Civilization

"Did you think I only had skills relating to lightning?" - Devel

Reappearing a few meters from us, Devel taunts our failed attempt at attempting him. Cracking his neck from side to side, he repositions himself, preparing his attack as he rests his sword on his shoulder once again. Knowing this stance meant he was going to charge his attack, Kingston and I both sprint forward without any signal. Seeing us run first, David and the others follow behind us closely.

Each one of us took out a potion, drinking it as quickly as possible to replenish our lost HP. The damage we took from the previous fights was building up and some of us were in dangerously low health.

Splitting into two separate groups, Kingston, David, and Gibing went towards the left while Gopopo, Stellar and I went to the right. Approaching Devel first was my group, activating Frenzy, I speed in front of Stellar, going for a sweep on his legs, while also attacking the face and chest with my spider legs. Seeing my attack, Devel jumps back creating some distance between us, only for Stellar to sing around and stab towards his throat once more from the side.

Twisting his body in midair, Devel narrowly dodges that attack but by this time, Kingston had already caught up. Using the butt of the trident to pole-vault into the air, Kingston performs an overhead downward strike, while Gibing activates Charge, attempting to tackle Devel. With only a glimpse in their direction, Devel's sword bursts out as he swings it at Kingston while using the momentum for a front flip, dodging Gibing's tackle.

Flying in the air, Devel notices David leaping for him, with his arms open wide. Unable to dodge in midair, Devel gets caught for the first time but despite that, his expression doesn't change. Brought back down to the floor, David starts to pound Devel's face, as hard as he can. With only his sword to protect him, Devel attempts to swing at David's body, but Gopopo's whips hit his wrists disarming him.

Instead, to block the repeated attacks from David, Devel curls his forearms in front of his face. Sliding next to David, Gibing also proceeds to punch Devel, but I start to notice something strange. Each time David and Gibing strike Devel, his body flashes a faint blue glow, and as the blows increase the glow brightens.

"Wait… STOP! HITTING-" - Ian

"Counter Pulse!" - Devel

"SHIELD!" - Ian

Devel's body engulfs in blue light, and a pulse of electricity comes out of him, smashing into all of us. The shield skill that came from the bracelet immediately broke as the damage from Devel's skill exceeds it. The knock back from Devel's skill pushes us away, giving him enough time to stand up and pick up his sword.

Glancing around, I see everyone else on the ground with Stellar and Gopopo unconscious. Gibing could barely stand, and I could see his flesh charred in some places. Kingston and David were better off than the others, but I could see that they were badly hurt as well, with Kingston's armor shattered and broken off. Their weary eyes look at me for help, but I could only grit my teeth as Devel laughs at us.

"That was better. I guess even trash can team up and make something work." - Devel

"Ian… Belial is gone, what now?" - Kingston

"Yes, Ian. What now? What can you do? Because I think it is about time we finish this up. RavenStar isn't much of a threat, I confirmed this after fighting you for quite a while and I even gave you the benefit of the doubt. However, it really is disappointing to see that all of you are nothing more than regular players. I expected a lot more from you, Ian." - Devel

"Well, you can't please everyone right? But don't worry I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, just stay tuned to find out." - Ian

"Few tricks? Like the Code of Hammurabi? The skill that counters attacks, just like my Counter Pulse, but it is an item. A very interesting trick, however, it won't matter if I never use a strong enough attack." - Devel

"Oh, I got more than just that." - Ian

"Hrmp, then show me, before you die." - Devel

Without hesitation, Devel activates his Thunderous Aura, draping himself in a lightning coat, before sprinting toward me. His sword sparks along the ground as it glows brighter and brighter. I ready my spear, as he approaches, my arms feeling heavier than before. Swinging his sword at me, Devel strikes at my side. Clenching my spear I jump slightly, blocking the attack at the same time and using the force from Devel's attack to push me further away.

I fly some distance away but Devel rapidly approaches me, slamming his sword down toward me, cracking the floor as I parry it to the side. Trying my best to retaliate, I spin my spear around, stabbing at his torso, but my spear is stopped by his lightning armor. Refusing to let up, I constantly attack him over and over again, dodging his attacks the best I can and blocking when I couldn't.

I can feel my eyes zooming around, my heart beating against my chest, and the spark of electricity zapping at my skin. Surprisingly, Devel was unable to land a clean hit on me with his normal attacks, but with a slightly different attack, he rams forward with his shoulder catching me off guard. Knocking me back slightly but breaking through my guard allowing for him to stab at my chest.

My spider legs barely come in front, blocking the stab. At this point, Devel's attention was fully focused on me, and he had no idea what was happening behind him. David had taken another potion and was engulfing himself in flames, preparing for the right opportunity, with Kingston standing in front of him ready to defend him if needed. I only have one shot at this.

"Jahannam Naar Dire!" - David

Noticing David's shout, Devel momentarily turns his head around, leaving a small gap in his defense. With several quick thrusts, I attack Devel's blind spot, bringing his attention back to me, but for the first time, his eyes were panicking. David's empowered skill was quickly approaching, and I am all-out attacking, disregarding my defense. Head, chest, legs, arm, foot, it didn't matter where I was attacking, I just needed to keep going.

"If you think doing a suicide attack will win you this battle you are surely mistaken." - Devel

With a burst of power, Devel knocks me away and retreats just out of the attack range, leaving only me to take David's attack. Glancing back, Devel sees me smirk as I take out my trump card, the Code of Hammurabi. Pointing the artifact, at Devel, I call out the skill just as Jahannam Naar Dire hits me.

"Eye for an Eye!" - Ian

The Code of Hammurabi absorbs the attack and sends it back towards the direction I was pointing. In my mind, it was the biggest gamble. I didn't know if this interaction worked like this or not, but there was no better time to try it than now and to my surprise, it worked. The countered skill blasts toward Devel, and with nowhere to go he had no choice but to stand his ground.

Grinning from ear to ear, Devel grips his sword tight, letting it burst out revealing the lightning underneath. He licks his lips as the fire blast approaches him, leaning forward as the lightning armor around him slowly retracts towards his sword, creating a stronger light. Gulping my saliva, I see Devel's sword glow as bright as the sun casting a shadow over the fire blast.

"I didn't think I would need to use this and let me take back what I said before. I underestimated your ingenuity, so let me spoil you with a trump card of my own. Unseal. Zeus's Lightning Bolt." - Devel

As Devel's sword glows brighter and brighter, the small metallic shards that were hovering around the sword bursts into dust. The handle slowly cracks and fades revealing a blue jagged handle, and the whole sword sparks, charring the surroundings. As the fire blast reaches Devel's range, he merely swings his bolt of lightning, clashing with the fire blast head-on.

However, to all our surprise, the moment both attacks meet, the Abyss flashes, and purple cracks appear everywhere along the walls and the floor. These cracks were the same ones that came out of the Heart that was above us but compared to before the cracks formed a spider web of sorts. At the same time, the fire blast disappears into smoke, and Devel slashes the air, with a confused look as the purple cracks pulsate.

Looking around, I see everyone else confused and wary of the cracks, instinctively stepping off the cracks and moving to the small areas that were still safe to stand on. Keeping an eye on Devel, I see him cautiously glancing around, ignoring the fact that we were just in a battle and instead observing the situation. Turning toward Kingston and the others, I start to call out to them to use their potions while they can when a loud explosion rings throughout the place.

Reacting quickly, I point my spear upward in the direction I heard the explosion. Small shards fall down to the floor along with dust and dirt. The cracks glow sinisterly, as a faint light could be seen all the way up. The light slowly gets brighter and brighter before I realize it was actually a glowing object falling to the fall at extreme speeds.

Breaking the sound barrier, it zooms to the floor, creating another sonic boom as it stops right before it touches the ground. An orb wrapped in purple flames resonates with the cracks. Glowing brighter and brighter along with the cracks until two purple wings made out of flames bursts through the orb.

In the next moment, the rest of the orb cracks and shatters, revealing a young woman with hair reaching her thighs, two small horns on her forehead, right above her seductive black eyes. A thin black tail with a sharp point flickers in the air as her petite body shakes in excitement. Purple flames cover her chest and nether regions, further enhancing her charming figure, as she laughs lightheartedly at the situation.

"For a bunch of men, you are all really weak." - ???