Reincarnation Of The Legendary Sword Saint

"He’s the one who defeated Valzaha, the mission you sent me on before," the knight explained. "Now it seems he’s in serious trouble in this Demon Supremacy operation. Don’t worry, I’ll bring his head back."

"Leave," Morvex said, standing. The knight nodded and turned, striding away.

As he moved, a female demon, one of their sorcerers, raised her hand, casting a spell. A shimmering portal opened before them, pulsing with dark energy.

He glanced at the Demon Lord one last time.

Then he bowed his head slightly.

Without even drawing his sword, he stepped forward and walked straight through the portal.

VROOOM!

The moment his body disappeared into it, the portal began to close.

VROOOM!

It sealed completely.

Rowan’s eyes narrowed.

"That was... wrong," Rowan thought.

He felt it.

A sudden surge of wind exploded outward, shaking the trees violently.

Then, a portal opened again.

The air twisted.

Space distorted.

Kosan, still kneeling on the ground, lifted his head and stared at it.

Rowan immediately stepped back, gripping his sword tightly.

The portal widened.

And a figure walked out.

A huge demon.

Towering.

Covered in heavy armor.

Massive horns curled from his head.

A giant blade rested at his waist.

His presence alone made the forest feel like it was suffocating.

Rowan’s gaze sharpened.

The demon’s eyes locked onto him.

Then he smirked.

"It looks like we meet again," the demon said.

Rowan didn’t flinch.

"Yeah. We meet again."

The demon’s smile widened.

"And this time, I won’t let you run away like you did last time."

Rowan’s eyes turned cold.

"You mean when you were about to finish Valzaha?"

The demon chuckled.

"That day, I was about to end him. But you stepped in."

He took a step forward.

"We fought for barely a few seconds. Three, maybe five."

His eyes narrowed.

"Then you took him and ran."

Rowan’s aura rose slightly.

"And now you’re here again."

The demon looked past Rowan, toward Kosan.

"Are you here to do the same thing for Kosan?"

Rowan didn’t answer.

The demon continued, voice calm but threatening.

"If you’re here for him, then fine. You can take him."

He slowly reached for the sword at his waist.

"But understand this..."

His aura began to expand.

"This time, you’re not leaving."

Rowan’s expression didn’t change.

"Oh really?"

Then Rowan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So that’s why you stopped Kosan from dying."

The demon smiled, as if amused.

"Well, isn’t it obvious?"

He rolled his neck, relaxed.

"I’m bored."

He took another step forward.

"And if I fight you alone, it’ll be unfair."

Rowan’s grip tightened.

The demon’s voice turned colder.

"So it’s better if both of you face me."

His smile sharpened.

"And when I’m done..."

"I’ll kill him..."

"And I’ll kill you."

Rowan raised his sword.

The demon finally pulled his blade out.

SHIIING!

His aura erupted.

Dark energy twisted with red energy, swirling violently around his body and sword like a storm.

His eyes glowed crimson.

He stared at Rowan like a predator staring at prey.

The forest fell silent.

Then, the demon smiled.

"Now..."

"Let’s see if you can run again."

Really? But you were the one who ran away last time, four years ago. It was you who ran.

Now I wouldn’t be surprised if you tried the same tactics again, but it won’t work.

Rowan smirked.

"My order back then was to save Valzaha," Hai replied coldly. "This time, my order is to bring back your head."

"Oh really?" Rowan said calmly.

"I can tell the Demon Lord is watching me right now. He was watching me before too."

Rowan’s eyes sharpened.

"I could’ve disconnected the mana link that lets him see me if I wanted. So you’re one of his strongest Demon Knights..."

Rowan’s aura rolled like an ocean.

"And like I said, you’re way different from last time. You’ve received an insane amount of mana from Morvex."

Hai’s lips curled slightly.

"Heh, I could say the same about you."

His voice became darker.

"You don’t even feel human anymore."

He narrowed his eyes.

"And the last time I met you, even if it was only for a short while, I could tell your aura had changed."

Hai tightened his grip on his weapon.

"It felt like you became a completely different person."

Rowan didn’t deny it.

Instead, he lifted his sword.

"Oh well."

His voice dropped.

"Give me your head."

In the next instant,

Rowan vanished.

WHOOSH!

He appeared in front of Hai midair, sword already descending.

CLANG!!

Hai blocked it instantly, his arm barely shifting from the impact.

The shockwave blasted outward, cracking the ground and sending dust and wind exploding through the forest.

Hai pushed forward.

Rowan was forced back, flipping through the air before landing cleanly on the ground, sliding several feet.

Then, Kosan slowly stood up behind them, his body still steaming with dark flame.

He stared at the two monsters in front of him.

And his face twisted in panic.

"H-Hey!"

Kosan shouted.

"You’re here?! Good!"

He turned toward Hai desperately.

"You’re here to rescue me, right?! Morvex sent you to rescue me, right?!"

Kosan stumbled forward.

"I-I can’t create a portal back to the Demon Realm... I’m too weak!"

His voice cracked.

"Create it for me!"

He pointed at Rowan like he was pointing at death itself.

"Forget this fight! Stop wasting time!"

His eyes widened in terror.

"You’re fighting a battle you can’t win!"

Kosan’s voice became almost a scream.

"That isn’t a human..."

His whole body trembled.

"That thing is worse than us."

What the hell?

Hai’s voice was filled with disgust as he glanced at Kosan.

"The Demon Lord gave all of us his mana. You’re just weak and useless."

His eyes narrowed.

"Don’t compare me to the likes of you."

Kosan froze.

His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Because Rowan was already moving.

In the next instant,

Rowan stepped forward again, sword in hand.

This time, his entire body glowed.

A pure blue aura wrapped around him like divine fire, surging through his arms, his armor, and even into the blade itself.