Rearing Demons-Chapter 33: Overwhelming

"Zul, what was that?!" Yur finally finished experiencing the memory, which felt like it had lasted many years—even though only minutes passed in reality.

That battle between Demon Lord Arnin and Yawan the Beast Tamer was anything but normal.

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Although he registered Zul's message, Yur's thoughts lingered on the extended clash he'd witnessed. In actual time, only a few minutes had gone by, but to him it seemed far longer.

Stars and planets were treated like rubble in that fight. Every attack ripped open space, every step caused the void itself to wail. Most horrifying of all was Demon Lord Arnin, who appeared to be toying with Yawan.

Despite Yur's emotions being dulled, somehow that memory stirred a deep fear within him—one he hadn't known he could feel. Something inside him shook whenever he looked at Arnin.

At least there was one positive: he'd learned a lot by studying how they fought. Observing them exchange blows endlessly gave him insight into hand-to-hand combat, as well as ways to refine his own strength.

I need to avoid any more memories involving Demon Lord Arnin. My insides feel like they're shuddering every time he appears. It was clear Arnin was no ordinary figure.

Snapping his eyes open, Yur looked around at those waiting for him. Celis, leaning against the wall, offered a dazzling smile.

"Ready?" Celis pushed himself off the wall, hefting his enormous sword. Even one-handed, he seemed entirely at ease.

Yur rose from the ground with a soft grunt, wiping stray dirt from his clothes. He gripped his hilt-less sword in hand. "Let's do this." Though his voice was calm, a renewed confidence resonated there—something he hadn't shown before.

Noticing the shift in Yur's demeanor, Celis's grin widened. "Alright, I'm coming!"

He launched forward, smashing his feet against the floor and hurling himself straight for Yur. Oddly, Yur found Celis's movements more readable than before—no longer just a blur.

Sidestepping, he dodged the blow.

Surprised, Celis jammed his sword into the floor, twisting his body in midair to rebound. He whirled around with lightning speed—only to find Yur's foot aimed at his face.

This time, Celis used the sword to block just in time, effectively evading the kick. Remarkably, it marked the first instance Celis had truly needed to defend in this fight. Up till now, he'd been purely on the offensive.

No one had expected a mere five-minute break to cause such a turnaround. The group was stunned by Yur's precision and agility.

I have to push harder, Yur thought, unsatisfied even though he'd forced Celis to dodge. The battle between Arnin and Yawan played over and over in his head. If he hoped to face beings like Arnin, he needed to press further, to perfect his skill.

Locking eyes with Celis—who had backed away—Yur refused to grant him any breathing room. He lunged forward, sword poised to slash.

"Whoa!" Celis exclaimed, hastily shifting aside to avoid decapitation.

But Yur pursued relentlessly, his swings growing sharper and closer.

"This is what five minutes did for you?" Celis muttered, amazement creeping into his voice. "Alright, then I'll show you what I can really do!" Raising his huge blade overhead, he cleaved downward—but Yur seized the top of the blade.

Incineration!

Searing lines streaked across the steel, creeping up the sword until they enveloped Celis's arm. The flames torched Yur's own hand the instant they formed, yet he didn't wait for them to burn fully—instead, he released Celis's blade and slashed at him with his double-edged sword.

"Arg!" Celis grunted as he flung the big sword aside, twisting away from the lethal strike. He tried to steady himself, but then spotted Yur already crouched low, preparing another blow at his legs.

Leaping to dodge, Celis noticed a small black circle engraved into the ground.

Incineration!

The floor exploded with black flames that tried to swallow Celis midair, offering him no respite.

"Behind you," Yur whispered, voice echoing from close by. Celis felt a sudden cold sweat drench his back.

"No way!" Fyr gasped, lurching forward in shock. "He's forcing Celis to—" He cut himself off as Celis rose above them, his aura spiking dramatically.

Celis now floated in midair, his expression laced with bitterness. He clutched the double-edged sword, eyes burning. A more potent aura, that of a Luminous Heart cultivator, rolled off him.

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"I lose," he said quietly, dropping back to the floor and extending the sword to Yur. His exhalation was heavy with exhaustion.

Wordlessly, Yur accepted the sword, sheathing it at his side with a firm grip.

"You're strong." Celis gave a rueful smile. "That was an astonishing jump in skill. I see why Ris was drawn to you."

He turned his attention to Ris, who remained silent but was clearly startled. She hadn't anticipated Yur's sudden prowess, either.

"What do you plan to do now?" she asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.

Celis shrugged. "I'll roam the other regions before trying Gravesong Wastes again." Casting Yur a speculative look, he added, "You can join if you like."

"I'm fine." Yur wasn't tempted. His priority was capturing rank-five demons to complete his evolution.

Ris cut in, "We'll also head to the Gravesong Wastes soon. Maybe we'll meet there."

"Sounds good." Celis nodded. Then, with an unexpectedly earnest look, he patted Yur's shoulder. "I want you to consider joining my sect—the Fiend Devouring Sect." It was an abrupt proposition.

"I'll think on it," Yur replied blandly. He had no intention of leaving Zulmasharr yet, especially not while his own domain was so dangerous to leave unguarded.

Celis nodded. "Our sect isn't just any Guardian Sect; it's the strongest. If you join, you'd instantly become a core disciple—like I was."

"I'll consider it," Yur repeated, offering the same vague answer.

With a final nod, Celis glanced at his group. "Alright, let's go explore some other regions for now."

"Got it," Fyr acknowledged. The entire party departed soon after.

Ris released a long breath, tension easing from her posture. "Finally, that man is gone." She wore a slight scowl. "He's always pestering people for fights..."

Ignoring her complaint, Yur's gaze lifted toward the next flight of stairs. "Now—shall I challenge the Weeping Lord?"

"Not so fast." She blocked his path. "You did overpower Celis, but it felt abrupt. If he hadn't been taken by surprise, that fight would've been harsher."

"So what do you suggest?"

Ris unleashed a suffocating demonic pressure, akin to what a Weeping Lord—a demi-Gralith—might exude. "Fight me at my full strength. If you can beat me, you can handle that Weeping Lor—"

But before she could finish, Yur's figure blurred in front of her, making her start. "I think I can handle you," he said quietly, recalling the endless hours he'd spent watching Arnin and Yawan battle. His mastery over his own speed, strength, and techniques felt far more polished now.

"We'll see about that." Ris flicked a hand, sending him crashing into the wall.

Coughing up blood, Yur rose with an expressionless stare. "Alright, then. Let's go."