The forest groaned under the pressure of the demon general's aura.
Dark energy spread through the trees like an invisible storm.
Even the ground beneath Ren's feet trembled.
Arlen tightened his grip on his sword.
"This is bad."
Ren remained calm.
But the shadows beneath him moved more aggressively now.
Shade stepped forward, placing himself between Ren and the demon general.
The massive shadow guardian raised his arms, ready for battle.
Across the clearing, the demon general observed them quietly.
His expression remained calm.
Almost curious.
"So this is the power humans fear."
He looked at Shade.
"Interesting construction."
Then his red eyes returned to Ren.
"But I wonder…"
His voice lowered.
"…how strong the master truly is."
Without warning—
He disappeared.
Arlen's eyes widened.
"Fast!"
The demon general appeared directly in front of Shade.
His fist shot forward like a cannon.
BOOM.
The punch struck Shade's chest.
The giant shadow was pushed backward several meters.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Shade growled.
"Powerful…"
The demon general didn't stop.
His second strike came instantly.
Shade blocked with both arms.
But the force of the blow shattered part of his shadow armor.
Dark energy burst outward like smoke.
Ren watched carefully.
The demon general was unbelievably fast.
And far stronger than the commander.
Arlen rushed forward.
His sword flashed with silver light.
SLASH.
The blade cut toward the demon's neck.
The general reacted instantly.
CLANG.
He caught the blade with his bare hand.
Arlen's eyes widened.
"Impossible."
The demon general looked at the sword calmly.
Then he twisted his wrist.
Arlen was thrown backward through the air.
He rolled across the ground before stopping.
"That guy is ridiculous."
The demon general turned back toward Ren.
"Your companions are brave."
He took a slow step forward.
"But they are irrelevant."
Before he could move again—
The ground beneath him exploded.
Shadow spikes shot upward.
The demon general jumped back instantly.
More shadows followed him.
Chains.
Blades.
Tendrils.
The entire forest floor turned into a battlefield of darkness.
The demon general dodged several attacks.
But one shadow chain wrapped around his arm.
Another grabbed his leg.
The shadows tightened.
Ren raised his hand slowly.
"Restrain."
The chains pulled harder.
The demon general's body was forced downward.
For a moment—
He was actually held in place.
Arlen stared in disbelief.
"You got him."
But the demon general smiled.
"Not bad."
His muscles tensed.
Dark energy surged across his body.
CRACK.
One chain shattered.
Then another.
The remaining restraints exploded into fragments of shadow.
The demon general stepped forward again.
"This power is impressive."
He pointed toward Ren.
"But it is still incomplete."
Before Ren could respond—
The general appeared in front of him.
His speed was terrifying.
Shade moved instantly.
The giant shadow swung his massive arm.
The demon general blocked it easily.
Then he countered.
His fist struck Shade's shoulder.
BOOM.
The giant shadow was knocked sideways.
For the first time since the battle began—
Shade lost balance.
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
The demon general looked down at him.
"You have potential."
His voice was calm again.
"Great potential."
Arlen stood up in the distance.
He wiped blood from his lip.
"Hey."
He pointed his sword again.
"If you're done talking…"
The demon general glanced at him briefly.
"…then come finish the fight."
For a moment—
The demon general said nothing.
Then he laughed quietly.
"You humans are entertaining."
His aura expanded again.
Even stronger than before.
The forest bent under the pressure.
Ren stepped forward.
The shadows around him deepened.
Behind him—
Shade slowly stood up again.
Both sides prepared for the next clash.
Because the real battle between the Shadow King and the Demon General had only just begun.