“What is all this…?” I muttered, scanning the battlefield. Dead elves littered the ground — corpses as far as the eye could see. Something was still alive…

“Ladies, I think there’s one still breathing,” I said, holding their hands. My mana radar immediately detected three malicious auras guarding a portal.

“Demons!” I whispered, quickly casting Invisibility on the three of us. I glanced at Cristy and Raschidiya — their faces radiated anger and determination.

“You two, stay here and maintain the barrier. I’ll teleport to the person still alive,” I instructed.

“Yes, my Lord!” they nodded in unison.

I focused and felt the grip of their hands. Then, in a blink, I appeared next to the injured elf. She was barely breathing. I cast Healing Light, restoring her slowly. She was female — leave it at that.

“There are far more demons than expected… Cristy, I thought a troop had only four members, but here are 21, all Rebirth High Realm. The last one must be their general.”

Cristy and Raschidiya’s faces went pale. Panic threatened to show, so I reassured them.

“No need to make that face. You have me. I’ll cast a barrier to protect you from the cold. Take care of the injured elf while I handle the rest.”

I vanished into the air.

I teleported behind the demons, ready to strike. Magic would reveal my presence, so I relied on stealth and my sword.

I drew the God’s Sword from my inventory — purchased from the system days ago. Thin, glimmering, with a dragon-shaped handle. Sword-finger techniques were cool, but holding an actual sword… exhilarating.

A demon noticed me. Even invisible, he was strong.

“ALERT! ENEMY DETECTED!”

“Huh? What enemy? I sense nothing,” another replied.

“Really? Can anyone here hide from us?”

I swung my sword, releasing an air burst that severed his throat. His barrier shattered instantly.

“No! Where is the enemy?!?”

“Use your power, idiot!” Another demon yelled, horns glowing. Their combat prowess surged fivefold.

I didn’t reply. Another head flew, blood splattering the ground.

“Niwang!” one demon screamed, casting blazing fire. I activated a barrier — magic under peak Rebirth realm could not pierce it.

“Hey! LOLID! Get in my back!” I slashed another, cleanly decapitating him.

“Only one remains — holding the portal open.”

“YOU MONSTER! COWARD! SHOW YOURSELF!”

Insulted, I thought: First, I am not a monster. Second, not showing myself is tactical. Why fight hand-to-hand at a disadvantage when I can eliminate them silently?

I let my invisibility drop. Mana surged, covering the sky. Even demons with wings felt the pressure.

“Come.”

Their leader froze. “O.O You… decided to appear! I, LOLID, will bring you down! EVIL DEEDS COME TO ONE! GREAT CALLING, FALL OF DEATH WILL ENGULF YOU!”

Nothing happened. His hand was sliced. “WHAAAA! YOU MONSTER!”

Clang.

“Iai — Demoni Cutz!” The sword technique cut even through air, a skill from my previous life.

“I will not hear ‘Monster’ or ‘Coward’ from your mouth again!” I said as the last demon fell. The portal slowly closed. Reinforcements began moving from the castle — they had been alerted.

I cast Invisibility and teleported back to the girls.

“Come, I’ll bring you to safety,” I said, leading them to a cave I scouted earlier.

“I’ll leave you here temporarily. I’ll reinforce the barrier and stabilize your mana. The enemy has overwhelming numbers, so I cannot bring you with me.”

Cristy’s voice trembled: “My Lord… I sense a general nearby.”

Raschidiya bowed. “Please be careful, Mr. Yan. May the God Fairies bless your fight.”

“As I said — no need to worry ^_^ I’ll be back immediately.”

“O-okay,” they replied together.

I teleported to the castle’s front and amplified my mana with Mana Voice Amplifier:

“DEMONS! COME AND FIGHT ME!”