Inheritor to the Throne

Akiol dusted off his palms, "Alright, I have a rough idea of your weaknesses. You lot certainly are used to fighting as a team."

The team was breathing heavily. Akiol had them fight him one at a time to gain insight on their issues. Originally they didn't think much of it, but after seeing him nonchalantly handle them…

"Haha! You tore them apart!"

Akiol looked over to see a blonde figure approach. They were donned in medium plate armor. A silver metallic shine which caused sunlight to bounce off it. A golden spear was on their back.

'How odd, that spear gives off the same feeling…' -Stars

"Hmm?"

'I…'

The approaching figure's eyes sharpened, examining Akiol from head to toe. A strange expression spread across their face, "Who… are you?"

Stars suddenly spoke, 'It's one of my siblings! That spear was created by Borus! It's on the level of an Upper Four sword!'

Akiol responded to the blonde individual, "I could ask the same thing."

The team spoke at once, "Guild Leader!"

The Guild Leader diverted his attention, "You all found someone very interesting!"

"You're telling us!"

The Guild Leader returned his attention and introduced himself, "Guild Leader of the Dusted Bright. The name's Nimin."

"Akiol, for now just a wandering passerby."

Nimin faintly laughed, "If possible, could I invite you to a chat?"

"Well, I was interested in who you were. So I don't mind accepting, as long as you don't care that these two tag along."

"They're welcome! Please come with me."

Nimin pulled out a whistle before hesitating, "Do you… have a mount?"

Akiol chuckled, "No not yet. I haven't found the time to properly obtain one."

Nimin stored the whistle back into his bag, "In that case we can walk. I'm sure there is some things we can discuss."

———————————————————————-

Travis' eyes opened. It was showtime.

His confidence wavered slightly, for he had no doubt that Muryl was of Third Stage. He wasn't quite positive on fighting someone with that level of power just yet.

Rygeth was different, for that was a Berserk Skill or something similar. However a genuine Third Stage was leagues ahead. After all the gap between Stages only grew wider.

But still his heart raced with anticipation. Just how far was the gap? Was it something he could bridge?

Approaching the gates of the manor several demons raised their weapons and shouted, "Halt! You are approaching the Manor of Muryl! State your business!"

"I have something incredibly important to do here."

"We require your name then, if you are approved we can let you in-"

The guards fell unconscious, for the pressure behind Travis' War Sight was too much to handle.

Travis kicked the gates and a set of magical runes flashed, protecting it from any damage. After a moment's debate, he kicked it again with far more force. The runes shattered and the gate was forced open.

Guards swarmed the entrance, determined to arrest the intruder. Travis watched them all with a calm eye before unleashing his War Sight.

Most of the guards fell immediately, the Elite Guard remained conscious, but was in no shape to fight.

With a few causal swings the Elite Guard was finished off. Leaving the Manor defenseless.

A voice boomed across the courtyard, "Who dares to intrude onto my property!"

A shiver went down Travis' spine, such a voice carried power.

The owner of the voice made themselves known. A figure that exuded power and authority with every step approached Travis. This was certainly a leader, Travis could understand how they became the Demon Lord.

<Warning!!! Player has initiated combat with a high level BOSS. Due to the difference in strength, fleeing is recommended.>

<<<Inheritor of the Throne: Muryl (Level ???)>>>

Muryl glanced over his courtyard and stomped the ground, "You dare?!"

Travis unsheathed both his swords, one bright white and the other a dark black.

Muryl tore off the luxurious clothing, revealing thick muscles underneath, "I entertained this politic fiasco, and in return I'm targeted?!"

Travis pointed his sword, "Your politics have nothing to do with me, I'm here for your heart."

"Khehahaha! I see! You're an outsider! That means I don't have to hold back on crushing you!"

Muryl seemed to teleport right in front of Travis, a fist milliseconds away from making contact.

Travis teleported away, he felt death approaching from that punch. It was like dumping a bucket of ice water onto his head.

He needed to go all out right from the beginning! He summoned the power of [Graced Light], the white rings rapidly forming on his sides.

"Do you think I'm going to just stand here?"

Travis was forced to cancel the Skill. He forced his body to move to the side. This maneuver allowed him to dodge by a hair's breadth.

Travis retreated back, holding his swords cautiously. Muryl calmly adjusted himself and cracked his knuckles, "I see now, some random mid-level fighter got a little cocky. Thought you could enter the Demonic Plane and obtaining some High Class Demon Hearts with ease? You fought the wrong Demon moron."

Travis condensed his War Sight onto Muryl as much as he could. Though he doubted the effects was much.

Muryl seemed to face no discomfort, "You hold the authority of a king. Used to looking down? It seems because of this you failed to notice what's above you!"

Travis rapidly adjusted his position and blocked a powerful punch from Muryl. His arms couldn't stand the force as he failed to completely block the blow.

His HP dropped drastically as he was sent skywards. Using the knockback as an opportunity Travis quickly used a handful of Skills. First Abe turned to mist, next a dark energy formed at the base of his palm. Lumen began to emit a bright light..!

Skill Sync!

[Depth's Beam]

+

[Piercing Light]

Synced Skill-!

[[Light of Unfathomable Depth]]

The two Skills fired off simultaneously, intertwining with each other. Muryl watched it with interest, "Wielding both Holy and Abyssal energy. Ha! How amusing."

Muryl lifted a hand and stopped the approaching beam. Closing his palm he shattered the powerful attack into nothingness.

Travis had expected this! Using his Eyes of Trinity he teleported behind Muryl and stacked several offensive buffs. Swinging his sword he created a thin slash across the back of the demon.

Muryl breathed in the air, as if sniffing some flowers, "Yeah, now I can feel it. This calming sensation, knowing you aren't worth my time. Too bad it's being drowned by this overwhelming rage!"

Travis jerked sideways, dodging a sudden fist. Muryl merely grinned and slammed his knee into Travis' stomach.

Travis spurted blood, the attack was incredibly painful. Yet Muryl wasn't satisfied!

Gripping Travis' neck he tore the mask off. Inspecting his foe he suddenly laughed, "It's a mere Second Stage! Hahah! Khehahahaha!"

Muryl's grip tightened, "A. Mere. Second. Stage! Someone like you thought you could face against me?!"

Muryl slammed Travis onto the ground, "You thought you could even think of approaching me?!"

Lifting Travis Muryl slammed him back onto the ground, "Some weakling like you?!"

Travis sputtered, "I could beat your Elite Guard, are you calling them trash..?"

"Grahh!"

Muryl threw him across the courtyard. Travis slammed into a wall of the manor, making it collapse inward.

Flames of rage seemed to sprout from Muryl, "You think you could compare to my captains? You clearly came when they were away…"

Muryl's expression drastically changed, "No… you aren't an outsider at all! Someone gave you this information-!"

Travis felt the ground shake around him, he couldn't see what was occurring. For his vision was covered in dust and brick.

Muryl's voice rang across the courtyard, "Who sent you?!"

~~~

"If you don't mind me speaking out of place Sir…"

Huynio swirled his cup of wine, "No, I'm in a particularly good mood. Go ahead and speak your thoughts."

A servant bowed, "Do you believe that masked fellow can actually kill Muryl?"

Huynio sipped the wine, immersing himself in its taste. He didn't answer just yet, instead he gestured for a refill. After another sip he spoke, "It does not matter."

"Sir..?"

"This Dot fellow, he clearly has some sort of connections to the Everlasting Abyss and the Holy Realm. Those two swords are one of the legendary Twelve after all. Two swords that collapsed part of each realm after they were finished…"

The servant waited patiently as Huynio trailed off. The Demon took a sip of wine again before continuing, "If someone like that came to this place then I'm certain they're after something more than just a few High Class Demon Hearts."

"What do you think that intention is?"

"I'm not sure, that man is shrouded in mystery. However he is an incredible threat to the Demonic Plane."

The servant seemed to gain some insight, "So the reason you sent him after Muryl…"

"Either Muryl kills him and temporarily rids us of a threat, or he kills Muryl. The former is the most likely outcome. However if the latter was to occur, then I got rid of a power contender for the price of two High Class Demon Hearts. An incredible bargain price."

"What outcome would you prefer?"

"Hmmm…"

Huynio stared out the window, pondering the question. After considering the options he spoke his thoughts.

"Neither, it would be best if they kill each other."