After the rumble initially fell soon explosions in the distance could be heard booming into the underground sewer. Marie looked up at the night sky with fear in her eyes. She knew just as I did, things were not over quite yet.

“Is that…?”

She didn’t even need to finish that sentence. I already knew what she was thinking. Were we too late? Did six hundred thousand people already die? Was that supposed “Lord of Blood '' now up there wreaking havoc in the streets?

It seemed to be the only explanation but I think a part of us couldn’t accept that. Surely, this was unrelated. We saved everyone. We saved the city. Those explosions are just another threat that just happened to show up at this time.

I could only imagine these are thoughts going through Marie’s head, but I know better. While, I can’t say for sure it was the acclaimed “Lord of Blood” I was definitely sure all of this was related. I knew well enough that we didn’t save everyone.

In a weird stroke of luck, the rubble that had piled up from the hole in the ceiling allowed both Marie and I to ascend to the surface. It wasn’t as secure as climbing a ladder or walking up a flight of stairs but we still managed to make our way up.

All the while I had hoped Marie didn’t notice the obvious. I could see fingers poking out from beneath crushed stone. There was also the less obvious that Marie couldn’t see. I could see traces of red colored mana leaking from the rubble and flowing out onto the surface.

Once we had reached the streets of the Capital City of Erd, we began to hear distant wails, cries, and even more small explosions. All of the red magical energy in the air seemed to be converging on the spot from where these sounds were coming from.

I followed the ominous phenomenon with Marie in tow. Soon enough we found ourselves in the Noble District and in front of us was a sinister looking individual with a large red colored egg floating above his head.

He had a boyish look to him, but there was also a strange coldness beneath the surface. He had pure white hair that matched unnaturally with his pale skin. His smile, filled with razor shaped teeth, could send chills down a normal human’s spine.

He held a woman up in the air with his hand, or rather claws, and the joy displayed on his face was like that of a child playing with a new toy. Her body shriveled up as her lifeforce left and entered the ever increasing egg.

“No!”

Marie called out, which caused the white haired individual to turn towards us with that smile still planted on his face.

“Oh? Sorry, but, I don’t like being told ‘no.’”

Within that instant, he vanished. I know exactly where he went. I don’t know how he could be so fast but I knew he, in that split second, made his way over to Marie and was attempting to kill her. Amidst that second of time I react, putting myself between her and the “monster” before us.

There was no other way to describe him. The speed in which he attacked was definitely not normal, even for this fantasy world. The only reason I could even act on time was due to my [Steel Mind].

Those moments, when I could “steel my mind” I didn’t realize I was using an actual martial arts. The more I attune myself with mana and the magical arts the more of its mysteries become apparent to me.

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By “steeling my mind” I can focus and react to situations not only at an efficient speed but with clarity of thought.

“Marie, run!”

This isn’t like when we just fought against that cult. There’s no doubt that this guy can easily kill her if I’m not careful. Hell, I can’t say I’m super confident I can win this considering my lack of experience and overall training but I can’t put her in harm's way. I need to at least buy her time to escape.

“Ooooh? You’re fast! Does that mean you won’t break as easily? Let’s test that theory out!”

The white haired monster throws a punch into my side sending me flying into a nearby building. Even activating [Full Body Fortress] at the last second didn’t help much with the pain reverberating through my bones.

“Wow, you survived! Here, I want to see if you survive this… [Blood Lance].”

To my surprise he seems to be ignoring Marie and is instead focused on me which of course is my intent. From the egg above him, a drop of red mana slips out and forms into the shape of a spear. Or rather a lance.

The lance floats beside him before pushing through the air following the motion of his extended hand. The lance is clearly directed right at me. Despite the speed I manage to dodge though barely.

“Come on now. You’re supposed to take the hit like you took my punch. How else can I know what you can and can’t take?”

This guy… He’s toying with me. Somehow I can’t help but feel that he is not even using his full power. I decided to bite back.

“Is that all you got?”

His smile widened even more, not out of joy but pure anger.

“You should watch your mouth. You’re speaking to one of His Majesty’s Demon Apostles after all.”

He raised his claws and announced with bravado: [Falling Stars]. However, nothing happened which caused the supposed “Demon Apostle'' to sigh in dismay.

“Damn, not using a spell book makes those kinds of spells really hit or miss, huh? Guess I’ll just have to rely on the blood I’ve gathered so far. Human, you should feel honored to make me waste this precious blood. Tell me, what is your name?”

“Szandor.”

“Ah, I see. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Demiurge. One of the Demon Apostles of his Majesty, The Lord of Blood. Szandor, feel honored as I take your life for his return. [Field of the Impaler]!”

Suddenly, large red spikes began sprouting from the ground. The pattern and speed in which they came were random so it was difficult to dodge. A few of the spikes pierced through my armor and scraped against my bare bones.

All while I avoided being skewered the Demon Apostle found his opening and grabbed me by the throat (or maybe rather spine).

“[Vampiric Thirst].”

He said the spell with such glee in his eyes but soon those eyes grew confused and slightly dark. I was able to wrestle away from his grip.

“You… Why can’t I drain you of your blood?”

“Well…”

Oi, do I tell this guy I’m just a skeleton and that there’s no blood to drain? His crimson eyes glow with a strange luminance as he looks intently at me.

“To think a human could be able to hide their origin from me… No wait, don’t tell me. You’re like them… An Otherworlder.”

Wait a minute, what does he mean by that? Does he know what I am?! I want to pry further but it seems he’s not having it as he prepares to strike.

“I won’t let what happened before happen again. His Majesty will be free. I… I simply have to kill you.”

His once playful and sadistic demeanor turned cold as he rushed towards me with his claws at the ready.

Before Demiurge's talons could connect with my raised arm a clash of steel could be heard. The vestige of a knight in golden armor could be seen, sword raised against the Demon Apostle.

“Appears I’m not too late.”

Stormglass says such a cheesy, yet cool line, as the smile returns to Demiurge’s face.

“Things are getting really interesting…”