Victoria Tiger
The villagers circled around us as the man stepped forward, his grin wide and amused.
"Don't worry, my dear Demon Prince," he said, gesturing theatrically to the crowd, "they won't interfere. These are just our audience."
Killian lowered his body and sprinted forward. The man's grin widened as he blocked the dagger—metal clanged, sparks flew. Killian was pushed back. A silver whip sliced through the air—twice, fast. I looked at the man's right hand. A metallic whip slithered like a serpent. Then, another appeared in his left.
Killian wiped a cut from his cheek.
"I forgot to introduce myself, your royal demonic highness. My name is Katya Kingston," the man said with a mocking bow.
Killian ignored him and charged again.
"Rude," Katya muttered, snapping his arms. The whips darted like snakes.
Killian ducked and twisted, deflecting the strikes, closing the distance. Katya whipped downward—then yanked both back. Killian didn't see the strike coming from behind.
"Killian!!" I screamed, heart clenching, dizziness creeping in.
The silver whip struck his back, halting his approach. Katya adjusted his stance. His whips moved so fast my eyes couldn't follow. Killian blocked many of them, but I could tell—he was still getting hit.
I wanted to help. I had begged him to train me. But now? I stood frozen. Useless.
Katya finally paused. His grin was gone. Killian looked ruined. His cloak was in tatters, body slashed and bleeding. His silver hair was streaked with red. One eye swollen shut, he could barely stay on his feet.
"Is this it?" Katya scoffed. "Is this the legendary War Demon Prince?" He clenched the bloodied whip's hilt, clearly disappointed.
Tears welled in my eyes.
Suddenly, Killian moved. Katya reacted too slowly. Killian leapt, dagger slicing across Katya's face—a deep diagonal scar bloomed across his cheek. Katya stumbled. Killian kicked his hands, then stabbed him in the stomach. He yanked Katya's sword from its sheath, jumped back to my side, and threw a glowing shard that struck Katya's chest.
Guards ran to Katya.
"Sir!" one of them shouted.
Katya yanked the shard out, laughing like a madman. "Hahaha… Yes! That's more like it! That's a Demon Prince!"
He coughed blood, then sneered.
"But can you handle all of them?" he hissed.
He raised a bloodied hand.
"Attack."
The villagers moved forward slowly—pitchforks, hoes, shovels, all raised. Killian stood still. I stepped in front of him, trying to shield him. One of Katya's guards rushed us. I felt something shift behind me.
A sword flew past me, impaling the man between the eyes. Killian limped forward, retrieved the sword, and stared into my eyes. Blood streaked down his face.
He tossed a blade at my feet.
"Protect yourself."
I picked it up with trembling fingers. The crowd loomed. My vision blurred—everything tinted red.
Katya's voice echoed behind them. "Demon Prince, would you really kill these innocent villagers?"
Killian didn't hesitate.
"Innocent?" he said coldly. "They raised weapons at me. They chose their fate."
He pointed his sword at Katya.
"Formless Technique: First Hell — Infinity Blades."
The blade disappeared, leaving only the hilt. Wind howled, swirling around us like a barrier. Then—
"Slaughter."
The winds vanished. Bodies collapsed. No—pieces of bodies. Women, men, even children—carved up like butchered meat. The white snow was now a pool of red.
Killian didn't flinch.
But in front of him, a green sphere glowed.
A crazed laugh erupted.
"HahahaHAHAHAHAHAHA—YES! You really are a demon! A demon!" Katya shrieked. A robed mage stood beside him, a defensive [Hashi Art] protecting them.
Killian reversed his grip, sword facing down.
"Formless Technique: Piercing Void."
Three pale blue blades erupted from the ground, impaling the guards. Katya dodged, barely.
Killian clicked his tongue, annoyed. His blade reformed. He stepped forward to finish it.
Then—everything shattered.
A sword stabbed through his back, clean through his chest. Killian stopped mid-step.
Slowly, painfully, he turned his head.
I was behind him.
Holding the sword.
The one he gave me.
Plunged into his back.