Demonification.
It was a technique used by the dukes of the seven great clans in the Demon continent.
Most especially, the Duke of greed. It was a technique that could only be used by high ranking demons. Demons of Count rank and above.
Basically, demonification is a ritual performed by said high ranking demon on a member of the humanoid races by mixing part of their essence with said humanoid's blood granting them more power than they could wield.
Powers like high regenerative abilities, high physical prowess as well.
Now what happens when the now demonified humanoid performs the same ritual on others.
Partial demonification. You become mindless and act without any rationale, you possess limited regeneration. Only works on physical damage. Not magical ones.
And given that he still seems to be in his rational mind, it's safe to say he's the former. A demonic human.
BOOOM!
We collided again.
The force was enough to send shockwaves through the area, flattening nearby trees and shattered what remained of the nearby buildings.
Broken walls crumbled, their stones flung like pebbles as the southern district shook under our continued onslaught.
This time I wasn't holding back. I honestly couldn't afford to anymore.
Fwsshh!
A whip of fire snapped from my hand, wrapping around Roland's leg mid-sprint and yanking him down.
I followed, slamming my fists into his ribs before detonating a burst of lightning through my palm.
BOOM! CRACK!
The pavement split as his body was sent flying again, skidding, and tearing through concrete, bouncing off a shattered stone fountain.
But he didn't even cough.
Instead, he stood, brushing soot from his chest, laughing through the blood trickling down his chin.
"More... more, Richard!" He screamed, his eyes wild with ecstasy. "Make me feel alive!"
'What a psycho...' I thought as I raised both palms.
Then, I conjured ice to my left, fire to my right. They combined, steam hissing violently into the air.
Then I slammed both into the ground.
RUMMBLE–BOOM!!
A blast of scalding mist shot forward, searing the air. At the same time, dozens of jagged icicles erupted from the steam-cloud–darting forward like homing missiles.
Roland ducked and weaved through most of them but, some cut into his skin.
No, scratch that, he let them cut into his skin.
"GRAHHHHAHA!!" He roared in sick joy as a spike pierced his thigh.
He flexed and pop, the spike was pushed out by healing flesh.
His mana was pulsing and writhing. Almost as if it was... alive.
"Umbrae–exurge ad mandatum meum! Consúme hostem meum!"
The shadows responded, swirling into a maelstrom around him before launching forward like a tidal surge of ink.
"Shit." I planted my feet as I raised my hand toward the wave.
Wind exploded from my hand.
WHOOOM!
A massive gust pushed back against the wave, slowing it–but not stopping it.
So I changed tactics.
I leapt above it and conjured a spear of pure lightning.
Then I hurled it down.
The spear pierced the shadow tide and detonated.
BOOOOOM!!
A crack in the ground split a building in half as the explosion rocked the entire area.
Dust, fire, and arcane pressure filled the air. But–
THUMP.
Something landed behind me.
I twisted just in time to see claws swipe at my face.
SCHRIIIKK!
Blood sprayed as three lines cut across my cheek. My body shot back, skipping off the ground like a stone on a lake.
I managed to catch myself mid-roll, panting as I wiped the blood from my chin.
His claws were laced with dark mana. That cut would've gone deeper if I didn't reinforce my skin with mana.
Roland stepped forward from the smoke, claws dripping, his wings flexing, his eyes glowing with the madness of a hundred broken minds.
"This is glorious, Richard. Look at you. Bleeding, breathing hard. I love it. Don't die on me too fast, alright?"
"Don't worry," I said, gathering mana into my core. "I'll make sure you do first."
I raised both hands.
All seven of my elements pulsed.
Fire danced along my arms. Water spiraled from my fingertips. Ice hardened at my feet. Wind swirled like blades around me.
The Earth rumbled beneath my feet. Lightning crackled in the air. And Darkness condensed at my back.
Then–
I vanished.
This was a technique I had developed back in the day when I was just a regular demon. Before I became the Demon King.
It's name was flash step.
But this time, rather than just mana, it was also amplified with wind and lightning boosting my speed.
I reappeared in front of him and–
BOOOOM!
My fist slammed into his side, the force shattering bone. Then another into his chin–his head snapped back violently.
I spun, a blade of darkness forming in my hand, and slashed upward.
SLASH!
He reeled, but then caught my arm.
Then he muttered, "Too slow."
Then, his claws sank into my shoulder.
I hissed as the dark mana burned into my muscles.
But I refused to just let him do what he likes to me.
A spike of ice erupted from my elbow, impaling his gut.
We both jumped back, breathing hard.
Smoke curled off our bodies. My shoulder was a mess of torn cloth and blood. His gut healed slowly, as the ice was slowing down his healing.
"HEHEHE! Yes, that's it! Roland cried, hunched and grinning. "More, more, give me MORE–"
Thwipp!
A flaming arrow slammed directly into the side of his face.
BAM!
Roland's head twisted from the impact, flames briefly engulfing his head like a torch.
He staggered and slowly turned his gaze.
The arrow had barely singed him.
But he was pissed now.
His smile fell away, replaced by a scowl.
"Oh?" He growled, his eyes searching for the source of the attack. "Who dares–"
"Figures," I muttered, already sensing the mana before I even saw her.
Beatrice.
She stood at the edge of a ruined house, her expression livid, hands alight with burning magic.
A second arrow formed, already glowing white-hot in the night air.
Before Roland could move–
ZWWWOOOOM!!
A beam of pure white light slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward through a metal gate.
He landed hard, growling as smoke curled from his scorched torso.
His skin was slightly marred now. Light had hurt him huh. Makes sense since he's a demonic human.
"YOU–!"
He turned again–and this time, his gaze locked on her.
Alice.
Sword in hand, her blade glowing like a fragment of dawn.
"What are doing here?" I asked stepping between them and Roland.
Beatrice stood, her flaming arrow at the ready. Alice raised her sword in response.
They didn't even look at me. Just said in unison, "We're here to help."
I met their eyes–sharp, glowing with focus–and sighed.
"...Fine. Sync with me."
I then drew my sheathed sword, the cracks in its surface, spun it once then launched forward.
BOOOM!!
We clashed again–me and Roland. Fist met claw. Blade met fang. Fire and Darkness exploded outward.
And behind me–
Two more auras ignited.
Let's finish this.