The astral Heavenly Demon laughed when the explosion faded, his voice echoing like a curse across the ruined hall.
"Hah! You see that, boy? Most of that blast bent right back toward you."
"You felt it, didn't you? That means I'm stronger. I always was, and I always will be!"
His smirk widened into something cruel. "You're nothing but a cheap imitation wearing my title. A mangy mutt pretending to be the king of wolves."
But then, from behind him, came a low chuckle.
Zain's voice was calm, but his smile was sharp. "Yeah, you hit harder, old man. I'll give you that… but only because I was holding back."
The old man's laugh turned mocking and venomous. "Hah! Pathetic excuse."
"You say that just to hide your weakness. What now? Thinking of backstabbing me like a rat in the shadows?"
"You can't even scratch my astral body. What the hell makes you think you can kill me?"
Zain stepped in close, his hand landing firmly on the old man's back.
