Rebirth of the Ruined Noble



As Zephyr and I moved forward, closing the distance between us and the Oni demon, a tense silence enveloped the atmosphere. The weight of our impending clash hung heavily in the air, intensifying the adrenaline coursing through our veins. I could almost taste the anticipation and apprehension that mingled within our shared gaze.

"I'll take the front, cover me from behind," Zephyr said, leaping ahead.

I readily complied, with his request as I too didn't want to be included in the fight unless it was required.

With incredible speed and precision, Zephyr unleashed a swift strike, his sword cutting through the air like a streak of lightning. The deadly aura surrounding his blade was an awe-inspiring sight, poised to strike at the Oni demon's vulnerable spot.

However, the demon's agility was surprising, evading the strike with a deftness that belied its massive frame.

-ROOOAAAARRRRRR!!!

The Oni retaliated with a thunderous roar, its voice reverberating through the surrounding area, causing the ground to tremble beneath our feet. It launched a brutal counterattack, its powerful fists swinging toward Zephyr with unrivaled strength.

Zephyr, with his remarkable reflexes, managed to evade the initial onslaught, fluidly evading the Oni's strikes with graceful sidesteps.

Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed a barrage of bullets from my magic-powered handgun, aiming for the demon's exposed front.

Each shot carried immense power, my intention was to pierce through its supernatural resilience.

Thanks to my temporarily heightened perception, every detail was crystal clear, even from a distance. The increased proficiency in marksmanship was also evident as the bullets hit the Oni demon exactly where I envisioned them to be. 

Yet, despite the onslaught, the Oni's toughened skin barely showed signs of damage, as if mocking my efforts.

"F*ck! there is barely a scratch on it."

Recognizing the futility of my bullets against the Oni's formidable defense, I quickly recalibrated my approach. While my attacks might not cause significant harm, they could serve as a means of distraction, creating openings for Zephyr to exploit.

It was a risky strategy since the aggro of the demon would turn against me, but in the face of such overwhelming power, we needed to employ every possible advantage.

As Zephyr continued his agile dance with the Oni demon, I observed its movements keenly, searching for patterns or weaknesses that we could exploit.

Maybe de to my increased stat, my eye sight was very clear and I could see even the small details very clearly from afar.

The demon's attacks were ferocious and unrelenting, its immense strength evident with every strike. However, I noticed a brief moment of vulnerability after each onslaught, a fleeting instant where its guard dropped slightly.

With that observation, a plan formulated in my mind.

"Can you make it so, it's back is exposed towards me?"

I communicated the strategy to Zephyr through a swift exchange of words.

Zephyr didn't ask any questions in return and just nodded at my request.

As the Oni Demon prepared for another thunderous assault, Zephyr skillfully evaded its initial strike, narrowly dodging the powerful blow. After the big attack, the Oni demon revealed a movement of weakness.

Sensing the momentary weakness, I leaped forward, my movements swift and decisive. A surge of magic surged through my veins, empowering my body. With precision and decisiveness, I unleashed a concentrated burst of energy alongside the bullet, aimed directly at the demon's exposed flank, exploiting the brief opening.

"Eat this you you b*tch!"

-Roooooooaaaaar!

The Oni bellowed in pain as my attack found its mark. It staggered backward, momentarily stunned by the unexpected assault. Seizing this opportunity, Zephyr unleashed a series of lightning-fast strikes, his sword dancing through the air like a blur.

Blade met flesh in a symphony of steel, each strike a testament to Zephyr's prodigious skill. With each successful blow, the Oni's defenses crumbled, revealing the toll our united assault was taking. However, it was far from defeated, its raw power still a formidable force to be reckoned with. and his regeneration power was no joke either.

As the battle raged on, time seemed to blur, our movements becoming a fluid dance of survival and perseverance. We pressed forward with unyielding determination, unrelenting in our pursuit of victory. 

The clash between us and the Oni demon intensified, reaching a crescendo of ferocity and desperation. Each swing of Zephyr's blade carried the weight of his expertise, his mastery of close combat evident in every fluid motion.

I wasn't still either, I constantly fired the bullets, distracting the demon's attention from Zephyr.

The Oni demon, too, fought with a relentless fury, its attacks reverberating through the air with bone-shaking force.

At this movement, I was relived that the Oni demons weren't moving in groups, because dealing with even a single one is so exhausting, I couldn't imagine fighting these brutes in group.

Nevertheless, I continued to provide support from a distance, channeling my magic to bolster Zephyr's strikes and disrupt the demon's defenses. Bolts of magic energy shot forth from my fingertips, intertwining with Zephyr's sword, imbuing it with an otherworldly power. The Oni's resistance weakened under the onslaught, its once-mighty form showing signs of strain.

But the demon was not one to be easily subdued. It unleashed a devastating flurry of blows, each strike threatening to overwhelm us. Zephyr's expert reflexes and agility allowed him to narrowly evade the brunt of the assault, thank god I was in the back. I couldn't imagine how much of a daunting task evading it's attacks would have been.

The fight continued and the relentless onslaught began to take its toll. Sweat glistened on my brow, even zephyr seemed to have slowed down, his muscles seemed strained with the effort of parrying the demon's attacks.

But It wasn't like the demon was fine either, it's once thick skin was in ragged state and it's movement had slowed down.

Sensing an opportunity, I unleashed a barrage of magical projectiles, bombarding the Oni's face from a safe distance.

The concentrated force of my bullets hammered into its already battered form, causing it to stagger and falter. It roared in frustration, its movements momentarily slowed.

It was then that Zephyr, launched himself forward with a surge of adrenaline-fueled strength.

Finally he was using that 'Skill'.

The infamous 'Matchless swordsmanship' that he inherited from his master!

His sword cut through the air in a dazzling display of skill and precision, finding purchase in the Oni's vulnerable flank. A deafening cry of agony filled the air as the demon's defenses crumbled, unable to withstand the onslaught any longer.

With one final, resolute strike, Zephyr delivered a decisive blow, severing the Oni's head and ending it's connection to this realm. The demon's form dissipated, dissipating into a swirling mist of dark energy that slowly dissipated, leaving behind a sense of eerie stillness.

We stood there, breathing heavily, our bodies weary from the grueling battle. 

The Oni demon, once a towering figure of intimidation, was now turning into dust, its threat extinguished.

"Hey Zephyr! You sure that it wasn't the master of exile but a normal demon?"

I couldn't help but ask that question.

---***---