Demon Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 38: Trials 4

All of them stopped in their tracks, but Alex didn’t.

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[Spotted 12 Small-Knights Ahead]

└ B-Rank

[Deity]

└ The Armor Deity

[Slain: 0/12]

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While the territorial space itself was A-Rank, there were still B-Rank creatures scattered within.

This wasn’t a mistake; everything flowed exactly as intended.

The rank of a single beast doesn’t measure a dungeon, but by the overall difficulty it presents. Does that mean an A-Rank individual could clear it alone?

Absolutely not. It simply reflects the overall danger level, which is why the principal split everyone into groups of three while the scouts observed from afar.

Ezra and Alexia remained frozen, one out of fear, the other putting on an act.

Alex walked forward, calm and steady, as the creatures ahead, roughly his height and clad in metal armor, rushed toward him.

Beams of light burst from the darkness behind their masks and shot directly at him.

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[Detected Light-Armor Beams]

└ Heavy Strength Attacks

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He didn’t hesitate, instead weaving through the incoming barrage as he activated Quick Step.

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[Quick-Step Used]

└ -10 DE

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In a single instant, Alex disappeared from both Ezra and Alexia’s sight, his movement snapping forward in a sharp zigzag pattern.

His blade followed without pause.

Each strike landed cleanly, slicing through the joints of their armor with precise intent, as if he had already mapped out every weakness before moving.

Cracks spread across their metal bodies.

Then they all collapsed.

But there was one issue.

Alex had left both of his teammates completely exposed.

"Oh no," Alex called out, his tone almost mocking with concern. Then a smirk slowly spread across his face. "How do you defend yourself in a situation like this, Alexia Acker?"

...

Just before using Quick Step, Alex had already instructed Adoff to focus only on protecting Ezra, not Alexia, because he wanted to see her true ability.

He had cut down the knights just before the beams could reach them, leaving just enough time to turn and observe.

Adoff stood firmly in front of Ezra, unmoving.

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[Adoff Used 10 DE]

[What did he use it on?]

└ Shard Interference

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Alex watched closely, his smirk deepening as everything unfolded second by second, as if time itself had slowed down for him.

Alexia realized her position too late. Why the hell isn’t that wolf protecting me?

"Carl!" she called out sharply.

Her lion twisted unnaturally, shrinking and reshaping into a small spider.

Threads burst outward instantly, wrapping around her in a dense web just as the beams struck.

...

Impact.

The web absorbed everything, holding firm around her body, protecting her completely.

At the same time, Adoff’s shards intercepted the attacks aimed at Ezra, breaking them apart mid-collision.

Most beasts cannot use two separate abilities at once, and they definitely cannot maintain different forms simultaneously.

Which meant one thing.

Alexia had already exposed herself.

Ezra dropped onto the ground, startled and shaken.

Alexia, however, moved quickly, stepping forward to block their view.

"Switch back," she whispered. "Quick."

The Silkshade Nyx began shifting again, trying to return to its lion form.

But Alex was already there.

"Quick Step."

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[Quick Step Used!]

└ -10 DE

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With S-Rank level agility and the burst movement of Quick Step, Alex appeared behind her instantly.

No sound. No warning.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Alexia and her beast both turned, fear flashing across their faces.

"You can’t lie about something and expect to walk away without consequences," Alex said calmly. "You understand that, right?"

He stepped closer, leaning in until there was barely any distance between them.

The Silkshade Nyx completed its transformation into the Adolescent Lion, trying to erase what had just happened, but it was far too late.

Alexia glanced down at her beast, realizing there was no point in backing out now.

Maybe he didn’t notice. Even if the chances were small.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, forcing confusion into her voice.

Alex let out a chuckle.

"Nice try," he whispered near her ear. "But the better response would have been to question me naturally."

He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"If you had done that, I might have believed you."

Alexia smirked nervously, stepping back slightly as sweat formed along her skin.

"W-what do you mean?" she asked again.

"You already know what I mean," Alex replied. "Not that I care much, but next time, don’t hesitate. All of this is completely pointless when I have the answer, you understand?"

His hand brushed along her arm, slowly moving up toward her face romantically, seducing her fallen beauty.

"W-what are you doing..." she asked softly.

Her eyes began to close on their own.

For a brief moment, she leaned in, expecting more.

Alex studied her expression, then pulled away. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Look at you," he said quietly. "Beautiful, yet careless."

Her eyes snapped open.

"What was I thinking..." she muttered.

Alex turned away from her and walked toward Ezra.

He crouched down, extending his hand.

"Come on."

Ezra hesitated, looking down at his hands. "They’re dirty..." he said quietly. "I’m sorry."

Alex smiled gently, "That doesn’t matter." He kept his hand out. "We’re teammates, aren’t we?"

Ezra froze for a moment, then slowly smiled.

A genuine one. This was one of the first times in his life he felt this close comfort, coming from another individual.

Most of Ezra’s life has been nothing short of a nightmare. Bullied, tossed around, and always left aside as an extra.

But just that one look of Alex let those memories fade away.

In that moment, Ezra Soulfer realized just one thing, ’Maybe I too can be great.’

He reached out and took Alex’s hand, allowing himself to be pulled up.

Behind them, Alexia remained where she stood, her gaze fixed on Alex’s back.

Her expression darkened.

’Who does he think he is...’

Her fists clenched tightly.

’I’ll make sure you regret this, Alex. No matter what it takes.’

Alex looked over his shoulder, ’These people fall for any little thing you say, truly they do.’

The torches around them lit on fire, taking on everyone’s attention.

Alexia stepped up towards Alex, but hesitated to say anything.

’I won’t expose her just yet,’ Alex thought, ’A perfect black male indeed.’