Kalem stood at the crater's edge, his serrated red spear pulsing with crimson mana. His body was bloodied but unbroken, his breathing steady despite the intense fight.
From deep within the chasm, a sickening tremor spread through the ground. Small stones rolled toward the crater, and cracks splintered outward beneath Kalem's feet.
He didn't even flinch.
"Garron. That thing isn't dead yet."
The Bone Devil was still alive.
No—more than alive.
It was angry.
A deep, guttural rumbling reverberated from the pit. The sound sent shivers through the ranks as soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons. Some murmured curses under their breath, others exchanged nervous glances.
Even Garron let out a sharp breath. "Damn it. This thing's tougher than we thought."
Further back, Commander Varik stood among the deployment, observing with calculating eyes.
"Archers, prepare to fire."
His voice carried over the growing tension, snapping the ranged units into formation. Bows were raised, crossbows cocked, and spellcasters began weaving their incantations.
Then—
The Bone Devil surged upward.
A monstrous, serpentine form erupted from the crater, sending debris flying in all directions. A shockwave of dust and jagged rock rippled across the battlefield, forcing some soldiers to stagger back.
Kalem stood his ground.
As the dust settled, the creature's grotesque transformation became clear.
It had shed part of its outer shell, revealing a leaner, faster frame. The once bulky carapace had cracked and fallen away, replaced by smoother, sharper bones, giving it an almost blade-like appearance.
But what sent true fear into the ranks—
—was the viscous black ichor dripping from the razor-sharp bone blades protruding from its elongated limbs.
Kalem's eyes narrowed.
"Can someone fill me in while it's unwinding?!" he shouted.
"That liquid is acidic!" a nearby alchemist called out. "If it touches metal or flesh, it'll eat through both in seconds!"
Kalem grimaced. "Great."
He took a stance, his crimson mana flaring as a familiar hum resonated within him.
"Sync."
The focus core embedded in his chest pulsed, its mana merging with the runes etched into his spear. The weapon shone brighter, responding to his command.
Kalem exhaled.
"Hold it in one place."
Varik raised his arm from the backline.
"Let loose!"
The sky darkened with projectiles.
Arrows and bolts cut through the air, their tips glowing with enchantments designed to pierce even the toughest abyssal creatures. Spellcasters unleashed bursts of fire, ice, and lightning, creating a storm of destruction that rained upon the Bone Devil.
The moment the first wave of projectiles struck, the Bone Devil reacted with terrifying speed.
With a sharp twist of its body, it lashed out with its bladed limbs, deflecting arrows mid-flight. A few found their mark, embedding themselves in its exposed flesh, but most were batted away like mere pebbles.
Then—
It moved.
"It's fast!" a soldier shouted.
The Bone Devil lunged forward, covering an impossible distance in seconds. Its bladed appendage struck a group of frontliners, the acidic ichor splattering across their shields and armor.
Screams followed.
Metal sizzled, armor plates melted, and flesh burned away where the black liquid touched. Some soldiers threw their weapons aside, desperately ripping away their armor before it could consume them.
"Fall back! Don't let it touch you!" Varik roared.
Kalem didn't wait for orders.
He charged.
Kalem closed the distance in seconds, his enhanced speed making him nothing but a streak of red against the battlefield.
The Bone Devil sensed him—but it wasn't fast enough.
Kalem thrust his spear forward, aiming for the exposed sections beneath its bladed limbs.
A direct hit.
The spear sank deep, piercing through bone and sinew. The Bone Devil shrieked, its body convulsing as crimson mana pulsed through the wound, spreading destructive force from within.
But Kalem wasn't done.
Before the creature could counter, he twisted the spear, wrenching it free in a single, violent motion. Bone shards and acidic ichor sprayed outward, but Kalem maneuvered mid-air, avoiding the deadly splash.
The Bone Devil whipped its tail toward him.
Kalem barely had time to react—but he did.
Using the butt of his spear, he struck the ground, using the force to propel himself upward just as the bone-bladed tail smashed into the earth below.
The impact sent rock fragments flying.
Kalem landed several meters away, skidding to a stop, his spear still humming with mana.
"Nice try, but I'm not that easy to kill." He exhaled, shaking off the tension in his muscles.
The Bone Devil reared back, its bone blades gleaming under the dim moonlight. Despite its injuries, it was adapting, growing more aggressive.
Kalem grinned.
"Good. Let's keep going."
Tactical Response
Meanwhile, Varik and Garron were analyzing the situation.
"Commander, we need to adjust our strategy. This thing is getting faster." Garron growled.
Varik nodded, eyes sharp. "We need a controlled strike. The archers and casters aren't landing enough hits."
Garron glanced at the formation of veteran warriors nearby.
"Then we send in the Hunters."
Varik didn't hesitate. "Do it."
The Hunters—an elite group trained in high-speed melee combat—moved immediately. Unlike the standard troops, these warriors relied on mobility and precision, perfect for striking between the Bone Devil's defenses.
Within moments, a group of fifteen warriors sprinted onto the battlefield, forming a triangle formation around the Bone Devil.
Kalem noticed them immediately.
"Took you guys long enough."
One of the Hunters, a lean swordswoman, smirked. "We figured we'd let you warm it up for us."
Kalem twirled his spear. "Try to keep up."
With coordinated precision, the Hunters and Kalemlaunched their attack.
The battlefield erupted into chaos as warriors danced around the Bone Devil, striking in synchronized waves.
For the first time—
—the Bone Devil was on the defensive.
With every strike, every calculated movement, the creature's body was being chipped away, its speed beginning to falter.
Kalem saw the opening.
"NOW!" he roared.
The final blow was near.
The battle wasn't over yet.
But its end was coming.