Chapter 533: Slaughtering the Demons [1]
In this residential area, the demonic presence was significantly more concentrated and aggressive. Nearly fifty demons rampaged through the neighbourhood, devouring everything they encountered with brutality.
Not in the mood to hunt them individually through the maze of residential streets, Arthur made a decision that would bring the fight to him on his terms.
Arthur released a fraction of his overwhelming aura—not the full crushing weight that could level buildings, and seize lives, but enough concentrated menace to trigger every predatory instinct the demons possessed. The invisible pressure wave rippled outward through the neighbourhood, carrying the unmistakable signature of apex predator dominance.
Nearly fifty demons across the entire region became instantly alert as Arthur’s aura washed over them. The controlled release scared them on a primal level that bypassed rational thought, triggering flight responses that warred with territorial aggression.
One after another, the demons began shrieking and roaring as they abandoned their current prey to converge on the source of the threat they instinctively recognised as requiring a unified response. Their coordination was impressive despite their fear—survival instincts demanded they face this overwhelming presence as a collective force rather than risk individual annihilation.
Arthur stood in the middle of the residential street, Chaos gleaming in his hands with demon blood still dripping from its edge after the previous engagement. His posture was relaxed but ready, the stance of someone completely confident in their ability to handle whatever approached.
"You’re finally here. You didn’t make me wait too long," Arthur said with a smirk as the demonic horde assembled before him.
Arthur raised his left hand with deliberate ceremony, accessing the legendary skill he had gained through personal comprehension during his trial at Regulus’s inheritance site.
"<Orbit>," Arthur intoned as gravitational forces began manifesting around his position.
<Orbit>
<Rank: Legendary>
<Active>
<Description: Create a gravitational field around yourself or a designated target, causing objects to orbit at varying distances and speeds. The gravitational pull can be precisely controlled, allowing for attraction or repulsion of specific objects without affecting others in the same field. Can manipulate up to 20 objects simultaneously, with effects lasting until dismissed. The field has no cooldown and solely depends on your mana reserves.>
Twenty demons suddenly found themselves caught in irresistible gravitational pulls that yanked them toward Arthur at incredible velocities. The creatures shrieked in terror and confusion as they tried desperately to grab onto buildings, street signs, anything that might arrest their unwilling flight.
Their claws scraped futilely against asphalt and concrete as gravitational forces far beyond their ability to resist hurled them directly toward Arthur’s waiting blade. The demons’ strength meant nothing against spatial manipulation that treated their mass as variables to be controlled rather than obstacles to be overcome.
Arthur stood ready in perfect combat stance, Chaos positioned for optimal striking angles as twenty demons hurtled toward him like guided projectiles. His reflexes tracked each trajectory with precision, calculating optimal timing for maximum efficiency.
The first demon reached striking distance, and Arthur moved with fluid lethality. Chaos carved through the creature’s torso in a perfect diagonal slash that separated it cleanly while allowing the blade to drink deeply of demonic ichor. The katana vibrated with satisfaction as it absorbed the demon’s blood.
The second demon arrived milliseconds later, its trajectory bringing it directly into Arthur’s reverse grip thrust, which punched through its skull. Dark blood cascaded onto Chaos’s hungry steel as the weapon continued its restoration process.
Arthur became a whirlwind of controlled violence, each movement economical and devastatingly effective. Demons continued hurling toward him at gravitational speeds while he carved through them with ease.
In just a few moments, twenty demons had been reduced to partial corpses while twenty very rare rank items materialised on the asphalt beside Arthur’s position. The guaranteed drops gleamed with their distinctive blue aura, creating a small fortune in equipment from a single engagement.
Chaos vibrated in Arthur’s grip, its pseudo-legendary status visibly strengthening as it fed on concentrated demonic essence. The weapon’s hunger was palpable through their mystical connection—and indeed, thirty more demons remained for it to feast upon.
The surviving demons watched their companions’ execution with growing terror, but their coordination remained intact. They began spreading out to attack from multiple angles, recognising that clustering together only made Arthur’s gravitational manipulation more effective against them.
Arthur’s smile widened as he observed their adaptation. These demons possessed enough intelligence to learn from observation, which would make the remaining battle more interesting than simple target practice.
The stress relief he needed was intensifying beautifully.
Arthur raised his hand again, his gravitational manipulation reaching out across the scattered battlefield. Despite the remaining demons having spread themselves across the residential area, distance meant nothing as long as he could see his targets.
The surviving demons found themselves caught in the same irresistible pull that had doomed their companions. Their claws scraped desperately against pavement and building walls as gravitational forces yanked them toward Arthur’s position at lethal velocities.
However, the skill’s limitation became evident to the final ten demons who remained outside the twenty-entity maximum. These creatures seized their opportunity, charging directly at Arthur while he dealt with their airborne companions.
Thunk. Slash. Squelch.
Arthur completely ignored the ten demons clawing and striking at him, their attacks meeting the shimmering mana barrier surrounding his form. The protective field absorbed every blow without wavering.
Clang. Scrape. Thud.
Their frustrated strikes continued relentlessly as Arthur carved through the gravitationally-controlled demons with no mercy.
Whistle-slice. Chaos sang through the air, separating a demon’s torso from its legs in a perfect horizontal cut.
Crack-splurt. Another creature’s skull split cleanly as Arthur’s reverse thrust punched through bone and brain matter.
Tear-splash. A diagonal slash opened a demon from shoulder to hip, its body separating in a spray of dark ichor.
After finishing the twentieth demon, Arthur turned his attention to the ten creatures that had been futilely attacking his barrier. Their relentless assault had accomplished nothing beyond exhausting themselves against his defences.
"You done?"
The demons shuddered as they met Arthur’s gaze, comprehending the magnitude of the predator they faced.