LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 22: End of the battle
Lin Cheng retreated slowly, gradually moving closer to the traps he had set beforehand. He remembered their locations clearly without needing to look back, so there was no need to worry about losing his balance and falling into them.
Just like the previous Swamp Demon, Akaza could regenerate infinitely, but his recovery speed was notably superior. Even if Lin Cheng managed to significantly wear down his opponent, he could only slow Akaza's regeneration by one or two seconds at best.
However, that slight delay was crucial for Lin Cheng. Draining Akaza's energy, slowing his regeneration, and using traps to limit his movements were necessary steps to execute his escape plan.
Yes, Lin Cheng had decided to flee.
Even though he had reached a higher level of combat, surpassing Akaza in both technique and strength, he lacked a Nichirin sword capable of killing a demon.
Prolonging the fight until dawn was not a viable option, as Akaza, being the Upper Rank Three, was not comparable to a lesser demon. And Lin Cheng, despite having unlocked 15% of the power of Yujiro Hanma's template, could not maintain the pace indefinitely.
Lin Cheng's purpose now was to wear Akaza down, guide him toward the traps, and buy enough time to safely escape.
A thunderous sound snapped Lin Cheng out of his thoughts. It was Akaza's fist, cutting through the air with brutal force. Once again, the two clashed in a fierce exchange of blows.
...
An hour had passed, and the duel remained without a clear winner.
Although Lin Cheng managed to block Akaza's attacks time and again, even wounding him severely, the demon regenerated quickly, returning to an unscathed state within seconds.
"Do you see, Lin Cheng? This is the power of demons. We are not bound by the limits of life. You've struck my vital points several times, and yet, here I am, unscathed."
Akaza smiled as he popped his dislocated shoulder back into place with a dry crunch.
"You can't kill me, Lin Cheng! Become a demon!"
Lin Cheng, ignoring Akaza's words, murmured to himself.
"It's been over a minute. It's time."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Suddenly, Lin Cheng launched himself at Akaza like a projectile. His body, radiating heat, resembled an avalanche of unleashed lava. Akaza barely had time to react before Lin Cheng's fist crashed into his chest.
The impact echoed like thunder. Akaza's chest caved in, nearly all his ribs breaking and piercing through his skin. Blood gushed out like a fountain. Lin Cheng didn't stop; a powerful kick shattered Akaza's kneecap, forcing him to the ground.
For any human, such injuries would have been fatal. But for Akaza, they were merely a temporary inconvenience. His regeneration began almost immediately.
"It's useless. Lin Cheng, how many times do I have to tell you that you can't kill me?" Akaza shouted with a mixture of anger and satisfaction.
However, before he could continue, he realized that Lin Cheng was no longer in front of him. He looked confusedly in the opposite direction and saw Lin Cheng walking away towards the dojo. The demon pattern on Lin Cheng's back seemed to mock him.
"This guy... ran away!" Akaza exclaimed, incredulous.
He had barely finished processing it when, blinded by rage, he took a step forward, falling straight into one of the traps. His body was pierced by countless stakes, forcing him to stop while his regeneration did its work.
"LIN CHENG!" Akaza roared from the trap, his voice resonating with fury.
Several minutes passed before he managed to free himself. When he finally broke into the dojo, he found that it was completely empty. Lin Cheng had already escaped, taking Mitsuri Kanroji with him. Akaza had no idea where they had fled.
......................
Several kilometers away, Lin Cheng arrived at a safe cabin with Mitsuri in his arms.
He looked warily out the window, making sure there were no signs of Akaza nearby.
The sky, once dark, began to tint itself with blue. Gradually, lighter hues spread like ribbons of jade, illuminating the east with their splendor. Finally, dawn had arrived.