Demon Evolution System

Chapter 18

Ryan’s foot slammed into the floor, cracking tiles as he launched forward, sword slashing horizontally with terrifying speed. The blade screamed through the air, aimed straight for Miles’ torso.

It was too fast.

Anyone else would have been split in two.

Miles twisted his body at the last moment, the blade grazing past his clothes, slicing fabric but missing flesh by a hair’s breadth. The force of the swing alone sent a violent gust crashing into the wall behind him.

Ryan didn’t stop.

He pivoted smoothly, chaining his attack into an upward slash, then a downward cleave, then a thrust aimed directly at Miles’ heart.

Miles moved sideways as the blade cleaved past his neck, slicing a deep groove into the wall behind him.

Ryan growled, shocked that he missed but that didn't stop him from making another attempt. Instantly, spinning into a brutal backhand slash aimed at Miles’ ribs.

The room echoed with the sound of violent impacts as Miles dodged again and again—sometimes by inches, sometimes by instinct—his movements sharp, precise, almost unnatural.

Ryan grinned. “There you go!” he barked. “Run!”

Miles’ back hit the wall. He had been too focused dodging Ryan’s menacing attacks and didn't realise that he was being pushed against the wall.

Ryan’s eyes lit up as he cornered miles. “Got you.” he roared, swinging his legs for a kick.

Miles instantly raised his guard and blocked with his forearm.

The impact detonated. Pain exploded up his arm as he was thrown sideways, crashing through a table that splintered into fragments.

Before Miles could recollect himself, Ryan was already there.

He brought his knee up viciously, smashing it into Miles’ chest before he could recover.

BOOM.

Miles flew backward and slammed into the wall hard enough to crack concrete.

For a brief moment—

Ryan grinned.

“There,” he panted. “That’s more like it.” He rushed forward again, sword flashing in a relentless barrage. Slashes came from every angle—high, low, diagonal, thrusts aimed at vital points.

Miles dodged.

Blocked.

Redirected.

But this time, it wasn’t effortless.

Each impact rattled his bones. Each near-miss shaved fabric, skin, breath.

Ryan wasn't fast but he was undoubtedly stronger than Cole and more experienced than Lena. This was his advantage against Miles who was just recently awakened.

And unlike them, Ryan fought to kill.

Miles misjudged one strike causing Ryan’s blade to cut across his shoulder.

Blood sprayed.

Ryan laughed loudly. “I got you!”

He pressed harder.

Miles felt himself being pushed—step by step—forced back under the storm of steel and raw power. Ryan’s aura intensified, crushing down, trying to overwhelm him through sheer force.

Ryan slammed his elbow into Miles’ face.

Then another punch.

Ryan shouted triumphantly. “You’re not special! You’re just another body waiting to drop!”

He grabbed Miles by the collar and drove his fist into Miles’ stomach.

Miles coughed, blood dripping from his lips.

Ryan raised his sword overhead.

“I should’ve cut you down in the rift.”

His sword came down in a crushing overhead strike.

BOOM.

The impact sent shockwaves through the room.

Dust and debris filled the room as concrete shattered under the blow.

Ryan laughed loudly, confident. “That’s what happens when—”

His voice cut off.

Through the dust, a hand shot out.

Miles had grabbed the blade, barehanded with his hands coated with dark crimson red energy.

The steel screeched as Ryan tried to pull it free, but it wouldn’t budge. his eyes widened in shock

“What—?!” he muttered in disbelief.

Miles stepped forward through the dust cloud, fingers tightening around the sword.

Crack.

The blade fractured.

The upper half clattered to the ground uselessly.

Ryan staggered back in disbelief. “Impossible…”

Miles didn’t give him time to recover. He lunged forward and his fist slammed into Ryan’s ribs.

The impact sounded like a sledgehammer striking metal.

Ryan flew backward, smashing into a table that collapsed under his weight. He coughed violently, blood spraying from his mouth as pain exploded through his side.

“That was your mistake,” Miles said calmly. “You assumed I was still human.”

He stepped forward.

Still, Ryan forced himself up.

“You think… this is enough?” he snarled, wiping blood from his lips.

Mana surged violently around him.

His muscles expanded further, veins bulging grotesquely as he activated everything he had left.

“I’ll kill you!”

Ryan charged again, abandoning technique in favor of raw power. His broken sword became a blunt weapon as he swung wildly, each strike strong enough to shatter bone.

Miles blocked one blow with his forearm.

The impact drove his feet several inches into the floor.

For the first time, Miles felt pressure.

Ryan seized the moment.

He drove his knee upward, slamming it into Miles’ abdomen, then followed with a headbutt that cracked against Miles’ forehead.

Miles stumbled back a step.

Ryan laughed hysterically. “There! That’s it! You bleed just like everyone else!”

He grabbed Miles by the collar and smashed his fist into Miles’ face.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The room shook with every blow.

Ryan was breathing hard now, sweat pouring down his face—but his eyes burned with triumph. “Where’s that confidence now?” he roared. “Where’s your superiority?!”

Miles slowly raised his head. With blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

And he smiled.

“Is that all?” Miles asked quietly, rage- baiting Ryan

Ryan froze, this time out of fear as he could see that the scars and bruises of miles face were rapidly healing

Before he could react—

Miles’ hand shot up and clamped around Ryan’s wrist.

Ryan tried to pull away but couldn’t no matter how desperately he tried.

Miles’ grip tightened.

Crunch.

Ryan screamed as the bones in his wrist shattered.

Miles stepped in close.

“You were strong,” Miles admitted calmly. “For someone who’s never been to hell.” he added before he drove his knee into Ryan’s stomach with devastating force.

Ryan doubled over, gasping for air as he spitted out a mouthful of blood.

Miles grabbed his head and slammed it into the wall.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The wall cracked.

Ryan collapsed to the floor, twitching.

Miles wasn’t done.

He lifted Ryan by the hair and threw him across the room like trash. Ryan slammed into the far wall and slid down, leaving a smear of blood behind.

Miles approached slowly.

Each step echoed.

Ryan tried to crawl away, terror finally breaking through his arrogance.

“W-wait…” Ryan gasped. “Miles… we can talk—”

“Oh yes we should have a nice chat. That last time I recall that you said that you didn't have time to chat because you were busy trying to escape death while using me as bait.”

Miles grabbed Ryan’s leg.

Snap.

Ryan screamed as the bone shattered.

Then another.

And another.

“ How is that working out for you, Ryan.? ….. Tell me now you suddenly have time for a chat.” Miles said

Miles broke him methodically, mercilessly—each strike precise, controlled, deliberate.

Not rage but Judgment.

Finally, Miles released him.

Ryan lay broken on the floor, sobbing, barely conscious.

Miles lifted him by the throat.

“You left me to die,” Miles said softly. “You used me as bait.”

Ryan clawed at Miles’ hand, eyes bulging, choking.

“I begged,” Miles continued. “And you walked away.”

Miles threw him to the floor.

Ryan lay broken, sobbing, reduced to a trembling wreck.

“Please…” Ryan whispered.

Miles stood.

“You were never strong,” he said. “Just loud.”