Defiance of the Fall

Zac tsked in annoyance , and charged at the party while trying to use trees as a cover from the archer . The force of his steps made deep indents in the ground as he charged forth like a runaway bull . The three remaining demons were obviously ready for the fight , as they spread out intending to encircle him .

Zac could sense that all of them were using some skill , as he could feel the cosmic energy react to their bodies . An illusory red gas started floating around one of the combatants , giving him a more sinister feel . The other underling pointed down on the ground , but Zac couldn’t see anything happening .

Zac couldn’t see anything happening with the leader either , but the sense of danger increased substantially .

As Zac was furiously approaching he quickly used Eye of Discernment] on the trio , and got some basic information about his enemies .

Metisis , Level 38]

Gormer , Level 39]

They were roughly 5 levels higher compared to the last party he had attacked . That meant that they should have at least 15-20 higher stat points including the bonus stats from their classes , compared to the last group of demonss .

He was also surprised to notice that the third man , the unarmed one , had somehow resisted his skill . There was only a blur above his head . This made Zac even more wary of him . He had even managed to identify the herald Vul , who was far higher level compared to himself .

Zac furiously circulated cosmic energy in his body , and ran straight toward the weakest enemy , Metisis . When he was just over 50 meters away from them an arrow came whizzing down from the tree tops . This time Zac was prepared and slammed it away with the broad side of his axe head .

The force of this arrow was far higher than the hastily one she had shot before . When the axe and arrow collided he was actually pushed back a bit , his feet making a grove in the ground . Luckily the axe was apparently made from excellent materials , and wasn’t damaged one bit .

Zac pushed ahead once again , the last 50 meter distance gone in just a few seconds .

Just as he was a few meters away from his target , he pushed all the cosmic energy he could into his right leg . He instantly kicked off with all the power he could , and shot like a bullet straight at the other demon , Gormer . The force of the push created an explosion in the ground , even leaving a small crater .

They had not expected the speed that a 98 strength powered push could give , and Gormer barely managed to lift his hooked sword before Zac chopped horizontally with all the strength he could muster .

The axe moved like a lightning , but when it entered the weird gaseous substance it felt like he was trying to push through water . A good part of the momentum was somehow sapped out of the strike , and his force couldn’t properly come to bear .

Zac wouldn’t let this opportunity go though , and with a growl redoubled his efforts , and the axe continued on and slammed into the demon right under his left arm . The leather armor could afford almost no resistance against the sharp edge of Zac’s axe as it embedded itself firmly in his chest . He couldn’t push it clean through though , as the weird strength sapping effect seemed to be even stronger within the body of the demon .

Zac immediately ripped his axe out which produced a tremendous sprout of blood . He planned to turn around to meet the other two demons head on next . He didn’t believe he’d get a second chance for a surprise attack like this .

But before he could do anything , he suddenly felt something ensnare his feet and he completely lost his footing . Zac fell headfirst on top of the collapsed dying demon . Gormer seemed intent on revenge even with one foot in the grave , as he weakly held on to Zac to keep him from fleeing .

While Zac struggled to get free he took a quick glance down at his legs . They were ensnared by a handful of purplish wiggling roots , which somehow seemed alive . They seemed to be a skill or magic that came from the other demon underling .

Perhaps they had planned to ensnare him when he got closer , and then attack him from three directions , securing an easy kill . Unfortunately for them Zac had preceded them with his lightning fast blitz .

Zac had no time to analyze it any further , as the leader had moved to position close to him . Shockingly he no longer was unarmed , but hefted a monstrous great sword that was almost as long as he was , and over 20cm wide .

He had mocking eyes and a sneer as he lifted the sword above his head . Zac could once again feel the movement of cosmic energy , and knew that the leader was using a skill . Dark arcs of power spread from his arms into the large blade .

The dying demon’s strength was no match for Zac , and he frantically ripped himself free from his grip . But he only managed to get himself up to his knees when the large blade started falling down on him . It was poised to cleave him in two unless he did something .