Krul was casually blown away by a punch from Miko. That punch was without a doubt the most powerful attack he’s ever taken. He didn’t even remember the attack itself. The only thing he saw was a blur. The next thing he knew, he was laying in a lake of lava. He would’ve wondered if he dreamed everything if the pain he was feeling wasn’t so real. The pain from being burnt alive by lava was nothing compared to the pain he felt from that punch. Because of this, he was able to silently float in the burning lake.

“……..”

He stared at the crimson sky and clouds of ash above him.

“…..Just what the hell is he?”

He mumbled.

“Nothing I do seems to faze him.”

He sat up.

“It’s as if I’m fighting someone from an older generation.”

A grin crept on his face. He sat up.

“Hahahaha! This is the greatest!”

He sprung to his feet.

“His strength, his presence, his techniques, he’s out of this world!”

He quickly walked out of the lake covered in flames.

“I couldn’t ask for anything better!”

The flames around him were replaced by flames of his own.

“I’m gonna crush that arrogant bastard!”

His hair reddened and grew wild like flames.

“I’ll make him beg for me to kill him!”

The star marks on his body grew to cover his limbs and chest.

“And then, I’ll squish his head while tears flow out of his eyes!”

His skin reddened and his muscles bulged. The veins in his body became illuminated. They looked like lava was flowing through them.

“Blazing Star-3rd Form: Red Supergiant!”

“That idiot! Is he trying to kill himself?!”

Shina stood up after seeing her son’s transformation.

“Blazing Star has five forms. The higher the form, the more power you unleash. However, the strain on your body is also greater. This doesn’t change whether you’re a mortal or a Divine Being. Your body can’t escape the consequences of using this technique.”

Lahmu frowned.

“I taught Krul this technique because his biological makeup is closer to my own than Augustus’, Athena’s, or my mother’s. This is a Star Diety technique, Demigods like him shouldn’t be able to use all 5 forms. The second form is already pushing it….Krul just used the third form, something I warned he should avoid until he reached the Divine Realm.”

He paused for a bit before mumbling.

“It wouldn’t be strange if he dies.”

“But if he doesn’t do something, he’ll die either way.”

Joesph spoke up.

“The current Miko is too much for him to handle. In fact, if it wasn’t for what Alec told us I would be considering breaking in to stop him myself. To be honest, Krul had no choice but to take the risk. To die by his own hands or Miko’s, those are the only choices he has.”

His eyes sharpened.

(His strength isn’t comparable to when he first appeared years ago, but his personality has developed. Rather, it’s like he’s matured. He was like a baby absorbing information around him. Now, it’s different. He gives off the vibe of a seasoned warrior.)

“This is gonna be dangerous.”

“Alec, how much time until we can enter the field?”

Sophia asked Alec.

“Roughly, 45 minutes or so.”

“That’s too long. Krul will die before then.”

Sophia looked at Kirika.

“What happens if we try to break in?”

“The space will crumble killing everyone inside. We informed the higher-ups about this, so they’re on a watch to prevent this from happening.”

“So it’s not that it’s impossible to break in, it’s just not wise to attempt it…Loopholes?”

She looked back at Alec.

“You asked me the time, Kirika the consequences, and me the loopholes…”

“That’s because you’re more likely to know them. I also know that you’ll keep them hidden from the higher-ups. I only asked what I’m certain you’ll be honest about with me.”

“So you believe I’ll tell you the loopholes? Why?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll attack the field and cause it to crumble.”

“What about Krul?”

“He’s dead either way. At least we’ll take Miko down with him. If my nephew dies, he dies.”

Alec frowned.

“You’re not joking are you?”

Sophia shook her head. Alec sighed.

“Go ahead.”

“What?”

“I said go ahead and try it.”

Sophia’s eyes widened. Alec was serious.

“You underestimate Miko. Even if the space crumbles, Miko will survive.”

He took out a tablet and started operating it. A smile crawled on his face.

“He’s a Satan, after all.”

He put away the tablet.

“Don’t get so worked up.”

He looked towards the section with the Top Brass. Some had servants whispering in their ears, while the others were looking at their phones. Alec towards the monitors.

“Just sit back and watch the show.”

“Hahahaha!”

Krul’s body screamed as he set his very soul on fire. Yet, he was excited. He kicked off the ground with force rivaling a jet taking off. He ran in Miko’s direction.

“Oh, here he comes.”

Miko heard an explosive noise and turned his head. He saw a storm of flames flying towards him.

“The maniac is running towards death.”

Krul’s speed increased. He cut the distance in an instant. He and Miko grinned at each other as he pulled his arm back.

“Die!”

He threw a punch and Miko was swallowed by a storm of flames. He heard a snap. The flames disappeared as if they were swallowed up.

“You continue to surprise me with your growth. Have a taste of your own power.”

Miko snapped his fingers. A burst of flames hit Krul. He was blown back. Miko took a step forward. Krul popped up beside him. He swung his leg like a whip. Miko blocked his kick with his arm. He was hit by an enormous explosion.

“Is fire all you can do?”

Miko walked out of the flames without a scratch. He was hit in the face by a beam. His head flung back.

“Of course not.”

Stars appeared behind Krul. They spun and fired beams at Miko.

“How boring.”

Miko swung his hand to the side and the beams were swatted away. His body flickered. Krul was blown back with holes in his body. Miko reappeared above him. He swung his heel down. Krul twisted his body to avoid it.

(He dodged it with those injuries?)

Miko smiled. Krul’s feet skid on the ground. He leaped back using the momentum. He evaded a stomp from Miko. The earth burst open and a crater formed. Krul laughed and a star appeared between them.

“Collapse!”

Miko was dragged towards it. The space imploded. His body was distorted.

(He can use Space Magic?)

His eyes widened. Krul rushed at him and formed a golden spear in his hand.

“Orion’s Spear!”

He thrust the spear. A golden light pierced Miko’s chest. Krul twisted the spear. The light severed Miko’s upper body from his lower body.

“Marvelous.”

Miko remained unfazed as his torso floated in the air.

“To think that you had such refined techniques in your Arsenal. I was caught off guard.”

“Hahaha! Says the guy who didn’t flinch when he was cut in half!”

Miko smiled. A clock appeared over his body. The hands on the clock moved in reverse. Miko’s body reattached the next instant.

“When you can reverse time getting cut in half isn’t a big deal.”

“Time Magic…”

“Yup.”

Miko pointed down. Krul slammed into the ground.

“Gravity Magic too.”

Krul roared and forced himself to his feet.

“Your physical strength is monstrous for your age.”

Miko walked towards him. A star appeared in front of him.

“Collapse!”

The space imploded and Miko’s body became distorted. He grinned. His body disappeared into a vortex. He appeared next to Krul.

“I can use Dimensional Magic too.”

He slammed his fist on Krul’s side. Cracks appeared in reality itself. Cracks opened up in Krul’s body. Blood sprayed from those cracks.

“Ugh?!”

He collapsed to the ground.

“Dimension Break.”

He stooped down.

“Incredible. Despite being a mortal, you’re already regenerating.”

Krul punched his chin. Miko thrust his palm down. Krul was forced into the earth so hard that it burst open. Miko stood up.

“I admire your courage. Or rather, I find your stupidity amusing. However, I think you’ve outlived your purpose.”

He stretched towards Krul’s head.

“Hm?”

Something flashed by him. Something reflected in his eyes. It was a severed arm spinning in front of him. He didn’t need to check his shoulder to know that it was his. He caught the arm and straightened his body. He turned his head to his attacker as he casually reattached the arm.

“I sensed that people were coming here.”

Covered in wounds from head to toe and breathing heavily.

“So tell me, what does a half-dead mortal want with me?”

Rin pointed his sword at him.

“I’m here to slay the Devil.”

“Rin?!”

Karim was shocked to see his brother facing Miko.

“Alec, did you do this?!”

“As dangerous as he is, we need Krul to survive this. He needs help.”

“What can Rin do in that state?! You’re just sending him to his death!”

“Slay the Devil? When you can barely stand? Does stupidity run in this clan?”

A gigantic lightning bolt fell on top of Miko. When it faded he wore a frown on his face, in contrast to Alec’s grin.

“I never said I sent in Rin alone.”

“….What’s this? So many half-dead fools marching to their deaths.”

Miko turned his head to see that he was surrounded by the rest of his generation.

“How are they back up after those intense battles?!”

The reappearance of the defeated warriors caught everyone off-guard.

“I noticed that they were woken up by Satan Miko’s appearance. So I set it so that they can reach the dimension Miko was in. However, that’s all I did. The one who granted the ability to fight again wasn’t me.”

“Then who?”

Miko blinked. A palm was inches away from his face. He was hit by an invisible force and stumbled back.

“Music has a lot of effects on our psyche. One of them is that it can give us an adrenaline rush and make us numb to our limits. It can also manipulate our emotions in an instant. There exist someone capable of doing these things and magnify it a hundred times using the chaotic trait of his Apostle abilities.”

Momo stood up and walked over to the railing. Miko saw four people standing before him.

“Strange…I feel like they and I are connected in some way.”

“….No matter how much time has passed, you still turn out to be a pain in the ass. But don’t worry.”

Sora’s eyes sharpened.

“As your older brother, I’ll always be here to whip you back into shape.”

Ace, Tessa, and Kristen all glared at Miko.

“Alec, can you make it that my voice can reach them?”

Momo asked.

“I already did it.”

She nodded and then turned back to monitor. She took a deep breath.

“Sora, Ace, Tessa, Kristen! Can you hear me?!”

Momo’s voice reverberated for all to hear in the arena. All eyes fell on her. Miko’s body noticeably twitched when he heard her voice.

“Loud and clear, Momo.”

“Miko has lost control and allowed his Irregularity to take over! As he is, he won’t hesitate to kill any one of you! The problem is, he has the power to do it! There are still more than 30 minutes left before anyone can enter the field to help you guys! That’s more than enough time for him to slaughter you all!”

Tension grew in the volcanic world as Momo explained the situation to everyone.

“With Miko out of commission, I’m activating my authority as Commander of the Apostles! And my first order is….”

Her grip on the railing tightened.

“I order you to kill the Devil in front of you!”

“?!”

Shock spread across the arena.

“Don’t hesitate! Show no mercy! Go for the kill!”

Her voice grew more commanding by the second.

“This isn’t my order! This is Miko’s order! Survive by all means necessary!”

She gritted her teeth.

“Do you understand~?!”

Sora and the others tightened their fists.

“Yes, Ma’am!”

They shouted in unison and prepared for battle. This caused jaws to drop. Miko’s Apostles, which included his siblings, were gearing up to kill him, and the one who gave the order was his own master.

“Momo, it must’ve been hard giving such an order.”

Alec rested his hand on her shoulder.

“However, it’s something that Miko authorized before this, isn’t it? If he loses control you’re to order all apostles to kill him on spot.”

Momo silently nodded.

“Then, it was the right call.”

He looked at the monitor.

“Because the only way to survive for the remaining 30 minutes is to try and kill Miko.”

(That voice sounded familiar.)

Meanwhile, Miko was facing off against everyone.

(These faces also seem familiar as well.)

He thought for a bit before showing a devilish grin.

“That means that I’ll be closer to falling into madness if I kill them.”

He grinned grew twisted

“Let’s find out.”