Chapter 73 - Howling

I guess it's leaning to be Darkseid Invasion huh? Well, I have few things in store. Imagine Erix gaining Anti-crisis and Crisis energy along with other energy to harness them. That would be Op as Fuck. He would virtually be unstoppable.

Anyway, I know the pacing is slow but I don't want to make it fast where I will miss some details later and regret adding it. Maybe, I can do flashbacks.

Anyway, I'll try to post as much as I can but next week will be my 3rd year in college so I might be busy during that time. But don't worry I'll try to keep y'all updated.

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Central Axis World

Crimson Asurayasha Deva Kingdom

Training Grounds

10:30 Am in the morning

The spectators were silent looking at the screen provided by their Monarch who remained frozen in his battle stances exuding overwhelming pressure without any aura and simply their instinct was being provoked. They knew how powerful their Monarch yet none had seen him fight before beside a select few. Their eyes intently locked into place trying not to leave a single detail at the upcoming fight. Benimaru knew his Teacher, Hakurou, to be an immensely skilled swordsman having mastered the Hazy Style that had been honed for several hundred years. He was far from reaching the skills that his teacher has and would take a while to fully master them.

Rimuru felt like she was watching an anime showdown by how the two skilled warriors are being tense against a single individual who hasn't done a single thing besides taking a battle stance. She was a huge fan of anime and manga having watched and read a number of them and the scene before was no different. Having spent more than a month still made her feel that everything was a dream.

Emery knew that the Crimson Monarch wields formidable might that only heroes in legend hope to match but never expected that he was a True Dragon. Their name isn't simply for show as it indicates they are "True" and the derivative of every dragon or dragon type known in the world. They are truly world-ending threats if provoked and thankful that he was not the type to seek destruction without reason. It is an irony to what Erix presents in nature.

"Indeed, a fitting title with the kind of madness that he once laid waste upon our world." Amaia said as they appeared before them in their true form.

"Lady Amaia and Lady Arryn! Can you tell us more about Lord Erix's Journey?" Benimaru curiously asked like a child wanting to know more about their parent's history.

"We would love to. For starters, Erix is the only man to be known as World Champion and World Enemy at the same time." Arryn vividly remembered the times he stood victorious against his enemy during the World Tournament while he used a world item to have a World Enemy Job. The groups became curious what it meant sounding dangerous and powerful

"What's a World Champion and World Enemy?" Rubelia asks, beating the others from asking while the two Manas women remain fixated on the screen looking at their beloved.

"To simply put, World Champion is akin to a True Hero while World Enemy is a being who is a threat on a world wide scale taking numerous powerful adventurers to even take them on and survive." Amaia recalled how Erix ventured to Asgard where heteromorphic races like himself have the biggest disadvantage but are powered through like madmen. He became a living legend because of it having accomplished the impossible. Erix did struggle and had countless hours of preparation but was fortunate enough to win.

As for becoming a World Enemy, he had some convincing with the developers until they agreed making some story about the once hero becoming a world enemy serve some interesting marketing. Though, he didn't instantly become as powerful as World Enemy does reach that point and can fight in even grounds against them. As the apocalyptic Deity.

Their reaction was even more apparent realizing what kind of monster Erix was. However, they weren't discouraged and continued to strive to be better to become useful for him. Within the next moment, they all heard weapon clash and saw the devastation of the first attack where Erix gathered his strength and vanished from his spot closing the gap between him and Hakurou who avoided it and calmly countered.

Erix perception was higher and easily evaded the dozen of slashes surprising Hakurou then pierce downwards only for the elder Kijin to step back and hit the ground resulting a small crater as dust exploded and before he could attack him was intercepted by Cocytus who brought out his creator and father's sword [ God Slaying Emperor Blade ] then swung another blade, [ Takemikazuchi MK 8 ] towards him giving his all knowing it was disrespectful to hold back against his supreme creator and as warrior knew the value of a honorable fight.

The Crimson Monarch simply smirked and spun around his spear like it was a pole before kicking Cocytus who managed to block using his blade but was pushed back with immense forces sending shockwaves to the air. Erix pulled his spear then charged at Cocytus who immediately parried his spear while Hakurou appeared having removed his presence but Erix sensed him rather easily and parried their attacks.

"What the! They're so fast!" Emery wasn't a warrior and barely kept up, almost making their arms appear to vanish producing wind pressure around them.

"I've only seen this once when I met high ranking adventurers. But they're speed is far compared to this!?" Rubelia was shocked yet fascinated by the fight.

"This is how Fa-I mean Lord Erix fights." Benimaru muttered watching Erix who made use of the attack of each opponent to intercept one another and priorities in defense. Erix felt like the lore and background he had placed as well as the decade of experience he had put into the character was emerging where everything became more second nature to him.

He often spar and trains when he gets the chances making him more powerful than he was in Yggdrasil not I'm firepower but in skills and experience. Erix rush towards Hakurou who parries his thrust and use his every ounce of his perception to keep up with his speed that bypassed his own. He stepped back as Erix swung yet it managed to cut him from the small amount of Battle will.

[ Hazy Style: Lightning Gale ]

He exuded a horizontal cut towards Erix who block using his spear pushing him a bit allowing Cocytus to sneak and slash Erix who blocked the attack from above then push it to the side and use the bottom part of the spear to thrust upward striking Cocytus face who stunned for moment but enough as spun his body and thrust his spear using the momentum cause the insectoid warrior to send several meters away from Erix.

"Is that all you got, Cocytus!? I demand you to fight me with everything you got!" Erix shouted knowing that his duty as Floor Guardian made him hold back fear that he may cause irreversible damage and irredeemable sin. He does give his all but his subconsciously holding back especially at the fact he had evolved and gained unique skill making him a lot stronger than his Canon counterpart.

"I. Apologize. My. Lord." Cocytus felt ashamed for making his monarch appear weak and almost distrust despite knowing that even going all out wouldn't put a dent on his Kaiser if he wishes.

"I. Shall. Now. Give. My. All." Cocytus said brandishing his icy aura that Hakurou amaze by his usage of Battle will be like he had used it his whole life having switched mana to Aura making him a lot stronger. He held the swords coating it with his Aura and took a stance then strike.

[ Vidyārāja Strike ]

Cocytus didn't hold back this time and launched a sword beam that had bluish coloring that cut through the air with Erix smirking at this and tried to parry only to be felt when it hit. He was in a concealed state and lowered his power to be in an equal Existence Point than them and was amazed that Cocytus managed to make him feel numb from the attack.

Hakurou seeing the opportunity appeared behind Erix as he took deep breaths slowing down his perception and gradually reached into his sword taking a iaido stance. Erix saw this and immediately tried to block but was too slow. He could increase his power but was fun in that and simply enjoyed the fight.

[ Hazy Style: Cherry Blossoms - Eight Petals Flash ]

[ A/N: Not sure if Hakurou knows this move or not. Also imagine this scene to be like the Combat God 2 dodging the blade strike. ]

Not even a split second lasted and Hakurou appeared in front of Erix sheathing his sword where once it's fully sheathed the result appeared several meters. However, Erix easily dodge the attack rather easily purely by sensing the flow of his attack. The people watching were unable to comprehend what had happened and felt like he simply reappeared in another place. The unbelievable speed that Erix displayed was a shocking sight for Hakurou who had amazing spatial awareness.

Erix didn't waste any moment and planted his feet into the ground propelling himself forward and pushing the ground cracking the pavement then zooming towards Hakurou who parried the attack but was crazed in the cheek as Erix got serious.

[ Hazy Style: Purple Lightning Thrust ]

A single immensely quick thrust managed to push Erix and felt the force get into his system. He removes his immunity to allow them to have chances and amaze the feeling.

[ Smite Frost Burn ]

Cocytus at a distance launched icy flames consuming the air turning them into ice as Erix knew that it froze nearly everything. He smirked and swung his spear sending a slash beam towards it dispersing the attack from hitting him.

"I am pleased that the two of you gave this much excitement. Let us increase the challenge shall we?" Erix opened his five eyes wide open, baring his fangs as they suddenly increased their speed at an insane level that Benimaru barely kept up anymore where only the sound of their bellowing clash was heard.

"Can you girls still keep up? I can't see anything besides the aftermath of their collision." Emery said simply dumbfounded seeing how fast they moved and gave up trying to keep up. Before she at least saw a glimpse but now everything is simply a shockwave.

"Nope, I'm the same, what about you, Rimuru-san?" Rubelia asks, looking at the blue haired woman who had the same face of disbelief as they had.

"Yes, it's hard but my Magic sense can keep up, though, I have to concentrate since they are too fast." Rimuru answered and Great Sage helped him in regards to keeping up.

"You haven't seen everything yet. Watch closely." Amaia said having been with Erix far longer than Arryn and knew how he fights in full detail. Benimaru was curious what she meant and kept his eye on Erix as they all stopped for a moment. Erix was overjoyed from the exhilarating fight and heard Hakurou give a compliment.

"It is still quite the experience to spar with you, Lord Erix." Hakurou knew the moment that he saw Erix and immediately understood he was a warrior who fought countless battles and won. The blood he spilled is more than his own and he had lived a long life. Unlike him, Erix always gathers enemies and chooses to be targeted as it brings him more challenges to overcome. If Yggdrasil were real then his reputation would label him as monster among monsters.

"To. Be. Expected. For. Someone. Who. Is. A. Rival. Of. Lord. Takemikazuchi." Cocytus praised his supreme monarch while Hakurou nodded, having heard stories of him from ice insectoid and deeply respected someone who has the warrior's mindset.

"I appreciate your praise. Now, I've been working on my own arts. I wish to test this." Erix said instantly manifested his Aura then shrouded his entire body and weapon displaying a mastery in BattleWill. Cocytus did the same having been trained to utilize them and due to being a warrior he easily used it especially with his Unique skill.

The burst of aura felt rather overbearing that even those watching to have their skin crawl and saw their revered Monarch change demeanor. He often has a laid back and carefree yet regal and calm demeanor turned into a malicious and dreadful one.

[ Howling style: Crimson Thorn Thrust. ]

Crimson red aura charged around him and thrust towards Cocytus who sensed the incoming attack forcing him to evade resulting in the destruction of everything behind him where it was completely eradicated. The jaws of the spectator was slack and felt that despite how the area of effect was smaller than what they could do knew that even their durability and defense wouldn't give them any resistance against his attack.