Chapter 387: Hyping It Up First

Dante’s identity was akin to that of an investigator of the occult. His entire life was a relentless crusade against vicious, supernatural fiends, dedicated to severing humanity from the clutches of demonic hordes.

Naturally, he harbored no ambitions of becoming a conventional superhero. As a devil hunter born of a human mother and a legendary dark knight father (though the narrative shifted slightly in the fifth installment to designate him the offspring of an angel and a demon, the traditional lineage of the series remains the focus here), his agency—which had yet to open its doors or even receive an official name—had but one true purpose: to hunt down the demons plagueing the mortal realm.

His primary weapon was a massive two-handed greatsword, its guard fashioned into the likeness of a demonic visage, a relic bequeathed to Dante by Sparda. It bore the name "Rebellion," so christened because its master had forsaken his own kind to champion the cause of mankind.

It was a blade of immense power, its heavy, solid frame perfectly suited for close-quarters combat, yet it possessed the uncanny ability to fly forth and strike down foes at Dante’s silent command when the need arose.

Complementing the blade was a pair of twin pistols, one black and one white, known as Ebony and Ivory, which served as his long-range armaments.

"This man can use firearms too?!" Song Qingfeng and his companions cried out as they watched Dante fire a single shot, striking one of a dozen billiard balls that had been launched into the air. In a spectacular chain reaction, the struck ball collided with several others, sending the entire cluster flying forward to unerringly strike the surrounding low-level demons.

"This marksmanship... is unmatched!"

"The man is magnificent!"

"To think such gunplay even existed?!" Even Nalan Hongwu kept his eyes pinned tightly to the massive screen.

"To have the blood of demons flowing through his veins..." Ning Bi murmured, looking immensely intrigued. "To think there could be a protagonist like this?!"

One had to understand that even in the Half City, most cultivators viewed her with far more dread than respect, harboring a subconscious aversion toward her. Yet here, before her eyes, was such a figure.

"There is truly a protagonist of this nature?!"

Soon, the cinematic introduction drew to a close, and Owner Fang took command. A two-handed greatsword whipped through the air in the owner's hands, creating a roaring wind.

The highly authentic combat was a far cry from the original game’s standard swinging speeds, which had been tuned for the accommodation of ordinary players. With a swift flash of movement, Owner Fang closed the distance in the blink of an eye, appearing directly before a low-level demon. The greatsword dragged along the ground, kicking up a heavy shower of sparks, before launching the robed skeleton monster high into the air. In the next breath, Owner Fang commanded Dante to leap skyward in pursuit!

Fang Qi recalled that during his time playing the game on earth, one could execute aerial combos strike by strike. However, this system version, which mirrored reality almost flawlessly, differed. Dante’s silhouette paused briefly in mid-air, and several phantom slashes materialized with lightning speed, followed by a final blow that came crashing down upon the enemy's visage like a sudden clap of thunder!

(As Dante possessed formidable strength from the outset in the lore, the system version granted him more basic sword techniques from the start, adhering to a more realistic standard than the game.)

"Crack!"

A deafening crash echoed out. The strike did not merely split the skeletal demon’s hardened skull clean in two; it buried itself several feet deep into the stone floor as though slicing through soft curd.

Simultaneously, another demon nearby, wielding a massive scythe, swung its weapon toward Owner Fang in a vicious ambush.

"Watch out!"

"The monster is mounting a sneak attack!"

"How underhanded!"

Amidst the collective gasps of the crowd, the twin pistols, Ebony and Ivory, spun smoothly in Dante's hands before being locked into a firm grip. Everyone watched as a visible convergence of energy gathered at the muzzles.

These handguns, capable of slaying demons, were clearly beyond the comparison of ordinary firearms.

At that exact moment, the sweeping blade of the scythe was already slicing toward his front with lethal intent.

Boom!

Only then did Owner Fang pull the trigger. A crimson-lit bullet erupted from the barrel like a cannon shell, blasting the ambushing scythe-wielding monster backward and sending it flying across the room!

"What is... this!?"

The onlookers exchanged bewildered glances: "A gun can actually be utilized in such a manner?!"

It was evident that the previous strike had succeeded because Dante had infused his demonic energy into the bullet. Only a projectile imbued with such vast magical power could unleash such devastating force in a single shot.

Through this spectacle, everyone seemed to perceive a new realm of possibility, a concept that had never crossed their minds before.

Of course, it wasn't that they lacked imagination, but rather that conventional firearms could never achieve such an effect.

Yet before them stood a weapon system that truly perfected the use of firearms, tailored specifically for those who possessed cultivated power!

Following that, the human-sized greatsword came cleaving down once more with ferocious might!

Boom!

The blow split the wall behind the foe completely in two!

Though there was not a single glint of spiritual energy, all of his inner breath and physical power were concentrated entirely into the swing of the blade.

Yet it was precisely this kind of terrifyingly powerful swordplay that interpreted close-quarters combat to its absolute zenith!

This combat style, which seamlessly blended the greatsword and twin pistols, was entirely unprecedented. Close-range sword slashes transitioned into long-range firearm volleys like flowing water and moving clouds, perfectly coherent. It went without saying that the firearm enthusiasts were enthralled, but even the warriors who favored cold weapons could not help but yearn to try it for themselves.

"This style of fighting is truly a feast for the eyes!" Even An Huwei and a few other cultivators could not help but click their tongues in admiration.

The Hell Vanguard—the overseer of the dead in the underworld, a grim reaper feared even by the denizens of hell itself. It did not take long before Owner Fang, controlling Dante, fought his way out and encountered this fiend.

"What on earth is that thing?!"

"It can actually teleport?!"

"It shouldn't be actual teleportation, but rather extreme speed coupled with instantaneous concealment, creating the illusion of teleportation."

The audience watched with rapt attention. The grim reaper, draped in a black cloak and wielding a massive scythe, floated in mid-air, vanishing repeatedly before their eyes. The scythe materialized from incredibly tricky angles, making nearly every strike a heart-stopping sight to behold.

"How can a monster encountered at the very beginning be this powerful?!"

"This has to be a boss, right?"

Owner Fang focused his mind entirely on controlling his character, continuously evading the massive scythe that lunged from every conceivable angle. The dodging and counter-attacking were fast enough to make the onlookers dizzy.

A single moment of carelessness would leave a gaping wound on Dante’s flesh.

The phantom slashes on the massive screen formed a veil of steel. Dante’s footwork resembled a phantom threading through the ruins, evading attacks before seizing the opportune moment to strike back.

This manner of combat, dancing upon the edge of a blade, sent everyone's blood coursing with adrenaline.

"Too magnificent!" Song Qingfeng and the others cried out in amazement.

"This man is incredibly formidable!" Over at the Half City shop, Black Demon and his cohorts were losing their composure as well.

"How can this be?" Ning Bi, however, was utterly mystified. Why were all of their demons fighting in close quarters?!

In her understanding, creatures of that nature ought to employ spells and sorcery. Though they possessed powerful physical frames as well, still...

How could there be such a type?!

Yet, watching this smooth, exhilarating battle unfold...

"Could it be that I am supposed to utilize my strength in this manner too...? That can't be right?!" Ning Bi tilted her head, her sharp fangs biting her lower lip, looking exceedingly hesitant.

"Hmph! To think he possesses such raw power, yet adheres to the low-level combat styles of mere martial artists," a great demon nearby remarked, taking a sip of milk tea as he critiqued the scene. *Gulp...* "As expected of a weak junior abandoned in the human world! It is fortunate he has not crossed paths with my true form, or I would have blown him away with a single breath!"

At any rate, it was best to boast first.

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