After the two-winged demon departed, a wave of relief washed over everyone. At least they didn't have to contend with that threat, at least not for the moment.

Without hesitation, the man at the front shouted, "Attack!" He charged toward the nearest demon, swinging his axe with lethal precision, cleaving the creature in two before it could unleash its breath.

Shng…

Vahn watched in awe, realizing this was his first time witnessing a C-rank fighter in action. The man moved so quickly that Vahn could barely track his movements.

With another swift swing, it appeared he was just casually swinging the axe, but—

Thud…

The head of another demon fell to the ground.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? ATTACK!" he bellowed at the stunned ability users, igniting their morale and prompting them to charge forward.

"Haa…" One of the men beside Blade-Axe lunged at a demon with a battle cry, thrusting his spear. This time, however, the demons had regained their composure.

The demons opened their mouths, gathering a red substance that shot forth.

SHAAA…

Then with known precision, the spearman dodged to the left and leaped into the air. 'Down,' he thought instinctively, but he was still thrusting forward. The demon raised its hand to block, but something unexpected happened.

Pshtsh…

It was as if the spear had no effect, transferring its power downward and piercing the demon's skull.

The girl Vahn had saved first transformed into a demon and kept shooting out her final breath, but she stayed back to avoid any misunderstanding.

Bang…

A woman raised a glowing shield that blocked a breath from one of the demons, sending it back.

'So many abilities…' Vahn smiled at the array of powers on display as he sprinted toward a demon. Once again, the creature opened its mouth and unleashed a breath.

After facing this skill the number of times, he had saved someone, he had gotten used to it. So, faced with the oncoming attack, he teleported behind the demon's head and executed a horizontal slash, beheading it.

If he had almost died to these demons before, now he felt confident in his abilities. With his enhanced physical prowess, teleportation, and devour, he had become stronger than a winged demon.

Honestly, everyone was performing admirably. So far, there had been no deaths, everyone present was at least peak E-rank, with the strongest among them being a C-rank.

Yet, the demons continued to pour out.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Before long, loud explosions echoed throughout the area as the demons lit the surroundings with their breath attacks, and the ability users with their shouts and attacks, creating chaos.

Vahn, positioned at the back of the group, decided to take advantage of the situation after carefully thinking about it. For one, he hadn't devoured any demons since rescuing the fifth person, so while he was gaining experience fighting them, he wasn't growing stronger and if he wanted to have a chance with the two-pair, he would have to.

Secondly, he had a theory about why the two-winged demon had left. This situation was peculiar in many ways. First, how had the ability users managed to break free from the chains that bound their abilities? This implied someone had helped them, and being the smart type, he doubted it was Blade-Axe who had released them.

The most puzzling aspect was that someone had used their abilities while ignoring the effects of the chains.

And given the uniqueness of his skill, If Vahn used devour at any moment, the demon would have immediately known who it was, and he wasn't strong enough to confront the two-winged demon at the moment.

'So, the two-winged demon may be looking for me,' he concluded. If the demon had appeared in its demon form instead of the lab coat, Vahn would have devoured it without knowing its intentions.

And, as for why he thought that, his deductions were straightforward.

Why else would a cunning individual like that take the long route in a fight? It was because they wanted something out of it.

So, amid the explosions, when the fight was at its peak and the explosions covered everywhere, he spread his arms and shouted, "Devour everything!"

And everything went black.

***

In a familiar, well-lit office, a knock interrupted the stillness.

"Sir, there's a problem." Without waiting for the major-general's reply, the secretary entered, her expression filled with worry.

"Yes?" The major-general responded in a calm tone as if nothing could disturb him. However, the urgency in his secretary's face prompted him to tolerate her intrusion.

"H-Headquarters are calling." She scanned her screen, anxiety evident in her voice.

"What?" The major general immediately sat up, alarmed.

"Y-Yes, they're inquiring about the termination of Student Clay."

"How?" The major general was bewildered.

Everyone had lost interest in the boy, and he was among the last of them.

Gulping, she continued, "T-They're saying if anything has happened to him…" She shook her head, unable to finish.

Whoom…

With a wave of his hand, he snatched the tablet from her grasp and read what she couldn't bring herself to say.

[In the case of Student Vahn Clay's death, Major-General Maslow Merwin, leader of Camp 5 of the World Defense Alliance, is to be rendered a grade 2 criminal under Act 2346 of the World Defense Law.]

His eyes widened as he continued reading, but he wasn't finished yet.

[Should be brought in Alive or Dead. Reward: 1,000,000 Gold.]

"Ha… ha… hahahahaha…" He tilted his head back and laughed, a sound that echoed through the office.

"S-Sir?" The secretary was bewildered. How could he find humor in such a dire situation?

"Haaa…" After a long, final sigh, his expression shifted as he turned to his secretary. "What will you do?"

She remained silent, keeping her head bowed.

Understanding her unspoken message, the major general felt a flicker of surprise and nodded. 'So, she will follow me, huh.' Accepting the submission, he called out,

"10, come out."

Whirrrp…

From a corner of the room, a creature blurred into existence.

The secretary's eyes widened in shock as she froze, every instinct screaming at her.

'W-W-What is that doing here?' Panic surged through her as she recognized the creature, it was a demon. And not just any demon; this one was a three-winged demon.

Then it clicked; the major general had summoned it.

With great difficulty, she turned her head to look at him. He was smiling at her.

"Don't be too surprised. This is just the beginning. Then, it's time."

***

At the Alliance's headquarters, a familiar voice broke the tension.

"S-Sir, Major Maslow's location has vanished; we can't find him." The man who had previously handed the lieutenant-general the tablet spoke in a hurried tone.

'What are you thinking, Maslow?' the lieutenant-general frowned at the report.

Turning away from the shattered conference window, he asked, "What about the boy?"

"He is... missing."