My eyes widened as the smoke began to clear.


    ''That Basterd...''


    There was deep wound on his left side of shoulder but the demon before me was fine.


    He was still standing on his two feets.


    "I have to say, That really hurt bad." The demon muttered under his breath as plucked out the arrow from his left chest and threw on the ground.


    Then he nced at me and grinned.


    "Is that it? Look''s like you are going to die, Hahaha."


    I gritted my teeth and ired at him but soon enough I took a deep breath and calmed myself down.


    There was no need to act rashley, I know his strong way stronger then I am, I couldn''t hope to defeat him with the current strength of mine.


    But what about after I raised my all over strengt?


    I think then this situation would turned around in my favour.


    "I think I should started to take this seriously too."


    As soon as he said that, he closed her eyes and his body started convulsing violently as bones cracked and shifted under his skin.


    His muscles bulged and his skin stretched, making way for the emerging monstrous form.


    His hands contorted, and long, razor-sharp ws burst out from her fingertips. His skin became as dark as night.


    He cheeks sank in, and his eyes turned an eerie shade of red as his pupils grew vertical, giving his a predatory gaze.


    The air around him grew heavy with an overwhelming sense of danger.


    He then opened his mouth and spoke in a horrific demonic voice, "This my level 2 Demonic Transformation."


    "Damn," Lucas shrugged his shoulders.


    "Look''s it''s my turn to power up too."


    Without a moment''s hesitation, the boy stepped back, creating a bit of distance between them. He took a deep breath, centring himself for the uing spar.


    As he summoned the energy within, the air around him shimmered with a faint azure glow. His golden hair seemed to dance with a hint of mana, a stark contrast to the worn-out appearance he bore just moments ago.


    At the same time he enveloped his whole body in mana coating.


    Lucas then nces at his shadow who nods his head back at him "Come now, Shadow." Lucas said as Lucas''s shadow covered his entire body.


    His clothes turned ck, and everything in his body turned ck colour leaving only its head.


    His current strength was of [D-] rank but afterbining shadow and Mana Coating his strength rose up to [D+] rank.


    It was massive strength boost that he have received.


    However, Lucas couldn''t hold this form much longer, Usually He cold this form about 5-7 minutes.


    ...But with his fight earlier with hidden doungen boss and apperance of Fallen human transform himself at a demon had taken quite bit mana of his.


    At best, Lucas has 2 minutes before his Shadow form copse.


    So it''s either do or die.


    The demon looked quite bit suprised at Lucas change in power but didn''t say anything and just stairs at Lucas.


    He now that this fight will be different from one he had before.


    "Here Ie," Lucas shouted and started running towards the Demon. His speed was much faster than before.


    As he was running toward Demon, Lucas knew that he needed more speed, Lucas then focused on his movement art and sword art.


    In an instant, a surge of mana emanated from Lucas''s body, flowing outward in a brilliant azure hue.


    "[Celestial Parry] sword art-->[Starry Deflection]."


    "[Ster Stride] movement art--> [Astral Dash]


    Lucas yelled, his voice resolute.


    Lucas disappeared from Demon''s eyesight within a second.


    In a sudden burst of speed, Lucas appeared right before Demon in the blink of an eye, his sword raised in the air as he used [Starry Deflection].


    Demon, surprised by the sudden burst of speed, swiftly shifted into a defensive position. However, Lucas''s [Starry Deflection] proved to be a formidable technique. The sword strikes seemed to ripple through the air, creating an almost celestial disy of shes.


    sh—!!


    With a powerful descent, Lucas struck down his sword in a downward sh, slicing through the air with deadly speed.


    Splurt—!!


    The Demon tried blocking the iing attack by raising her ws, but Lucas'' sword easily sliced through his reinforced skin, severing his right hand with a fast blur.


    Thud, Thud—!!


    As the dismembered limb fell to the ground, Lucasnded before baldy demon, ready to deliver another fierce blow.


    Wasting no time, he pulled his sword back with mana spiraling around it and sh it forward at his face with all his might, intending to cut of  his skull.


    Swish—!!


    But before Lucas'' attack could connect, baldy demon swiftly ducked down, dodging the spear thrust with his remaining w pulled back.


    "For someone who talked so big, you were easy to kill!" he taunted, his voice filled with contempt as he lunged forward at the golden-haired boy with breakneck speed.


    Lucas could only widen his eyes as the demon closed the distance and straightened his w into a sword-like manner before thrusting it into his abdomen with incredible force.


    Thrust—!


    "Aghhh!"


    The pain was excruciating as Lucas felt the sharp ws pierce through his body, tearing through flesh and muscle with ease. He gritted his teeth against the agony, refusing to cry out as he struggled to maintain his focus.


    With a surge of determination, Lucas summoned every ounce of strength within him, channeling it into a powerful counterattack. With a swift motion, he raised his sword and aimed for the demon''s neck, his movements fueled by sheer willpower and determination.


    Despite the pain and fatigue weighing heavily upon him, Lucas refused to give up. With a fierce cry, he unleashed his attack with all the strength he could muster, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.


    The demon''s eyes widened in shock as Lucas'' sword connected, the de biting deep into his flesh with a sickening crunch. With a roar of pain, the demon stumbled backwards, blood gushing from the wound as he clutched at his neck in agony.


    But Lucas wasn''t done yet. Summoning thest reserves of his strength, he pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of rapid strikes upon the demon''s weakened form.


    sh, sh, sh—!!


    Each blownded with devastating force, driving the demon back further and further until he was on the brink of copse. With one final, decisive strike, Lucas delivered the finishing blow, his sword slicing through the air with unparalleled speed and precision.


    The demon let out a strangled cry as Lucas'' sword pierced through his chest, its de impaling him with lethal uracy. With a shudder, the demon''s body went limp, his eyes zing over as life fled from his form.


    Breathing heavily, Lucas staggered backwards, his body trembling with exhaustion as he struggled to remain standing.


    But despite the pain and fatigue that threatened to overwhelm him, he refused to yield, his spirit unbroken as he stood victorious against his formidable foe.


    With one final, triumphant cry, Lucas raised his sword high above his head, a symbol of his hard-won victory against impossible odds.


    As he looked upon the fallen demon before him, he felt a surge of pride and satisfaction, knowing that he had ovee even the greatest of challenges through sheer determination and strength of will.


    With the battle won and his enemy defeated, Lucas allowed himself a moment of respite, his breathing in ragged gasps as he savored the sweet taste of victory.