CHAPTER 94: DUAL KNIGHTS OF THE MIRE

Then, another emerged beside it. Two of them. Their eyes glowed a dim, corrupted red.

The first one moved without warning. It lunged, its sword screaming through the air straight for Raito’s neck. Raito raised his dagger just in time, steel met steel with a violent shockwave that blasted dust into the air. The force sent him sliding backward across the ground.

Such brute strength...!

The armored figure didn’t pause, it dashed again, sword slashing at Raito’s eyes. He twisted and parried, sparks flashing. But before he could recover, a kick slammed into his stomach, sending him stumbling.

The second one came from behind, blade aimed for his neck. Raito spun and kicked hard, his boot connecting with the creature’s face. It staggered back, straightening itself like nothing had happened.

"So there are two of you," Raito muttered, raising his blade. "Two versus one, huh? Let’s see how this plays out."

One of them spoke, its voice deep, distorted, but disturbingly human.

"What are you doing here? How have you survived this long?"

Raito’s eyes narrowed. "You can speak too? Just like the others... interesting."

"Answer me, human," the knight snarled. "You should’ve died the moment you stepped in here. What is it you possess that others don’t? All humans are weak. All are the same. Except those who’ve taken we have taken their form... and the Boss."

Raito smirked. "The Boss, huh? Tell me, who is it? I’d like to meet him."

The creature’s eyes flared crimson. "Shut up... and die!"

It charged, sword gleaming with dark energy.

Raito dashed forward too, dagger raised, aura flaring.

The two knights advanced, their armor grinding like shifting stone. One halted, its blade lowering just slightly, then the other lunged forward, slashing at Raito’s throat with monstrous speed.

Raito’s eyes sharpened. Fast.

He raised his dagger just in time, clang! Sparks burst into the dark hall, dancing off the cold metal. He deflected another strike, then another. Each hit was heavy, too heavy, forcing him backward with every clash. The air cracked with the sound of steel. The pressure was suffocating, but Raito’s breathing remained steady. Calm. Calculated.

He parried a diagonal cut, spun his wrist, and countered with a kick that barely staggered the knight. Then the other came in from his left, twin blades, one high, one low. Raito blocked both, but the sheer impact sent pain shooting through his arms.

"Tch... they’re strong," he muttered under his breath, landing lightly and resetting his stance. His dagger trembled slightly from the force.

He exhaled. Then, in his vision,

[System Notification]

Skill Activation: Strength Enhancement +100%

LP Cost: 127

He didn’t hesitate. "Activate."

A surge of power detonated inside him. Purple light burst across his body like lightning veins crawling beneath his skin. The ground cracked under his feet. The knights froze for a moment, feeling the mana density spike in the air.

Raito lifted his gaze, now glowing faintly violet. "Let’s try that again."

They charged. One swung from above, the other from the side. Raito moved like a blur. His dagger met the first blade midair, CRASH! The shockwave shattered a section of the marble floor. Before the second could connect, Raito twisted, dragging his dagger along the knight’s armor, sparks slicing through the dim light like a comet tail.

The second knight barely had time to react before Raito vanished, reappearing behind him, dagger already drawn back. The blade gleamed with purple fire.

SHUNK!

The knight staggered as Raito’s dagger plunged deep into its back, then exploded in a flash of mana. The monster crashed to the floor, armor splitting apart as black mist leaked from the seams.

The other knight turned, rage echoing through its empty helm. "You... shouldn’t be standing!"

Raito wiped the blood, or whatever passed for it, from his cheek and smiled coldly. "I’ve heard that before."

The knight’s sword came down like a hammer. Raito met it head on. The impact sent shockwaves up the walls, breaking torches and scattering dust. For a brief moment, the two were locked, Raito’s dagger against the knight’s blade, mana flaring between them like fire caught in a storm.

Then Raito pushed back.

Purple flames flared from his body, and the knight was hurled away like a cannonball, smashing through one of the stone pillars.

The System window flickered again.

[Enemy Status: Critical]

[Bonus LP Acquired: +50]

He gripped his dagger tighter, the aura coiling around it like smoke. "Come. Let’s see who disappears first."

The knight roared, and the two clashed again, their blades lighting up the ruined hall like lightning splitting the dark.

Raito smirked faintly, his dagger still humming with purple light.

"Now, let’s see how this plays out," he muttered.

Then a notification flickered before his eyes,

[Analysis Bonus: Memory Fragment – Mirror Theory]

He raised an eyebrow. "Mirror Theory... So that’s it," he said quietly. "Using a mirror to show them their own reflection... if I put a mirror in front of a Mireborn, they’ll see their actual form. That’s the only way they can truly be defeated."

Raito’s smirk widened as he looked at the two armored figures before him. "But that doesn’t apply to you two, right?"

Both of the Mireborn generals froze. One of them tightened its grip on the sword. "What... How do you know that?"

"Well, let’s just say..." Raito’s tone sharpened. "...I pay attention."

He lowered his stance, purple energy wrapping around him like living shadows. "But don’t worry. You’ll understand soon enough."

The knight’s armor creaked as rage filled its hollow voice.

"You insolent human... We’ve been holding back this entire time. You’ll regret mocking us!"

"Then stop talking," Raito snapped. "Show me."

The air vibrated with killing intent. Both knights stepped forward, their black mana crackling like lightning.

"You think you’re clever," one hissed. "But do you know what kind of general this body belonged to?"

Raito’s brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Then the ground froze beneath his feet. A wave of frost surged outward from the knight’s boots, coating the floor in seconds.