Chapter 146

Chapter 146: The Arch-Nemesis of the Demon Swordman

Countless blood-sucking bats fluttered beneath the domed ceiling of the hall. These mutated creatures bared razor-sharp fangs, their wings beating like a dark stormcloud blotting out the sky as they slowly circled above Midi’s head, nearly obscuring his entire view.

Facing this ominous spectacle, Midi stood motionless with his Black Sky sword in hand. In his past life as a second-awakener, he’d witnessed far grander displays. Though he hadn’t been among the elite Demon Swordmen back then, he’d still triumphed through sheer willpower. Now, as a perfect transmutation wielder fused with demon god power and bearing the rare Ultimate Intent, such theatrics couldn’t rouse even a flicker of fear.

The outside battle was already decided. What schemes could the hidden Pretender leader possibly muster now? To Midi, this was merely death throes – or perhaps a diversion to cover an escape. Regardless, victory lay in his grasp. He need only wait for the right moment to strike.

The bat swarm grew restless under Midi’s calm gaze. Crimson eyes glowed as fangs clicked in furry mouths, their unnaturally elongated pupils radiating malice. They arranged themselves with military precision, flanking the hall like honor guards.

Their awaited guest emerged from coiling mist – an old man in black robes approaching with measured steps. At twenty paces, Midi saw the corpse-pale face, bloodied fangs, and twin horns curving from the forehead.

"A demon-blooded vampire." Midi’s brow furrowed. Normally, vampires’ holy light weakness made them predictable foes. But this horned creature bore tainted demon blood – more demon than vampire, wielding undead powers. Even a reincarnator like Midi couldn’t predict his capabilities without crossing blades.

"Midi Asreks." The black-robed elder spoke with icy disdain. "Your military genius is undeniable. When your new Tree of Life countered the Nibelungen Dragon Sealing Array, victory tilted to humanity. Yet you now stand before me like some brash warrior…"

"You think reaching level 50 guarantees victory?" Midi interrupted. He knew Pretender leaders held terrible powers, but retreating from challenges wasn’t his nature. This stronghold housed his greatest enemy – all the more reason to confront it. How else could he defy fate and protect his comrades?

The vampire’s threats earned only a dismissive smile. Midi produced a vial of golden liquid, pouring it over his black blade. The substance flowed across the steel like living mercury, not a drop spilling. The darkened sword began radiating soft golden light – Master Norton’s supreme enchantment, Holy Edge. For three hours, it would strike with paladin-blessed fury against dark forces.

Midi leveled the glowing longsword. No words needed – steel would answer steel.

The elder snorted. With a wave, shrieking bats cascaded down like inky rapids. Great demon wings unfurled from his back as he vanished into the swarm, seeking killing blows.

In earlier times, the vampire would’ve fled such holy radiance. Mere exposure to this glow once weakened his kind, let alone the blade’s searing edge that could melt iron. But demon blood bred new arrogance.

However, the old man in black robe merely sneered coldly.

After securing ties with Queen Skadi, he’d already obtained a leaf from the Tree of Life and used it to completely rebuild his body. Now, not only Midi’s vaccine but even pure holy light couldn’t affect him.

The demon bloodline in him also granted an ultimate trump card.

With these advantages, he considered himself unbeatable in single combat.

Even if the second-awakening expert Iron-Blood Duke came personally, the old man believed he had fifty percent chance to win—or at least escape unharmed.

Midi’s reckless charge presented the perfect opportunity.

He’d capture this boy alive and reverse the collapsing battle situation!

Midi knew such confidence meant hidden cards. When the old man lunged with vampire claws, he sidestepped instead of meeting the attack head-on.

Using superior combat skills, Midi dodged while slashing down with his longsword.

Brilliant sword light split the air, striking true—but sparks flew instead of blood. No scratch marred the old man’s body.

The recoil threw Midi back several steps. The old man grunted, soaring fifteen paces before flipping mid-air to land lightly.

Not mist form… but invulnerability?

Midi analyzed calmly. He’d only used minimal Ultimate Intent to probe his enemy.

In the past, Midi would’ve pressed the attack. But the former playboy now stood equal to Queen of Magic Fina—Belmar’s genius commander and strongest youth. Though hiding powers, he’d become a prime target.

These Pretenders who’d schemed against Iron-Blood Duke surely studied him thoroughly. The old man’s confidence suggested more hidden cards. A full assault might play into his hands. Better to force his opponent’s moves first—time favored Midi. The longer this dragged, the sooner Dawn Garden’s battle would conclude.

Moreover, what could bats achieve against him?

Platinum-lit Black Sky sword fell like lightning upon the swarm. Though bats reformed from mist, regeneration lagged behind destruction. Under relentless strikes, the once overwhelming swarm thinned like moth-eaten cloth.

The old man’s attacks broke uselessly against Midi’s iron defenses.

"You think stalling works?" The old man’s eyes blazed.

Bats froze mid-flight, clustering into blood-glowing spheres—crimson stars surrounding Midi. Their light solidified into intangible spears stabbing from all sides.

Midi’s face changed. When crimson beams struck, his left arm’s demon god power shuddered—freezing into icy heaviness.

This was the old man’s innate power:

Demon God Seal!

Bearer of Kazan’s curse, chosen by the God of Destruction—natural nemesis of Demon Swordmen.