The Rise Of The God Of Death
Chapter 9: The North
Daimon moved at an incredible speed, so fast that traps snapped shut behind him and monsters barely registered his presence. The dense forest around him blurred as he dashed forward, his heart pounding but his focus sharper than ever. Suddenly, an overwhelming, cold presence slammed into him like a wave, forcing him to stop abruptly and vanish into the shadows of towering trees.
Ahead, he spotted two figures. One's aura was chillingly familiar—dark, dangerous, and filled with hostility. Daimon's voice dropped to a low, venomous growl, "It's you…"
Without hesitation, he placed Lucy behind a shimmering barrier, a protective shield so strong that no one below Overlord rank could break through. The barrier hummed softly, cloaking her from danger.
Daimon studied the two carefully, surprised that the stronger one's power was only at Commander level—far less than he expected. The real threat was not here, at least not yet.
Stepping out from the shadows, Daimon masked his anger with a calm, measured tone. "I'm lost… Why are you here?"
The two men replied, "We came to investigate the mountain that fell."
Daimon nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. "I passed through there earlier. Seems like a simple earthquake caused it—nothing unusual."
The hero of the North, a tall man with a confident stance, looked Daimon over and then extended an invitation, "Come with me to the city. You might find what you seek there."
Daimon shook his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "No, thank you. I already know the way."
Though every instinct screamed to strike, he held back. *Not yet,* he thought. *Maybe I can turn an enemy into an ally.*
Returning to Lucy's side, he gently picked her up and carried her once more, his cloak swirling around him as he sprinted toward the glowing lights of the city. His mind was a storm of thoughts and possibilities for the battles and challenges waiting ahead.