Start fighting again.

Give me a break. We're not even in the outskirts of the city!

You draw Awakened Lauo. It isn't glowing, though it does appear flashier than before. You dash forwards and carve through the thin metal shell of the creature, causing a spark of magical light to flare up into the air. It sparks, and then it bursts into a tiny explosion, leaving a scorch mark on the cobblestone road. People start looking over with interest and confusion.

"More!" Snow calls out.

You see a few more crawling down from the rooftops. You then see a larger one making its way out of the nearby alleyway. It consists of several copper shells making the shape of centipede. It has one glowing blue eye and razor-sharp pincers. As your combat-ready party members stop the smaller ones, you leap forward and carve up the longer metallic insect before it can do anything else.

Whatever these are, they're dropping fast. Did I get that much stronger? If someone was trying to kill us, why would they send such a weak minions? Whatever. I'm 9th level now, and my magic sword is on a whole new level. I bet these critters are super strong, and we're just better!

"Man. These things are weak," Niki says.

"Don't take my ego away please," you reply.

"They keep coming," says Amara as she points ahead.

Dozens of smaller ones show up, and they start to congregate and form into a swarming mass. Though after a Flare Blade cast, you make easy work of their fragile shells. Each one crackles and pops after its destruction, covering the area in tiny pieces of metal.

This continues for quite some time. You start to worry there isn't going to be an end. After awhile, guards start showing up to help. People gather around, and they watch as you stand there with your blade at the ready--the largest figure so far emerging from the alley ahead. You stare up, and it glares back down with two glowing cyan rings for eyes. It's a tall, wide humanoid shape but made entirely of copper plates. It wields a maul in both hands.

As you fight off more of the smaller creatures, you leap forwards to carve up this new one. Though when you hit it, you immediately feel that isn't like the others. Your sword does carve into the metal, though it hardly passes through. You're **** to retreat backwards before its maul shatters the ground where you stood a moment ago.

Another. And another. You continue to slay. Though, the numbers seem to be growing thinner. More people come to watch, even if it's incredibly dangerous. "Back away!" you call out. "You're going to get hurt!"

One guard runs forward with a spear, but the copper beast thrusts its pummel into his gut and sends him flying.

"... We just got home from a god damn castle in the mountains. I'm tired. My clothes are dirty. All I want to do is have a bath and stop dealing with all this bullshit!" you shout. "Whoever you are, you have no idea who you're dealing with. We're stronger than a Demon King! So I'm ending this now. Flare Blade, again!"

Before your sword can fully go out, you ignite it a second time. You pounce forward, and jab the weapon straight into its face. The fiery metal pierces through like a hot knife through butter, and it crashes down into the ground beneath you. Then you leap back a moment before it crackles and explodes just like the rest. Debris flies in every direction. You turn to see that your party members have finished dealing with the smaller threats as well.

Then everything goes blurry. You seize up. Your heart stops, before beating once so loudly that it's deafening. Then it beats again, just as loud. Your body shakes, and you feel like your insides are on fire. Suddenly, you collapse to your knees. It feels like you're going to throw up. As you stare wide-eyed at the cobblestone street, you clutch your head. You've never had a headache this bad. Your heart begins beating quickly, like raw adrenaline is coursing through your veins. You squeeze the hilt of your sword with your other hand, and slowly look up at the crowd of onlookers.

Everything goes dark.

Kyle Warren
Class: Demon King
Level: 10