Grey wasn't just going through the motions in this fight; he was meticulously analyzing his opponent for any weaknesses and gauging his power.
What he discovered was astonishing: his opponent was far more powerful than he had anticipated, more powerful than anyone he had ever faced.
Even Lyra and Luna were not on this man's level.
This person wasn't even using one percent of his power to fight him.
This realization made Grey's blood boil with excitement. He was thrilled to be up against such a formidable opponent.
But rather than discouraging Grey, this revelation fueled his determination. He had been yearning to unleash his full power, something he had never done before. Now, with the opportunity right in front of him, why would he hold back?
With that thought, Grey exhaled deeply, clearing his mind of distractions and focusing entirely on the man before him.
He adopted a stance, his hand reaching for his katana.
He waited, knowing his opponent was also anticipating his full power. After a few seconds, he whispered:
"Moon Blade - First Form: Lunar Slash."
With this, his katana radiated a brilliant silver light, enveloping everything, and Grey vanished from his position.
Then, clank. His katana struck something metal, signaling his attack had failed. But Grey didn't retreat; he teleported a few meters away.
The spectators struggled to comprehend what was happening. One moment, Grey was muttering something; the next, a silver light engulfed the area, followed by the clash of metal.
Aira couldn't see anything happening between Grey and Damien, but she knew how dangerous the fight was becoming.
Meanwhile, Selene was intently focused on the battle.
With the help of the system and the skill [Eye of the God], which she obtained from it, she was barely able to keep up with their movements.
'Without this skill, I don't think I'd be able to comprehend what's happening,' Selene thought.
'Strong… much stronger than me.' Selene was analyzing both Grey and Damien, comparing them to herself, and the realization struck her, revealing how weak she currently was. But that would change.
She clenched her fists and focused on the fight, hoping to learn something.
Meanwhile, Grey and Damien were clashing with each other, each exchange involving thousands of moves within a second.
"Void Blade - First Form: Blade of the Void."
"Spear Art - Phantom Thrust."
Both were utilizing their respective arts and techniques in their fierce battle. Grey was currently fighting with his full power, wielding his weapon without using any magic.
Grey leaped into the sky, raising his katana high above his head.
"Meteorite Descent!"
He used a technique he had created during his training. With a powerful slash, a giant meteorite formed above his head and surged forward with the slash, hurtling towards Damien.
Damien stood his ground as the giant meteorite hurtled toward him.
He raised his right hand, conjuring a barrier in front of him. The meteorite collided with the barrier, triggering a massive explosion and sending intense shock waves throughout the area, destroying everything around them.
Most of the spectators closed their eyes as the blinding light of the destruction engulfed the surroundings. If it weren't for Grey creating a protective dome around everyone present, they would have surely perished.
The destruction continued to spread with no sign of stopping.
Grey watched the unfolding chaos with a stoic expression, his intense gaze fixed on the area where Damien stood.
A figure emerged from the destruction—Damien. Although unhurt, his clothes had been burned away, leaving only a scrap of cloth to protect his modesty.
He stood there, his finely built, muscular body exposed, radiating intense strength. With a snap of his fingers, a new set of clothes appeared on his body.
Damien's gaze locked onto Grey, who was watching him with a calm smile.
Seeing Grey's smile, a vein popped on Damien's forehead, his ears turning red with embarrassment. Everyone had seen him almost naked, and some were struggling to hold back their laughter. Even Aira and Selene were stifling their giggles.
Damien looked like a warrior from an ancient forest tribe, almost resembling a wild he-man.
Infuriated, Damien seethed with anger. The thought that a mere mortal ant, who wasn't even ten years old, had managed to burn his clothes was humiliating. How could this mortal, who was not even a fraction of his 200-year-old fallen angel self, possess such power?
"Now you have completely angered me," said Damien.
A strong surge of mana leaked from his body, dark and ominous. His strange eyes began to glow red.
"I will now show you my true power, the power of my Abyssal Wrath."
Grey narrowed his eyes, observing the peculiar flow of mana within Damien's body. With his new and powerful eyes, nothing could escape his notice. He recognized the supernatural power Damien was using.
It was an 'ability'—a rare supernatural power that only a few possess.
Each 'ability' had different powers; some could control mana effortlessly, some could manipulate natural laws, and others could boost one's strength.
The ability Damien was using boosted his mana and strength, enhancing his magic tenfold. This was bad news for Grey.
---
Ding!
[System message]
[Host, be careful and use the Anti-Debuff skill on yourself.]
Selene was confused but did as instructed by the system. She activated the skill, [Divine Shield] and looked towards Damien.
Her eyes shone, and a blue window appeared in front of her.
[Status Window]
Name:Damien Blackthorn
Race:Fallen Angel
Age:200+ years
Ability: Abyssal Wrath
Magic: Dark, Light, and Evil
Mana Points (MP): 200k
Spirit Power (SP): 10k
"Huh! An ability… this is something I didn't know," Selene muttered as she saw that Damien possessed an ability. The last time she met him, she didn't have the system, but now with it, she understood the danger of his ability.
Abilities are unique and powerful enhancements that elevate an individual's capabilities far beyond typical skills. There are two primary ways a person can have an ability:
Learned Ability: Similar to skills, learned abilities can be acquired through rigorous practice and training. However, what sets abilities apart from regular skills is their versatility and power. With an ability, a person can easily use multiple skills and create new ones, making abilities highly feared and respected. Although not everyone possesses an ability, those who do have a significant edge in combat and other demanding fields.
Innate Ability: Innate abilities are much rarer and more powerful than learned abilities. These are abilities a person is born with, similar to innate skills. They possess frightening and often strange powers. Individuals born with innate abilities are considered supreme geniuses, as these abilities are usually a sign of destined greatness. These abilities often manifest early in life and require minimal training to harness effectively.
What made the ability so powerful, it's because of the-
Unique Manifestations: Each ability is unique to the individual, reflecting their essence or destiny. No two abilities are exactly alike, making every ability user distinct and unpredictable in their capabilities.
Evolution and Enhancement: Abilities can evolve over time. Through continuous use and extreme circumstances, an ability can grow stronger, sometimes even developing new aspects or sub-abilities. This evolution makes ability users dynamic and ever-changing threats.
Bond with the User: An ability often forms a deep bond with its user, responding to their emotions, desires, and needs. This connection can enhance the effectiveness of the ability, making it more potent when the user is highly motivated or under duress.
Energy Source: Abilities typically draw from a unique energy source within the user, such as mana, spirit power, or a specialized inner reservoir. The strength and longevity of an ability often depend on the user's ability to manage and replenish this energy.
But ability have some weak points-
Dual-Edged Nature: While abilities provide immense power, they can also have drawbacks. Overuse or misuse can lead to physical or mental strain, and some abilities may have unintended side effects or limitations. Balancing the power of an ability with its costs is crucial for any user.
Detection and Suppression: Certain artifacts, spells, or other abilities can detect or suppress abilities. These countermeasures are rare but can be crucial in battles between highly skilled opponents, adding another layer of strategy to the use of abilities.
---
As Damien used his ability, its effects started to manifest. Grey felt a slight but noticeable decrease in his strength, making him uncomfortable that something could suppress his power, even if only slightly.
"Purify," Grey intoned, casting a spell that enveloped him in a golden glow.
He looked around and saw everyone struggling with the effects of Damien's ability. With a wave of his hand, the golden glow spread to the others, washing relief over them.
Grey then turned his gaze to Damien, who was undergoing a transformation. Damien's body grew slightly larger, his hands turned black with large claws, his hair lengthened, and his teeth became as sharp and long as his claws.
Black scales appeared on his body, covering most of it and providing protection.
He now looked like a devil spawned from hell.
The transformed Damien raised his eyes and looked at Grey. In a dangerous and ominous voice that sent chills down everyone's spine, even Grey's, he said:
"How do you like my new transformation mortal?"