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 happen hit

from the shore, but there was nowhere to go. The wave was too large, too

Within moments, it crashed onto the shore, sending water

the water swept, only disaster was left behind

"Move back!"

"Retreat, quickly!"

whatever they were doing, everyone retreated further into the island. Those who could, flew in the sky, but such individuals numbered far less than those that couldn't, and the water continued to flood the

Drip. Drip.

to pour down from the sky, and anguished cries reverberated through

this your

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

the death of his soldiers, he was shocked to find out that

order to defeat him, he spared nothing and even put his own people in

That…

found himself impressed by such ruthlessness. Not that he had very long to be impressed as the sword slowly

sword distorted, and so did Prince Murdock's expression. Glaring at the large sword that was headed his way, a wave of demonic energy burst

crashing on the people came to a sudden stop, and

all happened within an instant, but the demons that stopped moving suddenly started to shrivel up like mummies before falling

Thump! Thump! Thump!

of demons fell to the ground, lifeless. In the

at the approaching sword and concentrated all of his power on his

just as the sword was about a few inches away from his face, he brought

Wooom!

around

"Uakh!"

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

second. But despite the

it slowed down even further,

"Haaa…haaa…"

several gasps, but his face was unable to hide the hint of

"I,is this your st―"

"Boom."

his ears and his expression

could understand the meaning of those words, the world around him turned white, and a defeating

***

Boom―!

ground. Lowering his head, he looked

moved his hands behind his back. He

finally taking

to throw attacks of his own. While they had no major effect

Even so…

this was

Swoosh―!

and precise attack that left Ren with no room

Swoosh―!

the drift

of Ren standing a few meters away from him,

know how

been a lot of dodging

definitely planning something, aren't you? Stalling for time? Just what is that you're trying to