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Chapter 593 - 155. The Iron Lion

Sora had been to the Netherworld a few times before, but only in spirit form.

The Netherworld is the boundary between life and undeath. Under normal circumstances, humans cannot enter this world, and even if they do, survival is impossible.

This mysterious space contains all memories from the birth of the universe to the distant future. A violent aura pervades everywhere. Unless one takes special spiritual medicine, even breathing is difficult for humans here.

Though unsuitable for human habitation, it is the retreat of many powerful figures: the heretic gods tired of wandering the surface, cultivators who have transcended life and death to reach the realm of the extraordinary, and even the progenitor woman with purple twin tails.

Upon stepping onto the ground, Sora found himself in an unknown mountain forest. Unlike the colorful human world, this place felt gray and monotonous. The smell of earth and trees was strong, and a small stream flowed nearby.

If it were sunny, a walk here would be pleasant. But unfortunately, it was raining heavily, with large raindrops pelting down. The wind howled fiercely, mercilessly stealing body heat.

Divine power surged around him, drying his clothes and forming a shield to block the rain.

"Heh… is this the place?"

Seeing a small wooden cabin that had appeared not far away, Sora's eyes flickered with a strange light. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he murmured to himself.

Without hesitation, Sora walked toward the cabin, looked at the somewhat worn door, and reached out to push it open…

"Is this the Netherworld… sob…"

Looking around, all he saw was desolation.

Suddenly, Erica felt an overwhelming pressure rush toward her. Her face turned pale, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe, nearly suffocating.

Startled, Erica quickly activated the divine power Sora had left inside her as protection. The pressure dissipated, and she felt much lighter.

"Ha… ha… as expected of the Netherworld. Without the king's protection, this would have been troublesome."

Panting heavily, her complexion regained some color. Erica looked visibly shaken.

Seeing Sora sucked into that mysterious rift earlier, she had impulsively followed without thinking. Now she realized how dangerous that was.

But even if given the chance again, Erica would still follow without hesitation!

"Hehehe… Erica-san, I found something!"

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky and landed in front of Erica. It was Ena, who had followed Sora and Erica.

"Ena, where did the king go?"

Not surprised, Erica furrowed her brows and asked.

"The king? He was probably summoned by grandpa."

"Ah, Erica-san, please continue fighting with Ena!"

With her longsword ready, Ena showed no concern for Sora but stared at Erica with an excited and eager expression.

"I can fight anytime. Let's find the king first."

Worried about Sora, Erica had no mind for fighting and refused without hesitation.

"Eh? Erica-san won't fight Ena? That won't do! Ena is already too excited to stop!"

With a bloodthirsty grin, Ena showed no intention of stopping and swung her longsword at Erica.

"What?!!"

Erica didn't expect Ena to attack immediately. A dangerous feeling surged in her heart, and she instinctively raised her sword to block.

Boom!!!

"Ah!!!"

Ena's strike was unexpectedly powerful. Erica cried out and was blasted backward like a cannonball, stopping only after crashing into a rocky cliff, leaving a deep crater.

"Cough, cough… You're not Ena. Who are you?!"

A trace of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. The previous strike had clearly caused Erica some internal injuries. Looking at "Ena" not far away, who now seemed somewhat different, her entire body radiating a wild and violent aura, Erica narrowed her eyes and asked angrily and coldly:

"Truly worthy of being the Godslayer's knight, sharp eyes! I am Ame no Murakumo, remember that well, knight!"

A neutral yet ancient voice sounded—not from Ena's mouth, but from the Ame no Murakumo sword in Ena's hand!

"Ame no Murakumo Sword? Why…"

Although she had long suspected it, Erica couldn't help but show a hint of surprise when she finally got the answer.

The Ame no Murakumo Sword was not only a divine artifact but also equivalent to a demigod in existence. Coupled with its powerful sword attributes, even some gods were no match for its combat power!

"Using 'possession' in the human world is one thing, but this ignorant miko dares to use it even in the Netherworld. Well, I haven't come out for a breath of fresh air in a long time."

"Godslayer's knight, fight me properly!"

As the Ame no Murakumo Sword spoke, it released a dark, ghostly divine power, instantly enveloping Ena's entire body.

The girl's eyes turned colorless, her expression vacant—she was clearly completely controlled by the Ame no Murakumo Sword!

Without hesitation, the controlled Ena swung her longsword, unleashing countless sharp energy blades shooting fiercely toward Erica.

"Soar, Hermes' Boots!"

Erica's expression tightened. She knew this was trouble. Seeing the blades rushing at her, she dared not block them head-on and quickly used the [Leap] magic to jump into the air and dodge.

"Knight, you cannot escape!"

Ena instantly appeared above Erica's head, raising the Ame no Murakumo Sword and slashing without hesitation!

Boom!!!

As expected, there was another explosion. Although Erica blocked with her sword, her body was still slashed and knocked to the ground, dust flying and a huge crater forming.

"Weak humans, is it over so soon?"

Hovering in midair, the Ame no Murakumo Sword looked down at Erica, who was motionless under the dust cloud, its tone full of disdain for the insignificant human.

"Hmm… what is this?"

But in the next moment, Ena's face showed surprise and curiosity.

"Steel, bearer of the Lion King's name, I command you here: drop the false form I gave you, reveal your true self. Appear before me in the majestic form of a lion and fight alongside me!"

Erica's voice rang out beneath the dust, and a powerful aura spread. It was no longer just magical energy but the divine power of a Demon king!

"Roar!!!"

While Ena was still surprised in midair, a huge beast roar suddenly sounded. The dust dispersed, revealing a gigantic steel lion shimmering with lightning!

With endless majesty, the steel lion leapt and charged at the airborne Ena!

"What?!!"

This time it was the Ame no Murakumo Sword that was shocked. The mere incarnation of a human magic sword now gave it an extremely dangerous feeling.

Without hesitation, the Ame no Murakumo Sword controlled Ena's body to block with the sword.

Clang!!! Boom!!!

The huge metallic collision rang out, but the steel lion's strength was overwhelming, directly knocking the Ame no Murakumo Sword and Ena flying apart.

"You! Have you used the power left to you by the Godslayer?!"

Stabilizing Ena's body in midair, the Ame no Murakumo Sword's voice carried a hint of anger.

"Not over yet, Lion's Thunder Roar!"

Erica's voice sounded again. The steel lion, responding to its master's command, raised its head to the sky, opened its huge mouth wide, and compressed the flashing lightning inside. Locking onto Ena and the Ame no Murakumo Sword in the sky, it unleashed a powerful blast.

"Ah!!!"

A terrible scream came as Ena and the Ame no Murakumo Sword were engulfed in endless lightning.

Below, Erica's face showed apology and helplessness. Though they had only known each other a short time, she already regarded Ena as a partner and sister.

But if she didn't use all her strength to defeat the opponent, not only would she be killed, but Ena's body would collapse from the excessive divine power corrosion of the Ame no Murakumo Sword…

Human World

At this moment, the entire Earth had fallen into endless darkness. The sun and even starlight were blocked, and all lighting devices failed. This apocalyptic scene caused widespread panic worldwide.

In the sky, Athena floated quietly, looking at a figure not far away who was similarly petite and almost identical in appearance, her expression grave.

"Athena, I'm here to take you back. Sa, hurry and return to my body!"

The figure identical to Athena, exuding an evil, cursed aura, was Metis, the heretic goddess, speaking to Athena with a wicked smile.

"Metis, I advise you to leave quickly. Otherwise, when Kusanagi Sora returns, you won't be able to escape."

Athena frowned and replied to Metis.

If it were the old Athena, she wouldn't bother talking and would just start fighting. But after spending time with Sora and Shizuka-chan, she had changed somewhat.

The goddess was still a goddess but had gained a touch of humanity.

"You mean that Godslayer? Seems like he's not here. But even if he doesn't come for me, I will go find him!"

Metis's face darkened, her eyes flashing with coldness as if she had thought of something.

"Hmph, if you're so confident, don't regret it."

"Do you want my power? If you can take it, then come and get it!"

A cold smile curved Athena's lips. She had only said that casually and didn't really care about Metis.

Athena's wisdom told her that this arrogant woman would surely fall victim to the detestable Kusanagi Sora.

The two no longer wasted words. Their cold gazes clashed as they each raised a jade-like hand. A giant Reaper's scythe materialized in each hand, and they charged at each other…

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