The Demon Monarch System

----

The sea of dark lightning condensed before everyone's eyes, forming an entity that resembled Amduscias. However, the two hollow pits in the skull shone with a nefarious light, which was why Typhir was curious whether this technique summoned a conscious entity or the sensation was just that overwhelming.

Whichever option rang true, it wouldn't be matter because both situations led to a disadvantageous position.

Meanwhile, Valac released an audible gulp as he looked at the shape of the lightning before his eyes. 'Although I'm accomplishing what I set out to do, I didn't expect the rumors to be true. His regular usage of his dark lightning is just a prelude to its true transformation.'

Unlike some of the other demons inside the Dominus Household, Aztraval confirmed that Amduscias wasn't given a second transformation. That's because Aztraval found more power within the dark lightning than Amduscias' body. In other words, Aztraval didn't bestow additional power upon Amduscias's Sin Vessel but to the source of his lightning.

As a result, Amduscias could choose whether he wanted to unleash the full ferocity of the lightning or keep it at bay and utilize the unimpressive initial form. Regrettably, for Valac, his instigation led to Amduscias summoning the form.

In truth, there were two ways of controlling the current form of his lightning. Amduscias could control the summoned dark lightning figure remotely while keeping a thorough understanding of the battlefield, or he could do something that only those who walked through the last battlefield of the Dominus Household knew about.

Since he wished to teach Valac a severe lesson, he chose the latter. Because of this decision, the back of the dark lightning figure opened up as the inside became hollow enough to walk inside.

With a faint smile, Amduscias stepped inside the dark lightning armor. The moment he did so, it closed, and millions of tendrils drilled into his body, yet Amduscias didn't utter a single sound of pain. On the contrary, he smiled.

However, the dark lightning armor covering his body made the light smirk seem menacing.

"It's surprising that until now, no one was able to correct that unsightly behavior of yours. But no worries. That will change today, and I will make sure of it. Even if I'm punished in the afterlife by the Monarch, I've had enough of your deceitful and mischievous conduct," Amduscias said. 

He lifted his hand before his body a moment later, causing numerous arcs of dark lightning to flicker. A tiny cut opened in the space as a relentless aura pooled into the center of his palm, forming a metallic spear.

A singed spiral flowed through the spear as a demonic beast resembling that of a dragon opened its maw around the spear's blade, creating a breath-taking sight.

Despite how amazing the scene was, Valac blanched. "H-how can you still have that weapon from that time?! I don't even have mine. The only one who has theirs is…"

"Wrong," Amduscias interjected. "All of the Dukes and higher should still possess their weapon since we can merge them with our Demon Bodies during the nurturing period. Of course, your lowly ranking didn't allow you to receive a special weapon like this one."

"Shut your mouth," Valac snarled with resentful eyes. Just as mentioning his defeat to Asteroth was his sore spot, speaking of his inferior position was Valac's trigger.

Of course, with the power Amduscias held, he could not care less. 

"Whatever you say. I'm only here to accomplish one thing now. Since you have triggered your Second Transformation, let's see just how long you last," Amduscias said with a slight chuckle. 

Afterward, Amduscias took a single step, but his body seemed as if it burned through space with the way his dark lightning shrouded his body and singed space. A sense of danger assaulted Valac's mind as he witnessed this movement. However, he didn't have time to take a step back as Amduscias appeared before his eyes.

Time stalled as the two met eyes, but then Valac felt the world blur, followed by a heavy impact as Amduscias gently pressed the tip of his spear against Valac's torso. At least, that's how it appeared to the others.

The actual events happened faster than anyone could sense. Just after Amduscias's spear pressed against Valac's torso, it sped up to a nonsensical velocity, which caused a crater the size of Valac to appear in the center of the worshipping area.

For a while, Typhir was shocked beyond words. After all, when someone was typically smashed into the ground, it formed a circular crater due to force distribution. However, the size of the hole was identical to Valac's body, indicating that all of the force applied to the strike was focused on him without a shred of it spilling outside.

Eventually, a thought crossed Typhir's mind. 'Could Amduscias be a master of the Aura of Force? If so, it makes sense. He wouldn't need to gather any momentum. He could gather all the power he needed by manipulating his Aura.'

In the meantime, Valac crawled out from the pit he was buried inside. But, there was a noticeable difference when he appeared from in the hole. A large portion of the demonic armor covering his torso was gone.

Though Amduscias's strike didn't pierce through Valac's body, it seemed as it did because both sides of armor were missing identical chunks.

At the same time, judging by the erratic rhythm of his chest, it seemed as if Valac had a hard time breathing. Based on the signs, he might have received internal damage from a single strike. 

Regrettably, Valac was a demon without a solid Aura. So, even if he was stronger, he was already at a disadvantage. The advantage of having an Aura when going up against an upper race was considerable. After all, every one of the upper races possessed an auxiliary power of the same caliber.

Still, his lack of Aura didn't stop Valac from rising to his feet once again. Additionally, there was a frustrated look upon his face as he looked at Amduscias. Conversely, Amduscias revealed a disappointed one.

"Are you serious? After all these years, you still haven't developed a unique Aura? Though I suppose that's about right, seeing as you can't even choose who you are. One without self is one with power," Amduscias said with a disappointed sigh.

In response, Valac gnashed his teeth and dashed towards Amduscias without a second thought. Rather than move, Amduscias stood still, watching as Valac's spear appeared larger in his view.

He continued waiting until it was close enough that Amduscias felt Valac's power emanating from the spear. Once it was that close, he raised his finger and flicked the spear upward, followed by a sharp kick to the exposed area of Valac's torso. 

A series of disturbing cracking sounds were heard as Valac's froze. At the same time, his spear was frozen just above Amduscias's head. Two seconds later, a trickle of blood seeped down the corner of his mouth as signs of dark lightning infiltrating his body appeared on the wounds.

Valac was absolutely powerless in this fight! On top of that, he wasn't sure how much dark lightning he made Amduscias consume. If it was lacking, then he was confident that his actions were for naught.

Suddenly, a robust figure appeared between Valac and Amduscias. They stared eye to eye with Amduscias before glancing to his side, "That's enough. He's already severely injured. Any further injury would be unnecessary."

"Unfortunately, that's not for you to decide. I am the master of my actions, and your suggestions are pointless," Amduscias said before taking a step forward. However, he was stopped as Typhir extended Armageddon, cutting off his path.

"I meant what I said. You will not injure him any further. As much as a headache as he is, I was still tasked with ensuring his safety. Therefore, if you move forward, I will become your opponent," Typhir said.

At the same time, Sapphyr removed Valac from battle while assessing his injuries. After a few moments, she was sure that she would be of no help. They needed someone specialized in healing like Furcas to assist with this situation, except he was back on Ashiraem.

Because of Typhir's words, Amduscias was intrigued. 'Hoh? Has Valac joined them already? In other words…'

Amduscias grinned before lashing out his spear without another word. The moment he moved, Typhir prepared for the collision, activating his Aura of Destruction at the peak of the second degree.

A powerful blast occurred after the two auras met, but Typhir was only forced four steps back before recovering. Still, his eyes narrowed as he noticed something. 'That force is outstanding! Then, was I right?'

"Oh? So you're the boy with the power of destruction, I see. Though, if I must say, it's truly lacking. Allow me to show you a real Aura."

BOOM!

The dark lightning surged everywhere as Amduscias' sensation climbed. Eventually, it settled at a state that even overwhelmed the degree Typhir unleashed against the Iraym. Amduscias had revealed an aura at the fourth degree!

At first, it was stifling but left with no other choice Typhir pushed his Aura to the third degree while activating the first level of his bloodline. The massive surge of power and the partial canceling properties of his destructive power allowed Typhir to stand relatively unaffected.

Once Amduscias noticed this outcome, he smirked. "What Aura do you believe I have?"

"I've figured that out. You use the Aura of Force," Typhir answered.

However, a pained groan sounded behind Typhir, followed by a shocking set of words. "T-that's wrong. He's beyond a normal Aura. He uses a variant of that Aura; Amduscias uses the Aura of Acceleration!"

Whoosh! Bang!

Typhir's eyes widened as he received yet another of Amduscias' attacks. This time, it felt as if the power of the strike was displaced. Although he blocked it, it felt like some of it broke past his sword and met with his Aura.

Fortunately, his Aura served as a protective screen, unlike Valac, allowing him to come out unscathed.

'This guy is terrifying,' Typhir thought with reddening eyes.. Without a choice, he continued to activate the following levels of his bloodline.