An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge - Chapter 268

Chapter 268: Demon [3]

The forest trembled under the crushing weight of demonic aura. Trees twisted, their bark cracking, as if the world itself was reacting to the abomination that had just been born.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. He could feel the distortion in mana—the wild chaos of corrupted energy spreading like wildfire.

“Stay sharp,” he said coldly.

After few initial blows it was clear that even if it was pre-maturely awakened, it’s quite above their league.

It smiled.

“Are you tired already?”

Arthur didn’t wait for more talk. He stepped forward, his sword flashing into existence, black shadows rippling along the blade. “[Shadow Step].”

In the blink of an eye, he vanished.

The demon tilted its head—too slow. Arthur appeared right before it, slashing horizontally. The strike hit true, but the demon caught the blade with its bare hand. Smoke hissed from its palm, but it didn’t even flinch.

“So weak,” the demon murmured, twisting its wrist.

Arthur clicked his tongue and unleashed [Arcane Burst]. The impact sent both flying apart, shaking the ground. Alan immediately began chanting behind him, multiple layers of magic circles forming in the air.

“[Ice Spear]—[Flame Lance]—[Chain Lightning]!”

Three spells fired in quick succession, each from a different element. The forest lit up as the spells collided into the demon’s torso, explosions rippling outward.

When the dust cleared, the demon was still standing—scorched, but very much alive. It let out a guttural growl, its multiple eyes opening across its arms and shoulders, glowing red.

“Cute tricks,” it hissed, extending a clawed hand. “Now it’s my turn.”

A crimson circle flared under its feet. “[Hell Surge].”

A wave of demonic energy erupted outward, dark and thick like liquid fire. Alex raised his sword, pouring everything into a defensive stance. “[Aegis Breaker]!”

The shockwave hit him like a truck. He was thrown back, crashing into a tree, blood splattering across his lips. Alan barely shielded himself with a barrier that shattered on contact.

Arthur, standing his ground, drove his sword into the earth. “[Arcane Shield].” A translucent wall of light formed around him, cracking but holding firm as the wave passed.

As soon as it faded, he launched forward again.

“Alex! Alan! Focus on support. I’ll take the front!”

Alan gritted his teeth. “You’re insane—”

“Just do it!”

Arthur leapt, his sword glowing dark violet. “[Blade Dance].”

In a flurry of slashes, he cut through the air—each strike trailing black arcane energy. The demon blocked with its elongated limbs, every impact sending out shockwaves. Arthur’s attacks were relentless, pushing it back step by step.

The demon chuckled, clearly amused. “You fight well… little human.”

Arthur didn’t answer. He ducked under a swipe, countered with a [Shadow Spike] from below, and then followed up with a kick to the demon’s chest, sending it flying through a tree.

The impact shook the clearing, splinters raining down.

Alan immediately moved to heal Alex. “You alright?”

“Barely,” Alex muttered, wiping the blood from his mouth. “That thing’s a monster even half-awake.”

“That’s because it is one,” Arthur said, appearing beside them, breathing hard but steady. His mana was dropping fast. “Stay behind me. We need to finish this before it stabilizes.”

The demon stood again, its wounds already closing. “Finish me?” it mocked, voice dripping with contempt. “You overestimate your kind.”

It raised both arms, demonic runes glowing. “[Crimson Maw].”

The ground split open beneath Arthur’s feet, dark tendrils shooting upward like snakes. Arthur jumped back, narrowly avoiding them, and launched a spell midair. “[Aether Slash]!”

A crescent of pure arcane energy sliced through the clearing, cleaving through several tendrils and striking the demon in the chest. It roared, stumbling backward, its black blood splattering on the ground.

Arthur landed hard, panting. His sword trembled from the force of his last strike.

Alan took the chance, summoning a magic circle beneath the demon. “[Binding Frost]!”

Ice chains shot upward, wrapping around the demon’s limbs, freezing its movements momentarily.

Arthur didn’t hesitate. He charged, sword raised, ready to end it—

But a voice interrupted.

“Magnificent… truly magnificent, my lord.”

Everyone froze.

A figure emerged from the shadows of the trees—a man dressed in a long dark coat, his presence calm but eerie. Behind him, several masked figures followed, all bearing the same insignia on their cloaks: a black handprint.

Arthur’s expression hardened. “Black Hand…”

The man dropped to one knee, bowing deeply. “Forgive our lateness, my liege. We did not anticipate your awakening.”

The demon turned toward him, its many eyes flickering. For a moment, it seemed ready to attack—but then paused. Its gaze softened into curiosity.

“Hmmm… I sense demonic mana in you.”

The captain lowered his head even more. “We are your humble servants, my lord. What are your orders?”

The demon grinned, its voice low and guttural. “Those two pests.” It pointed toward Alex and Alan. “They are interfering in my fun. Dispose of them.”

“As you command, my lord.”

At once, the masked men drew their weapons, spreading out in formation.

Arthur clicked his tongue. “Tch… reinforcements, huh?”

He stepped forward, readying himself for another fight—

Then, before the Black Hand could attack, something stirred behind them.

Rustling leaves. Footsteps.

Oliver’s group burst into the clearing, weapons drawn, halting at the sight before them.

A towering demon, multiple eyes glowing like embers. Arthur standing before it, bloodied but unwavering. The air itself vibrated with mana and pressure.

Noah blinked in disbelief. “Is he really a first-year…?”

“I have the same doubt,” Oliver replied grimly.

Emily, however, didn’t share their awe—her voice trembled with panic. “Brother…!”

She tried to rush forward, but Oliver caught her arm. “Emily, stop.”

“Let me go! He’ll die!”

“Think!” Oliver snapped. “You can’t interfere in that fight. You’ll only distract him. Right now, the best way to help him is to keep those Black Hand bastards off his back.”

Emily hesitated, breathing heavily. “…So what then? Just stand here and watch?”

Oliver unsheathed his sword, eyes narrowing on the enemy group. “Who said anything about watching? We handle those cult freaks. Arthur handles the demon.”

Noah cracked his knuckles. “Now that’s a plan I can get behind.”

Alan looked at them from a distance, relief flickering across his tired face. “About time you guys showed up.”

“Guess we missed the warm-up,” Noah smirked.

The Black Hand members, realizing the arrival of more opponents, shifted their focus. The forest filled again with killing intent.

And above it all—the demon laughed.

“Good,” it hissed. “More souls to feast on.”

Arthur gripped his sword tighter, the faint hum of mana surrounding him again. “Over my dead body,” he muttered.

Then, the clearing exploded into chaos once more.