Dragonkin Demon, Magic Level 25.
Upon detecting the Magic level of the demon before her, Leanna’s heart slowly sank.
Level 25 — that was the highest level any mortal being could reach to enter Sand Fortress, and also the peak level for low-rank demons.
With one like this present, it was nearly impossible for humans to breach Sand Fortress.
To be honest, even after the trials in the Golden Dungeon, she had no confidence in being able to defeat such a demon.
The Dragonkin Demon wasted no words. After sensing the divine aura on these girls, it suddenly flashed before Leanna and swung a heavy fist at her.
Bang—!
Leanna, caught off guard, raised her Knight’s longsword to block, but the sword shattered under the blow.
The terrifying impact sent her flying backward, leaving several scars on her cheek.
Meilin tried to rush forward to assist, but the demon was faster. Its fist crashed into Meilin’s abdomen.
If not for Aelia’s timely Magic Shield protecting Meilin’s body, she would have been severely injured.
Sally’s arrows were casually crushed by the Dragonkin Demon, and Joina’s traps were destroyed just as easily.
Despite their best efforts, Leanna’s squad couldn’t even scratch the demon.
Its tail flicked slightly as the Dragonkin Demon looked down coldly at the girls.
“Is this all the magic you have?”
The “magic” it referred to was the Rose Knights’ flaw.
One month was simply too short a time. Even at their limit, they had only managed to enhance their physical fitness and improve team coordination.
Magic itself… there was no time to learn.
This led to their offensive methods being very one-dimensional and lacking any real threat.
Otherwise, the Dragonkin Demon would never have defeated Leanna’s squad so easily.
Raising its sharp claw, the Dragonkin Demon targeted Leanna.
However, just as it was about to strike again, Magical Chains descended from above, wrapping tightly around its arms.
Terrifying electric currents surged through the chains, striking the demon’s body.
At the same moment, a pale blue figure appeared behind the demon, followed by four more Rose Knights.
“Teresa?!”
Leanna’s eyes brightened upon recognizing the figure.
What stunned her even more came next.
The Dragonkin Demon violently tore off the chains and flashed before Teresa, intending to defeat her as it had the others.
But when its fist struck Teresa’s Magic Shield, ripples spread across the shield’s surface without breaking it.
“Attack from both sides!”
Teresa commanded, and her teammates quickly rushed the demon.
The members of Leanna’s squad exchanged glances and hurried to assist as well.
Under the coordinated assault of ten Rose Knights, even the Dragonkin Demon’s body became marked with new wounds.
After the blood stained the ground red, the demon fixed its gaze on Teresa.
It realized its greatest enemy was this magic-wielding Rose Knight.
Then, it did something no one expected.
Ignoring all incoming attacks aimed at it, the demon charged straight at Teresa.
Sharp claws engulfed in strange flames burnt through the Magical Chains binding it.
“Watch out!”
“Captain!”
Leanna pierced the demon’s abdomen with her magic longsword, but it didn’t slow the demon’s advance.
It reached Teresa and, to everyone’s horror, used its claws to tear the girl into three parts.
However, the shredded image of the girl suddenly shattered into a string of ice crystals, disappearing on the ground.
Ssshh—!
A second longsword struck from behind, piercing its heart.
“It’s over.”
The girl who should have been torn apart now stood behind the demon, her expression calm.
Blood dripped from the longsword onto the floor.
The Dragonkin Demon staggered forward two steps, then shrugged its shoulders and laughed uncontrollably.
At the same time, Abyssal Magic wildly wrapped around it.
“You driving me to this point should be something to be proud of!”
Its golden eyes turned blood red. The longsword lodged in its body was pushed out by swelling flesh as its wounds rapidly healed.
The demons wandering within the fortress were drawn by the surge of Abyssal Magic to its side.
Under the magical corruption, they transformed into thick pools of blood, completely enveloping the Dragonkin Demon.
After killing more than twenty demons, the blood cocoon dissipated, revealing its true form.
Its horns, body, and tail had all become thicker, and its Magic Level shot up to 30.
It had truly advanced from a low-rank demon into a mid-rank demon.
“Ha—”
A bloody stench escaped from its mouth and nose.
Now a mid-rank demon, it immediately charged Teresa and smashed her Magic Shield to pieces with a single punch.
“It’s time to end this.”
“Teresa!”
Sent flying by the heavy blow, Teresa crashed into nearby rubble.
Dust billowed up as everyone hurried over anxiously, but soon a clear, cold voice rang out from the dust.
“Leanna, take them and leave.”
Emerging from the dust, Teresa dusted off her dirt-stained dress and chose to face the Dragonkin Demon head-on.
“…What about you?”
“I’ll hold it back.”
She closed her eyes.
Immediately, a dense Divine Grace enveloped her entire body.
The scar on her forehead lit up with golden patterns, making her appearance almost goddess-like.
Her dress gradually shimmered with white light, and her pale blue hair floated as if blown by an invisible wind.
The overwhelming divine aura forced the Dragonkin Demon to retreat two steps, frowning deeply.
“I can’t maintain this form for long. Leanna, I’m counting on you.”
She glanced at her teammates. After giving the order, she drew her White Sword and charged at the Dragonkin Demon.
Even as a level 30 mid-rank demon, it could do little against Teresa in this form.
But the Dragonkin Demon knew this form couldn’t be sustained indefinitely.
All it had to do was stall.
Victory would be its.
Meanwhile, Leanna, who had witnessed this, fell into hesitation.
Should they retreat or stay?
She could see that even Teresa in this form couldn’t defeat the Dragonkin Demon.
Now, Teresa had bought them precious time to escape.
If they stayed, all her effort would be wasted, and Teresa would have died in vain.
But if they fled…
She pressed her hand to her chest.
It ached.
Just then, Pella, a member of Teresa’s squad, held her sword and slowly approached the fierce battle with three other teammates.
There was no fear on their faces.
“Pella?”
Leanna called out, and Pella turned with an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, Captain Leanna, but this time we might not be able to follow your orders.”
“We can’t leave our Captain behind.”