Unlike when she faced the Armored Devil's charge, Liora didn't have the time to activate Shadow Assimilation this time.
Instinctively, she could only raise her hands in a hurry, bringing them before her.
The moment she finished those movements, the Colossal Undead's attack arrived.
All of its hands turned into tight fists, and they punched down in unison, overwhelming her.
Liora felt her arms, shoulders, abdomen, and even her head being hit, and the force knocked her back.
Her body flew through the air, crashing into the ground and rolling a few times before finally hitting the city's wall.
Dust and pieces of stone flew everywhere, and it took a few moments for them to settle.
Once they did, Liora's appearance was revealed.
Surprisingly, she didn't seem to have suffered any damage.
This was not because the Colossal Undead's attack was weak, but because of her strongest ability—the Myriad Devils Armor.
Having devoured the blood of so many Devils during the massacre, its defenses had become remarkably strong.
By now, even Liora didn't know how strong it was—or how powerful one would have to be to break through it.
Yet, Liora didn't let her guard down. She stared at the Colossal Undead opposite her with a serious expression.
Based on the previous collision and the powerful aura it exuded, she instantly realized one thing: this creature was the strongest being she had ever met.
"This is the third time I've been injured in my entire life...", Liora whispered.
Indeed, as far as she could remember, she had only suffered damage three times so far.
Once during the Trial on the banks of the River of Oblivion, once during the events of the underground maze, and right now.
This realization didn't make her scared. Instead, it made her thrilled.
She knew that this creature possessed the strength of a ranked Devil and was thus a suitable target for her to test her current strength.
Most importantly, though, it was the first worthy opponent she had met so far.
Liora stared at the Colossal Undead, blood pumping through her veins with excitement.
She didn't activate Shadow Assimilation but pushed against the ground with her feet, thrusting herself forward.
Shadows coiled around her arms and turned into a pair of gothic gauntlets, their fingers ending in sharp points. The crimson veins on her armor sensed her emotions and pulsed violently, like blood vessels that were about to burst.
The Colossal Undead, just like the undead before it, didn't seem to possess much intelligence.
Facing Liora's charge, it didn't back down, but instead mirrored her movements.
Both of them completely disregarded defense and attacked the other.
One of them punched down, like a falling mountain, while the other waved her claws like a fierce tiger.
The contrast between the two figures was unimaginable.
The difference in height, weight, and even aura was clear to everyone, making it seem like the reenactment of the battle between David and Goliath.
Following two metal-scraping screeches, both were forced to take a few steps back.
If one were to look at them, they would be shocked to discover that despite the size difference, the two were surprisingly evenly matched.
Neither had managed to harm the other as if the previous collision had been a mere play.
But Liora, as a participant, knew that this was simply not true.
"What a terrifying defense. Although it's weaker than mine, its defense is way more powerful than any of the Devils I've met. Moreover...", Liora whispered, and her eyes narrowed.
During their brief collision, she had tried activating Soul Tear, but it seemed to have lost its effects.
She didn't know why that was, but she could make an educated guess.
"This thing has no soul. In fact, it can not be considered a real creature. It's more like a puppet, like the golems summoned by the Devil Runes."
Although she was thinking, Liora's movements didn't pause.
After she took a few steps back and dissipated the force, she charged again at the Colossal Undead, who did the same.
Still, in the end, no one could do anything to the other.
Taking the opportunity, Liora turned her head slightly and observed the other fight taking place in the City of Embers—between the Two-Headed Devil and Lord Embers.
Just like her fight with the undead, the battle over there was also very fierce, with both of them using every means they possessed in order to suppress their opponent.
Liora could see that although Lord Embers was slightly stronger, the Two-Headed Devil's unusual abilities made it difficult for him to gain an advantage.
In the blink of an eye, the battle was divided into two fronts: one between Liora and the Colossal Undead, and the other between Lord Embers and the Two-Headed Devil.
All four of them possessed the strength of a ranked Devil, and every single one of them wished to tear the others apart.
Liora hesitated for a brief moment before she slightly reduced the power of her attacks, while her movements became a little less fluid.
Overall, she maintained combat power that was equal to that of the Colossal Undead.
"Although the Two-Headed Devil and I seem to be allied at the moment, both working together to suppress Lord Embers and the Colossal Undead, this is merely an illusion."
Liora knew that if she were to show overwhelming power and kill the Colossal Undead with ease, the Two-Headed Devil wouldn't hesitate to team up with Lord Embers to wipe her out.
Of course, she would also do the exact same thing if the Two-Headed Devil showed the potential to pose any threat to her.
At the moment, the three of them were maintaining a delicate balance, with each of them waiting for a suitable opportunity to strike.
But this was a situation that Liora was actually hoping for.
Casting a brief glance at the battle between the two ranked Devils and recalling her previous preparations, she began adjusting one of her plans.
Secretly, a translucent window flashed before her eyes—a window that only she could see.
--
While Liora was plotting something, Lord Embers—fighting against the Two-Headed Devil—was stunned.
He had never expected that Liora was actually so strong, and that she could fight against his undead summon.
"I underestimated her... I'm afraid that her strength might surpass mine.", he sighed.
He couldn't help but blame himself. If he hadn't invited Liora to the gathering, perhaps everything would have been different.
Of course, being a Devil, Lord Embers quickly calmed himself down.
He understood that every plan was bound to have loopholes, especially when such an uncertain factor was thrown in.
"Thankfully, I've already made a contingency plan and can escape no matter what. Gaining a powerful familiar is already worth it.", he thought.
It was unknown whether these were his true thoughts or merely an attempt to make himself feel better.
And yet, before he could convince himself, a sudden sense of unease arose within him.
Just when he was about to trace its source, a piercing, agonizing scream tore through his consciousness.
He recognized that voice—it belonged to his newly created familiar.
In shock, he turned his head, only to be met with a vast, blinding light.
Lord Embers felt his skin crawl, and his heart thumped as if he were facing his natural enemy.