Chapter 166 Is This How It Ends?! [Pt 1]

As I suspected, the Demons were here for the goods beneath the Great Helios Labyrinth.

Even for a race as prosperous as theirs, the deposits found under Dulum were worth a lot. I reckoned my opponent required the resources to get an edge over the other Demon Lords.

'Because of that, Dulum is in danger!'

"Huff... huff..." I struggled to rise to my feet.

[Freedom Of Expression] had me looking calm, but I was in a panic internally.

"Oh? You still have strength in your legs, eh? You also do not appear worried. How interesting."

I strengthened my body with all the Skills I could muster. A Demon Lord of this caliber wasn't going down easily, so I had to give it my all.

'Even if my opponent is Level 250!'

I had no other means to fight, after all. My best bet was to believe that I could outlast him in a battle of attrition.

'Thanks to the [Hero] Title, I'll always recover as long as there's enough time. If I use my future vision well and do my best to last as long as I can, then—'

It was indeed possible!

I could do it!

[.]

[Skills]

<1> Five Seconds Rule: Advanced

<2> Rune crafting

<3> Absolute Freedom Of Expression

<4> With Great Responsibility There Must Also Come Great Power

—Warrior's Skin (Byron)

—Blessing Of Recovery (Sarah)

—Blessing Of Power (Sarah)

—Mana Strengthening (Lucy)

—Marionette (Lilith)

—Evil Eye (Lilith)

<5> Insight

<6> Martial Arts

<7> Grand Predator

<8> Draconic Transformation

<9> Domination

<10> Evil Warding Blade

<11> Miasma

<12> I Believe I Can Fly

<13> Unification

<14> Am I A Zombie?

<15> Switch

<16> Hire Purchase

[Titles]

<1> Hero

<2> Fraud

<3> Conqueror

<4> Goblin Hunter

<5> Dragon Hunter

<6> Fool

<7> Slave Master

<8> Demon Contractor

<9> The One Who Unifies

<10> Demon Slayer

<11> Irregularity among Irregulars

[End Of Information]

[.]

I probably had more Skills and Titles than the enemy anyway. It was best to use that to my advantage.

"Let's roll!" Gritting my teeth, I began building up power to lunge at the enemy.

'First things first... take the fight away from the city!'

>WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH<

I sped past the debris and propelled my body toward Valefor, my levitating opponent. Even with [Five Seconds Rule: Advanced] act, he seemed totally still.

I discovered he had a barrier I would clash with if I ended up trying a direct confrontation, so I avoided that route.

'Then—!'

I instantly used <Switch> to change my Class into that of a Warrior: Knight. I also summoned the <Evil Warding Sword>, using <Hire Purchase> to swiftly obtain Skills in the Knight department.

Of course, I also spent all my Stat Points to ensuring I was in optimal condition for a fight.

'A combination of the blade I wield as well as these other stacked up benefits of being a Knight is magnificent. This is probably the best form I can take currently...'

"Haaaaa!!!" Rushing toward the target with a terrifying swing—backed up by several enhancements and a Knight Skill known as <Break>—not to mention the <Evil Warding Blade>'s effect, I expected to partially obliterate my target... or at least drive him out of the city.

Unfortunately—

"Is this really all?"

—I was too optimistic.

Demon Lord Valefor was right beside me, at this point. Clearly, he had completely evaded my attack, and he was well within range.

A smile formed on his face as he stared at my still body. I trembled internally due to his pressure, and it felt like I would faint at any given time.

"Do you call that an attack?"

I was about to respond to him when several sharp spikes pierced my dragon scale-layered body.

The dark blades easily tore through my skin, causing my blood to ooze out.

"Guark!" I coughed out the blood that overflowed to my mouth, feeling several portions of body scream out in pain

Unfortunately, I had no pain nullification Skill.

"G-aah..." I controlled myself, glaring at the malefactor, who seemed amused to see me suffer.

I attempted to fight back, but a sudden explosion sent me crashing to the ground, creating a much larger crater.

I was completely powerless—treated as a toy while the opponent easily handled me like I was nothing.

This humiliation coursed through me... causing even my iron will to waver.

'Damnit... can I actually... win?'

"HERO! HERO! HERO! HERO! HERO! HERO!"

Suddenly, I heard several loud footsteps. It was almost as though a stampede rushed in my direction, and for a moment, my blurred vision attempted to make sense of what was occuring.

Once I did, my eyes widened in shock.

'N-no. No way!'

Marching in their multitude were all the Adventurers and allies I had. They had resolute expressions on their faces, and they all donned their best weapons.

Even though I was the one meant to protect them, it seemed they truly wanted to defend me.

'Y-you guys...' My thoughts hazily trailed as I recovered from the damage I had built up.

​ Valefor was also looking in the direction of my human supporters. Once I saw the violent twinkle in his eyes, I understood!

"No... you guys... don't..." My voice was weak, but I stretched out my hand to pass my message across.

Rising from my crater while doing my best to speak, my bulging eyes pleaded with everyone to BACK OFF!

"... STAY BAC—"

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<

Flashes of purple lightning and dark flames burst forth, instantly consuming the people. I heard their screams, but their voices of agony were drowned by the eruption of Valefor's attack.

My eyes bulged as I saw the land scorched. Buildings were in shambles, and the people who had just arrived to defend their Hero were now severely injured and writhing in pain.

"I can never understand humans. They came here just to die." Valefor murmured.

He didn't even seem out of energy after expending so much power. I knew he had some Magic Items that improved his power, but wasn't this too much.

"They're not dead yet. Maybe one more..." He stretched out his hand for another round.

I didn't think my heart could take any more.

"No... no way!" Gritting my teeth, I steadied myself to stop the enemy.

"NO WAY!"