Blood flowed profusely on the forest floor, mixed with the wet earth and the pungent smell of iron. Orin's body lay motionless, Elric knelt down with a gasp, and the remaining Hunters now stood in a defensive position.
However, Gorath only laughed.
The black aura that burned around him grew thicker, creeping like a death mist ready to swallow anyone. His red eyes shone more intensely, his breathing quickened like a wild beast that had smelled fresh blood.
"More... more... give me more fight!" his voice echoed like a demonic roar.
Darius gritted his teeth. "He's getting stronger... we can't let him live any longer!"
Vargas raised his axe, his eyes unwaveringly staring at the monster before him. "Then, let's end it now!"
Without wasting any time, Vargas leapt forward, swinging his axe with full force.
"Titan Cleave!"
The air vibrated as his axe came down, splitting the ground beneath him. But Gorath—with unexpected speed—leaned to the side, dodging the attack in a split second.
BOOM!
The ground beneath him cracked, creating a large crater. But Vargas had no time to be surprised—Gorath was now behind him.
"Too slow."
With a hard blow to his back, Vargas was thrown forward, crashing into a large tree with a resounding DUG! .
Lyra didn't waste her chance. She leapt onto a nearby branch, drawing her bow with all her might.
"Rain of Phantom Arrows!"
Dozens of glowing arrows shot toward Gorath from every angle.
But...
"Huh. Trivial."
Gorath raised his arm, and the black aura around him swirled like a storm. The arrows were suspended in midair, quivering before disintegrating into dust.
Lyra's eyes widened. "What...?"
Gorarath leaped toward her in the blink of an eye. Before she could react, his large hand had grabbed her throat, lifting her into the air.
"You're quite a good archer," Gorath said, looking into her fearful eyes. "But too weak."
Without mercy, he slammed Lyra's body into the ground.
CRACK!
The sound of bones breaking was heard, and Lyra screamed in pain.
Darius did not remain silent. He ignited both of his swords with magical energy.
"Dual Blade Tempest!"
The wind swirled violently, forming a sharp vortex as Darius ran towards Gorath at incredible speed.
SWISH!
His two swords moved like lightning, cutting through the air with deadly precision.
For the first time, Gorath could not fully dodge.
SLASH!
His dark green blood splattered as one of Darius' swords managed to cut his arm.
"Kuh..." Gorath took a step back, staring at the wound.
Darius took advantage of this moment.
"Orin! Elric! Now!"
Elric—who was still able to hold on—raised his hand.
"Frozen Domain!"
Ice coated the ground, covering Gorath's feet in a thick layer of ice.
"Firestorm!"
Orin—with the last of his strength—hit Gorath with a blast of fire that burned the ice around him, creating a scorching explosion of steam.
BOOM!
White smoke enveloped the forest.
The Hunters held their breath, waiting for the smoke to clear.
And as the fog slowly cleared...
Gorath was still standing.
But something was different.
His blood was now boiling, his eyes glowing brighter than ever. The black aura around his body vibrated, growing denser, more dangerous.
Then he... smiled.
"Good."
Darius stiffened.
"What?"
Gorath raised his still-bloodied hand, licking it like a wild animal savoring its last meal.
"It feels... wonderful," he said in a trembling voice. "The pain... makes me stronger."
His black aura swirled even more ferociously.
"I've had enough of playing around. Now, let me show you... the true power of the Devourer."
Suddenly, Gorath's body began to change.
His muscles grew, his claws grew longer, and his skin—once dark green—began to turn black like a thick shadow.
Darius felt the air of death. "This... is not something we can face."
Vargas, still kneeling with his axe, groaned. "What do you mean?"
Darius gritted his teeth. "We have to retreat. Now."
Lyra, still on the ground, coughed up blood. "We can't retreat... if we let him go, he'll slaughter more people..."
"If we stay here, we'll be the ones slaughtered!" Darius snapped.
But it was too late.
Gorath had evolved.
With one swift movement, he disappeared from their sight.
Vargas' eyes widened. "Where is he—"
CRACK!
A large hand gripped his head.
Gorath was now standing behind him.
"Farewell, human."
With one brutal movement, he slammed Vargas' head into the ground.
SPLAT!
The ground shook. The sound of skulls shattering was horrifying.
Vargas... was dead.
Darius could only stare in horror. "No..."
Lyra trembled, her hands shaking as she tried to raise her bow.
Elric, who was still conscious, could only stare in despair.
"We... can't win..."
Gorath looked at them one by one.
"Weak."
He took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Darius gritted his teeth, preparing for the final fight.
But before Gorath could attack—
A massive explosion shook the ground.
BOOM!
From the sky, a bright light descended at high speed.
A figure clad in golden armor descended from the sky, carrying a giant sword that shone brightly.
A holy aura enveloped the figure.
Gorath stepped back, squinting. "What is this...?"
Darius was shocked. "That... can't be..."
The figure stood up, pointing its sword at Gorath.
"Finally, I found him."
The voice was deep and authoritative.
Gorath stared at him sharply. "And who are you?"
The figure smiled faintly.
"I am... the Demon Hunter."