Chapter 201 201: Crimson Barbarian Demon Clan
With the Necromancer Lord finally vanquished, Alaric felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of grim determination. The fortress was still teeming with demonic energy, and they had a long way to go. He dispersed the lingering azure glow of the Spirit Lion, feeling its powerful essence recede back into his core, ready to be called upon again if needed.
"Alright, everyone," Alaric said, his voice regaining its usual confident tone. "Let's keep moving. There are still plenty of these ugly mugs to deal with."
Lyra and Cassandra, both looking slightly winded but otherwise unharmed, nodded in agreement. The other human warriors, mostly Master Mages and Master Martialists who had survived the teleportation, gathered around them, their faces a mixture of relief and apprehension.
"That Necromancer Lord was far stronger than anything we've faced so far," Hilbert Pfeiffer said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Indeed," Melusina Beitel added, still clutching her staff tightly. "We must remain vigilant. There's no telling what other horrors await us deeper within this fortress."
As they ventured further into the corrupted academy, the corridors became more twisted and labyrinthine. They encountered pockets of lesser demons – packs of snarling Shadow Beasts with razor-sharp claws, and groups of grotesque Flesh Golems animated by dark magic. These were significantly easier to deal with compared to the Necromancer Lord and its undead legions.
In one instance, a pack of five Shadow Beasts lunged at Cassandra. "Garuda Wingbeat Breath – Feathered Fury!" she roared, her sword transforming into a flurry of razor-sharp wind blades that tore through the shadowy creatures, leaving behind wisps of dark smoke.
Moments later, a lumbering Flesh Golem, its body stitched together from rotting corpses, charged at Lyra. "Celestial Phoenix Breath – Fiery Talon Strike!" Lyra's sword erupted in flames, and with a swift, precise strike, she severed the golem's head, causing its animated form to collapse into a heap of decaying flesh.
Alaric, meanwhile, dispatched several Shadow Beasts with quick bursts of elemental magic. "Wind Shear!" he'd cry, sending blades of compressed air slicing through their shadowy forms, or "Ice Shard Barrage!" unleashing a volley of frozen projectiles that shattered the creatures into icy fragments.
'These are nothing compared to that Necromancer Lord,' Alaric thought, his senses on high alert. 'But we can't afford to be complacent.'
They continued their advance, clearing corridor after corridor, their teamwork becoming more fluid with each encounter. The Master-level warriors, emboldened by Alaric's power and the protection offered by Lyra and Cassandra, fought with renewed vigor, their own skills proving more than sufficient against these lesser demonic threats.
However, their progress was eventually halted by a presence that radiated an immense, oppressive power. They entered a vast chamber, its walls adorned with grotesque carvings and pulsating with dark energy. At the far end of the chamber, seated on a throne of twisted bone, was a demon unlike any they had encountered before.
This demon was massive, easily towering over even the Death Knights they had faced. Its skin was a deep crimson, covered in jagged, black markings that seemed to writhe and shift. It wore heavy, ornate armor of a dark, obsidian-like material, and a massive, wickedly barbed greatsword rested across its lap. Its eyes glowed with an intense, malevolent orange light, and its very presence exuded an aura of raw, brutal power. Flanking its throne were dozens of other demons, each one bearing the same crimson skin and black markings, their forms radiating a palpable strength that was only slightly weaker than the demon on the throne.
"Well, well," the large demon rumbled, its voice a deep, guttural growl that echoed through the chamber. "Look what the cat dragged in. More pathetic mortals come to die in my domain." It rose from its throne, its movements surprisingly agile for its size, and hefted its massive greatsword. "I am Yilvit, of the Crimson Barbarian Demon Clan. And you have trespassed on my territory."
'Yilvit… Crimson Barbarian Demon Clan…' Alaric thought, his ruby eyes narrowed, assessing the immense power radiating from the demon and its subordinates. 'This one is definitely high-ranking, even stronger than that Necromancer Lord in terms of raw fighting ability. And his clan… they're all incredibly powerful.'
Alaric stepped forward, his gaze locked on Yilvit. "Your reign of terror ends here, demon."
"Brave words for a puny human," Yilvit sneered, his orange eyes burning with amusement. "But bravery won't save you."
"Mother, Cassandra," Alaric said, turning slightly to address them. "This one is mine. You two take care of his… enthusiastic entourage."
Lyra and Cassandra nodded, their expressions serious. They could sense the immense power emanating from Yilvit and understood that Alaric wanted to face this threat head-on.
"Be careful, Alaric," Lyra said, her hand briefly touching his arm.
"Don't worry, Mother," Alaric replied with a confident smile. "I've got this."
Yilvit roared with laughter. "You think you can defeat me alone, human? You are even more foolish than you look!" He gestured with his massive greatsword towards his subordinates. "My clan will tear your little friends apart while I crush you beneath my heel!"
Without waiting for Alaric to make the first move, Yilvit roared again and charged forward, his massive greatsword raised high, ready to cleave Alaric in two. The ground trembled with his advance.
Alaric took a deep breath, focusing his magic martial arts. He decided to conserve his Spiritual Energy for a truly dire situation. 'Let's see how he handles this.'
As Yilvit's massive blade swung down towards him, Alaric moved with incredible speed, utilizing the "Phantom Wind Step" to evade the blow. The greatsword slammed into the ground where he had been moments before, creating a shockwave that rattled the chamber.
Before Yilvit could recover, Alaric launched his counterattack. "Dragon's Tail Whip!" His leg lashed out with the force of a striking dragon, slamming into Yilvit's armored side. The impact sent a resounding clang through the chamber, and Yilvit staggered slightly.
'Impressive speed for a mortal,' Yilvit thought, his orange eyes narrowing. 'But that won't be enough.' He swung his greatsword again, a wide, sweeping arc aimed at Alaric's chest.
Alaric ducked under the blow, using the momentum to launch himself forward. "Tiger's Claw Strike!" His hands, crackling with focused magic energy, slammed into Yilvit's chest, targeting the gaps in his armor. The impact sent a jolt of power through the demon's massive frame.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Cassandra had engaged Yilvit's subordinates. The Crimson Barbarian Demons were indeed powerful, each wielding brutal weapons and possessing enhanced strength and demonic resilience.
Lyra moved with the fluid grace of a phoenix, her "Celestial Phoenix Dance" allowing her to weave through the demonic ranks, her sword leaving trails of fire as she cut down one demon after another. Her "Phoenix Wing Guard" technique allowed her to deflect incoming blows with incredible precision, her holy-imbued blade turning aside their crude but powerful attacks.
Cassandra fought with the ferocity of a Garuda, her "Garuda Cyclone Strike" creating whirling gusts of wind that knocked the demons off balance, allowing her to follow up with deadly sword strikes. Her "Garuda Talon Rip" technique focused her power into sharp, tearing strikes that ripped through the demons' crimson hides.
Despite their skill, the sheer number and strength of the Crimson Barbarian Demons made it a challenging fight for Lyra and Cassandra. They fought back-to-back, their movements perfectly synchronized, their combined power holding back the demonic tide, but they were constantly pressed.
Alaric continued his battle against Yilvit, relying solely on his Magic Martial Arts. He used the "Serpent's Coil Bind" to entangle Yilvit's legs, momentarily tripping the massive demon. He followed up with a "Lion's Roar Fist," a concentrated blast of sonic energy channeled through his fist, which struck Yilvit in the face, causing the demon to roar in pain and stagger back.
'This human is surprisingly skilled,' Yilvit thought, wiping a trickle of dark blood from his lips. 'His attacks are fast and precise, and they carry a significant magical force. But he lacks the raw power to truly harm me.' Yilvit grinned, a terrifying display of sharp, pointed teeth. 'It's time to show him what a true Crimson Barbarian can do.'
Yilvit unleashed a furious barrage of greatsword strikes, each blow capable of crushing stone. Alaric was forced to rely on his agility and speed, using techniques like the "Shadow Leopard Evasion" to narrowly avoid the devastating attacks. He countered with his own strikes, focusing on pressure points and weak spots in Yilvit's armor, but the demon's defenses were formidable. The battle raged on, the clash of Alaric's magically enhanced fists and feet against Yilvit's massive greatsword echoing through the chamber, while Lyra and Cassandra continued their desperate fight against the relentless Crimson Barbarian Demon Clan. The outcome of this battle was far from certain.
Alaric was starting to feel the strain. While his Magic Martial Arts allowed him to fight with enhanced strength and speed, going toe-to-toe with a high-ranking demon like Yilvit was taking its toll. He was pushing his body to its limits, forcefully strengthening his muscles and channeling his magic to augment his strikes, but Yilvit's raw power and relentless attacks were formidable.
'He's strong… incredibly strong,' Alaric thought, narrowly dodging another brutal swing of Yilvit's greatsword. The obsidian blade whistled through the air, leaving a trail of dark energy in its wake. 'I can't keep this up indefinitely without using my Spiritual Energy, but I want to save that for a real emergency.'
"Mother! Auntie Cassandra!" Alaric called out, his voice slightly strained. "Keep this brute busy for a moment! I'll deal with his little friends!"
Lyra, her face set with determination, parried a vicious axe blow from a crimson-skinned demon. "Understood, Alaric! We'll keep this oversized oaf entertained!"
Cassandra, dodging a swipe from a demon wielding a wickedly curved blade, added, "Don't take too long, nephew! These brutes hit like charging rhinos!"
Yilvit roared with amusement. "You think your pathetic spells can harm my elite warriors, human? They are the fiercest in the Nightmare Legion!" He unleashed a powerful kick towards Alaric, his armored boot slamming into the ground with earth-shattering force when Alaric leaped back.
As Lyra and Cassandra focused their attacks on Yilvit, the massive demon turned its attention to them, its orange eyes blazing with fury. "You dare to defy Yilvit? You will pay for your insolence!"
Yilvit's greatsword moved with surprising speed for its size, each swing a deadly arc of obsidian. Lyra, using her "Celestial Phoenix Flow," moved with an almost ethereal grace, her fiery sword deflecting the heavy blows. Sparks flew as their enchanted blades clashed, the force of each impact sending tremors through the chamber.
Cassandra, with her "Garuda Feather Storm," unleashed a rapid series of slashes, her blade a blur of motion aimed at Yilvit's joints and any exposed areas in his armor. While her attacks were fast and precise, Yilvit's thick armor and demonic resilience absorbed much of the damage.
"You are persistent, little birds," Yilvit sneered, easily swatting away Cassandra's attacks with the back of his hand. He then focused his attention on Lyra, unleashing a blast of dark energy from his greatsword. "Crimson Void Strike!"
Lyra reacted instantly, raising her sword in a defensive stance. "Celestial Phoenix Shield!" A shimmering barrier of golden fire erupted from her blade, intercepting the dark energy blast. The impact was significant, and Lyra staggered back, gritting her teeth against the force.
While Yilvit was momentarily focused on Lyra, Cassandra saw an opening and lunged forward, her sword aimed at his exposed leg. "Garuda Talon Thrust!" Her blade pierced through a gap in his armor, drawing a roar of pain from the massive demon.
"You little insect!" Yilvit bellowed, turning his fury towards Cassandra. He swung his greatsword in a wide arc, catching Cassandra off guard. The massive blade slammed into her side, sending her flying across the chamber with a cry of pain. Her armor cracked audibly upon impact with the stone wall.
"Cassandra!" Lyra cried out, her eyes filled with alarm. She immediately launched a furious assault on Yilvit, her sword moving with desperate speed. "Celestial Phoenix Fury!" A series of rapid, flaming strikes rained down on the demon, forcing him to focus his attention back on her.
Meanwhile, Alaric turned his attention to the scores of Crimson Barbarian Demons who were advancing towards them. These were indeed formidable foes, their crimson skin rippling with muscle, their eyes burning with savage intent. Many wielded massive axes, spiked maces, and brutal-looking swords.
'No more holding back with these guys,' Alaric thought, his ruby eyes hardening. 'They're too strong to deal with using just basic elemental spells.'
"Inferno Vortex!" Alaric roared, unleashing a swirling tornado of pure white-hot flames that engulfed a large group of the advancing demons. Their roars of pain were quickly silenced as they were incinerated, their resilient demonic flesh turning to ash in the intense heat.
The remaining demons, though momentarily stunned, continued their advance. One particularly large demon with a massive spiked mace charged at Alaric. "You will die, human!" it bellowed.
"Not today, ugly," Alaric retorted, weaving intricate hand signs. "Thunderbolt Annihilation!" A massive bolt of pure lightning descended from the ceiling, striking the charging demon directly. The demon's body convulsed violently, its muscles spasming as the electricity coursed through it, leaving it a smoking husk on the ground.
Another group of demons, wielding wickedly curved swords, attempted to flank Alaric. He met them with a barrage of ice spells. "Glacial Spike Storm!" Hundreds of razor-sharp ice spikes erupted from the ground, impaling the demons and freezing them solid.
'They are resistant to elemental magic, just as Yilvit said,' Alaric noted, observing that some of the demons were taking more punishment than he expected before falling. 'I'll have to increase the intensity.'
He focused his magic, channeling a greater amount of power into each spell. "Raging Inferno Pillars!" Pillars of pure white-hot flame erupted from the ground, incinerating several more demons who were attempting to reach him. The heat was so intense that the very air around him shimmered.
Despite the heavy losses, the Crimson Barbarian Demons continued their relentless assault, their loyalty to Yilvit seemingly absolute. They pressed forward, their savage roars filling the chamber.
Alaric unleashed another powerful spell, this time focusing on wind magic. "Tempestuous Blade Gale!" A swirling vortex of razor-sharp winds, far more potent than his earlier attack, tore through the demonic ranks, shredding their crimson hides and scattering their severed limbs.
He noticed Lyra was still holding her own against Yilvit, her movements precise and defensive, but she was clearly favoring her left arm, likely injured from Yilvit's earlier blow. Cassandra, though having taken a heavy hit, had managed to get back to her feet, her armor cracked but still offering some protection. She was fighting with a fierce determination, her Garuda Wingbeat Breath techniques proving effective against Yilvit's powerful attacks, though she was visibly struggling against his sheer strength.
'I need to finish these subordinates quickly so I can help them,' Alaric thought, his focus intensifying. He began to unleash even more powerful and destructive spells, not holding back any longer.
"Thunderclap Devastation!" Multiple massive bolts of lightning rained down from the ceiling, striking clusters of demons and leaving behind craters in the stone floor. The air filled with the smell of ozone and burnt flesh.
"Absolute Zero Freezing Field!" A wave of intense cold spread outwards from Alaric, encasing dozens of demons in thick layers of ice, their movements completely halted. He then followed up with "Shattering Ice Lance Barrage!" sending a volley of magically charged ice lances piercing through the frozen demons, shattering them into countless icy fragments.
The sheer power of Alaric's spells was starting to thin the ranks of the Crimson Barbarian Demons. Even their resistance to elemental magic was being overwhelmed by the sheer intensity and volume of his attacks. Demons that had shrugged off weaker spells were now being obliterated in a single blast.
He continued his relentless assault, moving through the chamber like a force of nature, unleashing spell after spell with devastating efficiency. "Whirlwind of Razor Feathers!" "Erupting Magma Fists!" "Chain Lightning Storm!" Each spell was a testament to his Grandmaster Mage rank, amplified by his focused intent to protect his mother and aunt.
The chamber was now littered with the corpses and shattered remains of the Crimson Barbarian Demons. Their initial ferocity had been met with an even greater magical onslaught, and their numbers were dwindling rapidly. Alaric, though still wary of Yilvit, could feel the tide of the battle in this part of the chamber turning in their favor.
With the vast majority of Yilvit's Crimson Barbarian Demon Clan lying dead or incapacitated around him, Alaric turned his attention back to the main threat. Lyra and Cassandra were still locked in a fierce struggle against the powerful demon leader, both showing signs of injury. Lyra was favoring her left arm, and Cassandra had a nasty gash across her thigh, her movements slightly hampered.
"Alright, you overgrown brute!" Alaric yelled, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Your little playdate is over!" He rushed towards Yilvit, his body crackling with the remnants of his magical power.
Yilvit, who had been momentarily gaining the upper hand against the two women, roared in fury at Alaric's return. "You dare interfere, worm? I was just about to crush these pathetic females!" He swung his massive greatsword towards Alaric, a wide, sweeping blow that could have easily cleaved a man in half.
Alaric, though still somewhat drained, was far from helpless. He used the "Wind Shadow Shift" to appear behind Yilvit, avoiding the deadly swing. "Not if I crush you first!" He unleashed a powerful kick aimed at the back of Yilvit's knee, hoping to destabilize the massive demon. "Thunderous Leg Sweep!"
The kick landed with a resounding thud, and Yilvit stumbled, momentarily losing his footing. Lyra and Cassandra seized the opportunity. "Celestial Phoenix Blade Dance!" Lyra cried, her sword a blur of fiery motion, striking at Yilvit's exposed back.
"Garuda Wingbeat – Razor Wind Barrage!" Cassandra followed up, unleashing a rapid series of wind-infused slashes aimed at the demon's sides.
Yilvit roared in pain and fury, spinning around to face his attackers. His orange eyes burned with intense rage. "You will all suffer for this!" He unleashed a powerful stomp, his armored foot cracking the stone floor. "Crimson Earth Shatter!"
The ground around them erupted in jagged spikes of crimson-colored rock, forcing Alaric, Lyra, and Cassandra to leap back to avoid being impaled. Yilvit seized the moment to unleash a blast of dark energy from his greatsword. "Abyssal Cleave!" A wave of pure darkness hurtled towards them.
Alaric quickly reacted, throwing up a protective barrier of ice. "Glacial Wall of Resilience!" The icy barrier shimmered as the dark energy slammed into it, cracks spreading across its surface, but it held, absorbing the brunt of the attack.
"We need to coordinate our attacks!" Lyra yelled, her voice strained. "He's too strong to take on individually!"
"Agreed!" Cassandra replied, her eyes focused on finding another opening.
They circled Yilvit, their movements synchronized, each waiting for the right moment to strike. Yilvit roared in frustration, swinging his massive greatsword wildly, forcing them to constantly evade his powerful blows.
"Crimson Fury Strike!" Yilvit roared, focusing his demonic energy into a single, devastating downward strike. Alaric, Lyra, and Cassandra all dodged in different directions, barely avoiding the impact that shattered a large section of the floor.
As Yilvit's sword was momentarily embedded in the ground, Alaric saw his chance. He channeled his remaining magic and spiritual energy into a focused attack. "Azure Lightning Spear Thrust!" A spear of pure azure lightning erupted from his hand, aimed directly at Yilvit's chest.
The lightning spear struck true, piercing through a gap in the demon's armor and embedding itself deep within his chest. Yilvit roared in agony, his body convulsing violently.
Lyra and Cassandra pressed their advantage. "Celestial Phoenix Inferno Slash!" Lyra's sword erupted in an even more intense burst of flames as she slashed across Yilvit's arm, severing a large chunk of his demonic flesh.
"Garuda Wingbeat – Piercing Talon Strike!" Cassandra's sword plunged deep into Yilvit's leg, severing a major tendon. The massive demon roared in pain, its movements becoming sluggish.
Despite his injuries, Yilvit was far from defeated. He ripped the azure lightning spear from his chest, dark blood oozing from the wound, and unleashed a furious counterattack. "Crimson Barbarian Rage!" His body pulsed with dark energy, and he swung his greatsword with renewed ferocity, forcing Alaric, Lyra, and Cassandra into a desperate defensive.
The battle continued, a brutal exchange of blows and magical attacks. They were all injured, their bodies aching, but their determination remained unbroken. They knew they had to defeat this powerful demon to progress further into the fortress.
Finally, after a prolonged and grueling fight, an opening appeared. Yilvit, weakened by their repeated attacks, stumbled, leaving his chest momentarily unguarded. Alaric, seeing his chance, unleashed one final, powerful strike, channeling all his remaining magic into his fist. "Elemental Annihilation Fist!" His fist slammed into Yilvit's chest, the raw elemental energy tearing through his armor and into his very core.
Yilvit roared one last time, a sound filled with pain and disbelief, before his massive body collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud, his orange eyes dimming. The leader of the Crimson Barbarian Demon Clan was finally dead.
Exhausted but victorious, Alaric turned to Lyra and Cassandra, both of whom were breathing heavily and nursing their injuries. "Are you both alright?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Lyra nodded, wincing slightly as she moved her injured arm. "We'll be fine, Alaric. Just a few scratches."
Cassandra, clutching her bleeding thigh, echoed her sister's sentiment. "We've been through worse."
Alaric, however, wasn't taking any chances. He quickly channeled his magic, creating a shimmering barrier of energy around all three of them, providing them with much-needed privacy. "Let's take a moment to recover," he said, his gaze lingering on their injured forms.
Inside the barrier, Alaric immediately began to strip off Lyra's and Cassandra's damaged armor and torn clothing. "You both took quite a beating," he murmured, his hands gently exploring their bruised and cut bodies.
Lyra leaned into his touch, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "It was a tough fight, Alaric."
Cassandra nuzzled against his chest, her purple eyes filled with affection. "But we did it. Together."
Alaric's hands roamed freely over their sexy bodies, caressing their soft skin, tracing the curves of their breasts and hips. He leaned down and gently bit Lyra's shoulder, eliciting a soft gasp from her. He then moved to Cassandra, his mouth teasing her neck, leaving a trail of tingling sensations.
"You were both so brave," Alaric whispered, his hands now cupping their ample breasts, his thumbs gently teasing their nipples. Both women moaned softly, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the face of his touch.
He gently pushed them down onto the relatively clean section of the stone floor within the barrier. He positioned himself between them, his hands continuing their exploration, enjoying the feel of their warm, naked bodies against his. He leaned down and kissed Lyra deeply, his tongue tangling with hers. He then broke the kiss and moved to Cassandra, showering her face with kisses before capturing her lips in a passionate embrace.
As he continued to fondle and caress them, Alaric could feel his magical energy slowly returning, fueled by their proximity and their obvious affection. The Harem God System was working its magic, drawing strength from their intimate connection.
Once he felt his reserves were sufficiently replenished, Alaric focused his revitalized magic. A soft, green glow enveloped his hands as he placed them over Lyra's injured arm and Cassandra's wounded thigh. "Greater Healing Surge!" he intoned, and a wave of potent healing energy flowed from his hands into their injuries.
Lyra and Cassandra both gasped as they felt the pain receding, their cuts closing, and their bruises fading. The healing magic worked quickly and efficiently, restoring their bodies to their previous state.
Alaric watched them, a satisfied smile on his face. "Feeling better?"
Lyra stretched her arm, flexing her fingers. "Much better, Alaric. Thank you."
Cassandra ran her hand over her now-healed thigh. "Amazing, nephew. You always know how to take care of us."
Alaric chuckled, his gaze lingering on their naked forms for a moment longer before he conjured fresh sets of clothing for them. "We still have a fortress to conquer," he said, his tone now businesslike. "Let's not waste any more time."
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