Healing System

"Begin!" the announcer shouted into his microphone as he backed away further and further from the two who were about to fight.

However, despite the fight having started, neither of them moved a muscle. They were simply staring at one another, both with glares of malice.

Michael decided to speak up, breaking the short moment of silence. "Do you think I won't kill you?"

His voice was not loud enough for either the announcer or the crowd to pick up. It was only meant to be heard by Jax—or other individuals who had mana cores. Though they would likely not step in, as, in the end, this was a tournament, and Jax had not done anything yet.

"Hmm... you would kill an innocent person? Would a so-called 'Saint' really do that?" Jax replied with a scoff. He knew exactly what he was doing, and that was holding Michael hostage by using himself.

'He was also hiding his strength... Are all demons at least Tier 2?' Michael thought with a frown. At first, it seemed like Jax was a mere Tier 1, similar to Chloe, but now that he had a good look at him, it was clear he was hiding his strength.

It was such a convenient ability to throw people off. He wished there was a bit of free time to learn it. However, with all that had been going on, that seemed impossible.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Nonetheless, he could not continue with the stalemate. The cheers had been decreasing with each passing second, and even the announcer was getting concerned.

Therefore, Michael decided to dash in, not using his full speed. There were a lot of problems with the current situation, ones that he would rather not have to deal with.

For example, if he killed the demon before him, what guaranteed there were no other demons present who could wipe out the remaining people?

It was a completely unwinnable situation. However, the fact that they had not killed anyone yet meant they wanted something.

Jax evaded his feeble attempt at an attack and proceeded to use his full strength to hit Michael on the jaw with his knee. However, just before his knee landed, the attack was completely parried with a last-moment shield, sending him sliding back a few meters.

It was the least Michael could do—at least make it look like he had the upper hand so no one would suspect anything.

But still, the problem of civilian hostages remained, and he could not do anything about it.

However, there was one person—or rather, one thing—that could: the system.

'Could you tell someone to begin evacuating the civilians?' he asked while throwing another weak attack right at Jax. He was as weak as the previous demon. They usually only proved to be an issue once they transformed, but if he did, Michael would kill him on the spot.

I could. However, what makes you think evacuating them would solve anything? Do you not understand that you and everyone here are surrounded? I already told you before—you can't save everyone.

'So you want me to let them die then? Is that your grand idea? Weren't you some paragon of righteousness?' Michael snapped back at the system while shooting a glare directly at Jax. He was the main culprit, after all.

I saved far more people than you can ever imagine, yet even I was unable to save everyone. You should get that childish ideal out of your mind. Therefore, look, I'll show you what the result of denial would do. Who do you want me to inform?

Michael took a deep breath and sent a glare at Jax. 'Amanda, Rebecca if you can, and might as well tell Kevin and the rest of my group about it too.'

Can't reach Amanda or Rebecca. I can tell the others, though.

Upon hearing those words, he was immediately startled. 'The fuck? Where are they?'

Not anywhere near, from what I can feel. Amanda is either in the lower part of the city or not even inside its boundaries. Same for Rebecca. Both of them have been gone ever since you left the underground.

'...Do you think something happened to them?' he asked with a small frown. If the two of them were not here, then his chances of winning were really slim to none.

I did tell you this would be hopeless. But anyways, I will tell Kevin and the rest. Good luck.

As the system said that, the quiet once again returned. Jax was merely staring at him with a mocking grin, as if he had already won.

But until then, Michael had to buy some time. "Say, what exactly is your plan here?"

"My plan? Care to take a guess?" Jax replied teasingly, letting out a bit of his demonic mana to showcase his intentions.

However, Michael remained unamused as he noticed Kevin stand up and begin using his shadows all around the arena. Meanwhile, Chloe used her spatial magic to teleport around, seemingly unnoticed by others.

Lastly, Elizabeth proceeded to simply use her strength and speed to escort the civilians.

"Don't you think that's a little bland?" Michael asked while sending a relatively fast Sword of Light at him. However, Jax didn't reply.

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He was curious why all demons sought destruction. '...Aren't there any good demons?'

As he thought that, Astraea popped up in his mind again. It was no time to be thinking about her, even if she was the only supposed good demon he knew.

However, as he was staring at Kevin, he suddenly noticed something off: his pace had slowed down quite a lot. The same went for Chloe and Elizabeth too; they both looked much slower than before.

'How are they tired already? It has only been a few minutes...' Michael felt a bit disappointed in them. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed a few people following after them, even clashing from time to time.

It was great that no civilians were harmed, but their strength had taken quite a nosedive because of the added action.

But just as he turned back around to face Jax, he noticed a massive, unnatural frown plastered all over his face.

That, added to the fact that Jax was also staring in the direction of where Kevin was currently roaming through, was not the greatest.

Immediately, Michael could feel a bit of a disturbance right above him. Unlike last time, he was able to sense it and this time, perhaps even stop it.

There was a small purple dot forming in the air, increasing in size with each pulse, seemingly sucking the mana out of the surroundings and fueling itself, similarly to how his Divine Judgement Skill worked.

As that thought finished, however, he immediately got an idea.

Michael sent out his Swords of Light at maximum casting speed, completely catching Jax off guard and completely shattering his core. Despite the other demon taking a while to die, Jax's body began fading nearly instantly.

Gasps resounded all across the arena because no one expected the Saint to kill an innocent person. However, if not for him, they would all already be dead.

But that was only the start of the problem.

Michael quickly flew up to where the purple blob was forming. Since it no longer had anyone to control it, it would continue expanding endlessly.

That was, unless he used his inner mana to complete the spell. If it was that weak, he could definitely do something about it. Only then could he finally focus his attention on the other possible demons in the crowd.

However, as he neared the purple blob and enthusiastically began imbuing his inner mana, he felt a rejection—one where his mana traveled inwards but never reached the destination. Instead, it was almost like it was being dissolved.

He kept trying over and over again, until finally, he noticed his efforts had all been going in vain. None of the mana was connecting.

'What the fuck is the problem?' Michael let out a frustrated breath and began attempting to destroy the purple blob with all of his skills, but yet again, he failed.

The demonic mana was too strong, and it felt like all his swords were doing was fueling the flame instead of extinguishing it.

You see? One wrong move, and now there is nothing you can do.

'Why is it not working?'

Isn't it obvious? Demonic mana and normal mana don't mix, it worked last time because of the Sanctuary skill. Also, I did tell you this would happen, didn't I?

Michael stared at the ever-growing purple blob with a blank look on his face before turning his gaze downwards, at the civilians and his friends who were still close by. Some even seemed to be affected by the purple blob, their bodies twisting and tangling unnaturally.

There was nothing he could do. He was out of ideas.

'...Fuck.'