Fear clenched Dick's heart as he stuttered. "B-but... how...?"
"You know what you are, buddy?"
"..." Dick had no response.
Sieghart grinned. "You're a fraud."
Dick's confusion turned into seething anger, his fists trembling with fury.
"You bastard!"
In an instant, Dick's fist surged towards Sieghart's face with full force.
But to his surprise, Sieghart snatched his fist out of thin air, a cruel smile followed. With an effortless twist, Sieghart forcibly ripped Dick's arm from its socket.
What followed was a bone-shattering punch from Sieghart that sunk into Dickʼs face. He was launched out of sight like a torpedo.
CRASH!!
Dick made body imprint into the wall.
Pain exploded through Dick's body, but he gritted his teeth as his regeneration abilities mended the severed limb. Slowly, Dick began to rebuild his arm, humiliation evident in his eyes.
Unfazed by Dick's recovery, Sieghart raised an index finger, revealing a small golden sphere at its tip—a powerful vortex of energy swirling within. "Wait, you really thought I was done huh?"
BOOM!!
The golden sphere detonated, unleashing a devastating explosion that obliterated a multitude of caverns within the underground facility. The force of the explosion sent Dick hurtling through the air, his body flung like a helpless rag doll.
It was a Lv. 16 (Master) 「Stella」 spell called 「Spark」. It cost 83 MP.
Emerging from the dust and debris, Sieghart appeared as an apparition.
With a swift and merciless strike, he delivered another bone-crushing blow to Dick's face, sending him crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.
But the sheer momentum of the impact rebounded Dick's body, propelling him back into the air.
Seizing the opportunity, Sieghart swiftly closed the distance, his hand clenching around Dick's dazed face. He ruthlessly dragged Dick's head through the solid ground, unmaking the very earth beneath them.
As Sieghart effortlessly dragged Dick's head through the rough ground, Dick's mind raced with desperate thoughts.
Pain enveloped his every fiber as blood gushed from the wounds that marred his broken body.
But this, was an opportunity for him.
Summoning his remaining strength, Dick channeled the infernal flames that coursed through his veins, unleashing a blistering beam of fire at Sieghart from point-blank range. However, Sieghart vanished before the scorching inferno could even touch a single strand of his hair.
An attack that found nothing but empty air.
Struggling to rise to his feet, Dick's chest heaved with every labored breath. His demonic regeneration had mended his severed arm, but his body was throbbing. Bruises and a twisted horn protruded grotesquely from his skull.
Through gritted teeth, Dick managed a breathless chuckle.
"I... I did it...?"
A small smile appeared on his demonized face.
"Now... I can see my daughter again..."
A small finger tapped on Dick's bristling shoulder.
He turned with a start, his eyes widening at the sight of Sieghart.
With an angelic smile and playful wave, Sieghart said, "Ohayo."
A casual greeting.
Dick's panic surged, it compelled him to attack. But before his clenched fist could connect, Sieghart's palm intercepted his path, striking with a force that sent shockwaves of pain cascading through Dick's already battered face. The demon was sent hurtling through the air, crashing violently into a nearby wall.
Crumpled and motionless, Dick lay sprawled upon the ground like a discarded puppet.
Sieghart wasn't done, but something stopped him.
"Oh snap, this is the perfect time," he said, gently clapping once.
So Sieghart left, now in search of Velice.
...
After minutes of searching, Sieghart's steps led him to a small, dilapidated room, marked by the destructive aftermath of his battle with Dick. Seated on the cold ground, her delicate form marred by rusted chains, was Velice, her lifeless visage present.
Sieghart's eyes traced the weary lines etched upon her face, the telltale signs of suffering.
Sieghart rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Blue hair, it's definitely her."
Hands casually nestled in his pockets, he sauntered towards the bound girl. "Are you alright?" he asked.
But Velice remained silent, her eyes staring vacantly into the distance.
"Are you... dead?" he queried.
The girl's voice, emotionless, whispered a soft denial. "No," she replied, her gaze never leaving the ground.
It was as if her spirit had been drained, leaving behind an empty vessel.
Sieghart chuckled. "Ah, so you only respond to stupid questions, huh? Good to know," he remarked.
Just as the two stood there, a sudden eruption of flames ripped through the air, hurtling towards Sieghart from behind.
"Huh?"
Sieghart's body remained unchanged, the barrier around him easily intercepting the incoming attack.
The impact of the explosion sent smoke billowing around them, obscuring the room momentarily.
The haze dissipated.
"Oh? Looks like you're still alive," said Sieghart, his eyes locking onto the panting figure that emerged from the dissipating smoke.
"You should've finished me when you had the chance," Dick replied.
"Is that... Is that you, Dick?" Velice asked with the faintest hint of emotion.
"Don't worry, my dear. Everything will be okay now. I'll take care of this man, and then we'll find a safer place for you," he promised, deceptive tenderness rang in his voice.
Velice nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll trust you. Just... do whatever you need to do," she murmured.
Sieghart raised an eyebrow as he interjected.
"Wait, your name is Dick?" he asked. A smile followed as he continued, "That's quite... fitting, I must say. Dick the dickhead."
Dick's demonic features grew more pronounced as his anger swelled.
"How do you know my surname?" he bellowed, the surge of power emanating from his body causing the very ground to shake.
Sieghart's eyes widened with mock surprise.
"Wait, your surname is Head?" he exclaimed, unable to control his laughter. "Oh, that's rich!"
Infuriated, Dick's anger erupted like a volcano. His entire being was consumed by a surge of dark, blue energy that pulsated with a foreboding aura. The vast power exploded in all directions, causing the very foundation of the subterranean excavation to quake and rumble.
"STOP PLAYING WITH MY NAME!!"
Sieghart's back to faced the Velice.
He cllmly looked at the raging Dick, "I may not know much about you, Velice, but sorry... for rejecting your offer of friendship."
A flicker of emotions sparked in Velice's eyes as she processed his words.
Sieghart continued, "I'm only saying this because if Dickʼs the best friend you can make... then it's unfortunate."
Gazing at him like he was some sort of transcendent being, for the first time, Velice felt like she didn't hate herself.
Someone genuinely apologized— with no obligation to do so.
But before Sieghart could say anything more, his attention shifted to the surging figure of Dick. With a calm expression, he placed two elegant fingers on his own forehead.
"Mana Convergence: Emerald World."
His voice vibrated with an ancient power.
In an instant, the very environment underwent a dramatic transformation. They found themselves in an eerie, corrupted underground temple. The air was thick with mist, and the ground beneath them was covered in shimmering emerald moss. Twisted vines snaked their way around jagged rocks, leading their gaze towards a colossal obsidian archway that served as the entrance to the temple.
Sieghart stood at the pinnacle of the temple, carrying Velice protectively by his side.
His now golden eyes shimmered as he surveyed the fallen Dick, who collapsed to his knees under the weight of this newfound magic.
This ability... it shouldn't be possible...
...this magic it's 「Mana Convergence」, a feat only achievable by those who have fully grasped the abstract concept of magic. I... It can't... It can't be...
You could study ninety years and never grasp even the first stage of this magic... and yet here it is...
It's not... no...
"I understand how it feels to be weak. Trust me, I get it."
He glanced at his own overwhelming power, and a wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Scratch that. I don't get it, because I'm overpowered. But that's not important now right?"
Sieghart concentrated his mana, channelling the incredible power of his Mana Convergence ability. With his two fingers still gently pressed against his forehead, he activated 「Shatter」.
In an instant, the air around him crackled with an intense surge of raw, destructive energy.
A flurry of devastating blows erupted from Dickʼs surroundings.
Each strike carried an overwhelming force, intensified by the raw mana flowing in the air.
The impact was cataclysmic, ripping through the air and obliterating everything in its path.
Dick staggered back, desperately attempting to deflect the onslaught, but the sheer power behind Sieghart's attacks was overwhelming. With each blow that landed, the once formidable adversary was reduced to a battered and broken figure, crumpling under the weight of the merciless assault.
The last blow connected, Dick's body disintegrated, reduced to nothing more than a pile of quivering flesh.
Finally, they were returned to the physical realm.