No one had taken Azekiel seriously even as he reached the first floor. Everyone on Floor Zero thought that it was even a waste to keep their attention on him since he wasn't going to succeed after selecting a dangerous mission like the one he did. They thought he was never going to come out alive.
Not only did Azekiel prove them all wrong, but he also dominated the mission, finishing it within three hours only when the last record was two days by the King of Pride.
Unfortunately, no one saw Azekiel achieve this feat as not a single person was looking. By the time Azekiel finished the mission, the screen on Floor Zero, which was showing him, disappeared as it only showed missions.
It was only a few minutes after the screen disappeared that someone noticed the absence of the screen. It was the same old man who had given away the information about Azekiel to the Lords of Sins.
The man snickered. "Heh, the guy couldn't even last for three hours before dying, it seems. What a waste."
He didn't keep the information to himself either as he told everyone that Azekiel had died as his screen was off. They couldn't have imagined that the screen was off because the mission was completed. It never happened before, after all.
Many people laughed at Azekiel for being so overconfident.
"He didn't know his place. He should've stayed here like a Coward like he did for the last few years. At least he would've lived. What a waste. If only I had received his System of Sin, I wouldn't be this stupid."
"I too."
On one floor, people mocked Azekiel, calling him stupid and an idiotic weakling, while on just one floor above, Azekiel stood tall before one of the strongest Kings in the Tower of Sin!
The King of Pride had arrived before the King of Gluttony; however, he didn't have much reaction on his face.
The King of Pride still had his hands in his pockets as he observed Azekiel from top to bottom.
"Three hours to finish a Trial... I guess I can see where your confidence is coming from," Michael nodded with a casual smile on his face. "But tell me honestly, do you think you can kill me because you finished measly level one trial in 3 hours? If I give it a try with the way I am now, it'll take me a few minutes to finish one."
"Didn't you think you bit more than you could chew by challenging me?" he further asked as he brought his left hand out of his pocket.
His fingers brushed against the books that were on the shelves.
"I bit more than I could chew? Even your expressions are ironic, old friend," Azekiel calmly responded.
He looked straight into the eyes of Michael before continuing, "One bite... I had taken one bite. Apparently, that one bite was more expensive than my life for some people. Now that I'm here, you think you'll have the same privilege again? I've just started to level up the playing field. This time, I won't just bite more than I can chew. Instead, I'll swallow this entire world... Including all your hopes and dreams."
"And let me tell you a secret... No matter what you do, you won't be able to stop me," he added. "All your pride that made you what you are... I will first break that pride... Then I'll break that body of yours... And then I'll break that soul of yours. You'll beg for forgiveness like I did! You'll cry for mercy like I did. And you'll get nothing... Like I did. This will be just the beginning. The beginning of your nightmare."
"Is that so..." Michael snickered. "You seem to really believe that. By the way, I received the notification that you got the Title of this Floor. Apparently, there was a loophole to snatch the title which you utilized. Let me guess, that's what's giving you this confidence? You think just because I'm slightly weakened here, you have a chance?"
"Let me tell you a secret." The man rubbed the back of his neck. "This small advantage does nothing. Even if you get a small boost in your strength, you won't have a fraction of my strength. So I don't know how you thought this meeting would go, but the reality will be quite disappointing for you."
"Let me tell you what will happen here," Michael continued. "After exactly one minute, I'll call out my Spear of Pride. And before two minutes are over, you'll be lying dead right there."
"And before five minutes are up, I would've left this floor. I would begin my journey to the fifth floor. I'll still be the same King while you'll be the dead man," he declared. "Thirty seconds left before I call out my Spear. You can try to kill me now because, after thirty seconds, you won't get a chance."
Since Michael was so prideful, not only did he declare the exact timing as to when he'll kill Azekiel, but he also gave Azekiel a head start.
Azekiel didn't attack. He stood calm in his place, ignoring the suggestions of Raphael to attack. Azekiel knew that attacking as he was now was useless. He already had something ready for Michael.
Azekiel took a deep breath as he gazed at the screen before him. 'Now, this will be a make or break moment. Don't disappoint me now.'
Time kept trickling away as Michael continued the countdown. Before long, thirty seconds were over.
Michael simply smiled. "You couldn't even attack me when you were given a chance, and you think you can kill me? Preposterous! Now let me show you how it's done!"
Michael raised his right hand toward the sky as he let out a mighty roar. "Spear of Pride! Come to me!"
As if answering his call, a mysterious light appeared above his hand, which expanded to make a beautiful golden spear!
The spear appeared to be sharp enough to cut through even the hardest of metals. It was a proud Weapon of Sin! One of the strongest weapons!
Not only was it a powerful weapon, but it also provided some boost to Michael when he held it.
Without wasting a single second, Michael's figure flickered as he ran to Azekiel.
"Time to shatter your pride," Azekiel muttered softly as he also raised his right hand toward the sky as if copying the movement of Michael!
"Card of Judgement! Give me your strength!" He called out.
