RISE OF THE HOLY DEMONIC GOD Chapter 40: The Blood-Red Armor

As the crowd obediently followed Rey’s orders and scattered for safety, he made his way toward the final objective — Jacob, the last enemy standing between him and the remaining two keys.

Navigating through the warehouse ruins, Rey passed rows of containers. One concealed Zero, and not far away, a shimring orb held Aiden in stasis.

Targets Remaining: Keys Required:

Rey quickly freed Aiden, then turned his attention to finding Zero. He searched container after container, his pace growing more desperate with each failed attempt. Just as he was about to open the last one, footsteps echoed behind him.

He spun instantly — dagger ready — and ca face to face with Jacob, grinning smugly, holding an object in hand.

“Looks like I found a rat. This what you're after, brat?” Jacob sneered, holding up the key.

“Jacob... I should have ended you long ago. Today, I correct that mistake,” Rey growled, surging forward at full speed.

Jacob barely had ti to react. The boy was faster than he rembered. He leapt back just in ti to avoid a fatal stab but took slashes across his chest. Then — silence. Rey was gone again.

Instinctively, Jacob turned — just as a dagger sliced toward his neck.

“You're done,” Rey whispered from behind.

But before the dagger could pierce, a crimson glow exploded from Jacob’s body, encasing him in blood-red armor.

“Lucky ,” Jacob chuckled. “Few days ago, so fool’s blood spilled on this orb I’d been using as a damn paperweight. Turns out, it's a relic — a real one. It feeds on blood. You’ll see just how terrifying it is.”

“You talk too much,” Rey muttered coldly, already lunging forward.

Their weapons clashed — dagger versus sword. Jacob grabbed Rey mid-strike and slamd him against a wall with a brutal thud. Rey scread, but rose again — bloodied and battered.

For the twenty-fifth ti, Rey reminded himself — I will not lose.

Jacob summoned his full weapon — a massive sword — and brought it down. Rey barely rolled away, but the impact alone hurled him back across the floor.

Dirt-coated and bruised, Rey stood. Chest heaving. Eyes burning.

“You look scared now,” Jacob mocked, stepping forward. “What happened to all that confidence?”

“You think this’ll stop ?” Rey snapped, wiping blood from his lips. “You won’t leave here alive.”

Jacob didn't understand his words — but he felt the pressure.

Rey rushed again. The blood armor clashed steel against steel, and now Jacob activated his Qi, pushing Rey to the brink. His armor healed faster than Rey could damage it.

Soon, 30 brutal minutes passed. Rey was on one knee, exhausted. Jacob stood, barely winded.

“You done?” Jacob spat. “You said you'd kill . But it’s you dying now.”

His armor lted away into mist as he pulled off his helt for air — letting his guard down for just a mont.

It was all Rey needed.

Now.

With what little strength he had, Rey hurled a dagger straight at Jacob’s face.

Jacob flinched too late.

The blade sliced cleanly across his cheek.

Stunned, Jacob wiped the blood from his face, seething with rage — but Rey was gone.

“Damn you!!” he roared, stabbing his sword into the floor. A crater ford from the impact, the shockwave reaching even the freed hostages nearby, who trembled at the sound.

anwhile, Rey stumbled through a side hallway, body broken, vision swimming. He knew if he passed out now — he’d die.

So, with one trembling hand, he stabbed himself in the thigh — shocking himself awake with pain.

Tearing cloth from his shirt, he wrapped his wounds. His mask was shattered. Only three daggers remained.

From afar, he could hear Jacob’s fury as he discovered the massacre and escape. And Rey knew — Jacob blad him for it all.

Jacob would never run. He would co. And Rey would have to be ready.

--> To be continued...

What will unfold next? How will Rey confront Jacob? Patience will reveal the tale.

Thanks for reading.