Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 111

“Intruder!”

As soon as we entered the dungeon, the warriors guarding the entrance yelled and ran up the stairs.

On the flip side, there were also warriors standing in our way.

“Oh Demon Lord, you know this is just a temporary alliance.”

“Of course. Wielder of the Holy Sword.”

Swoosh—

I responded to Jupiter’s words while drawing my sword.

At that signal, the temporary human alliance drew their weapons.

Jupiter, leading with his sleek Holy Sword and massive shield, charged forward, radiating his unique Divine Power.

“Haah!”

That was a rough shout. The moment Jupiter’s large shield struck the ground, a massive shockwave spread around him.

All the warriors running forward stumbled and stopped, thrown off balance by the shockwave.

It was time to show my power to these inferior humans.

I slowly raised the sword in my hand.

A dense magic, elongated and twisted, took shape around the blade.

“Huuh—.”

With a deep breath, strength flowed into my arms and legs.

A temporary breath to enhance my attack.

The minimum preparation was complete. Right after that, my body reacted.

With my legs stretching forward, my torso elongated, and the sword I held swung widely.

One Cut, Two Halves

一刀兩斷

Crack!

The slashing strike that sliced through the air shimmered crimson as it spread into a crescent shape, instantly sweeping away the warriors gathering around Jupiter.

“This—this is…”

“Just basic swordsmanship.”

Literally, a mere fragment of the power I wield.

Jupiter seemed to feel a great tension in that moment, swallowing hard as he began to steady his breath.

He must be afraid. The moment this temporary alliance ends, he and I would revert to being enemies.

It was clear that Jupiter was already worrying about a future that had yet to arrive.

And Melvin at his side must have been feeling similarly.

Though his expression was hidden by a mask, he was undoubtedly having similar thoughts.

“Are you scared?”

“… I’m just looking forward to the moment I fight you, Demon Lord.”

Jupiter replied with a forced smile.

I let out a chuckle. He was trying to act tough, but that was only natural.

“Go. The path is clear.”

I turned my head and gestured. Jupiter nodded calmly and dashed ahead.

Thump thump! Leaving behind the sound of his receding footsteps, I could hear the whispers of the subordinates behind me.

“No… what on earth is this…”

“Shh, keep up with the Guild Leader. It’s entertaining.”

“I… I can hardly bear it…”

The tips of their ears began to flush slightly.

I hurriedly followed after Jupiter.

Climbing up the spiral stairs, a wide plaza unfolded before us.

With smooth stone paving and scattered weapons around, it seemed to be the training ground of Taeyoungmun.

“I found it strange that the Elder didn’t return, but it seems to be connected to you all.”

A voice echoed broadly enough for everyone to hear.

The figure that emerged was unlike the ordinary warriors.

A large body covered with robust muscles, with long hair tied back and a gruff face.

He looked just like a bandit.

His clothing matched, draped loosely in a way that made it seem like the boar skin he wore could spring to life at any moment.

[Flame Blade – Bongloe]

Bongloe, the first Named Monster appeared.

He approached the training ground, holding a blade as tall as himself.

Skrreee—

The blade scraping against the floor created an intimidating presence.

“Everyone, prepare for battle.”

Jupiter stepped forward, thrusting his shield out.

Various effects from different doping items began to spread from within our bodies.

I too finished my battle preparations.

Focus. Stay focused.

I am the perfect Demon Lord.

My low, flowing breath signaled that all preparations were complete.

At that moment, the battle began.

“Khaha! I’ll show you the terror of my domain!”

Bongloe’s blade swung threateningly.

But Jupiter held his ground and was not pushed back.

A bright light burst from his body as he began to channel Divine Power into his shield.

His entire body was a mass of light.

Bang! Crash! Clang! Clang!

“I’ve got it secured! It’s your turn to show your power!”

Before Jupiter’s signal ended, Melvin surged forward.

His body scattered like black mist, emerging behind Bongloe as he unleashed dozens of strikes.

Swish swish!

“That attack is…”

It was a familiar technique, identical to one he had shown before.

As I gave a knowing look towards Melvin’s skill, the Snow Mage standing beside me asked.

“Do you know that attack?”

“Blood Red Twin Slash…”

It wasn’t entirely accurate, but it was definitely a similar name.

Melvin, who had been swinging his sword rapidly, stopped in his tracks as soon as I finished speaking.

“It’s Heavenly Flow Blood Kill Slash…”

It seemed he was a bit hurt by my misnaming it.

But wasn’t it close enough?

“I see.”

“Just deal damage.”

Melvin was right. There was no time for chit-chat.

I approached Bongloe, swinging my sword from behind.

Slash! Whoosh! Crack!

The rapid slashes and the Snow Mage’s attacks from afar swiftly drained Bongloe’s health.

Just when I thought there was no special pattern to his movements, a red circle formed beneath me and Bongloe’s roar erupted.

“Graah!”

This was a new pattern from a dungeon I was challenging for the first time.

It was likely an instant kill or a wide-area attack of some sort.

The moment Bongloe’s arms shot up to the sky, red flames erupted from his blade.

“Get out of the way!”

Even with Jupiter’s scream-like warning, there was nowhere to dodge.

Which meant it was a cue to jump at the right timing.

Fwoosh—

That was the moment Bongloe’s blade was about to move.

I shouted loudly as I leapt into the air.

“Everyone jump!”

Bang!

No sooner had I finished speaking than Bongloe slammed his blade into the training ground floor.

With a harsh explosion, scorching flames leapt out in all directions.

Whoosh!

No one died from that pattern.

But Jupiter’s health had been reduced to tatters due to his failure to jump.

He urgently cast his healing skill to recover his health.

Everyone who had leapt into the air landed back down.

Space to stand was limited. Flames were shooting up everywhere across the training ground.

Jupiter fell back with a desperate expression.

Where he had just stood was now a spot where flames were rising.

The burning debuff attached to him seemed to be dealing significant damage as Jupiter’s health was rapidly depleting.

Even though Chloe hurriedly cast a healing shower and shield on him, he couldn’t withstand the dwindling health.

But he held on. Thanks to the powerful survival skills of the Ark Knight.

The moment Jupiter’s sword struck his shield hard.

Bang!

A massive shield that fell from the sky bestowed high amounts of shields on all party members.

The burning debuff only faded after it had consumed all those shields.

“Ugh! To force me to use this technique… what a strong opponent…”

Having escaped from a dire situation, Jupiter dodged the flames and led Bongloe toward a corner.

He seemed to feel the pressure from the flames roaring in all directions.

Just as Bongloe reached 30% health, the next pattern began.

Suddenly flames erupted from Bongloe’s massive blade, spitting fire in all directions.

Whoosh!

“Khaha! Witness the power of the Flame Blade!”

Dodging the flames emanating from the Flame Blade was not too difficult.

As long as we avoided the long red area sprawling across the ground, we could escape.

But the next part was troublesome.

The red flames spewed forth from the ground did not disappear; they remained right there.

Meaning, there were continuously fewer places to stand.

Bongloe’s patterns were simple, but the longer the battle continued, the harder it would be to strategize against him.

Ice and talismans consistently rained down, battering Bongloe, while a whirlwind of red blood and magic swirled around him.

The black shadow’s blades kept poking at Bongloe’s body.

This was my last chance. I could instinctively feel it.

Stepping back slightly and exhaling, I felt the strength rising in my arms and legs.

At that moment, my vision narrowed and started to concentrate on a single point.

Swish—

As I raised the sword in both hands above my head, a golden current spread from beneath my feet.

A stance with no consideration for defense.

I was putting everything into this one strike.

Ignoring the flames warming my body as well.

“Demon Lord! You’re on fire!”

Ignoring the worried scream of my subordinate.

My gaze was solely fixed on one spot.

Bongloe’s neck.

His health was rapidly depleting. But he held on.

In that moment, the cooldown for my awaited skill was finally over.

Awakening

覚醒

Crack!

Lightning fell from the sky, transforming my body and bestowing me with immense power.

“Behold. The technique of the Demon Lord.”

Everything was ready.

Whether it was Blood Red Twin Slash or Heavenly Flow Blood Kill Slash, they were merely variations in this technique.

Whoosh!

The field of vision was enveloped in flames. My focused gaze sank calmly amidst the flames, solely facing forward.

When the roaring flames crawled up my arm to cover the magic-infused sword—

Boom!

I kicked off the ground and flew through the air. The bright red flames, black magic, and golden radiance infused with the aura of a dragon formed a stunningly colorful figure of a dragon.

Speed wouldn’t decrease. In fact, it accelerated once more.

Bam!

In that brief moment, time felt slow, the surroundings elongated dramatically.

Swoosh—

The sharp strike of my sword was like dragon fangs.

Dragon’s Flame Flash – Fire

魔龍一閃-火

I felt the heat from the gaze upon me.

The flames clinging to my body began to quiet down.

Whoosh—

With a flick of my sword, I brushed away the final embers.

The battle had ended.

“Graah…”

Bongloe’s massive body collapsed.

He too was a strong adversary, but what could be done? The opponent was this Demon Lord.

His demise had been predetermined.

“W-What was that… Dragon’s Flame Flash…”

Jupiter seemed to be in awe of my technique, mouth agape.

Melvin was no different. He stared at me with wide eyes in utter disbelief.

“Wow, our Guild Leader is so cool.”

“Uh, can I just leave now?”

It wouldn’t do to lose the healer.

I glared at Chloe and the Snow Mage.

“I’m not a Guild Leader. I am a Demon Lord.”

“Four!!!”

“Ah… Hah…”