368 Issei’s Demise

(Dawn was approaching soon, let's end this fight quickly and go home. No protagonist is easy to deal with. If I underestimate Issei too much, he might manage to escape. After all, protagonists are always protected by plot armor.)

Akira never doubted his victory; thoughts of defeat never crossed his mind. That was the arrogance he gained when he acquired the [Gift: Last Future Embryo].

He was well aware that the Issei before him was no longer a developing protagonist but had already reached his peak.

So what?

The difference in their strengths was still as vast as the sky and the earth.

With the full potential of [Gift: Last Future Embryo], Akira could reach Tier 2-A strength. While Issei with Boosted Gear in [Diabolos Dragon God] or [Apocalypse AnswerArms] mode only reached Tier 5-B strength.

2-A is an existence that significantly influences, creates, or destroys a larger multiverse consisting of 1001 to higher numbers of separate time-space continuums. While 5-B is a level of power that can create or destroy a planet.

Does Akira still need to fear Issei?

The answer is no!

"I will annihilate your soul so that your [Existence] will be erased and never able to reincarnate or be resurrected by any means."

In Akira's hands, aurora lights began to form.

Draig's urgent voice echoed loudly in Issei's mind.

"No need to remind me, I know."

His instincts told him he was facing a danger he had never encountered before. Issei felt terrified just sensing the aura from the man in front of him.

Without hesitation, he transformed into his strongest mode.

"Draig!"

His Scale Mail turned dark red and black, with two pairs of dragon wings, and [∞] on all of its gems.

He ignored the side effects that would come after activating [Diabolos Dragon God].

All gems on the armor glowed brightly; Issei's power skyrocketed frighteningly in an instant. He continued to increase his power until his body couldn't contain it.

He spread his wings containing cannons and took a deep breath.

"[Infinity Blaster]"

"[Blazing Inferno of Scorching Flames]."

The cannons fired powerful explosions of red and black aura.

From his mouth, he unleashed a powerful flame breath that could burn anything, a fire that never extinguished once ignited because it continued to burn even after turning to ash and possibly could burn souls until nothing remained.

Facing a death crisis more terrifying than facing Rizevim, Issei decided to use his strongest attack.

Standing in front of the intense heat that could scorch his skin, Akira breathed in the cool air.

"[Aurora Pillar]."

With aurora appearing in his right hand capable of extinguishing stars in the night sky, it transformed into a towering pillar reaching the heavens.

Issei's eyes began to tremble with surprise.

"—,!!?"

(What-what is this guy? He's stronger than Sirzech-san... No, he might even surpass Trihexa... Why does this guy hate me so much...?)

No matter how great Issei's destructive power was, it was not something to be feared.

The [Aurora Pillar] in Akira's hand could not be defended against by anything in the material world.

As if wielding a lamp handle, he swung it towards Issei's heart.

The cannon shots and flame bursts began to decay into something smaller than atoms.

The [Aurora Pillar] had the power that could even be compared to star collisions that destroyed all creation at once.

In a blurry sight, Akira saw Issei's body evaporate from his attack.

After a few moments, the aurora light that illuminated the entire earth slowly began to dim. But once again, this caused a commotion throughout the world.

Today various news media will surely discuss this event.

As the main perpetrator, Akira seemed unconcerned.

The tropical island where they fought had completely disappeared. The sea water as far as the eye could see had been wiped away to reveal the seabed.

"Blame yourself for putting your filthy hands on Yotsuba. This disaster is brought upon by yourself."

Staring at the location Issei was before, Akira felt relieved in his heart.

"Let's go home, I haven't read Itsuki's documents and my childhood friend's yet."

After saying that, he teleported with [Hiraishin no Jutsu].

Considering the appearance of [Aurora Pillar], he was sure to attract the attention of powerful individuals. Although Akira wasn't afraid, he didn't want to seek trouble without reason.

His guess was not wrong.

Powerful individuals from various factions immediately came to the scene.

Sensing the remaining momentum of [Aurora Pillar], they felt terrified in their hearts.

Sona was among the people who came.

"Could this be his doing?"

Pushing up her glasses, Sona remembered Ars Nova, whom she hadn't heard from in a long time.

Because she witnessed [Aurora Pillar] firsthand, it left a deep impression on her.

"Who is Ars up against..."

She decided to investigate this.