The creature's laughter echoed through the empty street, a guttural, mocking sound that sent shivers down Kenji's spine. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto him, filled with a mix of hunger and amusement.
"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" the devil sneered, its voice dripping with malice. "Most humans would have given up by now. But you... you're still standing. I'll give you that much."
Kenji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his breathing heavy. His body ached from the blows he'd taken, but he couldn't afford to show weakness. Not now. Not in front of this monster.
"I'm not most humans," Kenji shot back, his voice steady despite the pain. "And I'm not going to be your dinner."
The devil chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that made the air around them feel heavier. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy breaking you. You're strong for a human, but you're still just... food."
With a sudden burst of speed, the devil lunged at him again, its claws slashing through the air. Kenji barely managed to dodge, his Spatial Awareness skill kicking in just in time. He countered with a Mana Punch, the glowing energy around his fist slamming into the devil's side.
[System Alert!]
Mana Punch has leveled up! (LV 2)
Strength has increased by +1
The devil staggered, its laughter turning into a snarl of pain. "You little pest!" it roared, its claws glowing with dark energy. "You'll pay for that!"
Kenji didn't have time to respond. The devil's claws came down in a flurry of strikes, each one faster and more brutal than the last. Kenji blocked and dodged as best he could, but the sheer force of the attacks was overwhelming.
[System Alert!]
Mana Shield has leveled up! (LV 3)
Endurance has increased by +1
The devil's claws grazed his arm, drawing blood. Kenji hissed in pain but didn't falter. He couldn't afford to. He sidestepped another strike and landed a solid punch to the devil's jaw, the impact sending it reeling.
"You're not as tough as you think," Kenji growled, his fists glowing with mana.
The devil's eyes narrowed, its lips curling into a cruel smile. "Oh, Let's see how you handle this!"
The devil's body began to glow with a dark, ominous energy. Kenji's Danger Sense screamed at him, but before he could react, the devil unleashed a wave of Magic, a swirling vortex of darkness that slammed into him with the force of a freight train.
Kenji was thrown backward, crashing into a nearby wall. Pain exploded through his body as the dark energy seared his skin. He struggled to his feet, his vision blurry, but the devil was already on him.
"Not so tough now, are you?" the devil taunted, its claws digging into Kenji's shoulder. Kenji cried out in pain, but the devil didn't stop. It lifted him off the ground and slammed him back into the wall, the impact knocking the wind out of him.
[System Alert!]
Health Critical!
HP has decreased
Kenji's vision swam as he struggled to breathe. The devil leaned in close, its breath hot and foul against his face. "You're not going to die quickly, human. I'm going to savor every moment of this."
Kenji's mind raced. He couldn't let this thing win. He couldn't die here, not when he had just gotten a second chance not long ago and now had so much to live for. With a surge of determination, he channeled all his remaining mana into his fists and struck the devil with everything he had.
[System Alert!]
Mana Punch has leveled up! (LV 3)
Strength has increased by +1
The blow landed with a satisfying crunch, the devil's head snapping to the side. It let out a roar of pain and dropped Kenji, who stumbled back, clutching his wounded shoulder.
"You're going to regret that," the devil snarled, its voice filled with rage. "I'm going to make you suffer!"
The devil's claws glowed with a sickly green light, and before Kenji could react, it spat a glob of acidic liquid at him. Kenji tried to dodge, but the acid grazed his side, burning through his clothes and searing his skin.
[System Alert!]
Health Critical!
HP has decreased
Kenji cried out in pain, his body trembling as the acid ate away at his flesh. The devil laughed, its voice filled with sadistic glee. "How does it feel, human? Knowing you're nothing but prey?"
Kenji gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. He couldn't give up. Not now. Not ever. He focused his mana, forming a Mana Shield around himself just as the devil lunged at him again.
The devil's claws slammed into the shield, the impact sending shockwaves through Kenji's body. He held his ground, his mind racing for a way out. But the devil was relentless, its attacks coming faster and harder with each passing second.
"Don't you have anything else? You're running out of tricks, human," the devil sneered, its claws tearing through the shield. "What are you going to do now?"
Kenji didn't respond. He couldn't. His body was on the verge of collapse, and his mana was nearly depleted. He was cornered, with no way out and no backup coming.
The devil loomed over him, its glowing eyes filled with malice. "Any last words, human? Or are you finally ready to give up?"
Kenji clenched his fists, his mind racing. He wasn't going to die here. He couldn't. He had too much to live for—his family, his new life, everything he'd fought so hard to build.
But as the devil raised its claws for the final strike, Kenji knew he was out of options.
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