Chapter 38: A Face From the Unknown

Daemon

Sana’s expression went completely blank.

For a moment, she couldn’t even process what she was seeing.

The man standing beside the river had a face remarkably similar to Daemon’s.

The same general facial structure.

The same eyes.

The same unmistakable resemblance.

But there were differences.

He was much taller, leaner, and carried himself with an elegance that Daemon didn’t possess. His hair was slightly different, and his entire presence felt unfamiliar.

Roxanna was equally stunned.

This was the first person they had encountered in this strange place.

Only hours ago, they had discovered the remains of an ancient civilization.

Now, someone who looked almost identical to Daemon had appeared beside them.

Neither woman knew what to think.

Is this civilization still alive?

Sana’s mind raced.

Then the man’s eyes moved.

Slowly, they traveled over both women.

Sana and Roxanna immediately realized they were still standing in the river with only their undergarments on.

Their faces changed.

"Roxy..."

"I know."

They quickly moved toward the riverbank.

Roxanna reached the bank first and grabbed her clothes.

Sana turned to follow.

But—

A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Hard.

"Ah!"

Sana’s body jerked backward.

The man’s fingers had wrapped around her wrist like an iron clamp.

Pain shot through her arm.

Sana immediately looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

She tried pulling herself free.

Nothing.

She increased her strength.

Still nothing.

Sana was a B-Rank Hunter and had been part of an elite team.

Although her ability wasn’t designed for direct combat, her physical strength and battle experience allowed her to fight opponents far above what most B-Rank Awakeners could handle.

She could even contend with an A-Rank Awakener under the right circumstances.

Yet this man didn’t even seem to notice her resistance.

His grip only tightened.

Sana’s expression changed.

Too strong.

For the first time in a very long time, genuine fear entered her eyes.

"Let go!"

She pulled again.

The man’s grip tightened further.

"Ah!"

Pain escaped her lips.

She immediately summoned a dagger into her free hand and swung it toward his arm.

The man calmly raised his other hand.

Clang!

He stopped the dagger.

Sana’s eyes widened.

Before she could react, he twisted her free arm and forced it behind her.

"Ahhh!"

She cried out.

Roxanna turned around.

"Sana!"

The strange man finally spoke.

His voice was calm.

Almost curious.

"Woman..."

His eyes moved over Sana.

"What kind of dress is this?"

Sana glared at him.

"Leave my hand, you bastard!"

The man didn’t seem offended.

Instead, he looked at her as though she were some strange creature he had never encountered before.

Roxanna quickly pulled on her clothes.

The moment she stood up, four more figures appeared.

Four men dressed like royal guards stepped out from among the trees.

Each carried a sword or spear.

Their clothing looked completely out of place in the modern world.

They surrounded Roxanna.

Their eyes moved over her with the same disturbing interest.

One of them stepped closer.

Roxanna immediately backed away.

"Don’t come any closer."

The man smiled.

He reached toward her.

Roxanna’s expression hardened.

She raised her palm.

Purification Palm!

BOOM!

Her palm struck his chest.

A burst of green-white energy exploded outward.

The guard was thrown several meters backward and crashed into the ground.

The other three guards immediately drew their weapons.

Roxanna took a defensive stance.

"Come on, then."

But her attention kept drifting toward the river.

Sana was still trapped.

"Roxy!"

Sana’s voice trembled.

The man holding her twisted her arm again.

Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes from the pain.

She had fought monsters.

She had faced death.

But this man was different.

His physical strength was simply overwhelming.

Then—

A sound split through the valley.

BOOM!

Lightning flashed.

A figure appeared on the riverbank.

Daemon.

He had returned after hearing Sana scream.

The moment he saw Sana being restrained, his expression changed.

His eyes became cold.

"Sana."

The man’s head turned.

Daemon didn’t hesitate.

His hand snapped toward Void Reaper.

Black energy wrapped around the blade.

Inferno Flame erupted along its edge.

His killing intent exploded.

Thunderstep!

Lightning burst beneath his feet.

Daemon vanished.

In the next instant, he appeared directly beside the strange man.

Inferno Blast!

The flames and blade aura merged.

Daemon swung Void Reaper with everything he had.

His target was the man’s neck.

But the man reacted.

He shifted his body at the last possible second.

SLASH!

Daemon’s blade missed his neck.

But it tore through his arm.

Blood sprayed across the river.

The man’s arm was severed almost halfway through.

Sana was released by the sudden movement and fell backward into the water.

Daemon immediately caught her.

"Sana!"

She was breathing heavily.

Daemon looked at her wrist.

Red marks were already forming where the man had gripped her.

His expression became even darker.

"Are you hurt?"

Sana stared at him for a second before nodding.

"My arm..."

Daemon gently lowered her onto the riverbank.

"Stay here."

He turned around.

The four guards rushed toward the wounded man.

"Prince Adam!"

"Your Highness!"

"Your arm!"

The man called Adam simply looked down at the wound.

His expression didn’t change.

No scream.

No panic.

Nothing.

Half of his arm hung uselessly.

Blood continued dripping onto the ground.

Yet Adam simply looked at Daemon.

Daemon’s eyes narrowed.

Who is this guy?

Then the two men truly looked at each other.

For the first time, Daemon noticed it.

The resemblance.

Adam had almost the same facial features.

But he was taller.

Lean.

His face was smoother.

His presence was completely different.

Daemon didn’t have time to think about it.

The System suddenly appeared.

[Warning]

Unknown individuals detected.

Threat Assessment: Extremely High

Current Host combat probability: Low

Recommendation: Avoid prolonged confrontation.

Daemon’s eyes narrowed.

Damn.

So they were powerful.

Very powerful.

His priority immediately changed.

He couldn’t win a prolonged fight.

Not here.

Not while protecting Sana and Roxanna.

He needed to create an opening.

Daemon glanced toward Roxanna.

She had already helped Sana put on her clothes.

Roxanna’s forearms were bleeding slightly from the earlier struggle.

Daemon activated Bonded Whisper.

Since Roxanna’s affection had already reached 95%, the connection was now strong enough for the technique to work.

A voice suddenly echoed inside her mind.

Roxanna.

She froze.

Take Sana and run.

Roxanna’s eyes widened.

What?

I’ll distract them. Get into the forest. I’ll find you.

Roxanna looked at Daemon.

Their eyes met.

She immediately understood.

Sana was injured.

And Daemon couldn’t escape if he tried to protect both of them.

Roxanna grabbed Sana’s hand.

"Run!"

"What are you—"

"Just run!"

The two women sprinted toward the forest.

Adam watched them leave.

His expression remained calm.

Then he spoke.

"I want those women."

He glanced toward his guards.

"Alive."

The four guards immediately moved.

Daemon stepped between them.

"Not happening."

The nearest guard charged.

Daemon raised his hand.

Thunder Cage!

Lightning pillars erupted from the ground.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The four guards were trapped inside a cage of crackling lightning.

They roared as electricity surged through their bodies.

Daemon didn’t wait.

He swung Void Reaper.

Inferno Blast!

A wave of fire exploded through the cage.

Two guards were thrown backward.

Daemon immediately activated Wingless Flight, lifting himself above the ground.

A spear passed beneath him.

He twisted in midair.

Thunderstep!

He vanished.

SLASH!

Void Reaper tore through one guard’s shoulder.

Blood sprayed.

The guard staggered.

Daemon landed behind him.

Bloodline Ward!

A spear slammed into the barrier.

BOOM!

The impact pushed Daemon several meters backward.

His boots carved lines through the soil.

"Strong..."

Daemon’s eyes sharpened.

The remaining guards charged toward the forest.

They were still trying to pursue Sana and Roxanna.

Daemon couldn’t let them reach the women.

He launched himself forward.

Thunderstep!

He appeared directly in their path.

Thunder Cage!

Lightning pillars erupted around them.

One guard attempted to break through.

Daemon thrust Void Reaper forward.

Inferno Blast!

The explosion struck him directly.

The guard was thrown into a tree.

Daemon followed immediately.

SLASH!

Void Reaper pierced through his chest.

The guard’s body went limp.

Daemon pulled the blade free.

Another guard attacked from behind.

Daemon sensed him through the movement of energy.

He turned.

Bloodline Ward!

The sword struck the barrier.

Cracks spread across the defensive shield.

Daemon gritted his teeth.

The guard pushed harder.

Daemon suddenly activated Bloodline Overdrive.

His Nameless Bloodline surged.

His muscles tightened.

His speed increased.

His eyes sharpened.

He shoved the sword away.

Thunderstep!

He appeared behind the guard.

Void Reaper flashed.

The guard fell.

Two dead.

The remaining two were badly injured but still standing.

Daemon was breathing heavily.

Blood ran down his side.

Then—

A heavy pressure descended over the battlefield.

Daemon froze.

Adam was walking toward him.

His severed arm was still bleeding.

Yet his expression remained completely calm.

He had not even bothered treating the wound.

Adam stopped several meters away.

The remaining guards immediately lowered their heads.

"Prince Adam."

Adam looked at them.

"Continue after the women."

The two injured guards immediately ran toward the forest.

Daemon stepped forward.

"No."

Adam’s eyes shifted toward him.

Daemon raised Void Reaper.

"You’re not going anywhere."

Adam moved.

No technique.

No flashy ability.

Just physical strength.

BOOM!

Daemon barely raised Bloodline Ward before Adam’s fist struck.

The barrier shattered.

Daemon was launched through the air.

He crashed against a tree.

CRACK!

Pain exploded through his back.

Daemon dropped to one knee.

Adam appeared in front of him.

Daemon swung Void Reaper.

Adam caught the blade with his remaining hand.

Daemon’s eyes widened.

He caught it?!

Adam punched him.

BOOM!

Daemon flew backward again.

Blood poured from his mouth.

He tried Thunderstep.

But Adam was already there.

A knee slammed into his stomach.

Daemon doubled over.

Adam grabbed him by the collar and threw him into another tree.

CRASH!

Daemon collapsed.

His vision blurred.

He tried to stand.

His legs trembled.

Adam walked toward him.

The remaining two guards had already disappeared into the forest.

Daemon’s breathing became heavier.

I can’t beat him.

Adam stopped directly in front of him.

Then, strangely, he looked at Daemon’s face for several seconds.

"You..."

Adam’s eyes narrowed.

"Why do you look like me?"

Daemon slowly raised his head.

Despite his injuries, a faint smirk appeared.

Adam stared at him.

"Before you die, tell me."

Daemon wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Why do you look like me?"

Daemon’s smirk widened.

"Why don’t you go ask your mother?"

Adam froze.

His expression changed instantly.

"What did you say?"

Daemon said nothing.

Adam’s eyes filled with rage.

"You dare speak of my mother?"

He summoned his weapon.

A massive sword appeared in his remaining hand.

Its surface was covered in strange golden patterns.

The blade was enormous.

Adam raised it above his head.

Daemon’s body was barely responding.

Adam shouted.

"ANSWER ME!"

The sword came crashing down.

BOOOOOOM!

The ground exploded.

Trees shook.

Dust and debris filled the air.

Adam slowly lowered his sword.

But his expression suddenly changed.

There was no body.

Daemon was gone.

Only a deep sword mark remained in the ground.

Adam stared at the empty space.

For the first time—

His calm expression disappeared.

"Where did he go?"

Far away, hidden beneath the trees, lightning flickered once.

Then vanished.

And somewhere beyond the forest—

Daemon opened his eyes.

But what he saw was not the forest.

Not the river.

Not Adam.

He saw something else.

A world beneath a crimson sky.

A massive battlefield.

Two women stood beside him.