The Demon Monarch System

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Valac's substantial figure was revealed once the giant cloud of dust cleared. However, the size of his body shrank rapidly as he glared at Amduscias through the small gap in his two wings. Both of his wings presented signs of deep burns, but Valac didn't acknowledge the pain, merely scoffing as his wings opened with a stormy gust of wind.

Meanwhile, Typhir and the others were taken aback after watching Valac fend off that violent strike. Compared to the lightning in the gate, the one fired towards Valac was at least three times more violent. Thus, it should've produced much more damage than it did.

The fact that Valac was relatively unscathed left Typhir with some questions. His gaze shifted between Valac and Amduscias before revisiting the moment before the attack landed on Valac's body.

'It was tiniest of windows, but I believe I saw Valac's azure flames form a thin screen just moments before the dark lightning landed. Does that mean his flame can negate some of that damage from Amduscias' dark lightning? If that's the case, then perhaps we should see where this leads us,' Typhir thought to himself before crossing his arms.

At the same time, he released his grasp of Armageddon, returning it to his back. Although it was for a second, Amduscias' severely hostile gaze turned towards him when he drew his weapon.

It didn't appear like it, but Typhir understood that Amduscias was prepared to unleash another similar strike at any given moment. The only issue was that Typhir's gathering speed for Sin and Anima failed in comparison to how rapidly Amduscias could prepare his attack.

Based on what Typhir sensed, it would take at least three times longer for him to prepare an attack that could overwhelm the lightning from moments before. Even then, it was grasping at straws because Amduscias unleashed that attack too effortlessly.

If given the same time, Typhir was confident Amduscias would reveal something mind-blowing, which Typhir wanted to avoid at all costs, at least until he figured out Amduscias's weakness aside from his overly finite supply of dark lightning.

"Tch, still a little rat doing anything to resist, I see. I've given you a way out in respect of our origin. I'm sure you've heard about my reputation. There aren't many who walk in here and leave in one piece. Yet, all I did was expel you, and you don't take my kindness? How foolish to disregard my kind," Amduscias said with an annoyed click of his head while continuing to shake his head with more vigor. 

The more he thought about the situation, the more enraged he became, which was revealed by his rapidly changing expressions. Clearly, he was becoming impatient after a single attack and telling Valac to leave once.

However, Valac looked at Amduscias while tightening his grip on his spear. This was an inevitable battle and one he looked forward to, even though he had other more important reasons for taking this fight. 

"What makes you think I'll listen to you now when I didn't listen to you then? I'm a being of free will unless it involves my master. And, last I checked, you weren't my master, nor were you in the situation to heavily damage me," Valac said with a severe expression.

For a moment, Amduscias was silent, but after looking at Valac's face, he released a peal of hearted laughter. "Really? Is that so? That was the case in the past, but after thousands of years and no signs of the Monarch, do you think I'll refrain from teaching you a true lesson?"

"I don't care what you think, come~. Asteroth is still more fearsome than that pretty face of yours," Valac sneered.

Instantly, Amduscias' expression changed at the mention of Asteroth and how he felt more fearsome. Amduscias's aura raged as arcs of violent dark lightning about like snakes of destruction. 

Still, Valac gazed at Amduscias with a faintly amused smirk. "Yep, more fearsome. Compared to the destruction he causes, these arcs of lightning look like child's play. As if they'd tickle at most."

Valac's comment was the last straw because Amduscias' expression lost all signs of rage, becoming exceedingly cold. Since Valac was trampling upon his pride, Amduscias had no more time for words.

In the next moment, he disappeared with a terrifying thunderclap following after. A streak of scorch marks and destroyed rubble appeared as Valac's pupils constricted to dots. He didn't expect Amduscias to move so fast.

Even if his strike didn't possess as much power as Asteroth, his current speed would turn his attack into a lethal blow just based on the obscene momentum alone. Therefore, Valac took a quick step back, creating enough room to stab his spear forward.

However, a numbness traveled up his arm a second later as the veins in his eyes thickened from the pain traveling through his arm rapidly. It felt as if the insides of his arm were sizzling.

In the meantime, Amduscias' body wreathed in dark lightning appeared. Contrary to what Valac expected, Amsducias didn't move his spear while in motion; he arrived before Valac in less than a second, and once motionless, he stabbed his spear towards Valac.

From the other's perspective, they couldn't even read Amdsucias' attack. But, to him, it felt as if he was moving in slow motion as he moved his spear towards Valac. Amduscias' realm of speed was on another.

Aztraval once suggested that he take on an assassin's path, but he rescinded that suggestion once he learned of Amduscias wielding dark lightning. Though his speed more than reached the requirement for that path, the presence of his dark lightning was too conspicuous.

The task of an assassin was to reside in the shadows for the most suitable time to strike. But, Amduscias' lightning was too flashy to hide once he activated it. Preparing for a single strike would ruin the element of surprise he worked hard to cultivate.

Thus, Aztraval decided a thin yet forceful weapon that could be wielded with lightning-fast movements suited him best. Following that moment, Amduscias' power ballooned after finding the weapons that agreed with him.

Meanwhile, after the tip of their spears collided, Amduscias revealed a disdainful smirk. "Have your spear skills regressed? It was too easy to read the path of your spear, and what is this meager force? Time is truly a ruthless individual."

Bang!

Amduscias lashed out his legged, delivering a swift kick to Valac's torso that made him slide back while clutching his right arm. At first, it hung limply, but azure veins appeared, flowing through his arm, down to his fingertips.

Eventually, they twitched as Valac regained power in them. Regardless, he looked at Amduscias with a hostile yet cautious gaze. 'This guy is still as dangerous as ever. He's like a predator. Not only does he have overwhelming, but his aura and even his lightning produced a painful, paralyzing effect.'

Suddenly, Valac spat on the ground while maintaining eye contact with Amduscias. "What is that? Are you trying to tickle me? I more than remember the effects of your power. Do you think you can still paralyze me? Think again. After all, I know your secret."

"What secret?" Amduscias asked with a curious expression.

"Simple. You're one of the demons who don't have a Second Transformation. This is as strong as you get!" Valac exclaimed before rushing towards Amduscias. Though he was slower than Amduscias, Valac closed the distance at a rapid rate.

However, when he arrived three steps before Amduscias, he felt a horrifying shiver down his back as he gazed at Amduscias, who looked at him with a murderous.

"You poor foolish child. Is that what you believed? I guess you can say that is true. After all, I'm not the one who possesses a second form. Would you like to learn something you never knew of in the past?" Amduscias said with a smile that wasn't a smile.

Simultaneously, he pressed his palm forward, causing eight shocking spears of dark lightning to fly towards Valac, converging at a single point. Compared to before, this strike seemed to be even worse.

Valac wanted to sidestep the attack, but it was done so close that he wasn't given time to react aside from withdrawing his spear to brace his body.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Numerous explosive collisions resounded as Valac's tumbled back from inside a cluster of ashes. Meanwhile, Amduscias stepped through the cloud of debris with a cold smile.

"Let me show you what I mean."

Afterward, Amduscias snapped his finger, summoning an absurd amount of dark lightning. Though it was a vast amount of lightning, the rest assumed that this didn't even touch upon half of his reserves from how quickly it was summoned.

Conversely, while kneeling over, Valac revealed an almost sinister smile. His plans were all coming together effortlessly due to Amduscias' narcissism and his great pride. This method wouldn't work with any other demon because they would dispose of Valac when they saw their superior power.

Regrettably, the same couldn't be said about Amduscias. He felt a need to address Valac's comment. As a result, the sense of lightning condensed repeatedly until it took on a form that made Valac tremble with fear.

'O-oh… On second thought, I don't think this is worth it. I didn't think rumors were true!'

With a hint of terror in his eyes, Valac turned towards the three behind him with a wry smile that said one thing: Help?!

  In response, the other looked at each other before turning their eyes back to the mystifying sight before their eyes. Whereas the other two only felt dread, Typhir felt his battle lust stir.

'Is… that sentient or is it for Amduscias?' Typhir wondered.