Chapter 362

Chapter 362: All-In

What would Fina and Alice’s reaction be if he died?

Would they feel unbearable pain or burning anger?

Midi didn’t consider this, nor did he care to.

His sole focus was defeating the enemy before him – nothing else mattered.

Against the demon viscount, he lagged in every aspect: attack, defense, speed. Even his psychic energy proved useless against the sulfuric aura enveloping his foe, at least until he achieved the Ruler of Psychic Energy promotion.

The Golden-Red Sword Lights moved slower than Fina’s swiftest Magic Beams, never reaching their target.

Even if they did connect, Midi doubted they could pierce the demon’s defenses.

The only potential threat to this level-70 Demon Realm-powered enemy was his dagger "Golden Forgiveness".

This weapon had slain the giant octopus in one strike, its true power still mysterious to Midi.

Though formidable, the demon viscount’s Vitality paled compared to the octopus’.

But drawing the dagger meant losing all magic and skills, leaving only raw physical combat.

How could he land a hit then?

The question hung unanswered.

Another frontal punch forced Midi to block with his crossed dual swords "Eliminate" and "Kill".

The razor-sharp longswords groaned under the assault, bending into crescent shapes as makeshift shields.

The cross-block failed to absorb the impact, sending Midi flying like a kicked ball.

He skidded to a midair halt, crimson blood trailing from his lips.

"Dragon’s Blood?" The demon viscount sniffed, surprised. "Explains your endurance. But diluted bloodline means nothing. I’ll torture you slowly – even after death, your Soul shall suffer!"

Torture slowly?

The word sparked realization.

Beneath their mocking cruelty, demons harbor extreme suspicion. They trust only themselves, setting traps behind apparent flaws. They attack only when certain of victory.

But absolute advantage makes them careless. They prolong hunts for amusement – their sole weakness.

Feeling his inner strength circulate, Midi reached out through telepathy:

"Rot, can you immobilize the demon viscount briefly?"

"For how long?" Rot responded. "The rune’s power drains my psychic energy fast."

"It won’t take long—just one second. But his movements must be fully restrained," Midi answered calmly.

"Understood," Rot stated clearly.

"Good." A cold gleam flashed through Midi’s star-black eyes as he nodded at Fina and Alice, signaling them.

The gesture meant: "Stay composed and fight to the end."

"Oh? What schemes are you plotting, little insect?" The demon viscount sneered contemptuously, having observed every move. Yet from his humorless gaze, Midi knew this paranoid foe had grown wary.

This was expected. Adventurers like Midi ranked among the strongest in the Star Ocean, and the demon viscount had monitored his every action through the All-Seeing Demon. The demon would never believe Midi would expose flaws, surrender, or fight recklessly. Even with absolute confidence in victory, he remained cautious against counterattacks or suicidal tactics. So long as his vigilance held, Midi stood no chance.

But if that vigilance faltered, victory might yet be seized.

"Schemes?" Midi wiped blood from his lips, glaring coldly. "You’ll see soon enough!"

Instantly, through telepathy, Rot unleashed a storm-like barrage of psychic snipes. Simultaneously, Fina and Alice abandoned conventional attacks, focusing entirely on restricting the demon’s movements. Amid this sudden assault, Midi’s Golden-Red Sword Lights blazed like a meteor streaking toward the foe.

"Hmph! You think this can defeat me? You’re merely a human!" The demon viscount laughed, genuine amusement in his eyes. With a finger flick, he summoned magical runes bestowed by his master—the peak Apostle—to nullify Rot’s attacks. His wings flared, unleashing sulfuric flames that burned away the Demon Realm’s black vines. Fina’s intricate magic formations shattered like glass under his wingbeats.

Yet this bought Midi enough time. As the demon dispelled each restraint, Midi closed in, reeking sulfur and searing demonfire scorching his skin. His dual swords whirled, unleashing thousands of sword lights—the Awakening Skill: Storm Sword, his ultimate single-target technique. Rarely used during the Sea of Clouds conquest due to his overwhelming strength, he now had no choice.

The swordstorm breached the demon’s defenses, leaving bloody gashes across his body. The demon roared—yet these were mere flesh wounds. Midi had exhausted all power, even draining Rot’s psychic energy.

"Impressive! A mortal making me bleed? Take pride in that!" The demon’s eyes glowed crimson as sulfuric fumes thickened. Now truly enraged, the real battle began.

Endure this, find his weakness, strike the killing blow! Midi Asreks—don’t fall here!

But he knew what awaited. Against the demon’s fury, neither he, Fina, nor Alice could resist. Rot’s drained powers offered no aid. The demon’s storm-like onslaught overwhelmed them.

Initially, Midi blocked a few strikes, but without psychic interference, the relentless assaults broke him. Repeatedly knocked down, blood gushing, flesh charred by flaming fists—no longer a battle, but a slaughter. The demon meticulously crushed his resistance.

A sickening crack echoed as the demon’s hand struck Midi’s back. His weakened Sword Lights failed; his spine snapped.

Fina and Alice paled, faces drained of color—veterans now trembling in anguish.

"Yes! Exactly this despair!" The demon laughed, hoisting Midi like a ragdoll. A broken spine meant paralysis. Healing magic could save him, but the demon wouldn’t allow it.

With Midi defeated, the outcome seemed certain: extract the Sea Emperor’s Inheritance from his memories, consume the Holy Blood heirs, and shackle Rot’s will. Total victory.