Although it was hard, Asmael saw how the abyssal monster’s Force diminished at a shocking rate due to the endless barrage, and there was a chance of victory. Yet, suddenly, a scream of pain echoed, and he saw how abyssal demons had managed to pierce through the vanguard, reaching the Gifted.
Chaos soon arose among the Gifted as they redirected their attack towards the abyssal demons that had reached them. This diminished the pressure the demonic mantis faced, allowing it to focus its energy and attack with a speed that overwhelmed Asmael.
The angel was only able to raise his sword to block the brunt of the attack, but the demonic mantis’s scythe still reached his chest, leaving a massive cut and sending him crashing into the building’s wall.
Shock and terror appeared in the eyes of the Gifted and the angels as they saw how the demon sent Asmael flying away. Despite his attitude, no one could deny that Asmael was the strongest, and without him, no one could face the demonic mantis.
The demonic mantis glanced around the Gifted and angels, seemingly looking for its next prey, and suddenly, its eyes focused on a young man on the flank facing a bear demon.
Vlad’s eyes widened, and he pushed his body to the ground the next second, confusing the bear monster in front of him. However, the demon did not have much time to be confused as a scythe passed through the zone the next instant, cutting it in two.
The one the mantis demon had chosen as its next prey was none other than Vlad.
Vlad’s eyes were full of shock when he saw just how easily the abyssal mantis could cut the bear demon in half without the use of its dark Force. It hadn’t drained all its energy, but it seemed it no longer thought it would need it to kill Vlad.
This, of course, left it open to a blast of Holy Energy, but the angels and the Gifted were only focused on facing the horde. None bothered with Vlad’s safety; many already considered him a dead man.
Vlad saw how all the others left him to his fate, but he didn’t care as a more pressing question was on his mind. He did not understand why, of all the people, he would be the one targeted. After all, he was not the strongest, but that didn’t matter; his mind could only focus on one goal: Survival.
The mantis demon’s scythe came at him again, aiming at his head, but he pushed back just in time to dodge it. Yet, not even a second passed before the creature attacked from the side. Vlad’s pupils widened as he pushed his instincts and reflexes to the limit. He could not fight back as his attack speed was simply too slow, and he could not even block, as those scythes could easily overcome any defense he could form.
D dodging the abyssal monster’s attacks was the only way to survive them. While Vlad deployed what could only be described as awe-striking martial skills, cuts began appearing on his flesh as he was not moving fast enough. His mind was surprisingly able to follow the attack of the mantis demon, yet his body could not catch up.
After barely ten seconds, Vlad was already on his edge. Just as he kneeled down to avoid being severed at the waist, his eyes widened as the mantis demon’s scythes caught his backpack.
Immediately, Vlad’s eyes widened as he turned toward the backpack sent flying away, severed in half. A pressure assaulted his chest, but as he did not see blood, his heart was able to relax, knowing that the scythe had not reached Jormungandr.
Unfortunately, while Jormungandr might have been fine, Vlad was not. That fraction of a second of distraction was enough for the mantis demon’s scythe to reach him. He barely managed to move back and avoid being cut in half, yet a massive wound appeared on the right side of his chest.
Vlad could not help but scream due to the overwhelming pain, but his problems had just started. While he managed to avoid a lethal blow, he could no longer move, and the mantis monster stood before him, its eyes full of viciousness and killing intent.
The creature did not immediately attack, seemingly wanting to taste the fear in Vlad’s soul before delivering the final blow now that the young could no longer fight.