章 13: Zephyron: First real fight (3)
Diablo's eyes flickered with amusement as he felt the shift in Zephyron's aura. With his countless years of experience, he recognized it as the evolution of a skill or the acquisition of a new one.
"This just got even more interesting," he thought. The evolving skill was a sign of desperation, and Diablo was excited by it. He allowed Zephyron his moment, hovering with a relaxed demeanor as though waiting for something inevitable.
"How amusing," Diablo murmured. "But it won't change anything."
Zephyron's body surged with newfound energy. His wings, each sharp like swords, flared with renewed brilliance, and his elemental magic became even more potent.
No doubt, he was now the strongest elemental Diablo had seen in ages. It might have given him trouble before he was named by Rimuru.
Diablo loosened the Despair Time skill to get a feel for the battle, looking at the red-haired man below. He sighed. They had seen too much, and he was afraid they might not allow him to stay by Rimuru's side.
At that moment, something extremely fast struck him. Not only Diablo, but everyone present had their eyes widened in shock; the attack was too fast. It was the same attack Hinata had used against Rimuru.
The slash, which was the incarnation of destruction, obliterated Diablo's body, killing him instantly.
Zephyron stood there as if nothing had happened. The surrounding, which had been under a world skill, soon changed. Diablo, at this moment, fully activated his skill.
His body materialized. In this world, he was a god. Zephyron's metallic body, made up of legendary-grade material, started to twitch. Cracks slowly appeared across his form.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Diablo broke Zephyron's metallic hand. Zephyron struggled to regain control of his body, which was spiraling out of control. Magicules started to leak from his body as he realized just how strong Diablo truly was.
"You may have evolved your skill or gained a new one," Diablo said, his voice calm yet menacing, "but even the heavens tremble before me. You are nothing but a fly buzzing around someone you can never hope to understand."
Before Zephyron could react, Diablo raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, the world around Zephyron darkened. His body froze, completely immobilized. It was as if the very concept of motion had been stripped from him.
"What... what is this?" Zephyron's eyes widened in panic, feeling as though time itself had ceased.
"This is the power of a subordinate of the true Demon Lord," Diablo said, his tone almost pitying. "The moment you crossed the line, your fate was sealed, but I can't blame you for that."
Diablo slowly descended to where Zephyron floated helplessly, his eyes glowing with malice. "But don't worry. Your fate will be decided by none other than Rimuru-sama."
Zephyron's eyes widened as Diablo continued. "You see, it's not just Veldora-sama's magicules you carry, but also Milim-sama's. Not only that, but you're under a mind control skill. Rimuru-sama is the only person who can judge you."
With a slow, deliberate movement, Diablo placed his hand on Zephyron's forehead. The black energy of his magic gently wrapped around Zephyron's form, not to destroy, but to remove the shroud of mind control.
The magic influencing Zephyron's thoughts shattered, and in an instant, his eyes cleared. Realization hit him, and deep fear and anger took root.
"Clayman... I will kill you," Zephyron shouted with all his might.
"You were but a puppet," Diablo whispered, "and now you are free. But freedom comes with a price. Rimuru-sama will decide if you live or die."
Zephyron, now fully aware of his situation, felt his strength leave him. "Rimuru... I..." he stammered, but Diablo was already turning away, his task complete.
Without another word, Diablo raised his hand once more, and Zephyron's body collapsed to the ground, too weak to continue. The battlefield fell silent, and the demonic aura that had suffocated the area slowly dissipated.
As Zephyron lay there, broken and powerless, Diablo floated above him, casting a shadow that seemed to stretch for miles. "Consider yourself fortunate," Diablo said softly. "For your fate, too, is in the hands of a merciful master."
"Stop! Don't release this world you created. I don't want to do that... Can you please tell me what I have done?" Zephyron pleaded, tears visible in his eyes.
Diablo looked at him with an unreadable expression, and soon a scene appeared before Zephyron. It showed what he had done. The reason he knew about it was because he was spying on what was happening when his body was under control.
After 30 minutes…
"So, this happened," Zephyron stood up, looked at Diablo, and said something that surprised him. "You were really strong, going toe to toe, and even surpassing my power. Although, to be defeated in my subconscious state..."
Zephyron started to ramble, trying to mask the bitterness of his first real defeat.
"You are quite a character. I know you weren't resisting the mind control magic. The little act you played was also seen through by me, so stop pretending," Diablo said with disgust.
"You are wrong! If I weren't resisting, you would have been dead by now."
This time, Zephyron didn't just talk—he acted. The world around them began to crack.
"I will take the same hand you destroyed," Zephyron declared, and a sword materialized in his hand. Not only that, his body had fully recovered.
Diablo's eyes widened. His Despair Time skill wasn't working. Which should be impossible.
"What is happening? Why is this skill not working?" he muttered, but it was too late. A bright light created by Zephyron's swing was coming toward him.
"Stop," Zephyron commanded, halting Diablo's movements.
"What—" Diablo's eyes widened as his hand was cut clean off. He couldn't believe his own world was working against him.
The world shattered, and they were back outside. The result of the battle was clear: Zephyron stood, looking down at Diablo. Diablo, on the other hand, was on his knees, staring in shock at his severed hand.
"You are alive because you are not only a subordinate of Rimuru, who is Milim's friend, but also the one who lifted the mind control on me," Zephyron said. With that, he spread his wings once more and took off with hypersonic speed, creating a sonic boom in the process.
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