Following the impact, the storm of dust continued to enlarge before a massive wind spell released by Arthur caused it to subside, revealing the outcome of the collision. A smile remained on the Devil's face, although slightly strained.
Blood trickled down its body, while a deep gash was visible on his rather unusual body, staining it crimson.
"You…" The Devil spoke, maintaining the rather annoying smile on his vicious face. His voice was laced with restrained fury. Suddenly, a dark barrier formed, separating Arthur and the Devil and allowing the latter to pray in peace.
Arthur didn't simply observe and unleashed a barrage of strikes that caused the barrier to shake, but it didn't shatter. Arthur wiped the sweat from his forehead, deciding to enter the Mushin State yet again.
Although it was not recommended due to the assimilation process, it wouldn't affect it too much. Or, it shouldn't…
[Entering Mushin State…]
[The Efficiency of Sword Aura Assimilation has decreased.]
[Warning: Extended usage can cause irreversible brain damage. Use at your own risk.]
[Warning!]
Arthur glanced at the messages, exiting the state for a split second to reveal a frown. However, he quickly returned to the state, determined to destroy the monstrosity that stood only a few hundred meters away.
Bursting forward, Arthur released a barrage of destructive spells, utterly decimating the surrounding area as the destruction progressed. The effects of the spells were cataclysmic, as the barrier shattered without much trouble.
There were two options.
Attacking directly.
Attempting to deplete the Devil's mana by continuously shattering his barriers.
The Mushin State considered the first option to be the most beneficial, as it was the most direct and effective tactic. Following the conclusion, Arthur's unified body and mind sped forward, unleashing a torrent of flaming attacks.
He experienced exhaustion, but the Mushin State restricted the feeling from affecting Arthur's mind, obstructing it entirely. The flame attacks ignited the Devil's horrifying body on flames, but they didn't seem to affect him too much.
With a somewhat strained expression, the Devil continued praying as if it was all right.
Blood escaped the Devil's body, slowly approaching the dark monument as it shone with a malevolent light. A few undecipherable words escaped his unconventionally shaped "mouth," following the rise of miasma towards the sky.
Arthur remained stoic, swinging Skofnung with as much power as possible. Raging winds blew in all directions, while a plethora of elemental attacks approached the Devil's body, threatening to rip it asunder.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With only a slight delay in between each one, all attacks collided with the Devil's body, delivering heavy, deep wounds that seemed to leak an excessive amount of blood.
Then, reinforced by the mana stone, Arthur attempted to approach the Devil in order to use [Judgment Regeneration]. When he was barely an inch away from the Devil, his palm collided with the latter's skin.
[Judgment Regeneration has been used.]
[The Sins and Virtues of the target are being examined.]
[Target has 99% Sin and 1% Virtue.]
[Very Minor de-buffs are being applied.]
The crimson aura encompassed the Devil's body in mere seconds. However, despite that, there wasn't much progress. Due to the Devil's excessive strength which was leagues above Arthur's, it was difficult to make use of [Judgment Regeneration].
Arthur couldn't sense such a change, as he was in a state of thoughtlessness.
He quickly used [Searing Gaze] to disturb the Devil's concentration before unleashing a barrage of Sun Energy, exhausting his entire reserve in a single moment. However, it couldn't be helped, as the State Of Mushin determined this to be the perfect time.
Arthur couldn't argue with the unification of his own body and mind.
[The Assimilation Of Sword Aura is reaching its climax.]
[The State Of Mushin is being forcefully disabled to undergo a smooth assimilation.]
As Arthur's emotions returned, his face paled. 'Fuck, not right now!'
Despite his internal ramblings, however, the State Of Mushin did not return. Instead, a sharp pain originating at his sternum rushed in both directions, causing every cell of his body to throb with excruciating pain.
However, despite the pain, a sense of invigoration overtook Arthur's mind, providing him the illusion of invincibility. He did not make any rash decisions, and quickly began consolidating the combination of his mana and will.
[Sword Aura has formed.]
Arthur raised Skofnung, igniting the blade with Sword Aura. The aura seemed to be of a liquid substance, although it wasn't restricted to the specific state of matter. It also seemed akin to the condensation of fumes.
Arthur's Sword Aura, as expected, was a deep shade of crimson. It crackled with intensity, as if begging to be unleashed upon tough foes. Arthur smiled, inspecting the explosive power contained within it.
[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' appreciates the boost in power.]
[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' advises its wielder/master to finish the Devil quickly.]
[The Demonic Blade 'Skofnung' warns its master.]
Arthur nodded, his expression laced with determination. With an ear-piercing shout, he rushed forward, forming a crimson trail behind him. The Devil–at that moment–finished his praying, raising his tentacle-like arms towards the now dark sky.
A shrill scream escaped the Heavens as the temperature of the atmosphere rose at a terrifying pace. Arthur felt a suffocative feeling rise in his chest as a dark-red aura burst from the Devil's body.
"Hellstorm Tempest!"
The Devil's voice resounded through the Heavens as a call from Hell. The sky was quickly stained a black-red hue, which truly displayed the power of a Devil King's descendant. He could even grant his descendants immense power.
Arthur didn't waste any time, and unleashed the first movement of the Divine Heavenspitting Resonance Art…
The atmosphere screamed in protest, while Skofnung shook violently in joy, savoring the sensation of unparalleled power coursing through its metal. Arthur tightened his muscles to restrict an explosion, condensing all the coursing power toward a certain direction.
At that moment, hellfire rained from the sky.
However, Arthur was not weak.
He swung Skofnung, unleashing what could only be described as eternal torture upon whoever was struck by the short, silent, concise slash fused with intense, raging, aggressive power.
Hellfire collided with Heaven's Echo Strike.
