I crouched down in front of it, closer than I would have liked, clenching my jaw as its half-formed head whipped around to face me. “You can smell me, yes?” I asked. The demon snapped its jaws. “Then tell me, Joshin. You filled me with enough venom to take down three horses… but do you scent any fear on me? Do you think I am afraid to face my demons? I’ve faced them before. I know them all by name. I’ve conquered them and bent them to my will more times than the sun has risen over Yvelia in my lifetime. I’ll face your nightmares if I have to, and I will still be the most frightening thing
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