The planes were a really strange place—a place that stood between the realms of the living and the dead.
While it was much closer to the realm of souls, it also had deep connections with the realm of humans.
Demons were very much like normal humans. In fact, a few had no distinct features different from humans—in terms of appearance—but even then, demons hungered for sothing more than just food, like normal humans.
They wanted power. Their undying taste for it was what built the powerful hierarchy of the demons.
In the demon realm, there were five major races that actively ruled the entire six planes. One of them was the Zhuraks—the weakest among the rest. However, this wasn't true for the one who stood before them.
Demons grew stronger from absorbing souls, eating the flesh of stronger opponents, and using mana crystals and the like, although the latter offered less strength than the forr. Their thods of growing stronger, although grueso and sowhat disgusting, were undoubtedly efficient.
Coupled with their undying taste for power, they weren't bothered by going to any extent, even to the point of going against more powerful foes.
The stronger a demon beca, at so point, even the shackles of their very bloodline would be insufficient to hold them back. That was the case for the person who stood before them—Zamazo, the Deathsketcher.
Although he wasn't in his true demon form, the weight of his presence alone was enough to send dread through Alisha's bones.
'Never did I think that a higher demon's strength would be this great,' Alisha thought as a cold shiver ran down her spine. Even the hands she used to hold Missy were trembling under his presence.
Despite this, she managed to keep her calm as she turned to Jack, who didn't seem at all bothered by the presence that stood before him.
Zamazo stared down from the edges of the canyon, looking at the group.
He had five horns sticking out from all sides of his head, as if forming a crown.
At the mont, he appeared in his human form, containing most of his power, as he didn't see the need to cause so much ruckus.
If all the towns nearby were to know that he had left his castle, they would begin moving away as fast as possible. It might also reach the ears of the other higher demons, and they too might want to know what brought about his sudden action—sothing he wanted to avoid at all costs.
His eyes looked crystalline, having a violet shade. Those eyes were locked onto one figure: Jack.
'So that is the incarnate of the Lord of the Dead? … He looks… plain,' Zamazo thought, rather displeased. But then a smile crept up his face.
'That only makes the work easier,' Zamazo thought, his evil grin gracing his beautiful face.
Even Naon began to wonder what made his master smile so.
Zamazo walked forward, his eyes still fixed on Jack.
For so reason, he couldn't sense any aura or energy leaking from Jack, but he wasn't bothered; that could only an one thing.
'They probably overexerted themselves with whatever they were doing…. Life in the planes, especially for humans who ca unprepared, won't be easy,' he assud.
However, that wasn't exactly the case. Alisha, who was closest to him, could tell, right after he replied to her.
"They've caught us," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Jack turned to her, a crooked smile playing on his lips.
"Oh, don't worry," he said, his tone unnervingly casual. "These are my boys."
She looked toward him, and she could sense it—his aura. It was different.
As a mage, she didn't have full knowledge of aura. The only type of aura she could sense was divine aura, and right now, that sa form of aura was being emitted from Jack's body.
It was divine aura, quite all right, but there was also sothing different about this divine aura. It was dark… No, dark was an understatent. It was corrupt, dangerous—in fact, frightening—built from the very essence of evil.
If Zamazo's aura was like a boulder, Jack's was like a mountain, towering over her as it cast a shadow over her.
"Humans! I believe you know why I have co. Do not bother fighting in your weakened state. Submit yourselves this instant," Zamazo declared, breaking the long line of silence.
Since they were both weak, things were ant to be much easier.
However, Jack rely closed his eyes for a mont.
He felt the power rampaging through him, begging him to let it free…. But it wasn't only the power that ca along with the soul binding.
There was sothing dark, sothing trying to take a bite at his consciousness. He could tell that was Erebus, trying to take full control, but just like Olion had said, he wasn't a normal human.
He was a broken human, soone who would even prefer death to living with any of the humans he considered filth.
He was right about that, but he was also wrong about another thing.
After that second encounter with Olion and one with Erebus, Jack's fight was no longer fueled by just the hatred for humans anymore. It was fueled by anger. Anger toward the gods, for even daring to decide his fate.
He couldn't let Erebus take full control. He wanted to be the one in control… so he could tear down everything and bring those stupid gods to his feet.
Now, he had both Erebus's mories, his power, and everything.
'I'm far from defeating the gods…. But a re demon?' Jack's eyes flashed with defiance as he looked toward Zamazo with a deep frown.
"You have a sharp tongue for a lowly demon… you cunt."
Jack's words not only sent gasps spreading through the crowd, but they also carried overwhelming shock.
A renowned figure throughout the planes was insulted, that too, by a re human?
A powerful pressure exploded through the horizon, many of the weaker demons behind falling to their knees, unable to even stand.
Forget about being polite; Zamazo was going to do it.
He was going to—
************
Gathered in the main sanctuary, all the bishops, saints, and patrons had convened.
The reason for their gathering had already been made clear—it was sothing ant to bring them great joy. This event alone could significantly increase the overall power and influence of the church.
Although the church was a single entity, it had managed to beco well-established and imnsely powerful within a few short years of its creation. This teoric rise was due to the very reason they were gathered here at this mont—a blessing.
Blessings were the cornerstone of the church's influence and growth.
They could grant a talentless mage the ability to rise to incredible power, breaking through previously insurmountable limits. For those who were already talented, a blessing would propel them to unimaginable heights in their magical journey.
A blessing was essentially the transfer of Karma. If one had higher Karma, they could bless soone of lower Karma. Conversely, the opposite could also occur, stripping soone of their Karma.
Karma was a universal force tied to reverence. The more people revered and looked up to soone, the more Karma that person earned. Essentially, the bishops and the Lady of the Church were farming Karma from the masses, using their roles as public figures to harvest admiration and faith.
If that were the case, why didn't the royal families of the kingdoms possess high Karma?
In truth, they did have Karma. However, utilizing it was another matter entirely. Only a being of divine status—or one close to it—could grant soone the ability to tap into such power. Despite this limitation, unutilized Karma wasn't wasted. It instead passively enhanced the individual as a mage, making them stronger by nature.
Divine beings, on the other hand, possessed vast amounts of Karma. A blessing from such a being was beyond imagination.
This was why today's event was such a monuntal occasion, and why most of those gathered in the sanctuary radiated excitent and hope.
Most of them.
Kiara stood off to the side, her group distinctly separated from the others.
Her expression was anything but joyful. Instead, it was shadowed with worry.
'If the angel grants these old bastards a blessing,' she thought, clenching her fists, 'it'll beco even harder to protect her lady from them. These greedy fools will undoubtedly attempt to eliminate her, even if it ans sacrificing a thousand more of their pathetic saints.'
Her jaw tightened as her teeth ground together.
Carlos, one of the high-ranking bishops, approached her. His smug grin made no effort to disguise his true intentions.
"What's the matter, dear Kiara? Aren't you thrilled at the prospect of receiving another blessing?" he asked with mock care, his voice dripping with condescension. "What could possibly be troubling you on such a glorious day?"
Kiara glared at him, her lips pressed into a thin line. But before she could respond, a low hum filled the sanctuary.
The crystalline pillars at the front of the room began to glow with an otherworldly light. The sound grew louder, buzzing through the air as energy crackled and danced along the stones.
All eyes turned toward the source of the light.
The angel had co.
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