The fallen angel dodged my attacks again. In an instant, Raynare gathered a ball of light in each hand, stretching the orbs into familiar shapes. “Let’s see how you handle these!”

Ngh! The spears of light tore through both my legs, cutting deep into my thighs. Even with the increased defenses of a Rook, I hadn’t been able to withstand them.

“Gwaaaaaaaaaargh!” I howled in agony as pain coursed through my body, but with both spears still embedded in my legs, I couldn’t even fall to my knees. I grabbed them with my bare hands and pulled.

“Gwaaaaaaaaaargh!” I could smell my flesh searing. Damn, those things were hot! It must’ve been because they were made of light. My palms were already scorched black. Smoke rose from my hands and the wounds in my legs. The pain was unbearable.

Raynare broke into a mocking laugh as she watched me attempt to remove the spears. “Ah-ha-ha-ha! Just how stupid are you? Light is poison to demons. Merely touching it is enough to scorch your flesh. For your kind, there is no greater torment! For a low-level demon like you—”

“Grrraaaaah!” With a raw, primal howl, I squeezed the spears tighter and yanked them, inch by inch, out of my flesh. My legs were screaming in agony. The intense pain tore through me mercilessly. I felt as if I would pass out, like I would fall dead if I didn’t grit my teeth hard enough, but I kept going.

“This… This is nothing compared to what you put Asia through!” Tears and sweat dripping down my face, I continued wrenching out the spears. My legs were howling in pain. Still, I knew I could do it! I had to!

Splosh. With a sickening noise and a splash of blood, I’d finally managed to free myself.

The second I released my grip on those projectiles, they dissipated into thin air before even hitting the ground. No longer stanched by the spears, my blood began pooling rapidly at my feet. Removing the fallen angel’s weapons, though, hadn’t stopped the searing ache.

“Boost!” My last attack may have failed, but even so, the gauntlet on my hand let out a deep, bellowing roar. Despite my increased power, the pain was torturous. Tears continued washing down my face, and drool dripped from my chin.

Wha—?! My strength abandoned me, and I slipped hard onto the floor. I wasn’t even able to muster the energy to pull myself up. Dammit! My legs, my whole body, had been completely sapped of power. To say I was in a bad spot was putting it lightly.

“…You know, I really am impressed. A lower-class demon rooting out not one but two spears of light? But you’re fighting the inevitable. My light might not be particularly flashy, but at that density, it’s incredibly efficient at killing demons. So efficient, in fact, that I gifted it to my priests to use in their own weapons. Even a middle-class demon would have difficulty recovering from a single strike. As for one of your rank? Heh-heh-heh, don’t underestimate the power of light. Especially mine.” Raynare sure seemed to enjoy the sound of her own voice.

“It’s already circulating throughout your body, whittling away at you piece by piece. If you don’t get healed soon, that will be it. Heh. Frankly, I expected you’d have already kicked the bucket by now. You’re stronger than you look.”

Volume 1 - Diablos of the Old School Building
Life.4 (I'm Saving My Friend!)