Devil's Luck[Arc 5: Worlds Apart]

"You're apologizing? Well that's surprising. Aren't you the Monster of Pride?" Zenkichi said, activating Vollständig; sprouting a pair of cyan-colored light bat wings and similarly colored halo above his head. He gave off a really ominous appearance that wasn't any lesser than Leon.

[Title: Dragon Warrior — You are the balance between yin and yang; your body will be pure of all filth and every energy works in your body; Qi, Chi, Spiritual Power, etc. Title effect activated: Monster Energy and Spiritual Power is resonating with each other.]

One of the first titles he received from the system, with a great passive ability to mix and complement two different energies; thus enhancing his strength, all the abilities related to the energies he's using, and more.

However the Dragon Warrior has its limits as well. It cannot resonate incompatible energies with each other; like divinity and demonic power. As an example, Yin and Yang are polar opposites but inherently complementary, allowing them to coexist and strengthen one another. Divinity and demonic power, on the other hand, clash violently, refusing to harmonize due to their fundamental nature.

Zenkichi's cyan wings spread wide as the glow of his Vollständig illuminated the battlefield. The title Dragon Warrior resonated within him, amplifying the balance of energies in his body. Monster Energy and Spiritual Power surged in harmonious sync, the cyan halo above his head pulsed with an ominous light.

Leon inclined his head back and stared down at Zenkichi, a faint smirk curling his lips. "I am an embodiment of pride, yes. Which is why I apologized for my earlier... lapse in conduct. It was unbecoming of my status."

Zenkichi stared at him blankly. "....Are you really pride and not vanity or something?"

Leon's eyes flickered and he raised his hand, turning into a dark-scaled, demonic sharp claw. "Human, do not mistake that apology for humility—it's simply my acknowledgment that you deserve a proper death."

Zenkichi's wings flared as he floated a few feet off the ground, his aura crackling around him like a storm as his devouring ability activated. "A proper death, huh? Bold words for someone who's already bleeding. Pride doesn't suit you if you can't back it up, Leon."

Leon growled, the sound rumbling like thunder, as a pair of massive, draconic wings erupted from his back, each spanning an imposing 50 meters. Their dark, scaled surface glistened with an ominous sheen, radiating an overwhelming aura of power.

"You dare mock me, human?" Leon's voice was guttural, carrying an undertone of rage and primal dominance. "Let me show you the true power of pride—the power of a monster who stands above all."

Wind and rain howled as if nature itself responded to Leon's transformation. The sky darkened further, and the swirling crimson clouds above twisted violently, lightning flashing within them. The air grew heavy, saturated with the oppressive weight of the Monster of Pride's aura.

Crack—

"S-Senpai....I can't..." Mash muttered, her knees buckling.

"Ah! M-Mash! Please, hold on a little longer...." Gudako softly muttered, paling as she looked up to see the barrier around them was completely covered in cracks and was moments away from shattering.

She gritted her teeth and raised her hand, her final command seal flickered with a crimson sparkle. "By my command seal! Mash—" she was interrupted however, by Merlin gently holding her hand.

"No. Using your last command seal at this moment would be foolish," Merlin interjected as his hand gently pushed Gudako's down. His eyes sparkled with faint amusement despite the dire situation. "Aha. I really wanted to rest a while longer~"

"Merlin, die!"

"Geh! Why do you always appear in the worst possible moment! Let me be for a moment so I can look cool!"

Grabbing Fou by the scruff of its neck and tossing it over towards Gudako, Merlin raised his staff against the crumbling barrier and gently tapped it. An ethereal ripple spread outward, momentarily halting the destruction.

"A temporary fix," Merlin admitted, the humor in his voice replaced with an edge of seriousness. "But it should be enough for Her Majesty and the others to rejoin the battle, isn't that right? Your Majesty~ Gah!"

Brunhilde kicked Merlin to the ground without a second thought, her gaze steely as she turned towards Altria, Quetzalcoatl, Jaguarman, and Ereshkigal. Each stood motionless, eyes shut, their auras faint but resonant as if preparing for something monumental.

"Enough with your nonsense, Mage," Brunhilde snapped, her tone sharp but commanding. "Focus on keeping that barrier intact. We can't afford distractions now."

Merlin groaned from his spot on the ground, rubbing his head. "So violent.... Can't a man enjoy a moment of dramatic flair?"

"Die, Merlin!"

"Ahhh! Cath Palug! Dammit!"

Brunhilde snorted and glanced at Gudako, who was softly comforting Mash, before turning towards their last member who had been silently watching the battle.

"Ana? Are you okay?" Brunhilde asked.

Ana stood silently, her scythe resting against her shoulder as she gazed at the distant battle. Her hood shadowed her face, but the tension in her posture spoke volumes. She didn't answer Brunhilde immediately, her purple eyes fixed on Leon's monstrous form and the devastating power he unleashed.

'Why is this...uneasy feeling?'

"Ana?" Brunhilde repeated, her voice softer this time.

Ana's grip on her scythe tightened, the blade glinting ominously in the dim red light of the storm. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice low and nonchalant as always. "I'm just surprised that Hitoyoshi is fighting that monster, even after his battle against Envy."

Brunhilde deeply sighed, her gaze briefly flicking to Zenkichi's distant figure, locked in battle against Leon. "I understand what you're saying, Ana.... but he has no choice. He carries the weight of more than just his own survival. If he falters, we all fall with him. Mortals, Gods, Demons....All will cease to exist."

Ana blinked, slowly turning towards her. "Eh?"

Brunhilde merely smiled at her and said, "Let's just have faith on Zenkichi. He had created miracles time, and time again. This time is no different, especially when he's not alone," she closes her eyes and placed her hands on her chest, there was a brief flash of light and she disappeared before their eyes.

In the middle of the red storm.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The air cracked with each devastating clash of power, as Zenkichi and Leon traded blows with monstrous force. Cyan and crimson lightning intertwined in the sky, creating a storm of raw energy that painted the battlefield in brilliant, chaotic flashes. The ground beneath them crumbled, unable to withstand the sheer magnitude of their conflict.

Zenkichi's cyan wings flared, and the halo above his head pulsed with spiritual power as he blocked Leon's massive claw with his forearm. Sparks flew as his defense held firm. "You sure you're the Monster of Pride? Cause you're really not impressing anyone," he quipped.

"Know your place, human." Leon growled as pulled back his other arm back, crimson flames surging along its length like a living inferno. With a demonic cackle, he brought the flaming claw down with enough force to split mountains.

Boom!

Black smoke blanketed the sky.

"That stung a little bit, not gonna lie." Zenkichi remarked as he emerged from the black smoke, silver armor covered his forearms, legs, back, and mouth.

Brunhilde, Völundr form!

'Thought you wouldn't need me.' Brunhilde said through their shared mental connection.

Zenkichi sheepishly chuckled and replied, 'Sorry. I...I just wanted to keep you, all of you, safe.'

'...Idiot.'

Zenkichi softly smiled and clenched his fists.

"Vinstri Mund ór Stál(Left Hand of Steel)!"

He raised his left gauntleted arm and hundreds of steel weapons around him; swords, spears, axes, and countless other instruments of war floated ominously, their edges razor-sharp and their presence overwhelming.

Vinstri Mund ór Stál is Brunhilde's Völundr ability that lets him create all manner of weaponry that was at the level of divine, which his projection skill couldn't do.

With a swipe of his gauntleted hand, the hundreds of weapons launched forward, streaking through the air like a divine storm. The battlefield was consumed by the deafening roar of steel colliding with fire as Leon raised his wings in defense. The weapons struck with unrelenting force, their divine nature tearing through the flames that wreathed Leon's body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, the space around Leon crumbling as he struggled to hold his ground. He growled, his monstrous voice echoing through the storm. "You dare to scratch the Monster of Pride with such insignificant tricks?!"

"Hiken...."

"Wha—" Leon turned his head, shocked to find Zenkichi close behind him with an extremely long katana in hand.

"Tsubame Gaeshi!"

The blade moved with lightning speed, the swing of his sword bending space and time. One, two, three concurrent arching blades closing onto Leon's body from all sides, allowing no chance for defense or evasion.

'What?! He swung thrice in that single moment?' The Monster was completely confused the turn of events as three deep cuts appeared over his body. If he were an ordinary person, he would've already been dead.

"How interesting!" Leon exclaimed, his wounds healed in a split second as his wings flapped. Crimson flames and lightning crackled violently around him, black scales appeared over his face as he brought his hands together.

"You continue surprising me again and again, human. Yes, as our greatest enemy, you should be at least this strong or it would've been boring! You are fit to be my enemy! However..."

Flames and lightning coiled around his arms like snakes, twisting and writhing as if alive. The chaotic storm of energy converged into his massive claws, condensing into a swirling orb of raw destruction. The crimson flames and crackling lightning intertwined, radiating an overwhelming heat and power that warped the air around it.

"I am not one to easily let go of such transgression against me!"

Zenkichi's eyes widened then narrowed down.

He too brought his hands together and channeled the power of devouring into his hands. A deep, pulsing black aura radiated from him, swirling around his arms as a strange, gravitational pull began to form in his palms.

"Crimson Cataclysm!"

"Blackhole!"

A crimson orb of destruction surged forward, crackling with intense flames and chaotic lightning that distorted the very fabric of space around it. In opposition, a swirling vortex of darkness that seemed to defy reality itself. The black orb pulsed with a gravitational pull so powerful that even the light around it bent and twisted, creating an eerie, consuming void. The air grew heavy and cold as the blackhole devoured everything it touched, leaving an empty stillness in its path.

Booom!

The two forces collided with a deafening roar, the heavens and the earth shook under the sheer intensity of their clash. Crimson flames and lightning, and devouring energy clashed violently, each trying to overpower the other. The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shattering the ground beneath them and scattering debris in every direction.

The crimson orb writhed and expanded, lightning crackling outward as it fought against the gravitational pull of the Blackhole. Its chaotic energy surged, trying to resist being swallowed. Meanwhile, the Blackhole's pull intensified, its gravitational force growing stronger with each passing second, drawing the crimson energy into its void.

The clash created a storm of destruction, the sky above darkening as the forces waged war. The ground beneath them began to crack and crumble, creating large fissures, unable to withstand the immense power.

While that was happening, Zenkichi used Hirenkyaku, closing in the distance towards Leon.

He grinned and Gae Bolg appeared in his hand.

A fiery crimson aura exuded from the tip of the crimson spear, radiating a heavy, murderous intent that seemed to pierce the very air around it. The weapon pulsed as if alive, Zenkichi griped the spear as he proclaimed its name,

"Gáe Bolg!"

It was as if time itself had froze at that moment as Zenkichi thrusted the spear towards Leon.

The Monster of Pride's eyes widened at the phenomenon. Sensing the clear danger, he opened his mouth and said,

"By my authority, I reject that spear!"

"What?!" Zenkichi's eyes widened as he saw Gae Bolg unexpectedly vanished from his hand.

'What just happened? Did he destroy the spear? No, he completely erased it from my reality marble! I can't summoned it again. What kind of authority is this? Destruction? Erasure? Reality Manipulation?'

Leon smirked. "Surprised? Be honored, for you have witnessed a mere fraction of my—ah..."

He paused abruptly as a thin line of crimson blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His clawed hand slowly rose to wipe it away, and his expression faltered for the briefest of moments.

"You...what did you do?" Leon asked, his voice was calm and cold. His clawed hand moved instinctively to his left pec, where one of his hearts and the core of his authority resided and it was severely damaged—as if a thousand cuts was delivered to it. However, his monstrous regeneration kicked in.

Zenkichi smirked and said, "Oh, nothing much. It's just a simple cursed spear that reverses the nature of causality."

Leon's eyes narrowed. "I see. An attack that always pierces the opponent's heart....is it when the spear is thrusted that my heart is already pierced or is it when you call out its name?"

Zenkichi chuckled. "Got it in one. Actually, it also has the ability to deliver wounds that cannot be healed....so long as the spear still exists. But you erased it out of this world, how? Fancy in explaining your authority to me now?"

Leon snorted, raising his claws in a domineering manner. "Didn't I tell you? The world bends to my will. So by my authority...."

"Die."

Badum* Badum*

An image flashed—a heart crushed to dust, bones shattered into countless fragments, blood vessels twisted like knots, blood seeped out of Zenkichi's orifices.

"Zenkichi.... I-I don't feel so good..."

Zenkichi's body and Brunhilde's Völundr form both slowly began to disintegrate into ashes.

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AN: Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope you had a wonderful year of 2024. As a Christmas Present, enjoy 4 chapters at the end of the year~

Cause I'm not posting anything next week because I'll be out with the fam. See y'all later~

Use this code over at my patreon: 97397 for 50% off on membership~ C'mon now, feel the spirit of Christmas~ Hohohoho~

2/5 chapters