Chapter 15 - The Heavenly Demon Walks (2)
Heavenly Demon’s Stride.
A simple martial art where each step radiates waves of demonic qi through the ground beneath the Demon’s feet—true to its name as the footsteps of a reigning Heavenly Demon.
Of course, one couldn’t dismiss it outright when the practitioner was none other than the Heavenly Demon himself.
Most warriors experiencing this technique for the first time were overwhelmed by the stark contrast between the Demon’s leisurely approach and the crushing waves of demonic energy surging through their bodies.
However, there existed a simple counter—channeling one’s internal energy to match the rhythm of his footsteps, neutralizing the vibrations.
Tch. That horse-headed bastard loves putting on a flashy show.
In truth, martial arts masters considered the Heavenly Demon’s Stride little more than a theatrical announcement of his arrival—hardly worth serious concern.
The Demon knew this well, reserving the technique only for swarms of insignificant pests.
But this logic only held in a world where martial arts and internal energy were commonplace.
The Heavenly Demon walked.
Tap.
With each indifferent step, his feet landed lightly, as if carelessly tossed forward.
Thud.
Yet the power behind those steps defied their casual appearance—
BOOM!
The gentle ripples of demonic qi radiating from his feet grew into furious waves, crashing over his enemies like a devouring tide when they reached them.
“GYAAAAHHH!!!”
The half-demons screamed, thrashing against this incomprehensible phenomenon.
But faced with the true master of the heavens—not some grotesque bird—they could only kneel and press their foreheads into the dirt in submission.
Those forced to their knees by the Heavenly Demon’s Stride weren’t limited to ground-bound creatures.
With every step, the demonic qi reached even the winged minions soaring above—
Thud. Splat.
Like birds struck by arrows, they plummeted helplessly from the sky.
Step. Step.
All the while, the Heavenly Demon simply continued forward.
His demonic qi swept aside the vermin blocking his path, clearing the way for the Demon Lord’s advance.
Then he stopped.
“Good. Even the ones in the sky have fallen. Nicely gathered for a clean cut.”
His tone remained light as he observed over two thousand demonic minions pinned to the ground by his oppressive energy.
He drew the sword at his waist.
An unadorned blade, its edge far from pristine.
A common sword purchased from a village blacksmith—given to him by the Saintess as a “token of trust.”
“I believe you’ll only wield this blade where it’s truly needed.”
“Ssshhh—Huuu—”
This time, the Demon took an even deeper breath.
Drawing every ounce of demonic qi from his dantian—
“Heavenly Demon Divine Sword, Second Form: Severing Heaven Flash.”
He channeled the energy into his blade and swung.
A single, horizontal slash—casual as brushing ink across paper.
In that instant, a black crescent moon was carved across the vast earth.
The Demon painted with sword energy.
The ground became his canvas, his blade the inked brush.
As he swung, the dark sword energy spread like spilled ink across white paper, cleaving through everything around him—
SHWIIING!
Bisecting the demonic horde.
No—“bisected” wasn’t quite accurate.
A sword slash should leave corpses behind, shouldn’t it?
When the Demon’s energy engulfed the minions,
They vanished without even a final scream.
Shlick—
By the time the Demon sheathed his sword, only powdered remnants remained of those who had once dreamed of becoming demons.
“…Ho.”
Vertus couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.
“To sweep away my servants so… cleanly.”
This marked the first genuine surprise he’d felt from a human.
During his previous descent, thousands had challenged him—yet none matched this Heavenly Demon’s might.
“Taking a hit from that level of aura would leave even me significantly wounded.”
The thought was sincere—yet held no fear.
Vertus surveyed the sky encircling him.
His mana continued spreading steadily through the air, staining the heavens black.
The reason he’d earned the epithet “Sky Devil.”
This darkened sky became his domain—corroding the bodies and minds of those who defied him, while granting Vertus limitless power.
“Hmm…”
Watching the Heavenly Demon approach again, an idea struck Vertus.
I could replace my lost servants with him. He’d make an excellent pawn.
“Heed me, so-called Heavenly Demon.”
At Vertus’ voice, the Demon looked up.
“Impressive. The power you just displayed—far too remarkable to dismiss as merely human.”
“…?”
“A proposal: Become my vassal, Heavenly Demon.”
“…”
“Consider it an honor. You now stand at the vanguard of humanity’s conquest, earning merits in service to Lord Vertus. When this world falls under the rule of we Sixty Fallen Angels, you’ll receive rewards beyond—”
SHWING!
“Ghk!?”
Before Vertus could finish, the Demon launched a sword beam without hesitation.
The unprecedented interruption left Vertus momentarily stunned.
“Bullshit.”
“How dare you—”
Slash! Swish! SHWING!
“St-stop this insolence!”
“Why would I serve under you? Still not thinking straight.”
With fluid, almost playful motions, the Demon unleashed a relentless barrage of sword beams at the hovering Vertus.
After this one-sided assault finally paused:
“Oho. Quick on your wings for a bird. Dodged them all?”
The Demon wore an expression of genuine admiration.
“…With that, you’ve squandered your final chance.”
Vertus spread his wings wide.
“Behold! This darkened sky! And its sovereign—Lord Vertus!”
BOOM. CRACKLE.
The thunderous black clouds roared.
The shadowed sky deepened further, plunging the world into pitch-black darkness where even an inch ahead became indistinguishable.
“Witness my power!”
The sinister mana swirling in the atmosphere converged around Vertus.
Soon, this energy would empower him to tear the insolent human who dared raise a sword against him into bloody shreds.
“—That looks tasty?”
But intoxicated by his gathering power, Vertus failed to notice the Demon extending a palm toward him.
The dark aura swirling around Vertus was suddenly yanked toward the Demon—
And absorbed directly into his outstretched hand.
“Holy shit. It works. Heavenly Demon Absorption Technique can suck it up remotely.”
“…?”
Vertus blinked in confusion, head swiveling like an owl.
“???”
What just happened?
Comprehension took longer than expected.
Don’t tell me… he just absorbed my mana?
When Vertus looked back at the Demon, his face now showed shock and fear.
Noticing this, the Demon grinned.
“Mind if I borrow some? I’ll pay you back soon?”
He raised his palm skyward.
When the Demon’s aura forced the demonic horde to their knees, the Saintess thought:
He must have shown incredible patience until now.
When he obliterated them with a single sword stroke, she realized:
With this power, slaughtering those who annoyed him would be trivial—he truly hadn’t wanted to fight.
Yet despite witnessing this overwhelming strength, despair still gripped her.
No matter how formidable, no human could oppose a Fallen Deity.
The demon-corrupted sky.
Beneath it, any mortal—no matter how powerful—would gradually succumb to the encroaching demonic mana, eventually falling to corruption.
Meanwhile, Vertus would use this mana-saturated atmosphere as fuel to endlessly expand his domain.
A battle between finite and infinite—the outcome was predetermined.
Please… flee, Heavenly Demon. Warn the Adventurer’s Guild… the Radain Church… anyone about Vertus’ return…
But the Saintess could only scream these pleas internally.
Her shattered lungs barely functioned—all she could do was gather her dwindling holy power to slow further injury and resist the corrupting mana.
When Vertus spread his wings to gather mana, she wanted to shut her eyes.
What followed was inevitable.
Yes—the Demon would reach out and steal Vertus’ dark aura—
“…?”
Did I… imagine that?
She hadn’t.
The Demon had absorbed Vertus’ mana.
Then as he raised his palm—
VOOOOM—
The black aura shrouding the sky began funneling into the Demon’s hand.