Chapter 18: Killing The Devil's Advocate

Ting~

[ONE LIFE PACKET HAS BEEN USED]

[YOU HAVE REVIVED!]

[Invulnerable effect- You are immune to all damage and effects for 5 hours. (Effect refreshes when you die)]

[Experience boost effect- Experience gain from killing monsters increases by 500% for 24 hours. (Effect refreshes when you die)]

"Haaaaah!"

Xerel gasped for air as he returned to life. On the ground he laid, he stood up, the transparent orb that encased him made him feel protected as he revealed a wicked grin.

"Almadeas, you are so fucking dead!"

One of his eyes turned black and in his other vision reveals a forest. Just below his field of view was a towering corpse of monsters and in the center was a man kneeling on the ground in which where Xerel had just died, he observed the man as he started muttering a prayer.

"I was fortunate enough that he didn't see me throw the ward in the sky. With this, I should be able to go back to that location in an instant."

Before he teleported himself, he continued to observe Almadeas. A golden wisp started circling the man and like a holy spirit, it sprinkled its powers to Almadeas as the broken armor was repaired and the golden wisp disappeared right after that.

While watching the wisp dissipate, Xerel was profusely sweating at what he had just seen. His eyes grew wide as his heartbeat fast.

"T-that was a d-demonic aura. How is it here!?"

There was a good explanation for Xerel's sudden reaction.

10 years ago, in a wasteland known as the country of Congo, the monsters that had inhabited the land started evolving at a rapid rate. Although mutation of monsters was considered a normal occurrence, the mutation of these monsters came from batches at the same time. It was believed to be a widespread disease so scientists and high-ranking hunters were immediately dispatched to the area to investigate this phenomenon. The investigation ended horribly as everyone was massacred not by the evolved monsters but a humanoid one at that.

They were able to send footage of the humanoid before they were killed and what they found baffled the entire hunter society. They validate it as an elite S-rank monster but the humanoid was more than that, an Overlord ranked hunter had died from its hands, and not even such a powerful man was able to damage it one bit.

It was then announced as a new type of monster, the first demon named, The Seven Horned Devil. The 3rd Calamity ranked monster than can control other monsters on its side.

It needed the help of other Overlord ranked humanoid hunters and a battalion of Elite S-rank hunters. The casualty ends up destroying 3/4th of the entire African continent.

The casualty didn't end after the successful subjugation, as when it died, it spread out wisps in the entire continent that once it lands on a monster, it rose its levels up by a few numbers. As a result, it was the year were S-rank monsters were booming with numbers, although civilians found this as a threat, for hunters, this was a good business for them.

The government had limited the number of hunters allowed in Africa due to the increase of powerful monsters, and the only ones that could pass the entry were guilds granted an appointment. They had to destroy as much of the wisps as possible to avoid more monsters evolving.

Even today, the monsters in Africa only decreased by a fourth so there were still a lot of S-rank monsters that inhabit the continent.

'I don't know much about the details of that subjugation but it was rumored that the one who dealt the most damage was an Overlord ranked human named, Nikola from Palestine. It is said that his strength helped him defeat the demon as most mana-related attacks were useless.'

"Now that I think about it, Almadeas said to himself that any mana-related attacks don't work on him that's why Nikola was able to deal a lot of damage since he's more of an internally powered hunter. Does this mean that Almadeas might be a demon? But he's brimming with spiritual power, aren't they supposed to be Angels? But I was sure that that wisp is the same as those wisps back on Earth. Hooooo~ this is far more complicated than I thought it would be. But one thing I know is that I have to kill him."

Waaaang!

Xerel disappeared from where he stood and reappeared above the air as he fell down the center of the wall of monsters where Almadeas was.

Crash!

"Didn't I tell you that I'll be back?"

With a wicked grin, Xerel greeted Almadeas. Almadeas was somewhat surprised by Xerel's sudden revival as he could see his eyes intently gaze at him.

"How do you know the ancient technique of revival?"

Almadeas asked in a cold tone as he pointed his greatsword at Xerel.

"Let me ask you a question first. Since you're also one of the chosen Challengers for the World Tree, why do you want to kill me? Do you want to reap all the benefits for yourself? I mean just looking at you, you'd reach farther up the trail."

"Tch, you don't know huh? I guess you're blinded from the rewards of that false God. I was assigned as the progenitor of Justice and by destroying that tree, the real God, our creator of all will resurrect back to his perfect form! I, Almadeas will be his sword to subjugate the followers of the false God even if it means the extinction of countless races."

After listening to his words, Xerel felt appalled. He was closer to finding out the truth about Almadeas and his makeshift god.

"Tell me this...what is the name of this god of yours?"

"His name is the holiest and omnipotent of all, people like you are not deserving of hearing his name but I'll tell you since you're the first otherworldly race that has piqued my interest. Asmodeus, remember that in your grave."

"..!"

Xerel's eyes widened in disbelief. Not even wasting any time, he summoned his sickles and dashed at Almadeas at high speed.

Clang!

"You're worshipping a demon! The King of Demons in that note! Do you even understand how blinded you are from your beliefs? Everything you've believed until now is bullshit made up by a devil in angel's clothing!"

Asmodeus was already known by all of religion as the King of Demons before Mana had even came to earth. Even a civilian knows what are the demons passed in the ancient Bible.

"You dare ridicule, my God? You've lost your chances and now, I'll have to make sure and kill you so that you won't be able to revive again!"

Almadeas thrust his sword as he executed a dazzling display of swordsmanship. Golden rays of light spread out like threads as they made their way towards Xerel.

"It's no use."

Twang! Twang!

The golden threads of light dispersed to nothing. Xerel was unmoving as he stared at Almadeas with a heavy look.

"I-impossible!"

Almadeas called out in disbelief and shock as he watched his attack turn to nothing. As anger rushed through his veins, Almadeas performed another display of swordsmanship befitting his title as a Sword Saint.

Each swerves from the sword, was an overwhelming pressure. Golden swords formed from his dance as one by one, these swords darted at Xerel who in no matter was trying to defend the incoming swords.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As soon as they made contact with the transparent barrier that only he could see, the golden swords shattered like glass. Not one was able to come close to him and watching the disturbing reaction from Almadeas, Xerel grinned and squatted on the ground as if to show he was bored.

"That's it?"

Almadeas gritted his teeth seeing Xerel's provocations. He tightly gripped his sword and chanted a skill. He rose his sword up in the sky and golden wings spread upon his back which was all made up from the golden aura he emitted. A golden crown appeared on his head and like a righteous archangel that descended from the heavens, his depiction of that was far too accurate but Xerel knew this was all an illusion made by the king of Demons.

"This is the price for degrading the name of God! [Atrocious]!"

Gwaaahhhh!!

His yellow hair burned in gold as his eyes ignited in golden flames. The sockets started to crack around his face as his entire flesh turned into a marble white. In the center of his head grew a golden horn as the darkish armor formed into a golden armament.

His sword grew into an immeasurable size that one slash of it was enough to cut the entire planet in half.

"Die!"

Tsuuuuuuv!!!

Almadeas slashed his sword at Xerel causing a huge explosion. The entire forest was turned into a wildfire and as the sword returned to its state, the smoke that surround the explosion dissipated revealing a giant ravine that stretched out far and wide, all caused by that single strike.

Lava flowed out from the cracks below and like a river in hell, it was a scary sight to behold.

"That was quite an attack you did."

Like a nightmare come to life, Xerel appeared from the smoke levitating on the air using telekinesis.

"How are you still alive from that?"

Almadeas was stunned after seeing Xerel. He was not unscathed by the attack there were no signs of impact from his body, he wasn't even wearing armor or clothes, he was butt-naked.

"Is that all you've got? C'mon, a devil's advocate shouldn't be that weak right?"

"Urrrghh!!"

Lashing in anger, the speed that Almadeas ripped space around. He had broken not only the sound barrier even the space barrier so he was moving faster than light.

He slash his sword nonstop at Xerel but not one managed to hit him. He continued to slash and cast skills at Xerel but even though his spiritual power was slowing down his anger continued to rise.

His form demonic form slowly disappeared as he returned to his normal self panting in rage. He fell back on the ground having to lose his golden wings as he watched the unscathed Xerel slowly descend on the ground.

"[Overdrive][Exemplifier][Timelapse]"

In an instant, Xerel dashed as he distorted the space around and held Almadeas in his neck.

"Kheaauhk!"

He held him tightly with a single hand as Almadeas struggled to remove his grasp and started slashing him but just like what he tried last time, his sword couldn't even come close to his skin as if an invisible barrier was protecting Xerel.

"Who...erre(are)...you?"

Almadeas could hardly speak as Xerel continued to tighten his grip on his neck. Damage indicators could be seen popping up from Almadeas heart as his health was rapidly decreasing. Xerel scoffed at his question and gave a laughing response.

"Ironic how the same scenario that you did to me is now being repeated except this time you're the one struggling."

His health dropped down by 10% and this time, his face had become purple almost running out of breath as he continued to struggle by hitting Xerel with his sword.

"Kheuk..."

"Hey Asmodeus, will you just watch your child die in my hands?"

Xerel asked the air around him. Having no response, he continued to tighten his grip and in any second, Almadeas would die.

Ting~

"S T O P"

[THE DEMONIC ENTITY IS ASKING YOU TO LET GO OF HIS SERVANT]

A golden wisp appeared in thin air as it swirled around Almadeas head. It spoke in a very eerie voice that one wouldn't be able to tell if it was a woman, a man, an old person, or a child.

"Oho~ what if I don't?"

"H U N T"

Ting~

[THE DEMONIC ENTITY PROMISES TO HUNT YOU DOWN AND WILL CURSE YOUR RACE IF YOU DON'T LET GO]

The golden wisp threatened Xerel but despite the-wisp being a high-ranking demon, Xerel wasn't weak enough to be moved by his threats.

"Almadeas already told me that his mission is to resurrect you and I doubt you'd even be able to touch a hair on me, despite you being a powerful being, you're not omnipotent."

Xerel dug his fingers deeper through Almadeas neck, he tried to squeal in pain but no voice was released as he had crushed his voice box as a result.

[Almadeas

HP: 987/12,000,000]

His health was on the brink of falling to zero and if Xerel didn't release his grip, he'd almost be sure to die.

"D E A L"

Ting~

[THE DEMONIC ENTITY PROMISED TO GIVE YOU UNIMAGINABLE POWER IF YOU RELEASE HIS SERVANT]

"That's a tempting offer. Let me think first....hmmm...oh yeah! No."

"Check."

Ting~

[YOU HAVE KILLED ALMADEAS]

[+2,390,000,000 EXP]

[LEVEL UP]

[LEVEL UP]

[LEVEL UP]

.

.

.

Ting~

[DUE TO YOUR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TITLE]

[Oppressor of Hell- By defeating the 1st servant of the King of Demons, Asmodeus, your reputation in the netherworld has increased and all of the great Demons have despised you while the lower demons fear you. The Heavenly race has seen you as an agent of light and will keep in touch with you.

+100 Holy Element

+400 To all status

+50% Experience gained from killing a demon

+60% Damage against demons

Agent of Light-(P)(Buff): The Heavenly Race will be giving you blessings as you help them against the demons in a form of quests. You are fully immune to demonic curses. Gain a holy shield that blocks 50% of incoming demonic damage for 10 minutes (+100% Holy Element). 1-hour cooldown.]

"K I L L!"

Ting~

[THE DEMONIC ENTITY PROMISES TO FIND YOU AND KILL YOU]

"Ohhh~ I'm scared~"

Xerel sarcastically responded to its threats as the golden wisp disappeared along with Almadeas' body.

"He's probably not dead since he has returned to his world and although I did not earn any item from him, having earned a title and levels is enough. With this, I've become an enemy of the demon race. I need to get stronger to protect my race from any threat that comes our way."

With all that had happened. Xerel gained 110 levels from killing Almadeas. He also gained a nifty title which would be helpful once he fought another demon like him.

"I should be strong enough to conquer the trials of the World Tree. Let's go shall we?"