บท 25: Facing Darkness
"Power. I can offer you all that you desire."
Watching this demon, whose appearance had the resemblance of a human, he couldn't help but notice that he was taller than him, akin to an NBA player. His features were obscured by a constantly shifting darkness, making it annoying in discerning his true form.
His eyes glowed with a sinister crimson hue, which was capable of penetrating the souls of the mortals brave enough to stare into them, filling them with an overwhelming sense of dread and despair.
As the first attempt of stirring up his desire for power was used, deep down Vecna couldn't help but scoff.
He imagined something far sinister, akin to the visages he saw in Caine's past. Those monsters, dragons, and divine beings were menacing enough to imprint themselves in his memory. While, Camio?
He wasn't something that he feared in particular.
Then his vampiric eyes settled around the Chamber.
It had an old vibe, one might say it was ancient from a first glance but there were some Runes that were pulsing with Energy forming a Pentagram shape.
A mechanism to seal this demon? Vecna could only guess as he responded in spite to the demon ahead of him.
"There's nothing you can offer me, demon. What you might have, I will gain plenty as soon as you die."
--Laugh--
Camio laughed as if someone told him the greatest joke in human history, before grinning widely, still amused by Vecna's boldness. "Ah, the arrogance of mortals, just like Ziegfrid."
"Just because I'm in this unfortunate circumstance doesn't mean you mortals can look down on me."
"You should fear me."
The atmosphere shifted as Camio's face revealed itself from the darkness enveloping his body.
As Vecna anticipated that the Raid would begin against the Archdemon Camio, he wasted no time in activating his Sanguine Quenching.
With a swift motion of his hand, he channeled his vampiric powers into his [Corrupted Knightsblade], enhancing its abilities to drain the life force of his enemies and weaken their healing abilities.
Him revealing his Blood Magic was enough for Camio to react, his expression crumbling to a disgusted one.
"Wait. You're not a human. Far worse. You're one of Beriache's Spawns!"
--Spit--
"Bleakh. To think I would meet you parasites. Should you be at your Lady's side? Ahh, indeed, I heard she killed herself for whatever grand plan she had."
"Pitiful."
Vecna listened to the blabbering of the demon, and while holding his longsword, couldn't help but mention it coldly.
"You talk too much. I'm here to fight, not have a conversation about dead people."
"Bahahaha, it seems you're one of those mutts, turned by Beriache's Spawns. Pathetic."
Vecna ignored Camio's taunts and slowly lifted up Knightsblade Edge to point at the Archdemon, without an ounce of fear in his crimson eyes.
"You're in a rush to end your pitiful existence."
"So be it. Let us see if you are worthy of the power you seek." called Camio, mustering the darkness around him, concentrating it around his being.
[Ding!]
[The Final Challenge of the Quest <A Knight's Forgotten Legacy (S)> has began]
[<A Knight's Forgotten Legacy (S)> has changed in its rating to match the status and level of the user]
[Difficulty has been increased to (SS) tier.]
★ Clear Condition: Defeat The Fragment Soul of Archdemon Camio
'Here it comes.'
Thanks to the notification alarm from the system, his response wasn't late against Camio who initiated the fight.
With a wave of his clawed hand, the chamber transformed, taking on an ethereal and otherworldly appearance. The ground beneath Vecna's feet shifted, and dark tendrils of shadow snaked around him, threatening to ensnare him.
"Taste the power of an Archdemon! Reign of Shadow!"
But Vecna was no stranger to the darkness. He embraced it, allowing his Vampiric Senses to guide him through the shifting shadows.
"Much appreciated for the power boost." taunted Vecna who felt his Celerity improving considerably under the Unique Skill of the Archdemon.
With lightning-fast reflexes, he evaded Camio's initial onslaught of attacks, his form blurring as he moved with supernatural agility.
Once the fight began, the runes Vecna noticed initially started flaring up, and soon enough he could spot something in this Dark World, a flicker of light on a corner of this environment.
[Archdemon Camio (Soul Fragment) - LV. 100]
'That should be a suppression device, not for me but the demon. It balances things out. Can't complain about a helping hand. However, this is still an Named Boss, not your average Orc Chieftain or Goblin Elder.'
'Let's do a quick distribution of Stat Points according to the plan. I'm not risking anything in this match.'
[Status Window]
User: Vecna / Class: Caine's Reincarnate / Race: Low-Grade Vampire
-----------------------------------
Level: 45 (23,244/51,700) / Title: The Fallen One / Strongest Man in the Neighborhood/ Avid Explorer / Sharp Lumberjack / Rookie Explorer / Novice Adventurer
-----------------------------------------------
Health: 5546/5546 | Mana: 3200/3200
-----------------------------------
Strength: 351 | Stamina: 215 | Agility: 286 | Persistence: 50 (From Lumberjack)
Intelligence: 400| Charm: 330 | Dignity: 150 | Composure: 40 (Novice Adventurer)
Regeneration: 60 | Indomitable: 150 | Insight: 62 (Avid Explorer)
-----------------------------------
Available Stat Points: 0
.
.
Drawing his sword, Vecna activated his Uncanny Grip, allowing him to climb and hang unsupported from the walls and ceiling. He leaped high into the air, avoiding a wave of dark energy that threatened to consume him.
Camio's eyes glinted with malevolence as he observed Vecna's evasive move. "You think your little tricks can stop me, Vampire? I am the Lord of Shadows, and you are nothing but a mere insect before me."
As he descended, Vecna's expression remained stoic as he raised his sword, the dark energy crackling around it. "We'll see about that."
With a sudden burst of energy, Camio lunged at Vecna, his claws slashing through the air.
Vecna's Vampiric Agility allowed him to evade the attack, and in response, he activated his Earthshock skill, sending shockwaves through the ground toward Camio. The demon was caught off guard, stumbling slightly as the ground trembled beneath him.
[You have dealt 723 DMG.]
This time when he looked at Camio's nameplate, the Health Gauge was revealed, and it was enough to give Vecna a headache when he thought how grueling this fight would be.
[Archdemon Camio (Soul Fragment) - LV. 100] (99,105/99,828 HP)
'Shit. This would take me forever. What if he has some regeneration skills to heal up again?'
Camio was no ordinary foe. The effect of the Earthshock while effective against most foes he used, this time Camio wasn't affected by the tremors.
He retaliated with his own dark magic, conjuring shadowy tendrils that snaked toward Vecna.
"Shadow Snake."
'Tsk, stop calling your skill names… What are you, some generic villain unable to keep your mouth shut?'
[You have lost 221 HP]
[You have lost 221 HP]
Vecna countered with his Blood Missile, sending bolts of blood magic toward the tendrils, neutralizing them and in the process beginning to cook something for the future stages of the fight, something that would crush the demon with brute power.
Enough power that it would exorcize him.
Camio could feel that each magic spell that Vecna was sending was harming his well-being, it was amusing from his perspective, and to satisfy his twisted emotions he started pushing his attacks into Vecna.
Landing on the ground after he assaulted Vecna in the air using his Dark Magic, he followed up by lunging at his prey.
He lunged with blinding speed, his claws extended like sharp talons. Vecna activated his Traversal skill, disappearing in a cloud of shadows, and reappearing behind the demon.
"Not bad, for a Thrall. You have potential."
"I can't say the same for you." mocked Vecna who could spot certain patterns in Camio's attacks.
His mind was already bisecting Camio's fighting style.
With a swift strike of his Knightsblade which pulsed with a menacing blood aura, he attempted to deliver a critical blow, but Camio's reflexes were lightning-fast.
The Archdemon parried the attack with his own dark magic, and the clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the chamber.
[You have dealt 2,105 DMG]
[You have lost 686 HP]
'Tsk, I'm hurt even when I get blocked. This bitch is tricky to deal with.'
Camio morphed the darkness around him into the shape of a Scimitar, deciding to face Vecna head-on. He wanted to oppress Vecna at his own forte, so his mental fortitude would slowly deteriorate, enough for him to plant a seed of doubt and destroy him.
"That's not how you wield a sword. This is how you kill a living being."
Camio swung in a strange fashion, his body contorting strangely, bringing out a momentum that wasn't laughable at all.
Meanwhile, Vecna remained calm, his feet planted on the ground as he unleashed his Swift Strike, enabling him to be the first one to land a powerful strike.
[Critical!]
[You have dealt 5.469 DMG]
It was a single powerful strike imbued with blood magic, and instantly the Knightsblade brought on the benefits of embracing its new power.
[You have stolen 820 HP]
The blow hit its mark, and Camio let out a guttural growl of pain. A decent strike, but it barely scratched the surface of what was the Archdemon's Health Gauge.
The Archdemon was far from defeated. He retaliated with his own Dark Magic, conjuring three Orbs of Dark Flames that he threw at the moving target. Not once did Vecna remain stationary, it was only when the two got into a clash of swords that he could be said to be stationary.
Such that Vecna activated 'Golden Flash' in the last moment, and only suffered some minor burns that worked into his favour.
"Foolish thrall. Those flames will not be extinguished until your death."
With a wicked grin, Camio summoned illusions to confound Vecna's senses. But the Vampire God's discerning Eye saw through the deceptions rather quickly, he didn't need any skill assistance to spot the obvious differences.
He might look like some handsome guy who didn't have much into his brain, but only a peek inside his brain and you'll be shocked for life.
'Noted. Now, I understand why Maribel mentioned his skills being mediocre.'
'With a pair of good eyes, you can see the bluff.'
Giving the impression he got caught, he invited Camio to land his powerful blow, and as expected his laid invitation was taken.
When Vecna felt Camio approached enough, he launched a swift counterattack as his crimson eyes flashed with murderous intent.
"You're too easy." mentioned Vecna coldly, staring into Camio's eyes, peering deep into his fragmented soul.
He employed Blade Dance, moving like a whirlwind of shadows as he delivered five lightning-fast strikes with his sword. Each strike drained Camio's life force, restoring Vecna's vitality in the process.
[You have dealt a total 6,259 DMG]
Camio growled in frustration.
"TOO EASY? ME? THE LORD OF SHADOWS!"
Once again, Camio attempted to weaken Vecna's morale with mental attacks. Illusions of past regrets and failures swirled around the Vampire God, but they all were centered on the experiences he had inside Satisfy and nothing related to his real self.
This was the reason he could stay grounded on the floor, remaining focused and undeterred. His Sanguine Quenching empowered him, and he activated Split Second, moving at such incredible speed that Camio's attacks seemed to pass through thin air.
"Continue running! Once I get my hands on you, it will be your end."
The Archdemon snarled in rage, trying to trap Vecna with dark magic. But the Vampire Traversal skill allowed him to evade the attacks effortlessly, dancing through the shadows like a phantom.
His Soaring Leap propelled himself towards Camio with incredible force.
"Run? You think I'm a bug to run like you?"
Camio countered with a barrage of dark projectiles, but Vecna's Lighting Strike skill prevented the demon from evading his melee attacks. His sword struck true, but Camio's shadowy form seemed to shift and reform, making him elusive and difficult to damage.
[You have dealt 2,842 DMG]
Undeterred, Vecna tapped into his Blood Requiem skill, a deadly strike aimed at targeting all of the demon's vitals.
Blood Requiem springs to life in a display of nightmarish beauty. Streams of dark energy surge forth from Vecna's blade, coalescing into twisting tendrils of blood that surge towards the shadowy form that was Camio.
The tendrils navigate the air, finding their mark with unerring accuracy.
"HOW?" shouted Camio who used various evasive skills to evade the tendrils, only to growl in pain as Vecna swung his sword.
His sword aimed for Camio's heart, brain and other vital points. But the demon's shadowy nature made it challenging to land a decisive blow, as it started opposing his will.
[Critical]
[You have dealt 10,556 DMG to the target.]
'Resilient fuck.'
Vecna missed landing another blow on Camio, as the demon vanished like an illusion, leaving the scene shamelessly.
Camio wanted to rethink his strategy under the veil of his darkness, but he soon got met with a crimson projectile flying in his direction, followed by another one a couple of seconds later.
He growled in rage, not understanding how Vecna could spot him under his perfect guise. Yet it was a mistake to exteriorize himself, since the Vampire appeared like a phantom before him, swinging his longsword with only murder in mind.
It was too close, he needed to evade this either whether he liked it or not. The weakened sealed state was a constant thorn in his side, and he could muster only a portion of his entire might.
Vecna's relentless assault continued, his swift strikes and uncanny grip making it difficult for Camio to retaliate effectively. The demon dodged and weaved, trying to use his illusionary abilities to confuse the vampire, but Vecna's discerning eye and vampiric instincts saw through the deceptions.
'This thrall… What is wrong with him? How can he predict all of my movements and have such answers?'
'It's as if I'm standing in front of Zepar and Iyarugt and I'm left without answers against their sword techniques.'
'Urgh, this monstrous mutt. If I wasn't sealed by that bastard, rendered in this pathetic form. I would have crushed this rat in a second.'
Camio tried to keep his composure since his demonic nature had an effect on his emotions, always amplifying them.
With each exchange, Camio could feel the power of Vecna's Corrupted Knightsblade draining his life force, weakening him further. The Archdemon's frustration grew, and he decided to unleash his own dark powers.
'I can't let him have the upper-hand.'
With a bellowing roar, Camio summoned a storm of dark energy, attempting to engulf Vecna and sap his strength. However, Vecna responded with his basic skill, "Earthshock," sending shockwaves through the ground, disrupting Camio's spellcasting and forcing him to abandon the attack.
The way Camio looked at Vecna was filled with doubt and confusion.
"Heh. Aren't you easy to read?"
Those words echoed inside Camio's mind, until he snapped, as if a piece of glass cracked.
[Archdemon Camio (Soul Fragment) - LV. 100] (56,905/99,828 HP)
This time, things would upscale, with Camio reaching his second Boss phase.
"Easy to read? Me? Fine!"
"No more games. I WILL KILL YOU!" shouted Camio who started transforming, while suffering the bombardment of Blood Missiles.
"Bring it on."
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
Morpheus146
Morpheus146 Hope you enjoyed the read.
This fight against Archdemon is still a fight against a fragment of the true Archdemon, so obviously, Vecna has a chance.
However, if this was the true Camio from 33rd Hell, it would wipe Vecna (logically)
The story needs 10 reviews to get fully unlocked, so let's try to get to that number. (1 more and I'll be satisfied)
Meanwhile, the Extra Chapters will have to wait. It would be an achievable goal if there are more readers dropping their magic stones.
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