After the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon discovered the Illusion Node, it paused for one or two seconds, then let out a loud "wah-wah" scream and angrily jumped in place.
After sulking for a while, the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon began engaging in seemingly random actions intended to break free, such as destroying nodes or crashing around attempting to flee the illusion. But it was all to no avail; the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon eventually turned its fierce gaze towards Angel.
With another round of unintelligible "wah-ya" shouting, after several seconds, the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon seemed to gather its courage, tightened its grip on the flame spear, and charged at Angel viciously.
Its reckless behavior was just the beginning; when it got close to Angel, it changed its reckless style.
Cunning!
Seizing a moment when Angel was not paying attention, the flame spear was thrust into the ground, and sparks rose like a blanket of fire, obscuring Angel’s vision.
A loud shout echoed from above, and when Angel looked up, he saw the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon had leapt high into the air, swinging the spear to slash at his head.
With a light swipe, the flame spear from above was deflected. Yet, as Angel waved his hand to deflect the attack, a figure emerged from the cascade of sparks, the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon wielding its spear aimed straight at Angel’s chest.
The attack above and the thrust in the middle occurred almost simultaneously, forcing Angel to focus on the upper threat while ignoring the middle.
Just when the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon was about to succeed, a phantom limb of white tendrils blocked the spear in the middle, imbued with penetrating force, and instead pierced the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon’s chest.
But the phantom limb piercing didn’t bring forth any blood; both the specter in front and the figure above dissipated, turning into smoke.
As the fire smoke drew Angel’s attention, another sensation of threat emerged from behind.
The Flame-scaled Summoned Demon had somehow appeared behind Angel, sinisterly wielding the spear to stab at Angel’s back.
But the back was precisely where phantom limbs most easily grew; a new phantom limb quickly formed, blocking the attack from behind.
The Flame-scaled Summoned Demon let out a strange cry, concealing itself in the sparks, and then within half a second, three Flame-scaled Summoned Demons attacked simultaneously from behind the head, back, and lower limbs.
Two of the Flame-scaled Summoned Demons had dull eyes, but the one attacking the lower path had crafty, lively eyes.
Without hesitation, Angel grew several more phantom limbs, two targeting the dull-eyed Flame-scaled Summoned Demons, and all remaining limbs attacking the lower path’s Flame-scaled Summoned Demon.
The upper and middle Flame-scaled Summoned Demons vanished in flames from the attacks, whereas the lower Flame-scaled Summoned Demon swiftly evaded the phantom limb attack, using the recoil to strike at Angel’s back faster.
Angel instinctively turned sideways, dodging the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon’s attack. However, at that moment, a flame spear thrust into his eyeball, directly shattering his skull!
By now, Angel understood. The Flame-scaled Summoned Demon attacking from behind was still made of flame; the so-called lively eyes were a deception. The real Flame-scaled Summoned Demon had hidden right in front for a silent assassination.
Having succeeded with its strike, the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon revealed a complacent grin, flipping over and landing not far away.
Yet, its joy didn’t last long. Angel, who had a flame spear stuck in his eye socket, slowly turned his head, looking towards the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon and mirroring its sinister smile.
It was then the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon realized something was amiss!
It stayed stunned for less than half a second before immediately realizing this was an illusion!
Without hesitation, it stamped its foot, turning into roaring flames, bursting in mid-air, and splitting into ten Flame-scaled Summoned Demons scattering in escape.
All these Flame-scaled Summoned Demons had dull eyes, none lively, making it hard to discern the true body at first glance.
But just then, a slightly youthful voice rang out: "The one on the left, running towards us, is real!"
The identified true Flame-scaled Summoned Demon paused in surprise. Before it could figure out who had spoken, several white, ribbon-like phantom limbs emerged from the shadows, binding it tightly.
The flames ceased, and the sparks settled.
Only then did Angel walk out slowly, standing in front of the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon.
The Flame-scaled Summoned Demon tried to struggle, but the phantom limbs bound it tightly, even wrapping around its shriveled head, leaving only the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose exposed.
"It’s still trying to attack you; I can feel the flame power gathering in its eyes!"
The voice came from Angel’s shoulder, causing the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon to blink and look over, only to see a severed hand with facial features crawling onto Angel’s shoulder.
To others, this strange severed hand might cause them to pause, guessing its kind, but the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon did not; as a fire attribute Magical Creature, it instantly recognized the severed hand’s identity—the Fire Element Elf.
Upon seeing the severed hand, the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon understood why its true form was exposed. Because Fire Element Elves naturally perceive changes in flames.
Distinguishing between flame avatars and true bodies is incredibly easy for a Fire Element Elf.
"I’m Dangross; what’s your name?... It’s no use glaring at me; the one binding you is him. He’s the one you should deal with, but are you really sure the person in front of you is real or fake?"
As Dangross spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon, feeling it emitted a strange aura, especially when dazed and during the previous fight, this aura was particularly evident.
Confronted by Dangross’ question, the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon was left stunned.
The human in front looked vibrant, its aura matching its previous perception entirely, yet the prior phantom bore the same semblance, leaving the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon unable to discern whether the presence was a reality or illusion.
"Dara, gugu, kusha!" A bizarre string of words emerged from the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon’s mouth, although the language remained unintelligible, its disdainful eyes suggest it was probably cursing Angel, the despicable illusionist.
"You comprehend Dangross’ words, which means you understand Universal Language," Angel spoke, "How about we have a conversation?"
The Flame-scaled Summoned Demon snorted coldly, closed its eyes in a non-cooperative posture.
"Apparently, you lack the awareness of a captive." As Angel’s voice dropped, he started manipulating the phantom limbs into constriction.
The Flame-scaled Summoned Demon felt immense pressure from the tightening phantom limbs, contorting its face.
It whimpered loudly in pain.
Seeing the plight, Angel slightly eased off, preparing to inquire further, intending to try more persuasive means if the Flame-scaled Summoned Demon continued being unyielding, perhaps even... Nightmare Illusion.
Yet, just as Angel was about to speak, Dangross, perched on his shoulder, suddenly exclaimed, "I remembered! There’s a scent of that bizarre energy we encountered on the previous level lingering on it!"
Bizarre energy from the first level? Angel understood what Dangross referred to; during their search for the main control node, passing through a corridor, Angel sensed an anomaly, an energy point with remnants that were highly peculiar.
Not only was it complex, but it also carried a strange aroma Angel had not sensed before.