Chapter 26

  I had no idea I could slow time this much. The shitting-my-pants effect works wonders. Is this the legendary cheat of critical necessity, dropping from the sky? Thanks, but can I get teleportation instead? This is still kinda bullshit. At least now I can say more prayers before I die. Kalh’s charging in slow-mo, like I’m watching a Zack Snyder flick. Except I’m not sticking around for the credits. The demon’s got his hand out, probably aiming for my neck. Guess that’s their version of a handshake. I could pull the same trick I used on Ksiron. Nah, he’s aiming for my hands, where I’m holding the daggers. This guy’s sharper. Bet they were ordered to take me alive, so they gotta disarm me first—‘cause I’m so fucking dangerous. Ripping off arms? Classic demon move. Then he’d probably scratch his head over my body, wondering why I’m so pale and slightly dead from blood loss. Doubt they teach first aid in demon school.

  Time to do something. I send a jolt to my legs and body, making it jerk one way, then the other. Fuck… I’m so slow, even with my twitchiness cranked to max. Thank God, it was enough to dodge Kalh’s lunge. A few millimeters kept me from the afterlife. Mid-attack, I realized something: Kalh and I are like yin and yang. His reactions can’t keep up with his body. He couldn’t adjust to my move in time. So, the only way to win is to go on the offensive.

  Kalh stopped and slowly turned toward me. His lips stretched wide. A low bass filled the air.

  - Aaaaaa… yooooouuu… dooooonnnnn’t… (Fucking hell, this thought-acceleration skill is a pain in the ass.) faaaaassssst… enooooouuuugh… (Rude to interrupt, but maybe I attack while he’s yapping?) toooo… dooooodge… (What’s with this habit? I’m fighting for my life here. Take it seriously!) froooom… mmmyyyy… (Maybe I should turn off the buff? Nah, don’t wanna chat. He’d probably say something lame like, “Not every punk around here can dodge my signature move…”) hiiiiit… noooo… oooone… (Okay, okay, keep praising me.) caaaan… doooo… (I just remembered that show about the Flash. People always asked him to do stuff, like grab pizza or clean the room quick. ‘Cause he’s so damn fast. To move that fast, he’d have to think fast too.) thaaaat… wiiiith… (So, he was only fast compared to others. By his own clock, he spent as much time on tasks as anyone.) soooome… thiiiiing… (Meaning, time only slowed for him, but unlike me, he could move normally.) liiiike… (Conclusion: the Flash couldn’t have friends, or he’d die from all the errands.) thaaaaat… (But that’s just fiction. In reality, everyone he saved would’ve died from a million G’s of force.) exxxxceeeept… (Alright, while he’s not done, let’s check the others. Fuck… My head turns so slow.) meeee… (Huh? What? He’s done? Thought he’d be more eloquent.) Soooo… heeeeere’s… (Okay, I’ll guess this phrase—two words! Bet it’s: “So here’s what it means to sneak in the back door…”) hoooow… yoooouuu… (Nope, you lose! Time to leave the show.) kiiiillll… (Care to comment on your loss? Sure. Tough challenge. You can make any sentence from two words. I took a risk and lost. Still, thanks. Fun game. Now get the fuck out.) twoooo… iiiidiiiots… (Oh, finally turned my head enough to see what’s up.) liiiike… (Damn, can you use shorter words?) meeee… (Nimus is still sunbathing, and Kalid’s muttering something. Sounds like a spell.) wiiiith… (Yeah, not liking this. He’s got water magic. Cool, but… Should I stop him? I’ve been dreaming of a shower for seventeen years. With my luck, though…)

  No way a direct lightning strike would hurt him much, but I don’t need much. While he’s yapping… ten percent mana. Target: Kalh. Aim: eyes. Discharge!

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  - UUAAAHH! – The demon roared in slow-mo.

  Before, I wouldn’t have hit such a small target from this distance, but now I’m fucking Bj?rndalen. Kalh didn’t wait for the weather to clear and charged, shielding his face with one hand. I need just a moment. This bastard should recover fast. I dodge again, barely avoiding his claws, and make my next move. Step two: the hardest step: pure madness: screaming idiocy: I chuck one of my daggers. Perfectly calculating every move, I send it toward Kalid, who’s chanting a spell (hopefully for beer). I accounted for everything: speed, spin, direction, his reaction. My brain nearly fried from the math. Holding my breath between heartbeats, I watched the dagger fly straight at his head. But hitting the head isn’t enough. No way I’d pierce his skull. Still…

  Blood sprayed everywhere. As I’d hoped… Kalid’s a mage, so his reflexes suck. The dagger proudly jutted from his eye socket as he howled in pain. Final touch… From what I’ve gathered, demons have some anti-magic barrier beyond their aura. It keeps them from taking much damage. But if you breach it… Thirty percent. Discharge!

  A bright flash shot from my hand, connecting it to the dagger’s hilt with a blue glow. The demon’s head exploded like a watermelon. One down.

  - Noooo!!! – Nimus screamed, watching his friend’s headless body slump to the ground.

  I moved fast, but not fast enough. Even though Kalh couldn’t see yet, he knew exactly where I was. While I was blowing his buddy’s brains out, he got too close. I gotta move way faster! Max discharge to legs!

  - ughhh… – The blow hit my chest. I barely got my arms up before flying twenty meters, spraying blood-tainted oxygen like a rocket trail. Good thing a soft, warm rock caught me in its embrace. Couldn’t dodge—tore my leg muscles from overexertion. Of course… They’re not rubber. So: multiple broken arms, five cracked ribs. Awesome.

  - No… – As I slid down, a dramatic scene unfolded with Nimus and some headless guy. Can’t recognize him by his face.

  - Kalid! No!... – Nimus sobbed.

  - Why’re you yelling? What happened? – Kalh asked, trying to fix his eyes.

  - No… Why?... Why’d this happen?...

  - Shut up already! So… Where’s his head?

  - YOU BASTARD! IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!!! – To my shock, Nimus lunged at the bastard, not me.

  - Chill, idiot. I didn’t do it, you moron!

  - IT’S YOUR FAULT!!! WHY DON’T YOU EVER LISTEN TO ME?!!

  - ‘CAUSE YOU’RE A NAIVE IDIOT! I DIDN’T KILL HIM, DUMBASS!...

  - SHUT UP!!!

  A fight broke out between the demons. Enraged, Nimus clawed and tried to bite, but it was pointless. Kalh was way stronger. He brushed off the attack like Nimus was a kid. Nimus collapsed, sobbing, clutching Kalh’s torn clothes. Sad scene. Turns out demons have feelings too. But I don’t give a shit. I’ve seen too much crap to feel sorry for these fuckers.

  - Alright, you scum… I’m pissed now… – No kidding, your pulsing eyes give it away. Your bloodlust is practically alive, like radiation. Feels like it’s already granting your wish on its own. – I’ll deal with you myself… You’ll beg for death. You can’t imagine the pain coming your way.

  - AHAHAHAHA!!! – Sorry, couldn’t hold it. I burst out laughing, mixed with bloody coughing.

  - You’re a total psycho…

  - Nah, I just pictured your disappointment. For a second, I wanted to surrender just to enjoy your meltdown.

  - Go on… Laugh while you can… Pain amuses you?

  Kalh stalked toward me. No slow-mo this time. My condition’s total shit. No matter my willpower, I can’t fight. Torn muscles mean I can’t even walk, let alone run. Game over.

  - Nah, something else is funny.

  - …

  - Didn’t know hell had punks.

  - You’re fucking nuts…

  - Yeah, nuts… Tell me, what’s with that giant piercing in your chest?

  - What?

  - Gotcha. DISCHARGE!

  - …

  --- FATALITY ---