God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Chapter 382: Potential.

Even though Stingè was strong, he didn't have any magical ability that made him capable of seeing the future. In that aspect, he was just as clueless as the next guy... demon.

That was why when a bolt of black lightning came crashing down on him from a blind spot, he couldn't help but be surprised.

'A surprise attack? From where? Who?'

Stingè was shocked, but his years of battle experience made him react swiftly and accordingly.

'There doesn't seem to be a lot of power. Still...'

All this happened in a split second as Stingè and the Aether Beast exchanged world-shacking attacks.

It only took a moment for Stingè to make his mind up. He decided to tank the blow...

This decision didn't stem from arrogance. Instead, it was one that was rooted in his confidence. Confidence in his defensive abilities.

Especially in his transformed state...

'Even if I am injured, it can't be worse than what this foul creature is throwing at me.'

The moment Stingè decided to ignore it, was the moment that black streak became an omen that changed the tides of the battle completely...

That black streak... was Cain.

After dying, Cain's body had experienced some drastic changes...

First, {Golden Body} had not deactivated for some reason. Before he died, it had been fighting off the Devil Corruption. Now, there was no need for it.

Logically, it was supposed to be deactivated the moment Cain fell. This was where the changes in his body began...

***

{Due to certain changes in the host's constitution, the skills, {Golden Body}, and {Draconic Transfiguration} have now become mutually dependent and inclusive of one another, birthing a new concept entirely...}

{Congratulations to host... Your skill, {Golden Body}, has evolved...}

{Congratulations to host... Your skill, {Draconic Transfiguration}, has evolved...}

{Congratulations to host... You have created a new internal skill, Golden Wyrm: Asura}.

{+2000 to Strength}.

{+2000 to Agility}.

{+2000 to Defense}.

***

An Asura was the evolved form of a Rakshasa. If a Rakshasa was an angry Demon, then an Asura was an angry Demon who knew how to fight.

Although Demons didn't control Devil essence inherently, the origin of the special energies they used was still rooted in the evil nature of Devil Essence. As such, they took on the violent traits of their predecessors.

Cain had gotten the {Draconic Transfiguration} skill from a {Bog Serpent Wyrm}. Although a Wyrm could barely be considered a dragon, it still had the bloodline of one. Not to mention that the Aether Beast was an extremely watered-down version of a Wyrm.

Still, Cain's {Golden Body} was a technique that excelled in bringing out potential by subjecting the body to brutal trauma. Although he had become a bit used to it now, Cain still had to go through immense pain every time he activated {Golden Body}.

The two skills, {Golden Body} and {Draconic Transfiguration} were somehow synergized with one another to produce an evolved version of both skills.

The best part of all this was that the skill was fueled by Ki and most importantly, Devil Essence. Hence the name, {Golden Wyrm: Asura}.

Powered by a heart created by a Primordial Devil herself, Cain's streams of Devil Essence we're as close to the source as could be. Although he was not a full Devil. He could now use the power of one...

It all happened so fast...

His speed had reached unfathomable levels in a matter of a split second. The edge of the {Scale of the Abyssal Flame} burned with dark magical flames.

Its edge was sharp, and it looked far more slender and majestic than it did before. Still, that didn't matter to Cain.

All that mattered to him, was putting Stingè down.

"Alyssa Crimson Blade: Hell's Nexus!"

His voice came out like a resounding roar. The edge of his blade crashed against Stingè's bare hand since his weapon had shot towards the worm-like Aether beast.

A cataclysmic explosion rang out, as three sides collided...

The ground quaked and crumbled like a folded sheet. The mountain in the distance split in two.

Sparks flew in between Cain and Stingèas they both glared at one another. One had absolute shock written all over his features, while the other had the world's widest shit-eating grin.

"You..." Stingè was absolutely dumbfounded.

Cain grinned, "Don't look so surprised. It's not like you've just seen a ghost or something..."

Although Cain looked very different from before, even factoring in the transformations of Rakshasa and Asura, Stingè could recognize him anywhere.

Blood dropped to the ground again as the blade dug deep into his hand...

They both looked at the same time. The grin on Cain's face became wider, revealing his elongated fangs,

"See? I made you bleed..."

"I killed you. There is no doubt there." A frown directed at Cain finally appeared on the face of the Demon.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but you still have work to do."

Cain immediately switched places with a metallic blade using {Nexus Tether}. Almost at the same time, the furious retaliation of the worm-like Aether Beast crashed against Stingè like a train.

Although the creature had been severely wounded by Stingè, Cain's last-minute distraction didn't give Stingè the chance he needed to finish it off.

His body launched back like a cannonball, a look of confusion set on Stingè's face.

'How odd...'

So many things just weren't adding up...

However, he didn't have the luxury to think about it now...

A furious dragon of darkness chased after his body and sliced at his neck with the sharp edge of a heavy blade.

"Hell's Nexus!"

Two consecutive {Hell's Nexus}. Due to the abundant Ki and Devil Essence flowing in his body, a heavy-duty skill like {Hell's Nexus} could be activated more than once in a row.

Gritting his teeth, Stingè dodged the lightning-fast attack...

If this had been Stingè at his peak, he would have been able to take care of these attacks. However, he was tired after having fought the worm-like Aether Beast for so long not to mention the sneak attack Cain had delivered.

'That attack carried Sorcerer's Flame!'

There was no being involved with the magical arts that didn't know of the Sorcerer's Flame. A flame created from combining the concepts of darkness and fire, rumored to be able to burn to annihilation almost anything in existence...

'What is it doing in the hands of an ignorant mortal?!'

Needless to say, the attack had dealt quite a bit of damage to him even in his transformed state...

He had also expended a lot of strength in what was supposed to be the nail in the coffin. However, his plans had been graciously foiled by a specter that had clawed his way out of hell just to drag him there.

However, this Cain was completely different from why he had been before death...

He had been reborn...

As a Demon of Carnage...

A Dragon of Bloodshed and Chaos...

A Golden Wyrm...

An Asura!

Golden light flickered on Cain's body as his transformation finally concluded. His body was now covered in thick golden scales that looked like they had been soaking in darkness for ages.

They were still golden. However, they had a very dark hue to them. Then, two horns jutting from his temples adorned his head, twisting forward slightly. His black hair flew widely behind him as well.

His chest was adorned with the silvery Scales of Antiquity, giving his new look more color contrast. A thick serpentine tail swished behind him, increasing his aerodynamic properties, and making him propel himself even faster when chasing Stingè down.

Cain immediately followed up with a chained attack consisting of three continuous devastating blows,

"Abyssal Crimson Blade: Three Stars Hell's Nexus!"

The overlapping {Hell's Nexus} made it impossible for Stingè to dodge.

"Idle World!"

A swiftly created barrier was erected by Stingè. However, Cain destroyed it completely. At the same time, the worm-like Aether Beast finally arrived at the scene. It had dug underground and swam through the earth like it was water to reach them rapidly.

Opening its terrifyingly gigantic maw, it was prepared to swallow Cain and Stingè whole. However, the two Demons were swift to evade.

Dodging in two opposite directions, they both activated their respective spells,

"Infernal Celestial Art: Imploding Star!"

"Idle World: Continuum!"

Orbs of annihilating flames were released by Cain while world-dividing spatial slashes were thrown by Stingè.

The recipient of these attacks was the worm-like Aether Beast. Cain's attacks didn't seem capable of doing much to the beat, but Stingè's {Idle Slash} spells left deep wounds on its pink flesh.

The creature let out roars as it pursued Stingè intently. Cain followed behind at his top speed...

He wasn't holding anything back. He was going to kill Stingè.

'A transformation, huh... More like a wager with the Devil.' Cain couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Still, it was worth it...

The grimace of frustration on Stingè's face turned into one of absolute rage. Cain had never seen such a twisted expression on Stingè before. Well, thinking about it a bit, he realized that he had seen it, once...

"You bastards!" Stingè let out a world-trembling roar as he halted his backward motion.

"That's more like it! This face suits you more, bastard!" Cain said as he sliced forward.

The spear that had been used to attack the humongous Aether Beast had found its way back into his hands. Stingè burned with anger as he stared at Cain and the approaching worm with deep contempt.

His mind spun...

'I was too reckless. I should have known by now. Killing this brat should have been immediate and absolute. I should have butcher his corpse up, turned it into coals, and spread the remnant ashes to the wind!'

The Demon, Stingè, had no idea how he had let this happen. In the past, his ruthlessness would have made sure he either captured or killed Cain, his cohort, and all the beastmen without a single case of failure.

But now, his entire operation had ended in one massive failure. And all this was thanks to...

"You!"

Stingè dashed forward at neck-break speed. Spear and sword clashed furiously causing the ground to undulate in waves, breaking apart continuously.

A symphonic rhythm of clashing steel heralds the climax of a furious battle...

***

A/N: Special Mass release of chapters incoming!!!! Just like last month, special chapters will be released till the end of the month. If we can meet the goal by the end of the month, I plan to release an extra chapter every day for the first ten days.

Conditions: GIFTS!

Yes, people... Your gifts and active use of coins motivate me to write more and more of this book I'll seem to enjoy so much. So... Here's how we are gonna do it

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