Civilization

An oppressing air washes over us as Devel stands in front, looking down at us. It was like looking at a giant mountain, looming above the peasants that live at its feet. Instinctively, I grip the spear tighter as Devel takes a few steps towards the front line. Stopping his movement, he raises a brow as Kingston steps forward, pointing the tip of the trident at Devel. Smiling, Kingston arrogantly addresses the situation.

"So, you know who we are? Well, doesn't that make things easier? You know exactly why we are here." - Kingston

"Kingston, right? I asked for Ian, but I guess talking to you will do. It's very simple. Just leave right now, and I'll spare you and your army. No tricks." - Devel

"Hah! Do you really think we will leave just because you said so?" - Kingston

"Of course not, but are you sure you can face me?" - Devel

Swinging his sword off his shoulder and slamming it onto the ground, Devel creates an electrical surge as lightning zaps his surroundings, with a couple of bolts flying towards the front line. Meeting them, Kingston, David, and Gibing jump forward. Tossing the trident at the closest lightning bolt, Kingston stops one from reaching the demi-humans. Nearby, David gets struck by 2 lightning bolts but brushes them off as if it was just a tickle, whereas Gibing envelops his fists in Demonic Energy, creating a small shield to protect against the lightning.

Moving from the middle, I slowly make my way to the front, observing Devel's actions as I do, but he only grins as he notices me approaching. Resting his sword once again on his shoulder, Devel waits for my appearance and as I reach the front, he tightens his grip. Looking at him, let out a low sigh and spread out my spider legs, drawing a small arc on the ground with the tip of my spear.

"Devel, there is no need to be so uncivilized. You wanted a chat, and here I am. So, let's chat. You also know there is no point in us leaving when the event has something to do with the Heart that is above us. Instead, what is it that you want? A fight? An alliance?" - Ian

"Is there no way I can convince you to leave? How about money? Oh, wait. You have already acquainted with Sam am I right? Then you most likely won't need money. What if I gave you protection? There are forces out there that will attack you if you aren't careful. I can protect you from them." - Devel

"I'm sure Sam will be able to do that too. Is that all?" - Ian

"Hrmp, will Sam be able to help you once the 'Merge' happens?" - Devel

"The 'Merge'? What are you talking about?" - Ian

"Has that guy not told you yet? And he has the guts to create a guild. Alright, I'll tell you." - Devel

"Devel, are you sure about this?" - Travys

"It will be fine, Travys. No harm in telling them the small details." - Devel

"Alright, whatever you say. Don't blame me after this since you were the one who leaked the information." - Travys

"It will be fine, trust me. Ian! The 'Merge' is a real-life event that will happen in the near future. The prophecies that the forum has been talking about only hint at parts of the 'Merge'. Eventually, this game world and the real world will become one. We at Bones know this will happen but when that happens is still unknown. Getting stronger in the game is only the start, but the more we destroy, the more we kill, the better it is for us in the future." - Devel

"You speak as if you are the prophet himself, but how do I know you are not lying? This whole 'Merge' thing sounds quite unreasonable, like a fairy tale. This is just a game, isn't it? How can it possibly relate to real life?" - Ian

"Then, you will just have to wait for it happens. For now, it seems we have reached a bottleneck in our conversation. Electrical Charge!" - Devel

Without waiting for even a second, Devel dashes forward, draping himself in an electrical net. Meeting him in the middle, I Charge forward as well, aiming my spear right between his eyes. Sparks fly as the tip of my spear clashes with his sword, with small lightning bolts flying off to the sides.  Behind me, I hear Kingston giving commands as I break free from the stalemate, and move to the side, away from the approaching armies.

Following me, Devel aggressively strikes me over and over. Despite the enormous size of the sword, he easily swings it around as if it were made out of paper. Each strike felt heavier than the last and blocking it with the body of the spear become increasingly difficult and even if I had the spider legs to help, it only felt worse and worse.

Glancing around, I notice we were relatively far from the main fight, and with a Quickstep to the right, I start my counterattack. Activating Emerald Gaze immediately, and following up with three quick thrusts to the head, along with a few spider leg attacks. Devel brings the handle towards his face, blocking each thrust accurately with his handle. Grinning at my failed attempt, Devel slams his foot on the ground, sending vibrates through the floor, causing me to wobble.

Taking advantage of my unstable state, he slashes forward horizontally. Managing to block the attack, I get knocked back hitting against the wall. Taunting me, Devel lets down his guard and spreads his arms out. Activating Extreme Speed, I dash up to him in a blink of an eye and use Cleave to attack his body as he did mine but the moment my spear touches his body, he smiles.

"Thunderous Aura!" - Devel

Coating his whole body in yellow lightning, Devel roars, as my spear rebounds off his body. Instantly, I cast Earth Spike in between us, as a buffer, knowing Devel has now used some sort of special skill. However, it is meaningless, smashing through the Earth Spike with a single strike, revealing his new form.

With eyes as bright as the sun and armor made out of lightning covering his entire body, Devel looked like a god. Licking my dry lips, I feel my body slow down as the effects of Extreme Speed fade. Devel's presence looms over me, he feels as strong as Casper and Rautt as he slowly approaches me with a devilish smile.

,m "Summon Spider! Hoplite Bodyguard Emblem!" - Ian

Summoning both of my helpers, I could only wait out the duration of his skill. Pulling out the Code of Hammurabi from my pouch, I ready myself for any sudden attacks, while I order the spider to climb the wall. The hoplites already stand in front of me, with their shields poised in front, their gazes locked on Devel without a hint of fear.

"Is this the best you can do, Ian? I thought you were part of the top 10. How come you are so weak? And what are these 5 NPCs in front? What kind of player are you?" - Devel

"You shouldn't speak so soon, Devel." - Ian

"RAGE! DEMON TRIGGER! SEAL OF BELIAL!" - Kingston

Coming from behind, Kingston releases Belial while also charging at Devel while he was covered in scarlet armor. Crashing into Devel with a small explosion, Kingston attacks at point-blank range with the trident. At the same time, Belial forms a giant ball of fire above his head, sending it down at Devel and Kingston.

Dodging backward, Kingston activates Hellfire, creating a ring of fire around Devel, who looks at the approaching fireball in excitement. He once again crouches down, resting his sword on his shoulder as it glows brighter and brighter. As the fireball reaches closer to him, Belial laughs, sending smaller fireballs afterward.

Observing Devel, I see him crack a smile, as his sword bursts open revealing the lightning underneath. Gripping the handle with both hands, he slashes at the giant fireball, splitting it in half and creating two separate large explosions before leaping off the ground and rushing at Belial. Bringing his sword above his head, he slices midair at Belial, sending a giant lightning bolt at Belial's head. Disappearing in response and reappearing above me, Belial scoffs in anger as Devel lands on the ground near Kingston.

"This person is a little more difficult to fight." - Belial

"Just a little." - Ian

"He is still nothing compared to the other Demons." - Belial

"Well, then I expect you to be doing a lot of work because he is much stronger than me and Kingston. The lighting is also very annoying." - Ian

"The lightning reminds me of a certain God. Those disgusting beings love to give humans their skills only to watch and laugh." - Belial

"Are you saying Demons don't do the same thing?" - Ian

"We have an etiquette. Not sure if you humans understand that sort of thing." - Belial

"Regardless, help us out." - Ian

"Of course, I don't want my other half of the contract to die already." - Belial

"Then, let's go. Hoplites, charge! Frenzy!" - Ian

"FOR ARCHON IAN!!!" - Hoplites

Charging forth in an arrow formation with their spears pointing forward and locked on Devel, the hoplites engage in combat with him. At the same time, the spider that was on the wall sends out a web from above while Kingston dashes forward from a different direction. Drawing an arc along the ground, I also attack from a different direction while Belial's eyes turn purple as a beam of Demonic Energy is sent out reaching Devel at the same time as we attack.

"Pitiful. You only amount to this much. ÅSKKNALL!" - Devel

Clapping his hands together, Devel releases a wave of electrical energy from his body, stopping our attack and reducing my HP to 10%. The electrical energy paralyzes me, as I couldn't move my body after being hit. Glancing around on the ground, I see everyone else the same, except for Belial who expands his body casting a shadow over the whole battlefield.

"I guess there is no choice. Distortion World!" - Belial