expected more from someone who claims to be a warrior. You’re nothing but a weakling, a pathetic excuse for a fighter. How you managed to beat me before is confusing.”

Fueled by rage, Evan grabbed the one thing he knew would give him the edge he needed to fight Gromm. Reaching inside, Evan pulled chaos mana. Channelling the magic. A wave of nausea hit Evan. Struggling not to vomit, he pushed the Chaos mana into his muscles. Feeling the power flow through him as he worked not to pass out.

With a roar, Evan unleashed a barrage of attacks. As their swords clashed with explosive force, the air crackled with energy, sending shockwaves rippling through the clearing.

But despite Evan’s best efforts, Gromm seemed untouchable, his movements fluid and precise as he effortlessly dodged every attack. With a mocking laugh, he taunted Evan, his voice ringing out.

“Is that all you’ve got, Evan?” Gromm taunted, his laughter echoing through the clearing. “You’re no match for me. You’re nothing but a fool, a weakling who dares to challenge the might of Gromm.”

With a savage roar, Evan launched himself at Gromm again, his sword slashing through the air with deadly intent. But Gromm was ready, his blade meeting Evan’s with a resounding clash. Their collision’s force rippled like an explosion, shattering the ground beneath them.

As the dust settled, Evan stared into his enemy’s eyes, a cold smile playing on Gromm’s lips. With a flick of his wrist, Gromm sent Evan hurtling through the air, his body crashing into the remains of a small crumbling wall with bone-jarring force.

Gasping for breath, Evan struggled to rise from the rubble, his body battered and bruised from the relentless assault. His stomach heaved as he vomited onto the ground.

“Human. You will kill us both if you keep forcing chaos.” Boomed Ardentrex’s voice in Evan’s head.

“I don’t have a choice. I can’t fight him without it. He is… He is far stronger than last time.” Thought Evan.

Ardentrex’s voice sighed. “It is not him. It is the enchantments he has on him. Strength, speed, and rejuvenation are stacked on top of each other. You will not beat him as you are.”

Evan ducked as Gromm’s blade barely missed his head. A few hairs fell as Evan spun away. Evan brought his blade up barely in time as he blocked the follow-up swing.

Evan staggered backward, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Every movement sent waves of pain coursing through his battered body, and the taste of blood lingered in his mouth. Gromm loomed over him, his dark laughter filling the air like a sinister symphony.

With a grim determination, Evan tried to focus his thoughts, searching for any advantage he could exploit. But Gromm’s movements were fluid and unpredictable, his defences seemingly impenetrable. Evan’s attempts to outmaneuver him were met with swift retaliation, leaving him no opportunity to strike back.

Desperation gnawed at Evan’s mind as he realized the futility of his efforts. The chaos magic that had once fueled his strength now drained him of energy, leaving him weaker with each passing moment. He fought to maintain his grip on consciousness, battling against the overwhelming urge to succumb to exhaustion.

Gromm’s taunts echoed in Evan’s ears, each word a mocking reminder of his inadequacy. No matter how hard he tried, Evan couldn’t find a way to break through Gromm’s defences. It was like grasping at shadows, elusive and maddeningly out of reach.

With a sudden surge of fury, Evan lashed out with all the strength he could muster, his sword swinging in a wild arc. But Gromm quickly sidestepped the attack, his laughter ringing like a death knell.

“Is that all, Evan?” Gromm sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “I expected more. You’re nothing but a pathetic insect squirming beneath my boot. This has been fun, but it is time to end this.”

Evan gritted his teeth against the pain and frustration, his mind racing as he searched for a way to turn the tide. But Gromm was relentless, his attacks becoming fiercer with each passing moment.

A flicker of doubt crept into his mind as Evan fought to keep his footing. “Do I have any hope of defeating Gromm? Was I doomed to fail from the start?” The thought sent a chill down Evan’s spine, but he refused to give in to despair.

Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Evan launched himself at Gromm again, his sword flashing in the dim light. But Gromm was ready, his blade meeting Evan’s with a resounding clash.

The impact sent shockwaves rippling through Evan’s body, and he stumbled backward, his muscles trembling with exhaustion. He knew he was fighting a losing battle but refused to surrender.

With a defiant roar, Evan pressed on, determined to make his last stand against the relentless tide of darkness. But as Gromm’s laughter echoed through the clearing, Evan couldn’t shake the sinking feeling that his fate had already been sealed.