Chapter 15

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Chapter 15: In the Silent Ruins

The force of this strike surpassed even Midi’s carefully prepared Mountain Shatter. The sword soul barely dodged in desperation, the searing beam grazing his armor until his hair began smoking with a charred scent.

It was a close call. This ambush exploiting visual blind spots had ultimately been too slow – Fina still lacked the distance to become Queen of Magic, unable to apply many ultimate techniques and hyper-magic skills. Yet the massive crater left by her beam, spanning over ten meters, clearly revealed the Hamilton family heiress’ true capabilities to the assassin.

Despair gripped him. Before him stood the mysterious youth wielding unknown techniques to turn his own demon god against him, while the magic-rich red-haired girl loomed like a living artillery piece in the distance. His own body bore severe wounds that refused to heal.

Level 35 granted no advantage here. Against these two predators, even escape seemed impossible. And even if he fled… what then? The Blood Blade Thieves Guild tolerated no failure, least of all now.

Yet he still retained fighting spirit. The sword soul’s lips twisted into a savage grin. An assassin living life on the blade’s edge, a Demon Swordman whose demon hand served as both weapon and ticking bomb – such a man held life cheap. Faced with hopelessness, his choice became simple: one final frenzy, dragging two noble brats to the grave with him.

"Trouble!" Midi’s voice hardened, instantly recognizing the suicidal intent. Had he possessed sufficient power, he’d have whittled the enemy down methodically, avoiding this mutual destruction scenario. But Fina’s overwhelming Magic Beam had pushed the sword soul to despair’s edge.

With bestial roar, the swordsman shed his left arm’s chains. Crimson flames erupted across his body as his eyes glowed blood-red – the Berserker’s awakening. No reason, no pain, only slaughter until destruction – less human than force of nature.

The air temperature plunged before boiling into suffocating heat.

Metal shrieked as Midi charged without hesitation. Once a level 35 Berserker moved, none could match that speed. Only by pinning him instantly could they survive.

But how could a level 19 youth withstand rage incarnate? The Berserker casually blocked Midi’s full-power strike, then pressed down like swatting a fly, completely suppressing the assault.

Midi strained against the tidal force, boots carving trenches through soil as the inhuman strength forced him back. Exhaustion’s arrival would be his death sentence.

Yet he wasn’t alone.

"Maximum magic!" Midi gritted through clenched teeth.

"But…" Even the ever-confident Queen of Storms hesitated. Their locked blades left no room for Fina’s firepower.

"I’ll evade." Midi didn’t turn, voice steady as his straining form.

That calm resolve decided her. Blue gemstone eyes flashed determination as she crouched, right arm extended like crossbow stock, left hand bracing it. Magic swirled from crimson locks, light rippling outward as arcane patterns bloomed beneath her feet – a bottomless ocean of power.

Glowing motes condensed like fireflies, spiraling into the vortex at her fingertips.

"Now!" Fina cried as magic peaked.

Midi exploded forward, breaking contact to become lead-gray shadow – Ghost Cry’s advanced Demon Shadow Step.

The Berserker’s afterimage strike met empty air as Midi materialized ten meters away.

Demon Shadow Step Upgrade, Demon Shadow Flash!

Fina’s Magic Beam finally struck. Unlike her usual overwhelming attacks, the red-haired girl had fired a thin, condensed beam—sharp as focused sword light—to let Midi evade easily.

The beam pierced the Berserker’s chest, leaving only a thumb-sized hole. But on exit, it tore through flesh and bone, blasting the Berserker backward before he could roar. Mid-air, his body shattered into a bloody rain.

One strike broke defenses. One strike ended life.

For any level 21 adventurer, slaying a level 35 foe would be a feat to boast about. Yet Fina knew her victory hinged entirely on *that guy*.

The black-haired boy glanced at the dead assassin’s body before crumpling to the ground.

Even using Ghost Cry’s advanced movement technique, he’d struggled. The Berserker’s casual strike had split his armor, carving a gruesome chest wound. Blood dripped steadily, pooling beneath him.

Fina rushed forward but froze mid-step.

Midi waved weakly at her, offering a strained but reassuring smile—the same one he’d worn during their Flame Challenge.

*That guy!* Relief washed over her, yet words bubbled up.

“So…” Fina pretended to study the ruins, avoiding his gaze. “That was… something back there, huh?”

Her act was clumsy. They should’ve faced each other, but she couldn’t meet his eyes.

Midi didn’t notice. Exhaustion pinned him down—his body pushed to its limit, demon god power overused, blood loss sapping his strength. Every breath burned.

“Something?” He wheezed minutes later, too drained to turn his head.

Fina watched him sidelong. Since their first meeting, he’d intrigued her. She’d known since the Flame Challenge he wasn’t some pampered noble but a true warrior. Still, she hadn’t expected *this*.

He’d outmaneuvered hidden enemies, navigated Forest of Gran like home, crafted antidotes and traps, stalled a top assassin at level 19, and predicted every move.

Her quick arrival? Thanks to *his* tactics stressing speed.

How had he guessed level 30 assassins would stall? Known firepower suppression would work? When had he bonded with a demon god to become a Demon Swordman?

*Midi Asreks, who are you?*

The unshakable Queen of Storms nearly blurted her questions. But asking felt like losing. She stayed aloof, grateful he was too spent to notice her oddness.

Silence settled over the ruins. Fina stole another glance, admitting inwardly: killing the level 35 Berserker and level 30 assassin? Only possible because she’d fought alongside him.

He’d surpassed “incredible.”

The Hamilton family owed him. But would the Asreks family truly join the Queen’s faction after cutting ties with the Senator’s? Given the Hamilton head’s stubbornness, Fina doubted. Still, she had to try.

She stood, masking pain with adventurer’s pride. “Midi Asreks. Today’s victory was yours. Join the Queen’s faction.” Her tone turned formal, regal—a stranger’s voice.

She offered a hand. He ignored it, rising unaided to lock eyes with her.

“Well?” she pressed, cheeks warming under his gaze.

Others would’ve died for such boldness. Yet his calm stare soothed her.

“The Queen’s faction?” Midi rasped. “Hamilton’s head is no better than Sais’.” Before she could protest, he grinned. “But I’ll stay. On *your* team. If that’s okay.”

Fina blinked, then smiled.

No political alliance. Just mutual respect. Exactly what she’d wanted.

“Of course.”

This time, he took her hand firmly.

His grip was warm, strong—familiar, like they’d done this long ago.