The crushing weight descended like Mount Everest itself, and beside him, Yuno's eyes burned with fierce anticipation.
Compared to just a few months ago, Ethan had become far stronger—mysterious, unfathomable.
That single strike, the massive "brick" pressing down from above, grew against the wind, surging with mountainous force that bore down on the devil's head.
The sheer majesty of it, towering like an endless range, made resistance feel meaningless.
"Yes! If this works… it might actually destroy the devil!" Yuno clenched his fist, hope rising in his heart.
This power had already surpassed anything he knew.
But to his shock, after several seconds, the devil was still not crushed. The weight that should have pinned it down was instead pushed back upward!
"What? Impossible!" Yuno's heart lurched.
Ethan, however, wasn't surprised. "Of course not."
This was a pureblood devil—not a host. His Heavenly Treasure was strong, yes, but in truth it only carried the force of the First Realm. Crushing a devil to death with it? That was nothing but a dream.
With a resounding bang, the massive brick was hurled skyward, shrinking as it flew until it returned to its normal, brick-like form.
Ethan caught it with a casual hand, inspecting it.
"No damage… seems it's sturdy enough, even if ineffective. Still…"
His eyes narrowed as he looked at the devil again.
At present, his greatest weapons were this Heavenly Treasure brick—and the Emperor Sword. But if the brick had failed, then…
"Yuno, I've got bad news. We might both die here today." Ethan's voice was calm as he glanced at his comrade.
Yuno blinked, then smirked.
"Is that so? But you don't strike me as the kind of man who'd accept death without running."
Ethan sighed theatrically.
"How cruel. Is that really how you see me? Though… you might not be wrong."
"Then tell me," Yuno said firmly, "what's your plan?"
The devil didn't interrupt, watching with amusement instead.
He knew their strength clearly: one stood at the Zero Domain, the other at First Heaven of the Zero Domain. Their Heavenly Treasure was their ultimate trump card.
But devils who could cross dimensions were at least Fourth Heaven in strength.
And in his prime, he had reached the Sixth Heaven! Even weakened now, unable to fully awaken, he still wielded Fourth Heaven's might.
Their so-called ultimate weapons were laughable before him.
Why slay them quickly? Better to…
"What if I make them my servants?"
A sinister grin spread across the devil's face.
Other devils roamed this world—some closer than humans suspected. Even among his own circle, two peers were already eyeing him hungrily. Their contracts prevented conflict, but contracts never lasted forever.
Preparation was key. These two boys, with talent so fierce at their age, could become invaluable assets if bound as his thralls.
But then—
"They're not running?"
The devil frowned as the two finished their whispered exchange. Instead of fleeing, both radiated killing intent and charged straight at him!
"Spirit Magic: Zephyra's Blessing!"
Yuno roared, raising his greatsword high. He knew—against a devil, even the slightest restraint was disrespect to life itself. To survive, he had to give everything.
"The power of the wind spirit…" the devil thought grimly. "Not from the Netherworld, but enough to wound me."
Bone spikes erupted across his body, weaving into a shield of white.
Clang!
The Spirit-forged blade crashed against the shield. Yuno staggered, his hand numbed by the backlash.
"This strength… he's even tougher than the word-magic devil!" Yuno gritted his teeth, eyes dark with resolve.
"Spirit Magic: Zephyra's Roar!"
"Spirit Magic: Flame Dragon's Breath!"
Beside him, Ethan summoned both storm and fire. The miniature dragon perched on his shoulder bared its fangs, spewing flames that mingled with the roaring winds.
Wind fed fire, fire fueled wind—together they became a raging inferno that surged at the devil.
"Two spirits? No… three?!" the devil's eyes narrowed.
Of the four primal spirits, of course he had heard. But never before had he seen one man wield more than one—let alone three.
"Devil's Power: Bone Fortress!"
Though stunned, his reaction was swift. His strength may have dwarfed theirs, but even he couldn't stand idly by.
From his body, countless bones burst outward like wild weeds, knitting together into a massive white sphere that encased him fully.
And then—
"Time Creation Magic: Chronos' Clock!"
GONG…
The sound of a clock's chime echoed through the void.
A phantom timepiece materialized behind Ethan, its ancient hands ticking—hour, minute, second—each moving with inexorable authority.
The overwhelming force of time spread outward, seizing everything around them.
From now on, the world would follow time's law—Ethan's law.
"Stop."
The clock chimed again.
The bone fortress froze mid-growth.
For the first time, fear flickered in the devil's eyes.
"What? My devil's power… stopped?!"
-------------------------
Check out my new work:"Vampire Diaries: Curse of the Talisman"
Support me so I can keep bringing you more chapters! Your comments, reviews, and power stones mean a lot.
~~Do leave a comment!