1029 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Kuwoooong---!!! A distant, harsh explosion echoed. Turning his head in that direction, he squinted. "Looks like they've caught it." No doubt, something had started on that side too. Before her battle with the leader, the Heavenly Demon had been requested for a favor. In case that mysterious being from before showed up, he asked her to deal with it. She nodded as she responded. "Can I kill it?" Her question was unsettlingly cold, but he nodded in agreement without much thought. He was curious. If the Heavenly Demon intended to kill with ease, was the opponent formidable enough to withstand her? He wondered about that. Kuaaaah-----!!! Not long after, the sight of black energy surging made him click his tongue. "The aura is indeed overwhelming." All of that blackness was composed of demonic energy. A pitch-black and dense demonic aura with no trace of another color. An unsettling hue that seemed alien, as if no light could penetrate it. It felt almost ominous or perhaps, paradoxically, divine. Even if the Heavenly Demon seemed like a different entity this life. "Her aura seems the same though." That ominous and unsettling energy seemed unchanged. Kwaaa---!!! The outpouring energy's impact reached all the way over. Feeling his skin prickling spontaneously, he shifted his gaze elsewhere. Leaving that side to handle itself, he needed to focus on this side. "Krrrrrr---!!!" Kugung--!! The ground shook violently along with a beastly roar. Kyaaahaa---!!! Kwaddddd---!!! Kugugung--!!! Countless creatures clashed fiercely like mad beings. The summoned monsters, using his power, engaged the enemy's beasts. There was no hesitation, just creatures driven by instinct, their bodies tearing each other apart brutally. Kwaddeuk-!! Biting throats and ripping skin away. Even with fangs breaking bones, neither side ceased. Sssssss--!!! As the battle raged on, his energy was rapidly draining. It felt as if the water that once filled his heart was suddenly being drained. "Summoning monsters really isn't cost-effective." Though the spectacle held some merit, employing such a large number for battle hardly seemed like a good strategy. He reached out his hand. Fwoosh. A mirage fluttered from his fingertips. Kuaaaahaaaa---!!! Kyaaahaa---!!! Black flames swept across the front, scorching the beasts into nothingness within moments. "If just shooting like this is enough." If such a simple gesture could erase the sheer numbers, there seemed little point in summoning monsters needlessly. The beasts themselves weren't particularly powerful. "If we were to quantify it, they are strong." At least at the level of first class. At their peak, they might approach the level of consummate perfection. Judging by the monster ranks, they ranged from blue to at most red. In the past, it would have been impossible for him to contend, but now things were different. Woooong--!!! Giiiiing---!! A fiery ring ignited behind him as sparks flowed forth. The spilled sparks halted in mid-air, merging into globular forms. 'Nine Flames Array of the Occult.' Though small, the cluster of flame globes filled the night, but their black hue made them unworthy of being called stars. He gestured, and the line of black spheres descended. Kokagagagaga---!!! Bombardment ensued. The number of enemies dwindled rapidly against the onslaught of his flames. This is the reason why in a past life, sweeping across battlefields, they called him a demon. A power specialized for mass slaughter. There was no need for compression, just shooting as the energy allowed. The flames' wide range and bombardment were powers well-suited for warfare. However. "Now the quality of those flames has risen." Compression and pressure. The friction born inside. With access to all that, having transcended, the level of his flames has taken a different trajectory from the past. Even as he was amazed at his own shot, he revealed. "Good." The sensation of the flames moving precisely to his will. It's an advancement from the concept of 'control' to 'movement.' That difference in wording holds a gap as vast as heaven and earth. While continuously launching bombardments, he adjusted his position dynamically. Performing delicate movements he couldn't have before, sweeping the surroundings. Such was the reasoning why there was no need to summon monsters, but. "That's." Perhaps the same on their side too. "Kuooooh--!!" Kwoaaang---!!! With a roar, an explosion went off. Something erupted, pushing back his flames. The hue of a crimson blaze. In stark contrast to the black flames, these were of a bright red hue. "Kuoooooaaah---!!!" Thump-! Thump, thump, thump---!!! He saw it. The leader brandishing a flame-clad axe wildly in every direction. With skin darkened red and fur radiating heat. In such a form, their presence seemed to vanish, just as it did now. It wasn't only their presence that had changed. "The speed and strength are different." It's far beyond when he first faced him, both in speed and ferocity. Seeing was just the start, the end of it all. Once the axe cleaved through the air, the monsters were smashed apart. The monsters on his side were equivalent to red rank. Yet none could withstand the leader, all succumbing. "You scoundrel---!!" He bellowed while looking at him, shooting flames from afar. Thump-!! Hitting the ground forcefully, the earth fractured, scattering shards. It seemed he intended on closing the distance. As he prepared to leap, the monsters charged at him. Kraaah---!!! Krrrr---!! Huge beasts converged on the leader, wrapping around his form. "Begone-!" Kuguguguung-!!! As he harnessed energy, the monsters were flung away, soaring through the air. And then. Thump-! Kwaaaahaa---!!! The leader charged towards me with ferocity. It happened in an instant. He reached right before me and swung his axe with all his might. The blade, leaving a trail of flames, flew towards me. At that moment. "Block it." I whispered softly. “--!!” Something appeared right in front of the leader's eyes. Realizing this, he quickly changed the direction of his axe. What had been aimed at me veered off to the left. Then. Scriiitch. Thud-!! The leader's axe hit something, digging into the ground. Kwaggagagang-!!! An impact burst from the axe, causing a massive crack to split open on the ground to the left. "What the-!” Surprised by the sudden situation, the leader reacted in shock. He had every right to be. It wasn't I who had deflected his axe. "Kiiirrreeee." The cry was distinctly different from the monsters' earlier shrieks. "Kyarrreeee." An emaciated human-like creature with a grotesque face and folded wings. It was larger than a human, but comparatively small for a monster. Nonetheless. "Kyaaaaarrrrr!" The aura it emitted was vastly superior to that of the mere red-ranked monsters. Enough to make even the leader flinch. Yes. The power I wield, known as summoning, only allows me to call forth those monsters I've directly hunted and absorbed. And this particular one was a white-ranked monster I hunted in Hanam. "Finish it." "Kyaaaah-!!!" The summoned creature, upon hearing my command, rushed towards the leader. He grimaced and immediately braced himself. Sharp claws slashed through the air, while the leader matched it with his axe. Kkigik--!!! As claws and blade collided, energies clashed. Watching the harsh and intense spectacle, I couldn't help, but to let out a discomforted sigh from within. "This is tough." Originally, summoning white-ranked monsters was beyond my capacity. The amount drained and perhaps the mismatch in levels prevented the power from manifesting. But upon reaching transcendence, it became possible. That's why I summoned it immediately. "This is no joke?" The level of a white-ranked monster far exceeded my expectations. Though it's debatable if it matches a true white-ranked monster. "At least." At the very least, it could easily defeat someone at the Flowering level. No doubt it could dispatch warriors of that caliber effortlessly. Though it wouldn't match the level of top ten martial artists. "It could handle most masters." It's undeniably formidable. Even now, look at it. Holding its own against the leader, producing commendable results. However, certainly. Kwaddeuk-!! It wasn't a creature capable of defeating the leader. "Kiyaaa---!" As the beast's arm was severed by the axe, it let out a grotesque howl. It wasn't pain; they didn't experience pain. Its arm swiftly regenerated, charging once more at the leader. The regenerative capability of the white-ranked monsters was innate in this one. The problem was. "...Damn, my energy." The real issue was that my energy was being consumed each time it regenerated. Summoning took a large toll, and having it fight drained me further. "This can't last long." I realized I couldn't sustain the summoning for much longer. Thus, I needed to end the fight swiftly, however... "Still." There was one more thing I needed to verify. "You!" Thunk-! Kyarrrk!! The leader's massive fist pierced through the monster's abdomen. "You cowardly rat, hiding in the back?" Believing the battle concluded, the leader addressed me. I chuckled and replied. "It wasn't I who summoned weaklings to begin with." "Krrrrrr---!!" I seemed to have struck a nerve, as the leader tossed aside the monster and glared at me. The monster did not regenerate and rolled on the ground. "I'll kill you. You won't escape now." Once again, the leader moved to charge at me. I subtly gestured towards the sky with my hand. "...?" Curiosity piqued, the leader glanced upwards. "It's not over yet. I have one more gift prepared." As I spoke, his eyes widened. In the sky above, something was revealed. Another portal to the netherworld had opened, much larger than before. As I mentioned before. The power of summoning involves calling forth monsters I've absorbed. And the white-ranked monster from Hanam was not the only one I had absorbed. "Feast. Devour." Kugugung-!! With a thunderous sound, something emerged from the massive rift. A creature, the size of a small hill. With enormous tusks, it descended upon the leader. Kuuuuuun----!!! The leader charged fiercely at me. It was instantaneous. He closed the distance and swung his axe with all his might. The blade, leaving a trail of flames, hurtled towards me. At that precise moment, "Block it." I whispered softly. “--!!” Something appeared right in front of the leader’s eyes. Realizing this, he quickly changed the direction of his axe. What had been aimed at me veered off to the left. Then. Scrrrk. Thud-!! The leader's axe was caught by something and embedded into the ground. Kwaggagagang-!!! An impact burst from the axe, causing a massive crack to split open across the ground to the left. "What the—!” Caught off guard by the sudden situation, the leader reacted in surprise. He had every reason to be. It wasn't I who deflected his axe. “Kirrreeeee." The cry was distinctly different from the monsters' earlier shrieks. "Kyarrrreeeee." An emaciated human-like creature with a grotesque face and folded wings. It was larger than a human, but comparatively small for a monster. Nonetheless. "Kyarrraaaaa---!!!!" The aura it emitted was vastly superior to that of mere red-ranked monsters. Enough to make even the leader flinch. Yes. The power I wield, known as summoning, only allows me to call forth those monsters I've directly hunted and absorbed. And this particular one was a white-ranked monster I hunted in Hanam. "Finish it." "Kyaaaaah-!!!" The summoned creature, upon hearing my command, rushed towards the leader. He grimaced and immediately braced himself. Sharp claws slashed through the air, while the leader matched it with his axe. Kkikigik--!!! As claws and blade collided, energies clashed. Watching the harsh and intense spectacle, I couldn't help but let out a discomforted sigh from within. "This is tough." Originally, summoning white-ranked monsters was beyond my capacity. The amount drained and perhaps the mismatch in levels prevented the power from manifesting. But upon reaching transcendence, it became possible. That's why I summoned it immediately. "This is no joke?" The level of a white-ranked monster far exceeded my expectations. Though it's debatable if it matches a true white-ranked monster. "At least." At the very least, it could easily defeat someone at the Flowering level. No doubt it could dispatch warriors of that caliber effortlessly. Though it wouldn't match the level of top ten martial artists. "It could handle most masters." It's undeniably formidable. Even now, look at it. Holding its own against the leader, producing commendable results. However, certainly. Kwadddeuk-!! It wasn't a creature capable of defeating the leader. "Kiyaaaa---!" As the beast's arm was severed by the axe, it let out a grotesque howl. It wasn't pain; they didn't experience pain. Its arm swiftly regenerated, charging once more at the leader. The regenerative capability of the white-ranked monsters was innate in this one. The problem was. "...Damn, my energy." The real issue was that my energy was being consumed each time it regenerated. Summoning took a large toll, and having it fight drained me further. "This can't last long." I realized I couldn't sustain the summoning for much longer. Thus, I needed to end the fight swiftly, however... "Still." There was one more thing I needed to verify. "You!" Thunk-! Kyarrrk!! The leader's massive fist pierced through the monster's abdomen. "You cowardly rat, hiding in the back?" Believing the battle concluded, the leader addressed me. I chuckled and replied. "It wasn’t I who summoned weaklings to begin with." "Krrrrrr---!!" I seemed to have struck a nerve, as the leader tossed aside the monster and glared at me. The monster did not regenerate and rolled on the ground. "I'll kill you. You won't escape now." Once again, the leader moved to charge at me. I subtly gestured towards the sky with my hand. "...?" Curiosity piqued, the leader glanced upwards. "It's not over yet. I have one more gift prepared." As I spoke, his eyes widened. In the sky above, something was revealed. Another portal to the netherworld had opened, much larger than before. As I mentioned before. The power of summoning involves calling forth monsters I've absorbed. And the white-ranked monster from Hanam was not the only one I had absorbed. "Feast. Devour." Kugugung-!! With a thunderous sound, something emerged from the massive rift. A creature, the size of a small hill. With enormous tusks, it descended upon the leader. Kuuuuuun----!!!