Chapter 442: Apostle

The black tiger opened its mouth, unleashing a jet of black flames.

If Aed didn’t change direction, he’d collide with the flames.

“Definitely a first-tier demon.”

Aed wouldn’t confront the flames head-on; he was only flesh and blood.

Adjusting his path, he landed beside the tiger.

As soon as he touched down, the tiger lunged, claws outstretched.

Up close, Aed realized the tiger’s immense size.

A single paw was like a massive millstone, sweeping down with a fierce wind.

Aed’s pupils contracted as he agilely leaped back, narrowly evading the claws.

Simultaneously, he swung his black sword, leaving a deep gash on the paw, spilling black blood.

“Roar!”

The tiger howled in pain, angered by Aed’s attack.

A massive black column swept through, snapping trees.

Aed realized it was the tiger’s tail, as hard as steel.

Calmly, he timed his jump, landing on the tail.

Using its momentum, he propelled himself away.

In a blink, Aed was on the tiger’s back, plunging his sword deep.

The sword pierced effortlessly, like slicing through butter.

The tiger was severely wounded, thrashing its tail.

This time, the tail moved too fast for Aed to react, flinging him away before he could retrieve his sword.

Aed spat blood, feeling his organs shift from the impact.

Without years of absorbing demonic aura, strengthening his body, the tail might have killed him.

Thrown into a tree, Aed crashed to the ground.

He rose, quickly dodging as the tail struck where he’d been.

The tiger pounced, relentless, giving Aed no respite.

Gripping his sword, Aed felt pain in his chest, blood at his lips.

He knew he was gravely injured, unlikely to leave Silver Frost Forest alive.

He resolved that if he must die, he’d take the tiger with him.

A final act for Leaf Town.

Such was the fate of most exorcists, falling to demons.

Aed felt unprecedented calm, as if time slowed, the tiger’s movements in slow motion.

He saw the claws’ path, knowing they’d pierce his chest if he didn’t move.

Aed saw but didn’t dodge, knowing it was his chance to decapitate the tiger.

He’d risk everything.

As the tiger neared, Aed steeled himself for death.

He gripped his sword tightly, ensuring he wouldn’t drop it from pain, determined to strike the final blow.

But suddenly, the tiger’s massive body split.

From its brow, the tiger was cleaved in two.

Blood and entrails spilled, the body collapsing, staining the ground black.

Behind the tiger stood a towering figure in dark gold armor, holding a long sword.

The tiger’s corpse emitted thick black mist, absorbed by the giant.

Aed recognized it as demonic aura but didn’t contest it; he hadn’t slain the demon.

“Strength +1.1, Agility +1.1, Constitution +1.1.”

“Helag Merlin: Strength 33.8, Agility 33.9, Constitution 35.6, Spirit 78.5, Magic 100%.”

After absorbing the aura, Helag checked his stats.

The tiger’s aura significantly boosted his attributes by 1.1 each.

Helag had waited for the right moment to strike.

Initially, he planned to avoid the tiger, but with someone testing its strength, he seized the opportunity.

The transformed tiger was far stronger than the dog-headed creatures, its aura abundant.

Helag coveted the aura, choosing not to leave.

As the tiger pounced, Helag emerged from the shadows, cleaving it in two.

He glanced at the stunned youth, debating whether to kill him.

After consideration, Helag spared him.

Unfamiliar with the world, he saw no need to create trouble by killing a human.

Perhaps the youth could provide information.

The youth showed no hostility, only shock.

Aed was awestruck by the man’s power, cleaving the demon with ease.

The crude sword’s ability to split the demon indicated terrifying strength.

“What level of exorcist is this… A high-level exorcist, or even an apostle!”

Aed marveled at Helag’s power, having no intention of challenging him.

In his understanding, exorcists fought demons, not each other, unless interests clashed.

Above full exorcists were high-level exorcists, and beyond them, apostles.

Apostles were legendary figures Aed had only heard of.

“Thank you for saving my life!”

Aed, realizing his savior’s identity, knelt to thank Helag.

Helag didn’t understand the language but recognized gratitude in Aed’s gestures and expression.

“Deep Blue, start collecting language data here, and organize it into systematic knowledge.”

Language barriers posed a problem; Helag tasked Deep Blue with gathering data to learn the local language.