The Author's Viewpoint
Chapter 149 - Predators of the Rift

Chapter 149: Chapter 149 - Predators of the Rift

The clash of heavy weapons, the grind of metal against stone, and the roar of fury echoed through the mouth of the cave. The demons came charging in, a thunderous stampede. Their armored forms clashed against the narrow rock walls, massive frames jostling against one another as they struggled to push forward through the tight corridor.

"You dumbass, don’t block my way!"

"You move! I’ll be the one to kill those rats!"

"Shut up, I saw them first!"

"Out of my way! They’re my prey!"

The horde was chaos, shoving, clawing, even trampling over one another in their eagerness to be the first to reach the targets.

As they spilled into the wider chamber of the cave, they faltered for a moment—crashing into one another in confusion. Some raised their crystal lamps, casting glows across the chamber walls, revealing empty paths and dust-filled corners.

"I’ll take that one," one snarled, storming into a side tunnel with reckless speed. The others followed suit, scattering without thought, diving into whichever path caught their eye.

Soon more demons surged into the chamber, their snarling faces twisted in frustration as they split off, driven by instinct and rage rather than any real plan.

Among them was a towering demon wielding a massive greatsword, the weapon dragging behind him with a horrible screech as it tore along the cave floor. He moved with relentless aggression, boots slamming against stone, his voice bellowing through the corridors.

"I’ll find them," he roared. "I’ll rip them apart, and burn their bodies!"

One by one, their voices began to echo separately, distorted by the twisting tunnels. They were breaking formation, scattering deeper into the cave, further from each other.

"Those rats! I’ll be the one to find them first! I’ll tear them to pieces!" He continued his wild charge, tearing through the passage with reckless fury, swinging at shadows.

"This ends before dawn!" the demon howled.

Suddenly, his instincts screamed. The demon froze mid-charge, his roar choking off just as a sharp thwack shattered the crystal lamp he held aloft. Glass and glowing shards scattered across the cave floor.

He let out a furious roar as his body ignited. Flames was erupting around him like a living blaze, illuminating the tunnel in a harsh, flickering light.

"You come here, rats! I’ll destroy—!"

But his words were cut off.

Swish.

A swift, silent projectile pierced his shoulder, forcing him to stumble as he clutched at the wound with a growl of confusion. More arrows followed, striking his side, his thigh.

He howled in rage, slamming his massive greatsword against the stone wall, sparks flying from the impact.

"Show yourselves, cowards!" he bellowed, swinging wildly as the arrows kept raining down, each shot pushing him back, slowing him, chaining his fury with pain.

"I’ll kill—!"

The scream stopped mid-sentence.

His eyes widened as a blade slid cleanly through the back of his neck, the tip emerging just beneath his throat, gleaming in the firelight. He tried to growl, to roar, but no sound came—only a gurgle.

He staggered back, attempting to swing his greatsword again, but then.

FWOOM.

Dark fire engulfed his head. Black as shadow, silent as smoke. He screamed, but it was swallowed by the flame.

Another strike came, fast, brutal, cleaving through his wrist. The greatsword clanged to the stone floor.

He turned, blindly swiping, but another blow sank into his chest, right into the heart. He couldn’t see where the attacker was.

Then another slice, this time from the left, cut into his neck, deeper, crueler.

The blade twisted. And with it, the light in his eyes vanished.

The demon collapsed, slamming into the cave floor with a dull, final thud.

Silence returned.

From the shadows, a figure stepped forward, emerging silently as the last flickers of the dark flames died down. Another figure followed, this one holding a glowing crystal lamp high in one hand.

"This one was tough," Vanya murmured, her eyes fixed on the demon’s fallen body.

"Yes, but we should’ve ended it faster," Tave replied. "Next time, we aim for quicker kills. Strike directly at their weak points. No hesitation."

Vanya nodded, her gaze shifting from the corpse to him. "Just make sure you—" she stopped herself.

Tave raised an eyebrow but understood immediately. She meant: it’s quite risky if her arrow hits him.

"Yes, I’ll be careful," he replied with a half-smile.

"Sorry, Tave... I’m not that great in total darkness," Vanya admitted. "This one was easier because... well, he lit himself up like a torch."

Tave nodded thoughtfully. "I’ll start using my fire more to light the area for you. It’ll help you shoot better."

Vanya smiled faintly. "Then I’ll do my best to make every shot count."

They continued, darted down the winding tunnel once more, shadows racing beside them as they moved with swift, silent urgency.

Tave reached out and clasped Vanya’s hand, pulling her along with him to guide her through the pitch-black corridors. In this complete darkness, even with her elven senses, she couldn’t match the clarity he possessed now.

Tave, on the other hand, moved like he belonged to the dark.

It wasn’t just vision, it wasn’t about seeing shapes or figures. It was something deeper. A heightened awareness, as if every ripple in the air, every flicker of light in the distance, every footfall around him was carved into his perception. He didn’t need to see. He felt everything.

His body had changed and evolved after reaching Gaia Master.

The transformation wasn’t subtle. It was profound. His affinity for Shadow may not have increased in rank, but Gaia Master’s depth made even a Medium affinity into something lethal.

And it wasn’t just his element.

Tave could feel his body humming with enhanced strength, his reflexes sharper, senses honed to a razor’s edge. He wasn’t the same person he’d been hours ago. He felt aligned with the dark, as if it were not his enemy, but his origin. The darkness wasn’t hiding him. It welcomed him.

Up ahead. Movement.

Two figures emerged at the edge of his perception. Two demons. And they were no ordinary warriors.

Gaia Grand Masters.

Two Gaia Masters versus two Gaia Grand Masters?

No. Not just two Gaia Masters.

They had Fang.

As if summoned by thought, the great Shadow Wolf reappeared, emerging soundlessly beside them. Then, merge. Fang’s form dissolved into Tave’s own, wrapping around him like a second skin of darkness.

And in that instant, Tave’s power surged again. Faster, stronger, sharper. He became something more than himself.

He was no longer running through the darkness.

He was the darkness!

Tave summoned his sword in a swift, fluid motion as they charged forward, his voice low and clear as he spoke into the rushing wind between them. "Vanya, two targets ahead."

From the edge of his senses, he felt her nod in acknowledgment.

Then he released her hand, and vanished forward.

He surged through the darkness, his movements seamless, every muscle honed to perfection. Even as he sprinted, he could feel it: the faint thrum of elemental arrows cutting through the air beside him, fired by Vanya. They zipped past his shoulders, flying ahead toward the two distant figures.

His sword was immediately engulfed, its blade blazing in his grip.

Tave charged.

He swung his sword through the air with precision, sparks dancing from the heated edge. Up ahead, the demons jerked in surprise as arrows struck, embedding deep into their shoulders and arms.

Their confusion turned to panic as they looked wildly for the source. But there was no time. Tave was already on them.

"Attack! The rats are here!" one shouted, flailing as another arrow struck his chest.

Tave closed the distance, his blade flashing as he slashed hard at the wrist of the first demon. The creature roared, stepping back with a furious bellow.

Tave ducked low, sliding behind them in a swift blur, then cut again. This time across the back of their legs.

"Little rat dares. I’ll crush you!" one of them screamed, raising his blade to strike.

But the tunnel was narrow. Cramped. Their massive weapons clashed against each other.

"Watch your blade, idiot!"

"You’re blocking me, moron!"

They growled, tangled in their own bulk and fury, just as Tave darted between them like a wraith and slashed across one of their calves. The demon collapsed with a shout, slamming into the stone.

The other turned wildly, only to be met with a hail of arrows slamming into his face and shoulders, forcing him back with every impact.

The hunters had locked in.

The rhythm was set.

And their prey’s fate was already sealed!

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.