Devour

WHOOSH!

Another powerful outburst cleared out the cloud of dust, revealing Lucius's fiery purple hair, and a circuit of pulsating purple veins littered all over his dark skin.

His mouth had widened, stretching to his ears and revealing over a hundred shark-like teeth. On his elbows and kneecaps were protruding bones and his shoes were torn, displaying his darkened feet but ten toes each.

"My God!" Ethan muttered in shock.

Not only had Lucius changed completely, but his wounds had been completely healed and his severed hand reattached.

"There are no Gods here. It's just you and me." Lucius revealed an ugly grin.

Boom!

The ground shattered under his weight as Lucius sped toward Ethan at a terrifying speed. Pushing aside his thoughts, Ethan drifted back as he slashed at Lucius ruthlessly

Puff!

Ethan's eyes widened in shock as Lucius used his left hand as a shield, allowing the feather sword to stab deep into it, but strangely he couldn't cut off the arm.

'Such hard bones!' Ethan gasped as he let go of his weapon and retreated to avoid, Lucius's claw.

Puff!

Blood squirted out of the claw-shaped wound that appeared on his chest, but the wound wasn't deep enough to be considered critical.

Breathing heavily, Ethan gazed at Lucius's arm where the feather sword was lodged, and he was shocked to see dark purple blood flowing out of the wound.

"Kid, what the hell are you?" He asked with a frown.

"Evil." Lucius chuckled cruelly, as he grabbed the feather blade stuck in his arm and shattered it.

Feathers scattered around, shooting back into Ethan's wings while he pondered on what to make of the situation.

He was an A-rated sidekick, valued so high because of his mobility, scouting prowess, supporting skills, and fighting power that could rival the power of peak C-rated guardians with pure destruction capabilities. If his feather sword couldn't hurt Lucius, it meant this kid could withstand the power of the top C-rated guardians.

How can a student be this strong?

What is this form?

Is it a part of his ability, or is he a monster hiding in human skin?

Countless questions plagued his mind, but he was forced to push them aside as Lucius made his move.

Swoosh!

Lucius sprang to the wall on all fours, then the ceiling, and then the wall. He was moving so quickly it looked like he was a ball bouncing around uncontrollably.

Swish!

Peng!

Peng!

Using his wings, he parried Lucius's claw attacks aimed at his vital spots while trying to retreat. As long as he remained in an enclosed space, he would keep getting subdued until he finally got hit.

"Fuck it!" Ethan roared as he enclosed his body with his wing and began spinning as he shot toward the ceiling.

KING FISHER!

"I don't remember giving you the permission to leave." Lucius stood upside down as he watched Ethan approach.

"STOP ME IF YOU CAN!" Ethan roared while raging forward with all his might.

HMPH!

Lucius snorted disdainfully as he reached out, and a powerful suction force erupted from his hand.

Buzz

The energy lingering within the tainted atmosphere of the region near the mining facility began surging into his fist.

"Hand Of God…" Lucius's eyes flared up with power as chaotic purple energy swirled around his fist.

Bam!

He launched himself off the ceiling, punching forward violently.

"Crumble!"

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave erupted as both sides clashed and for a few seconds, the two were pinned at their position, struggling in the midst of fierce shockwaves.

"Arrrrghhh!" Ethan cried out as Lucius's fist broke through his wing, smashing into his chest,

BOOM!

Hurled back down with even greater force, Ethan fell to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. As the dust settled, he was on his knees, coughing up blood with a pale face. His wings were disfigured, his chest caved in, and his lips stained with blood.

Thud!

Lucius's heavy footsteps made him flinch, causing him to look up with terror in his eyes.

"What the hell are you?" He gasped.

"The Carter family are mere Counts in the country. Even the royal lineage of the country is beneath my level, so what makes you think you are qualified to ask me that question with such a filthy bloodline?" Lucius snarled disdainfully.

"LUCIUS!" Ethan bellowed like a mad man and his wings exploded into countless feathers, rushing around the room with intense fury that matched the rage of its master.

"Good… Very Good. Since you have come this far, I will show you my ultimate technique!" Ethan laughed hysterically. "I would like to see you dodge an attack from all ten thousand feathers!"

SIGNATURE MOVE: LEAFLESS ANGEL!

Buzz!

All the feathers surged at Lucius at the same time, but within the chaos, Ethan could make out a mocking smile on his face.

"Who said I plan to dodge?" 

Buzz!

Ignoring the thousands of feathers ravaging his body, Lucius propelled himself forward, and with a swing of his claw, he tore Ethan's throat.

Pa!

Grabbing Ethan by the head, he drove him to the ground and pinned his hands with his knees before unleashing a furious barrage of claw attacks, destroying his face while the feathers attacked him viciously.

Lucius's black blood and Ethan's blood squirted around the room, and soon the feathers seemed to lose their power, falling to the ground.

Ethan was dead…

Thud!

Lucius staggered back, his breathing heavy as he looked at the messy corpse of the once-popular guardian. 

He won… He won against Ethan Carter, Guardian name-Angel!

[Every being affected by the Blue Death has a core, and for humans, it's their heart. Eat his core and make his power yours!] Lyxor said with a hint of unusual excitement in his voice.

The danger had passed, it was time for him to be rewarded!