Chapter 22: 22: Real face of Michael!
Azekiel ran to Michael, trying to utilize all the time he had. He needed to kill Michael within two minutes or at least beat him in such a way that he couldn't fight back even after gaining back his stats.
Unfortunately, it seemed that with the initial boost, Azekiel had underestimated Michael! Michael was the King of Pride who had cleared even the higher floors alone. Michael had been a King of Sin for far longer than Azekiel!
In fact, Azekiel only received his skills less than a day ago, whereas Michael had his for slightly more than two years now! Michael had amassed enough skills to not only protect himself but also to defeat enemies!
He turned his spear of Sin upside down, aiming the sharp end towards the roof before thrusting his spear down, hitting the back of his spear to the floor. "Blast of Aurelia!"
As soon as the back of Spear of Sin hit the ground, it was as if an explosion had taken place.
Bright light spread everywhere, accompanied by destructive energy.
The destructive energy was so powerful that it even destroyed the shelves, sending book stacks flying far away. The entire area around Michael was cleared. The explosive energy didn't affect him even in the slightest thought.
Azekiel brought both his arms together to protect his face from the energy. The energy blast hit him straight, sending him flying back. Some of his clothes were also torn, revealing the burn marks on his body.
His body had started bleeding from the impact of the attack. He could feel terrible pain.
Azekiel was stunned at the powerful attack but also slightly jealous. Not only did Michael have such explosive skills, but he also had the Spear of Pride to further boost the strength of his skill.
Despite having similar stats to Michael and the boost from the floor, Azekiel was still at a slight disadvantage.
[01:37]
A timer was going off on the side of his view, which only he could see. The timer was telling him how much time he had before the effects of the Card of Judgement were over.
Azekiel knew he didn't have time to worry about his wounds. If he didn't take Michael out in time, things were going to get worse.
"As I said before, even if a rat gets some skills and stats, he'll always stay a freaking rat! And that's what you are, Azekiel! That's what you were in the past, and that's what you'll always be! You can never become like me!" Michael let out as he held the Spear of Pride firmly. "That's the difference between you and me! I'm destined to be the King of this universe while you're destined to be dead!"
Azekiel held his chest, which was aching as he pushed his body up. "So you do remember me."
"Of course, I remember you. You are that poor bloke who always used to stick to me, thinking you'll become popular by using me. You were nothing more than trash on the side of the road that I had for some entertainment when I didn't know better. However, as soon as my family gained the money that we deserved, I saw the true light!"
"I saw how small and insignificant you were! I saw what my life was meant to be! I was meant to be the King! I wasn't meant to spend time with beggars like you! And that was my call of Destiny!"
"But you... You bastard kept coming to me, annoying me with that stupid friendship nonsense, no matter how many times I ignored you! You just wanted to have fun with my money, didn't you?!" Michael asked. "I could see the intentions of beggars like you. Using empty words like friendship to get close to rich people so you could have an easy life without working hard!"
"I didn't let you use me! I made new friends! Friends who had a similar influence as me! Friends who were rich as well! I was right where I belonged, but then came this freaking apocalypse, and I was shoved here! But even then, my destiny couldn't be suppressed! I was meant to be a King, and that's what I became here!"
"Isn't that why you want to kill me? Because you were jealous that I was more special than you? You were jealous even in childhood, and you're still the same! You never change, Azekiel! And that's why you'll always be a bottom feeder!"
"You should've stayed on Floor Zero forever! You don't belong here! I don't know how a beggar like you could've received the title of King as well, but it must be a mistake! Let me correct that mistake! Let me take that title back by killing you! The Title of Kings only suits people like me, not with bastards like you!"
The more Michael talked, the more of his reality he showed to Azekiel.
Azekiel raised his head, staring straight into the eyes of Michael. There were myriads of emotions hidden in his eyes as he started walking toward Michael.
"I used to think you had changed. Money changed you. But even I couldn't have known that you had changed that much. I thought you completely forgot about me because I was insignificant to you, but no. You hadn't forgotten about me," Azekiel responded.
With each of his steps, a strange aura grew stronger around him...
"You just ignored me. If only I had known that there was so much venom hidden inside your heart for me... Is that why you didn't hesitate for even a second before declaring the death sentence? Is that why...?" he asked, almost roaring as he said the last question.
Michael didn't know what death sentence Azekiel was talking about. He had no knowledge of the future. He only thought that Azekiel was talking about the death verdict he issued now.
Michael only snickered.
"Even though you killed me, I wanted to fight you myself. I wanted to kill you myself because you were my enemy. But after seeing what you truly are, I realized one thing. You aren't worthy... You aren't worthy of this much attention. You are an ant, and I'll use everything I have to stomp you!" Azekiel declared. "No holding back anymore."
"You still think you can?" Michael asked, bursting into laughter. "Go ahead, attack me again!"
He raised his spear once again, about to use the same skill.
Azekiel stood only a few meters away from Michael, but he didn't stop Michael. Instead, he gazed in a different direction. "You said the amount of your total strength that you can use depends on my strength? I have the strength now! Time for you to show what you're capable of!"
Michael smacked the back of his spear on the ground again. "Blast of Aurelia!"
Boom~
Another powerful explosion took place, which was even more powerful than last time. The destructive energy flew everywhere, including in the direction of Azekiel.
The Blinding light soon disappeared, leaving carnage in its wake, but Michael wasn't much happy this time. He could see that Azekiel was still standing in his place. It was as if he wasn't affected in the least by this attack.
He wasn't alone though. There was another proud figure standing before him with folded arms and closed eyes... As for the aura around that person... It was really scary. That man stood completely unhinged before the attack, which didn't even manage to shake him.
Raphael had arrived…