The four demon council members moved at the same time.

Drazhul stepped forward with a roar, demonic energy flaring.

Xavira shifted to the side, already preparing to strike from an angle.

Malreth raised his hands, rings glowing as he began activating defensive arts.

Velmor stayed half a step back, eyes sharp, studying Garion's body with open fascination.

But to their surprise, Garion moved first

He raised his fist, and the space around Velmor twisted.

Velmor's eyes widened. "What!!!"

His body was yanked forward violently, feet leaving the ground as if grabbed by an invisible hand.

He flew straight toward Garion, completely unable to resist.

"Velmor!" Xavira shouted.

Garion caught him by the face with one hand.

The impact was clean. Precise.

"I don't like your eyes," Garion said calmly. "They're annoying."

Velmor struggled, demonic mana flaring wildly. "Fascinating… even now…"

Garion interrupted him by slamming him straight into the ground.

The pressure multiplied instantly.

The stone beneath Velmor shattered.

His body was pinned flat, limbs locked in place by overwhelming force.

Garion stepped over him and dropped his weight perfectly, knee pressing down on Velmor's chest.

"This is called control," Garion said, adjusting his stance like a trainer correcting form.

Velmor tried to speak.

Garion grabbed his head with both hands.

"[Crushing Hold]."

There was a dull, heavy sound.

Velmor's head collapsed inward under the pressure. His body went limp instantly.

Silence hit the street.

Malreth screamed. "Velmor's dead!"

Xavira froze, eyes wide for half a second before narrowing sharply.

Garion stood up and looked at his hands, flexing his fingers once.

He turned his head toward the remaining three and smirked.

Drazhul roared in fury.

"[War Demon Breaker]!"

Garion lowered his stance and met him head-on.

He slipped inside the punch and wrapped both arms around Drazhul's waist.

"[Body Lock Takedown]."

With a sharp twist of his hips, Garion lifted Drazhul clean off the ground and slammed him onto his back.

The impact cracked the street in a wide circle.

Drazhul coughed violently.

Before he could recover, Garion mounted him.

"Don't lie flat," Garion said casually. "That's bad defence."

He drove an elbow straight into Drazhul's throat.

"[Ground and Pound]."

Once. Twice.

Drazhul's arms flailed, trying to push Garion off, but every movement was smothered by weight and pressure.

Xavira attacked from behind.

"[Silken Death Pierce]!"

Garion let go of Drazhul and rolled sideways, the attack slicing through empty air.

He rose instantly and grabbed Xavira's arm mid-strike.

"Overextended," Garion said.

He spun, pulled her close, and slammed her down shoulder-first.

"[Shoulder Throw]."

Xavira screamed as her arm dislocated on impact.

Malreth panicked.

He turned to run.

Garion didn't chase.

He stepped forward once.

"[Gravity Snap]."

Malreth was yanked backward and slammed face-first into the ground.

Garion walked over and placed one foot on Malreth's back.

"Wrong decision," he said.

He pressed down.

The ground swallowed Malreth with a sickening crunch.

Garion lifted his foot and stepped back.

He looked down at the broken body for a moment, then turned away.

He straightened and slowly looked around.

Two were already dead.

Only two remained.

Drazhul was still on his back, coughing violently, blood spilling from his mouth as he tried to push himself up.

His arms shook, muscles failing to respond properly.

Nearby, Xavira knelt on one knee, one arm hanging uselessly at her side, her breathing uneven but her eyes still sharp.

Garion walked forward at an unhurried pace.

Drazhul looked up and met his gaze.

For the first time, the war-hungry general felt something twist in his chest.

Fear.

"You… monster," Drazhul rasped. "You think this makes you strong?"

Garion stopped in front of him.

"No," he replied. "This is just correct technique."

Drazhul roared and forced himself up, demonic energy surging wildly.

"I'm not done yet!"

He swung a heavy punch, pouring everything he had left into it.

Garion stepped inside the strike.

"Too wide," he said calmly.

He wrapped both arms around Drazhul's torso.

"[Bear Hug Lock]."

Garion tightened his grip.

Drazhul screamed as ribs cracked under the pressure.

He tried to elbow Garion's head, but his arms were trapped.

Garion shifted his weight and lifted.

"[Spine Break Slam]."

He slammed Drazhul down headfirst.

The ground exploded outward.

Drazhul's body twitched once, then went still.

Garion released him and stood up.

Xavira watched everything.

Her usual elegance was gone. Sweat ran down her face. Her lips trembled, but she forced a smile.

"So brutal," she said softly. "You really are something special."

She lunged suddenly, ignoring her injured arm.

"[Final Silk Execution]!"

Garion caught her wrist effortlessly.

"Desperation," he said. "Sloppy."

He twisted her arm behind her back and stepped in close, locking her body in place.

"[Rear Control Clinch]."

Xavira struggled, heels scraping against the ground.

"Wait," she hissed. "You could do me. You could..."

Garion shook his head.

"I don't do it with someone like you."

He dropped his weight and pulled backward.

"[Neck Crank Finish]."

There was a sharp snap.

Xavira's body went limp in his arms.

Garion released her and let her fall to the ground.

Silence filled the ruined area.

Four high demon nobles lay broken and lifeless across the shattered ground.

Garion glanced once more at the bodies scattered around him.

"Next time," he said to no one in particular, "don't assume strength disappears just because someone uses a technique."

He turned away and began walking, hands slipping back into his pockets.

Then he felt it.

Something strong was rushing toward his location.

Garion stopped.

He lifted his head slightly and smiled.

"…Oh?" he muttered. "That pressure is different."

The air itself seemed to tighten, as if the land was bracing.

The demonic mana in the distance did not explode outward.

It moved cleanly, directly, like a blade cutting through space.

Garion chuckled softly.

"So this must be him," he said. "The real ruler of Black Ash City."

Kravos.

Garion cracked his neck once and turned back toward the direction the presence was coming from.

He planted his feet and waited.

"Good timing," Garion said with a grin. "I was hoping someone worthwhile would show up."

His eyes sharpened.

"Let's see," he added calmly, "just how strong you really are."

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