Second World

1942 Chapter 1942. Eternal Rest

The runic symbols along Belphegorʼs body flared brightly as the crimson and black drills bored into his defensive runic layer.

Belphegor focused all his concentration on maintaining the runic defense that empowered his Diamond Body. He couldnʼt move because of that. The three were as still as statues while their energies combat each other. The rampant force discharged by the clash prevented anyone else from approaching.

Belphegor was confident the power of his mana manipulation was superior. Yet, as seconds passed, he felt his runic defense weakening. The runic symbols all around his body were dimming. ”Im-Impossi...”

Belphegor couldnʼt complete his word because his defensive runic layer finally gave in. The two giant drills pierced through and started drilling his sparkling diamond skin. Sparks were produced as friction intensified.

While Belphegorʼs mana manipulation was indeed more powerful, Grace and Red Death were not that far off. They had Devilize fueling their power and had a better application of their mana. They were using ancient arts. The ancient art was the culmination of the efforts of past martial artists, who dedicated themselves to studying chi, the equivalent of mana in this game world.

Some martial arts could be considered Form Manipulation. This was what happened when some martial artists conjured tangible images when they performed their martial arts. The power of these martial arts was given form, such as when Long used his Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, and when Grace and Red Death used their current arts.

Though it was not a guarantee a martial artist who could perform such martial arts could use Form Manipulation on game skills, the underlying principle was almost the same. That was how Domon casily learned the form manipulation. It was due to the depth of his understanding of martial arts.

Hence, Red Death and Graceʼs crimson and black drill successfully overpowered Belphegorʼs runic defense. His application of mana manipulation lost to the two women. Cracks spread along Belphegorʼs hardened skin as the two drills went deeper, Damage numbers popped out continuously. ”Rarrgghh...!!” Belphegor reacted in response to the pain. His two fists enlarged, and he brought them forward. The two giant fists collided with the two drills still drilling into his body.

A spectacular explosion resulted from the clash, Grace and Red Death were thrown by the explosive force.

Belphegor stood his ground, but two gaping holes were visible in his belly. These holes were dripping black blood, His HP had fallen to around five percent, and his Diamond Body was no more. ”Nameless!!” Grace yelled.

Nameless responded by using Godʼs Wrath. He didnʼt have much chance to use this skill even when it was off-cooldown. His allies kept on jumping around near Belphegor. He would hit them if he used the skill. The area around the devil was clear now.

The massive light fell from heaven and created a crucifix-shaped explosion. They saw Belphegorʼs HP continue to fall inside the crucifix. When it was near zero, Red Death used Throw Weapon. Her dagger pierced into Belphegorʼs throat.

Nameless turned to Red Death. ”You have to do that, donʼt you?” He said with annoyance.

Grace just watched the devil. She was ready in case Belphegor still had something up his sleeves. She was vigilant because she saw the devil was perfectly calm even as his HP neared zero. Belphegorʼs mouth moved. He was saying something. The distance and the sound of the explosion should have rendered Grace unable to hear what the devil said. Yet, she somehow heard it. ”... Perhaps an eternal rest isnʼt so bad.”

The devilʼs gigantic body turned to dust afterward. The crucifix made of light started to disperse. When it was gone, the only traces of Belphegor were the loots he dropped. ”YEEAAHHHH...!!!” Nameless let out a victory yell as he jumped.

Similar to the other fronts that had lost the devils, the demons on this battlefield immediately felt it when Belphegor died. They lost their will to fight and received a strong debuff, Arleardʼs troops suddenly found their opponents much easier to deal with,

Namelessʼ victory cry attracted everyoneʼs attention. Arlcard glanced back and understood once he saw the situation. Utilizing the enemyʼs pause, he pumped mana manipulation into his voice. ”Sangrod...!! Our champions have vanquished the enemyʼs leader! The devil Belphegor was no more! Victory is at hand! FIGHHTTT...!!!”

The battle cry ignited the troopsʼ morale. Some glanced back to confirm the claim. Not that they didnʼt trust their emperor. The claim was simply too unbelievable. But there it was, the three outworlders standing relaxed where Belphegor used to be, and the devil was nowhere to be seen.

Some still find it hard to believe even after they saw the sight with their own eyes. They continued to stare, thinking that maybe the devil used an invisibility skill. Only after they heard the battle cries from the comrades next to them that they accept this was real. They charged together with their comrades toward their weakened opponents.

Grace and Red Death were panting as they stood over the loot. They had channeled all their strength to use their ancient arts. Their bodies still felt numb after the exertion. Seeing the ladies didnʼt make any attempt to pick up the loots, Nameless happily took on the task. Badass was still away blasting the demons who tried to approach earlier. After Belphegor was slain, his task became much easier. Ile was also no longer pressured by time. ”Hey! Those are not yours!” Red Death chided when she saw Nameless start taking the loot. ”Let him. We are all comrades,” Grace said. ”He is just storing those loots temporarily. Iʼm sure he will share them with us once things cool down. We still have the enemy army to take care of.” ”Hehe, Sister Grace is the best,” Nameless said.

Red Death gave him a killing stare. ”I remember all the loots. If any is missing, I will make you answer for each!” ”... And you are still the scariest,” Nameless uttered in a low voice. ”We should go help the army” Nameless said after he finished picking up the loot.

Red Death just stood there without moving. Grace told Nameless, ”You go ahead. I think we wonʼt be able to move for a few more minutes.”

Nameless nodded. He didnʼt fully understand, but he saw the slight shivering in the hands of both Grace and Red Death. He told them to leave the rest to him and dashed off. He first aided Badass in taking care of the nearby demons before the two went to help Arlcardʼs troops.

While resting, Grace sent messages to Jack and John to ask about the situation. She asked if they needed help.

Jack told her not to worry. He was fighting Satan but had the situation under control. John informed her that he had yet to engage the enemy but asked her to come help him.

After thinking for a while, she sent a message to John, ”Iʼm going to help Jack.” ”Why did you ask me if I need help then?” John asked back. ”Iʼm sorry. I will ask Red to go help you.” ”I will be surprised if she listens to you,” John said. ”Anyway. Itʼs okay. Iʼm just teasing you, anyway. Iʼve suspected you will choose to go to Jack even if I ask you to come here. Do what you think is best. Paytowin, Blackhole, and Joe are coming to aid me. The battles on their sides had just finished as well.” ”Do you need me to send Nameless or Badass?” Grace asked. ”Nah. Iʼve enough minions. Have them finish the battle there” John replied.

Grace ended the communication, She turned to Red Death and asked, ”Can you move?”

Red Death didnʼt answer. She lifted her hand and clenched it into a fist. The shivering was gone. ”Iʼm going to Jackʼs side. Do you want to come?” Grace asked.

Red Death didnʼt answer for quite some time. She didnʼt even turn to Grace. The silence became so uncomfortable that Grace decided to just leave her. Grace was turning away when she finally spoke. ”You go to him.”

Red Deathʼs devil wings flapped. She was still in Devilize form. She flew toward the battling armics at high speed. She then dove straight into the enemiesʼ midst.

Grace watched Red Death for a few more while before taking out Chrisʼ trial disc. She contacted Chris using that disc. Not long after, she vanished from there.

Next to the gigantic underworld portal in Liguritudum, a makeshift throne had been made. The throne was made of burning wood. Flames were still burning the throne. They didnʼt seem to weaken even after the woods were charred.

Someone was sitting on this flaming throne and didnʼt appear at all bothered by the flames.

This someone was Lucifer. He had been frowning for quite a while now. This was because he had sensed the death of one of the devils. Although he was a God, he was not omniscient. Ile didnʼt know what was happening on the battlefields in other countries. Ile, however, had a special connection with the other devils. He would know if any one of them died. Ilis scowl became deeper when he sensed the passing of the second devil. When he sensed the third, he stood up.

He didnʼt know what was happening. But if three devils perished in such a short time, something was definitely wrong. Ile couldnʼt afford to stay idle anymore. !