Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 262: When Hope is Lost.

The demon roared as Cain's blade sliced across its joint, black ichor spraying in an arc. It retaliated with a backhand that Cain narrowly avoided.

"Its movements are slowing!" Cain shouted, confidence evident in his voice.

Abel followed up with a shield bash that actually staggered the creature. "We've got this!"

Theodore didn't share their optimism, but he pressed the advantage nonetheless. His sword glowed with Jasmine's enhancement buffs as he drove it into the demon's side.

The creature hissed, black smoke pouring from its wound. It staggered back, seemingly disoriented by the coordinated assault.

"Maintain pressure!" Theodore ordered. "Don't give it room to recover!"

The warriors charged forward, emboldened by their apparent success. Blades slashed from multiple angles. Weapons crashed against the demon's tough hide. Each hit seemed to weaken it further.

Jasmine worked tirelessly near the rear, her hands glowing with healing energy. Whenever a fighter took damage, they'd fall back for quick healing before rejoining the fray. Her face shone with sweat, the constant casting draining her reserves, but determination kept her going.

"We're really doing it," she whispered to herself, watching as the team executed manoeuvres they'd practised for the past few days. "We're actually pushing a demon back."

Lupin fought like a silver storm, his massive jaws snapping at the demon's limbs. The wolf moved with fluid grace, dodging counterattacks that would have crushed him, then darting in to tear at exposed flesh. Black ichor matted his fur, but he showed no signs of slowing.

Hope began to spread through the ranks. Smiles flashed between fighters as they rotated through their assault patterns. The archers' shots grew more precise as confidence replaced fear.

Even Theodore, who was the most cautious of them all, felt a surge of pride. They were facing a demon.

A being of their worst nightmare, and holding their own.

His gaze flicked to Abel and Cain, who fought with perfect coordination, covering each other's blind spots instinctively.

"Press harder!" he called out. "It's weakening!"

The demon stumbled back from a particularly vicious combination attack, dropping to one knee. Its breathing came in ragged gasps, ichor leaking from a dozen wounds.

"We've got it now!" Cain shouted, rushing forward for what might be a killing blow.

But Arthur knew better. His smile widened slightly as he watched the demon's act.

"Now," he whispered. "Show them true despair."

As if hearing his command, the demon's head snapped up. Its eyes, previously burning with mundane crimson fire, now blazed with blinding black. The ground beneath it cracked as waves of dark energy pulsed outward.

The demon rose slowly, its posture changing. Where before it had fought with savage brutality, now it stood perfectly straight, almost regal in its bearing. The wounds covering its body began to close.

Its damaged joints regenerated. The torn flesh knitted together in front of their eyes.

And then came the aura.

Pressure crashed down on the clearing like an invisible tidal wave. The weaker fighters lost their composure instantly, gasping for breath. Even Theodore struggled to breathe normally as the oppressive force pressed down on him.

"What's happening?" Abel shouted, his voice strained.

The demon's form began to change. Its muscles expanded, tearing through its obsidian skin before that skin regrew, stronger and more heavily armored.

Arthur watching, smiled.

"Demonic Descent," he murmured, naming the transformation.

Theodore's eyes widened in horror as he felt the creature's power skyrocket. This wasn't a wounded enemy on the verge of defeat. This was a predator that had been toying with them.

"Everyone fall back!" he shouted, his voice cracking with urgency. "Retreat! Now!"

The fighters scrambled backward, disciplined enough to follow orders despite their confusion. The archers loosed covering fire, but their arrows now disintegrated before even touching the demon's skin.

"Regroup at the tree line!" Theodore ordered, backing away while keeping his shield raised. "Jasmine, area healing!"

Jasmine nodded, dropping to one knee as she poured her remaining mana into a wide-radius healing spell. Golden light expanded in a circle around her, washing over the battered fighters. Wounds closed, fatigue lifted, and strength returned to their tired limbs.

Everyone watched with mounting anxiety as the demon's transformation continued. Lupin stood at the front line, hackles raised, refusing to retreat despite the oppressive aura.

The demon's eyes finally opened—now pools of fire. The demon flexed its newly enhanced limbs.

And then it vanished.

Not just moving quickly—completely disappeared.

"Where—" Theodore began.

A thunderous crack split the air as the demon materialized directly in front of Lupin. Its clawed hand shot out, closing around the wolf's throat in an iron grip.

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Lupin snarled, jaws snapping futilely. With a contemptuous gesture, the demon slammed him into the ground with bone-shattering force.

The impact created a crater six feet across. Dirt and rocks exploded outward as Lupin's body remained at the center, his silver fur staining crimson.

A heart-wrenching howl of pain tore from the wolf's throat.

'Sorry buddy. You won't have to deal with it anymore.' Arthur sent Lupin a telepathic message.

'Now, let's see what they do.'

"LUPIN!"

Jasmine screamed, starting forward, but Theodore caught her arm.

"No! Stay back!"

"But Lupin—"

"Will die for nothing if you rush in!" Theodore's eyes betrayed his fear despite his harsh tone. "Group up! Now!"

The shock of seeing their

guardian dispatched so easily galvanized the team. They quickly formed a tight defensive circle, their weapons pointed outward although they knew it wouldn't do much.

"He's too fast," Theodore said, steadying his voice. "Stay close, or he'll finish us one by one."

The demon rose from the crater, leaving Lupin's body behind. It tilted its head, studying them with something like amusement.

It took a step forward. The ground blackened beneath its foot.

As its foot was about to land on the floor once again, the demon... vanished. A ripple in the air was the only indication it had moved at all.

"Shields up!" Theodore roared, pivoting to cover their vulnerable points.

The tanks responded instantly, raising their shields in a protective ring as they braced for impact.