The nine beasts advanced.

  Distorted steps, like broken echoes in the crystal.

  Each movement made the ground tremble, each breath carried the metallic scent of **infernal mineral** — a rare metal capable of cutting diamonds as if they were paper.

  Souta dodged the first three strikes.

  Lateral.

  Vertical.

  Vertical.

  The spoon gleamed.

  **Dragon’s Dessert Spoon — Frozen Cut.**

  Two demons froze from the inside out, ice spreading like roots.

  Shards scattered through the air, chiming like broken bells.

  Another lunged with a punch.

  Souta raised his bare hand.

  The impact dragged his feet across the floor, leaving deep marks.

  He spun the beast with brutal force and hurled it against a group of four.

  **Instant Step.**

  A single movement.

  Five heads rolled, blood evaporating before touching the crystal.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  A conjurer raised his hands.

  **Dark Spell.**

  Black chains bound Souta’s arm, tightening like living serpents.

  Another seized the opening.

  A lateral strike with a staff.

  Souta was hurled against the wall.

  The crystal suffered no damage.

  He steadied himself, confused, his body heavy as lead.

  Creamy appeared, her voice sharp:

  — *You noticed the difference, didn’t you?*

  — *Gravity here is five hundred times heavier.*

  — *And it worsens with every step.*

  — *On top of that, you face demons.*

  — *Creatures that ignore gravity.*

  — *Rank S.*

  — *More fearsome than monsters.*

  Souta smiled, sweat dripping.

  — *Finally… a bit of challenge.*

  A demon charged.

  Speed equal to **Instant Step.**

  Souta clenched his fist.

  Both struck at the same time.

  Souta was dragged backward.

  The demon flew far, smashing against the crystal.

  His smile still shone.

  Like the moon in his night.

  He advanced.

  Intercepted the enemy.

  A kick.

  The body disintegrated against the ground, like bone dust.

  Souta landed in a pirouette.

  Descended safely, the heavy air vibrating around him.

  **Shadow Step.**

  **Dance of the Pulling Spoon.**

  Shadows rose beneath the feet of the remaining demons.

  They were sucked in, muffled screams echoing like drowned voices.

  Zoom.

  Souta lifted his head.

  — *Bon appétit.*