Monarch of Darkness

The two archers who were raining arrows on Evan streaked toward him like agile monkeys. There movement skill was good and they jumped from one branch to another as if they were running on ground. 

"Damn it! Core condensation realm experts", Evan cursed inside his mind. "These guys were at peak of Core condensation realm. Who is that bastard? So hellbent on killing me. Even going so far to dispatch a nascent soul realm warrior", Evan cursed at the man behind these assassins. He had never before cursed in his life. But at this point, he felt cursing is as spontaneous as flowing water used for releasing his frustation.

Evan ran with all his might. His front was free of obstacles as horned boars were nowhere to be seen. They were already fleeing everywhere after facing such a devastating attack. Other magical beasts didn't approach the fighting area because they could perceive fierce auras clashing in the sky.

Evan held an advantage because he had shadow ghost steps but he was running out of energy due to strain on his body. He was using the Shadow ghost steps constantly but he was only at Meridian opening realm. Although he had the ancient devil meridian which could gather darkness energy spontaneously, it couldn't match the consumption level of his movement technique. Evan could feel his rapidly depleting magical energy but he didn't stop. He dragged himself as much far as he could.

Despite the mad rush of Evan, he couldn't shake off the pursuing enemies. The two enemies who were quite agile, quickly closed on Evan. One of them jumped down and brought out a war axe which was hung on his waist. He rushed at Evan like a mad bull. Evan used the Ancient bloodsoul art to stir his blood and brought out the best potential out of his body. He shoot forward with a renewed vigour.

Although this technique brought out a momentary releif for him but it added more load to his body. Evan felt difficulty in breathing after some time. He felt like his body was at his absolute limit. The pursuing enemy who was wielding a battle axe closed on. The other enemy didn't follow him. He followed him through hopping along branches. His aim was clear. He was biding his time to lauch an arrow at proper time.

"Die brat", the battle axe wielding cultivator roared out. He reached near Evan and swung his axe vertically. The sharp edged of axe reached Evan at a breathtaking speed. Evan barely managed to save his neck. A deep wound appeared on his chest and blood started to drench his black robe.

Evan had barely any strength left to dodge another attack. Despair started to appear on his mind but suddenly a person moved toward them at the speed of wind. The axe wielding person had a vicious look on his face and he tried to struck at Evan with his axe again. But before he could attack again, he felt a chill on his back. "Fool, dodge quickly", a voice appeared from a distance but it was too late. A sword had already found its way through his neck. 

"You crafty bastard, I will skin you alive", a voice filled with rage came from sky. Evan saw the entire scene with his eyes. When he thought he would be dead, the masked man who was originally fighting in the sky moved like a shooting star and if he was riding wind, he appeared behind the axe wielding enemy and stabbed at his neck. Although it took a lot to describe, all of these happened within few seconds.

A crimson coloured slash came from the sky and from it's size Evan knew he was doomed. But the masked man didn't feel anything. He pulled out his sword from the neck of that axe wielding enemy and reached hand towards Evan. Evan could think anything he was already flying. The crimson coloured slash zoomed past them and collied with the ground. The ground at that place got scorched black as a result.

The masked man moved at incredible speed again and slashed at the other enemy who was wielding a bow and standing on a tree. A green coloured thin slash approached that enemy and he was dead before he could think. Evan found out the elemental affinities of both of the warriors who were at late Nascent soul realm. The masked man was proficient in using wind and the enemy old man was proficient in using fire.

It couldn't be said that the old man was weak than the masked man. But such was the wind attribute power which provided a greater advantage than other attributes when it came to speed. "Bastard, I dare you to remove your mask and show your face. If you think you can save that brat today, then you are utterly mistaken. I have already call for reinforcement. I will crush you myself when everyone will arrive", the oldman looked at the masked man hatefully.

"Like I will wait for you guys to come catch me", the masked man said icily. He was still holding Evan with his one hand. He started to move deeper toward the core area of forest. A flaming slash came blasting toward him and the masked man defended with long sword. "Wrath of Crimson lizard", the old man roared out and swung his sword. His sword lit up with crimson hue and crimson shashes came crashing down toward Evan and the masked man.

"Get away as soon as possible. Try to reach outskirt of forest quickly", the masked man swung his hand and a gust of wind took Evan to ground. Evan knew situation was getting out of hand. "Thanx for your kindness senior", Evan slightly bowed toward the masked man and ran toward the outskirt of forest. "Haha, kid, no one can save you today", the old man shouted without looking behind toward Evan. 

Evan didn't bother to answer. He knew he couldn't do anything to that old man. Without that masked man's help, he could have died today. That masked man told him to go toward the outskirts of forest but Evan had other planning. After leaving that fighting area, Evan ran randomly for a bit and after confirming that noone was around, he activated the teleportation ability of devil codex.