As Black's palm struck down, a burst of blinding purple light erupted from the Ether Substance. An overwhelming force surged forth like a vast, crashing ocean, compressing the very air until it groaned in protest. The impact slammed into the ground over ten meters away.
Dust exploded upward.
The asphalt road split apart in an instant, countless pebbles scattering outward. The dust that touched the blast zone was instantly corroded, dissolving into drifting purple smoke.
[Where is the Creator?]
Black sensed something wrong. Its wings beat violently as it tore through the purple haze, scanning the surroundings in confusion, searching for Phaga.
It had missed its target!
"You open with a killing move. Do you have enough Ether Substance in that body to sustain it?"
A harsh voice resounded from above.
Black snapped its head upward—Phaga was descending from the sky, gripping a spear aimed downward.
Whistle!
The spear emitted a piercing hum.
A glint of cold steel expanded rapidly in Black's vision. Even before it struck, a freezing wind slashed across its face, sharp pain needling through its forehead.
[Ah!]
There was no time to dodge. With desperate haste, Black raised both arms, its vampire claws tearing five deep slashes into each forearm.
Streams of Ether Substance, shaped like blood droplets, shot forth in a straight line. Within moments, they assembled into a ten-layer Ether shield, straining to withstand Phaga's unstoppable thrust.
Boom!
The spear struck, and the first layer shattered like paper, scattering into purple sparks that spiraled around the diving Phaga. The glow illuminated his already striking features, lending him an otherworldly, commanding presence.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Five more explosions rang out. Phaga, having pierced the first shield, did not slow for an instant, smashing through five additional layers with brutal, unstoppable momentum.
Black's pupils contracted. Under Phaga's descending force, even straining every muscle and beating its wings with all its might, it could no longer maintain its height. It plummeted like a falling star.
Yet despite this, Black's mouth twisted into a wide grin, sharp fangs gleaming. A twisted smile bloomed beneath the moonlight, its manic laughter echoing through the hollow.
[As expected of the Creator! This unwavering intent to kill—magnificent, truly magnificent! Exquisite beyond words!]
[But please, stronger—be stronger! Otherwise, this alone cannot kill me, your devoted follower!]
Pfft!
Suddenly, Black drove its claw blades deeper into its arms. A far more potent surge of Ether Substance erupted from the wounds like a geyser.
It laughed proudly. With this much Ether reinforcing the remaining layers, Phaga would have no hope of breaking through.
Shh!
Sure enough, as soon as the strengthening took effect, the shield's durability revealed itself. Phaga's fierce thrust left only a thin scratch—unable to pierce it.
But then—
"Ether—rise!"
Phaga roared. The etheric activity along the spear surged wildly. Metal shifted to brilliant purple, an explosive shockwave bursting outward. The spearhead flared with renewed, dazzling light.
Bang!
Seventh shield—broken!
Bang!
Eighth shield—broken!
Clang!
Two shields fell in quick succession, but the Ether glow on the spear weakened, dimming completely as it reached the ninth layer.
[Out of strength? No… that isn't like my Creator…]
Despite the roaring wind around him and the ground rapidly approaching, Black stared fixedly at the spearhead, suspicion clouding its expression.
Then suddenly—its eyes widened.
The spearhead ignited with black flames.
[Hahahaha! As expected—another trump card! Truly worthy of my Creator!!!]
Its laughter shook the air as Phaga thrust forward once more.
Boom!
Ninth shield—broken!
Phaga gritted his teeth, expression steady as water.
Only one final layer remained.
But—
He turned his head slightly. The ground was mere moments away.
In that case…
"Blazing Sacrifice!"
Cold air rushed down his throat as Phaga screamed the words.
Instantly, every blood vessel in his body burst open, churning and burning like molten fire.
42°C… 43°C… 44°C… 50°C!
Pfft!
At the instant his body temperature spiked to 50°C, something inside snapped. A muffled crack echoed from within his bones, and his pale skin flushed a burning red.
To the eye, he looked as though he were engulfed in flame.
"Break!"
With a furious roar, Phaga crashed down with Black, both of them slamming into the asphalt. The ground exploded beneath them with a deafening boom.
Boom!
Bern—who had been unable to intervene—watched them plummet and rushed forward to help.
But before he could even get a clear view, Phaga and Black struck the road, carving a deep crater. A massive shockwave burst outward, forcing Bern to brace himself where he stood.
"Cough—cough! What the hell!?"
Bern waved a hand, then beat his wings to scatter the dust, allowing the Ether-filled air to stop obstructing his vampire vision.
"The current situation…"
As soon as the Ether dispersed, Bern activated his vision, peering into the newly formed crater—only to freeze again as a foul stench hit him.
Boom!
A violent rush of air tore past him. A figure wreathed in black smoke shot by.
No—shot from the crater!
Bern's pupils shrank. He turned sharply.
That posture… he'd been kicked into the air by Phaga!
Boom!
Another rush of air followed. Crimson wings streaked past, giving chase at incredible speed.
The figure's spear was gone—replaced by Phaga's familiar long blade. He closed the distance in a heartbeat and slashed downward toward Black.
Black raised his hand, lifting the battered tenth-layer shield.
Clang!
Metal clashed with an explosive ring.
[My apologies, Creator. You have not broken the tenth layer.]
A faint smirk tugged at Black's lips. Even exhausted and on the back foot, it remained eerily calm.
"Hmph."
Phaga didn't argue—he simply snorted coldly.
Then he drove his foot forward.
Thud!
The Ether shield rippled, spiderweb cracks crawling across its surface. It seemed ready to shatter—yet held firm.
[It seems even the Creator—ugh!?]
Black suddenly stiffened, turning its head.
At some point, an Ether crystal had emerged behind it—piercing directly into its back.
[When… did…]
Black's thoughts spun in confusion. It glanced down at Phaga's long blade—the weapon was glowing faintly.
Earlier, all its focus had been on Phaga's kick. It hadn't noticed the blade's change at all.
[So that's… it…]
Understanding dawned. It stared blankly at the raised blade.
Pinned from behind by the Ether crystal…
Pinned from the front by Phaga's foot…
And now Phaga raised his blade toward its throat.
What could Black use to defend?
Nothing.
There was nothing it could do.
Phaga's gaze darkened as he slashed down.
The rushing wind closed in, the blade only inches from Black's neck.
Yet Black remained utterly calm.
[Heh… ha ha ha… ahahahahahaha!]
No—calm wasn't the word.
It was madness.
Its eyes snapped wide, pupils burning red, as it stared straight into Phaga's face, laughter twisting its expression into pure frenzy.
[Then I won't block it!]
With that, its wings ballooned outward—tripling in size in an instant.