CHAPTER 296: ZERETH KAINE, DEMON THAT APPEARS IN THE FUTURE.

He wasn’t a mindless demon.

He was human and at least, he looked like one.

A man with pale silver hair that reached his shoulders.

His skin was faintly gray, marked with thin black veins that pulsed with energy. He wore tattered armor, engraved with runes that shimmered like fire.

A sword hung loosely in his right hand.

"I am Zereth Kaine," he said. "Rank B Demon of the Abyssal Legion. Keeper of the Shard Balance."

Even Kael froze for a moment. He had read that name before.

In the novel’s future Chapters — a powerful demon general who was supposed to appear two years later, during the War of the Third Seal.

(He shouldn’t be here yet,) Kael thought. (The timeline... it’s breaking apart.)

(if he is Zereth that means i have stolen his skill form that ruins)

Zereth’s crimson gaze moved from Kael to the rest. "One of you carries what does not belong to your kind. Return the shard," he said slowly.

No one moved.

Edwin took a step forward, cracking his neck. "Who cares what you are? You’re standing on human ground — that’s all I need to know."

Zereth’s lips curved into a faint smile. "So be it."

In the next instant, he vanished.

A boom exploded through the valley as a shockwave hit them like a storm. Dust and broken stone flew everywhere.

"Move!" Kael shouted, pulling Cecelia back just before a crimson blade sliced the air where she had stood.

Edwin’s instincts kicked in.

He swung his sword upward just in time to parry the second strike — sparks erupted like lightning between their blades.

Zereth’s strength was overwhelming. Each swing of his sword sent tremors through the ground.

The force behind it wasn’t just physical — it carried mana so dense that even blocking it burned Edwin’s hands.

"Damn it—!" Edwin gritted his teeth, pushing back. "He’s fast!"

Jin dashed in from the side, twin swords flashing. He aimed for Zereth’s blind spot, his movement precise and swift.

But Zereth didn’t even look.

With one hand, he raised his sword and parried both of Jin’s blades in a single motion, then kicked him back.

Jin slammed into a rock, coughing.

Elysia. "Back him up!" she shouted.

She raised her sword and unleashed a burst of radiant mana.

A silver wave shot forward, striking Zereth’s armor — but he merely tilted his head as the light washed over him.

His voice was low. "Light... How nostalgic."

He turned, his eyes meeting Elysia’s. "But even holy light dims... in the Abyss."

Before she could react, he raised his left hand — black lightning erupted from his palm.

The ground split, and a bolt of red energy slammed into her.

"Elysia!" Jin shouted, leaping forward, deflecting part of the attack. He landed beside her, smoke curling from his burned arm.

She groaned but stood back up, gripping her sword. "I’m fine... keep fighting!"

Cecelia’s hands glowed faint blue. "Sanctum Heal!"

Light enveloped Jin and Edwin, mending their wounds just enough for them to stand.

Edwin charged again, roaring.

"Take this!"

He swung — and Zereth raised his black blade.

The collision released a deafening shockwave. Rocks shattered, the ground split open, and dust spiraled into a storm.

For a second, Edwin thought he’d matched him.

Then came the counter.

Zereth twisted his wrist slightly — the black blade curved unnaturally, breaking Edwin’s guard.

A backhand slash followed, striking his armor.

Blood splattered.

Edwin was sent flying, crashing into the stone wall.

"Edwin!" Cecelia screamed, running toward him. She knelt, pressing her glowing hands to his chest.

"Stay with me—please!"

Zereth watched silently. "Bravery without strength is meaningless," he said, voice calm as if stating a fact.

Jin lunged again, slashing rapidly — twin arcs of steel moving faster than the eye could follow.

For a moment, it seemed he had the upper hand. Sparks danced between them, blades clashing with blinding speed.

But Zereth’s movements were like a dance — fluid, elegant, deadly.

Every strike Jin made, Zereth blocked effortlessly.

And then, with a flicker of crimson mana, Zereth vanished — appearing behind Jin.

Before Jin could turn, a black blade pierced his shoulder.

"Argh—!" Jin shouted, twisting to avoid a fatal blow. He fell to one knee, gripping his bleeding arm.

Elysia’s eyes widened. "Enough!"

She drew the sigil of purification in the air, chanting through gritted teeth. "By the grace of sanctity—burn the shadows!"

A massive pillar of light descended upon Zereth, engulfing him in divine fire. The ground quaked under the force.

Everyone shielded their eyes.

But when the light faded, Zereth still stood.

Smoke rose from his armor. "Impressive," he said quietly. "But incomplete."

He raised his hand again — his blade dissolved into mist and reformed as a crimson spear.

Kael’s eyes widened. (That’s Abyssal Weapon Forming... no demon below rank A should be able to do that!)

Zereth pointed the spear toward them. "You have spirit. But spirit alone cannot defy the Abyss."

Before anyone could move, the spear flashed forward — a beam of blood-red energy shooting toward Cecelia.

Kael moved instantly.

He stepped in front of her, slamming his palm down. The red crystal in his chest flared — a translucent barrier formed, absorbing the blast.

The shock rattled his bones. His vision blurred, but he stayed standing.

Zereth’s eyes shifted. "Ah... so you are the one."

Kael’s breath hitched.

"The shard’s..." Zereth’s smile widened faintly. "You carry it within.... how curious."

Kael’s hand went to his chest instinctively, the shard pulsing beneath his skin.

"Kael," Elysia said sharply, "don’t use that power again—your body won’t hold!"

He ignored her.

"Jin, Edwin — flank him!" Kael shouted.

Jin gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. "Right!"

Edwin, barely standing, raised his sword again. "I’m not done yet!"

Together, they charged.

Zereth met them head-on. His spear spun in a deadly rhythm, deflecting both their strikes effortlessly.

Jin went for the legs; Edwin aimed high — but Zereth anticipated them, stepping back just enough to evade both.

His counterattack was merciless — a sweeping blow that sent Jin tumbling, followed by a downward slash that shattered Edwin’s sword in half.

The sound echoed like thunder.

Edwin fell to his knees, gasping. "No way..."

Zereth raised his spear, its tip glowing red. "Fall, mortal."

Before he could strike, a silver blade intercepted.

Elysia blocked the spear with everything she had. The impact forced her back several steps, boots scraping against stone.

Her hands shook, blood trickling from her palms. But she didn’t let go.

"Not... happening," she said through clenched teeth.

Zereth tilted his head, almost amused. "You fight well. A shame you side with him."

Her eyes narrowed. "He’s one of us."

Zereth’s grin widened. "One of you? You still believe that?"

He glanced at Kael — at the shard pulsing faintly through his torn shirt.

"You don’t even see what’s in front of you."

Kael lunged forward before Zereth could continue. His sword glowed faint red as he slashed — not with finesse, but with raw force.

Zereth caught the blade barehanded.

The metal hissed as crimson energy devoured its edge.

Kael’s eyes flared red for a moment. "You talk too much."

He drove his knee into Zereth’s chest and unleashed a shockwave of mana point-blank.

The explosion threw both of them backward.

Zereth slid across the ground, finally showing a hint of pain. He looked up, surprised — and then smiled again, this time with genuine interest.

"Ah... yes. That power. The Abyss welcomes its child."

Kael’s breathing was ragged, his sword trembling in his hands. The shard’s glow faded, leaving a faint trail of smoke.

Elysia stared at him — at the aura that had briefly surrounded him. It wasn’t human. Not entirely.

But she said nothing.

Instead, she raised her sword beside him. "We finish this together."

Kael nodded once.

Zereth straightened, gripping his spear. "Then show me what you are capable of."

The ground cracked beneath them as the final clash began.

Elysia and Kael attacked in perfect sync — Kael’s blade coated in red energy, Elysia’s wrapped in silver light.

Their strikes crossed, creating waves of mixed light and shadow.

Jin appeared behind Zereth again, his blades slashing in rapid arcs, forcing the demon to defend from all sides.

Edwin, using the last of his strength, picked up a fallen sword and charged again, roaring.

Cecelia stood at the center, summoning a massive healing circle that spread beneath everyone.

Light pulsed from her hands, restoring their wounds even as her mana drained away.

Zereth parried, blocked, and countered — but for the first time, his footing slipped.

Kael’s red aura surged, amplifying the others’ strength.

"Now!" Kael shouted.

Elysia leapt forward, thrusting her sword straight through the cracks in Zereth’s armor. Silver light exploded from the wound.

Zereth staggered, his crimson eyes flashing with fury. "You... dare—"

Kael followed, striking downward with everything he had. His blade sliced through the air, fueled by the shard’s unstable power.

The impact shattered Zereth’s spear and sent him crashing into the ruins.

A final blast of light and crimson fire engulfed the area.

When the smoke cleared, Zereth was kneeling — blood dripping from his mouth, his armor fractured.

He looked up, smiling faintly. "Not bad... for mortals."

Then his form began to fade, dissolving into red mist.

"But this is not the end. The seals have begun to break... and my master will awaken soon."