The Author's POV

[Pillar of Envy]

WOOOM―!

The moment the gigantic sword appeared in the air, the structure of the Pillar shook. The waters crashed against each other, and waves the size of skyscrapers started to form.

Kracka! Kracka!

Lightning came pouring down from the sky, and the rain stopped moving.

"What's this?!"

Prince Murdock's expression changed dramatically at the sight of the sword, and his entire body started to morph at that moment. His wings expanded, his skin changed―scales forming on top of it, and his entire body became larger.

Long gone was the elegant demon from before as what replaced it was a hulking figure whose presence towered just like the sword in the sky.

Kracka.

A lightning came down, and Ren and Prince Murdock gazed at each other. The world was quiet at that moment, and just as everything seemed peaceful, Ren's mouth parted open.

"Fall."

.

.

.

"What's that!?"

It started with a distant rumble, barely noticeable at first.

But as it grew louder, those within the island realized that something was terribly wrong.

They looked out to sea and saw an enormous wall of water rising higher and higher, heading straight towards them.

At that moment, silence swept over the entire world. All of those within the pillar were unable to stop themselves from looking at the commotion, and their gazes paused on the large wall of water that surrounded the entire island.

They also noticed the two that were responsible for all of this, and their body stiffened right then.

WOOOM―!

Suddenly, a massive sword projection materialized in the sky, glowing with an eerie, pulsating light. It hung there, suspended for a few moments, before starting to descend towards the earth with terrifying speed.

The sword was enormous, easily as long as a city block, and it blazed with an otherworldly energy that made the air around it crackle with electricity.

As it fell, it sliced through clouds and stars alike, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Everyone halted their breaths as they looked at the sky, which had become empty almost instantly. Prince Murdock had not attacked yet, but his aura had already pressed on everyone's heart like a mountain.

Rumble! Rumble!

When the sword started to fall, the entire Pillar shook, and the waves came hurling toward the land like enormous tsunamis.

of what was about to

away from the shore, but there was nowhere to go. The

it crashed onto the shore, sending water

the water swept, only disaster was left behind as the house and

"Move back!"

"Retreat, quickly!"

Those who could, flew in the sky, but such individuals numbered far less than those that couldn't, and the water continued to

Drip. Drip.

sky, and anguished cries reverberated

this your

gaze away from the island. He could hear the anguished screams of his soldiers and

of his soldiers, he was shocked to find out that the human in front of him was even

him, he spared nothing and even put

That…

by such ruthlessness. Not that he had very long to be impressed

the sword distorted, and so did Prince Murdock's expression. Glaring at the large sword that

waves which were crashing on the people came to a sudden stop, and the demons beneath suddenly stopped

stopped moving suddenly started to shrivel up like mummies before

Thump! Thump! Thump!

ground, lifeless. In the meantime, the power that surrounded

sword and concentrated all of

about a few inches away from his face, he brought his hand forward,

Wooom!

contact with the sword, the entire space around him shattered, and the sword

"Uakh!"

pushed back onto the ground. He let out several agonized shouts as his right hand continued to grasp

But

shocking was that with each passing second, it slowed down even further, and it wasn't long before

"Haaa…haaa…"

but his face was unable to hide the hint of glee he felt as he raised his head

"I,is this your st―"

"Boom."

into his ears and his

the meaning of those words, the world around him turned white,

***

Boom―!

hurled back, his feet planted against the volcanic ground. Lowering

same time, he moved his hands behind his back. He was trying to hide the fact

finally taking

he had finally started to throw attacks of his own. While they had no major effect on

Even so…

this was the full extent of his

Swoosh―!

back, and he thrust his palm toward it. It was a quick and precise attack that left Ren with no room to dodge, but just as he thought

Swoosh―!

disappeared like the drift of

he caught sight of Ren standing a few meters away from him, and he smiled in

how to

of dodging from Ren in

you? Stalling for time? Just what is that