—-

Whereas Apollo chose to create distance from the ensuing explosion, Asteroth looked up with a hostile gaze as sweltering flames quickly coated his hammers. Within seconds, the sweltering flames grew into a raging inferno that rivaled the sensation of the sphere above.

“Unlike you, it doesn’t cost all of my resources for me to unleash an attack of this caliber. I can replicate them as I please, and that is where you lose,” Asteroth said with a snarl.

A moment later, Asteroth performed an explosive rush, charging directly at the space between the two attacks. Just before the attack could collide, Asteroth’s Dominion vanished. For a moment, Apollo was baffled because he knew it wasn’t his doing. After all, his strike wasn’t strong enough to forcibly terminate Asteroth Dominion, which meant this was a willful move.

‘What is he up to?’ Apollo wondered as he gradually came to a stop and watched Asteroth’s following actions. Sadly, he had to shield his vision as a blinding light appeared when he stopped moving.

Despite Asteroth rushing between the attacks, the impact was inevitable. However, the blinding didn’t carry the energy signature that Apollo expected. In fact, he felt an unusual warmth that rivaled on the edge of becoming a pure flame.

Additionally, Apollo recognized a familiar presence from this light. ‘Isn’t this the signature of Asteroth’s Dominion? So, he didn’t cancel it but instead channeled it elsewhere?’

This was the plausible explanation since even Asteroth couldn’t activate his Dominion within a split second after canceling it. Therefore, Asteroth should have instilled the power into another medium, for example, his hammers.

Upon realizing this matter, Apollo’s eyes narrowed. ‘I should have noticed that wasn’t a simple flame appearing around those hammers. He must have condensed his Dominion into a wieldable weapon. Though, I didn’t know that was possible.’

Eventually, the blinding light subsided, and Apollo could make out a figure in tattered clothing floating within the remnant of the dissipating blast. Aside from his tattered appearance and wildly fluctuating aura, Apollo didn’t notice any glaring signs of injury, which caused a disappointed frown to appear across his face.

‘Just how could he come out unscathed from that?!’ Apollo internally roared. Even if Asteroth’s resilience surpassed a typical Noblesse, Apollo couldn’t believe that he could emerge uninjured from an explosion that rivaled an all-out attack delivered by a Noblesse.

Thus, Apollo’s thought shifted in another direction. ‘Something is amiss. The only way to emerge unwounded would be if he managed to redirect the force of the explosion. However, judging from his appearance, Asteroth didn’t do so perfectly.

Soon enough, Apollo felt Asteroth’s appearance was just that―an appearance. The idea of him being uninjured was a facade. If Apollo were to get any closer, he’d realize that Asteroth’s grip on his hammers was trembling.

After all, dealing with the explosion required seventy percent of Asteroth’s unique application ability. The remaining thirty percent resulted in a direct hit, manifesting as the trembling in his arms.

Since the horrendous atmosphere cleared rapidly, Apollo sped towards Asteroth before he could recover full mobility. After the incredible resilience he displayed, Apollo wouldn’t be surprised if it took no time at all for him to heal properly. Granted, this was only the recovery of movement and not the recovery of any hidden injuries.

Regardless of how fast he could recover, Apollo would be foolish to give him that chance. ‘You decided to take the attack head-first, so any response I choose is admissable,’ Apollo thought.

Not too long after, Apollo executed a downward slash towards Asteroth’s head. However, Asteroth raised his head suddenly with a dangerous gleam in his eyes. An eerie smirk appeared on his lips as he ducked, followed by a sudden spin.

Apollo didn’t expect Asteroth’s abrupt reaction, which caused his attack to miss. During the small window that followed his missed attack, Asteroth retaliated by landing a harsh kick on Apollo’s jaw. 

As expected, the blow sent Apollo flying, but Asteroth kicked the air chasing behind Apollo, intending to unleash yet another powerful attack. But, just as Asteroth recovered quickly, Apollo recovered from the daze of the kick and instantly launched several Demonic Massacre Waves towards Asteroth.

By the time Apollo unleashed the final wave, his feet had touched the ground, allowing him to resume his rush towards Asteroth once again. Since his techniques seemed to have little to no effect against Asteroth’s highly mastered Aura of Destruction, Apollo resorted to the method he knew best―physical combat. 

At the same time, the Infernal Ira Stigmata underneath the armor pulsated with a radiant hue as both Apollo and Gram were empowered by an absurd surge of strength. Apollo was stunned as he glanced at the center of his armor for a moment. Since it was his central power, the Ira Stigmata took up the largest; however, it also presented the most extraordinary assistance as well.

The empowerment elated Apollo, driving him to rush even more frantically. Apollo arrived before Asteroth in an instant before slashing Gram once again. Unlike last time, this was a purely physical attack utilizing every ounce of strength Apollo could muster.

Still, the collision of their weapons surprised Apollo. ‘So heavy? Although I felt it was the case when I received many of his blows earlier, it feels even more fearsome. Is this the effects of condensing his Dominion into his weapons?’

While the abnormally heavy attack surprised Apollo, he didn’t pause after the initial exchange. As a result, a relentless series of blows were exchanged back and forth as Apollo’s expression grew grim. Despite the noticeable tremors of Asteroth’s hands, Apollo still failed to gain the upper hand.

At first, Apollo didn’t understand why. But after their numerous exchanges, the reason became apparent. ‘He complains about a perverse power? His power is absolutely perverse for anyone weaker than him!’

The issue with Asteroth’s power was that he could manipulate the output and focus of his destruction after mastering it to this extent. For example, Typhir could use the Aura of Destruction to improve the power of his attack, thereby inflicting more danger.

However, Asteroth took the usage to an entirely different level by destroying all attacks at their core. The absurd acceleration of Asteroth’s attacks was the byproduct of his aura crushing all restrictive principles, such as the atmosphere. This type of power would be crippling for any opponent below the Archdemon level since it wouldn’t withstand an instant of Asteroth’s Aura.

Fortunately, Apollo’s power was protected by the Aura of Dominance, which existed at a higher echelon, thereby granting innate protection against lower Auras, albeit partially for now.

“What’s the matter, can’t handle the pressure?” Asteroth said with a teasing smirk. 

“Worry about yourself; you resemble an old man with all that shaking. Can you even grip your weapon properly? That’d truly be a shame for your significant other, now wouldn’t it?” Apollo retorted with a similar expression.

“Damn you!” Asteroth roared in a fit of rage after understanding the meaning of Apollo’s words. “You still have the room to laugh? Good, good! Then I assume you’ll appreciate this very much!” 

Suddenly, Asteroth slammed one hammer against the ground, inverting the flow of the geysers. As a result, the eruptions formed a wave of infernal energy that threatened to burn them both out of existence.

As a precaution, Apollo flung his arm and conjured a Wrath Blanket; however, the scant preparation amounted to a shoddy barrier. Nevertheless, it gave Apollo the time to retreat from within the attack radius.

At the same time, Gram’s Infernal Marks illuminated alongside the appearance of Apollo gathering for his Fourth Annihilation. As of now, only 4 seconds remained on the timer, which meant Apollo’s time was coming to an end.

Subsequently, Asteroth paused for a moment in the air as well. ‘What the… not now dammit. Listen here, body; you better last until this over. I will not lose to a damned brat!’

There was one miscalculation Asteroth made on his part. Before charging into the midst of the explosion, he forgot that he had forcibly activated his Dominion’s mastered form. This decision precipitated the accelerated backlash. Hence, the signs of his body failing appeared rapidly.

Like Asteroth, Apollo also winced from a sudden deluge of pain.

The aura surrounding Gram flickered as Apollo struggled to maintain control over his power. The same phenomenon appeared on Astertoh’s hammers as well.

“Surrender, you fool! This power is beyond you,” Asteroth bellowed.

“Oh, you care? How sweet of you. But, I will never surrender. I WILL have you join my side,” Apollo answered with an unwavering gaze. In spite of his deteriorating strength, Apollo trudged on, finally unleashing his attack.

“Absolute idiot, that’s what you are!” Asteroth shouted. One of his arms went numb, forcing him to drop his hammer, but he continued with his attack, using his remaining good arm to retaliate against Apollo’s attack.

Naturally, the outcome of the collision was a blast that sent both sides tumbling backward, but that didn’t stop either of them from once again walking up to each other. At first, there was only silence, but then Apollo threw the first punch.

Boom!

“Join me!” Apollo insisted.

“Never. You shall not have my forgiveness!” Asteroth refused, returning a punch of his own. Unfortunately, Apollo’s stubbornness knew no bounds. He returned another blow, turning the fight into a back and forth exchange of resounding blows.

Eventually, Apollo’s armor faded away, and Asteroth’s hammers returned to his body as the two continued to exchange one hit after another. While this happened, Fuhrer approached them with an unusual expression.

‘These two are more alike than they give themselves credit for. Nevertheless, this is quite an amusing scene that I don’t get the chance to see often. I should cherish this time.’

“Are you ready to give in now, you damned twerp?” Asteroth huffed. However, Apollo merely shook his head in response.

“I haven’t received the answer I’m looking for!”

At this point, both sides’ blows had lost all vigor. Each punch was akin to a tickle, but the pain remained constant because of their injured state. Finally, Asteroth grew interested in this boy who refused to give up.

“Why… should I ever join you? My master disappeared and forgot about me because of your creation.”

“You should follow me… because I was created with all of you in mind. The Monarch didn’t forget you all… he merely changed the character in charge of looking over you all. Follow me and I shall prove that none of the members of the Dominus Household have been forgotten,” Apollo answered.

Because of his response, Asteroth froze while looking at Apollo. However, contrary to Apollo’s expectations, a large fist grew wider in his sights. 

Bang!

“You think tugging on my heartstrings will earn my loyalty that easily? I’ve come to learn that words are empty!” 

However, as he said this, tears streamed down Asteroth’s face. Evidently, Apollo’s words accomplished more than Asteroth cared to admit. 

Apollo rose to his feet and sighed through pain as he closed his eyes momentarily. Once they reopened, clarity unlike no other appeared. “Are you sure? As I remember, a scene like this in the past caused you to follow me once before. Could my memories be mistaken?”

Asteroth was baffled by the sudden change in Apollo’s tone, causing him to look at him skeptically. ‘What? Is all this pain causing my ears to play tricks on me? If I weren’t the wiser, I’d think it was my master standing before me!’