"I''m ready." The Martial de God spoke calmly.


    His form was simple—a blue kimono, with his normal-looking de on his hip. Even after meditating for so long, he still seemed like the same person from before.


    "You''re… the Martial de God?" The Nether spoke, narrowing his gaze as his eyes turned purple.


    "Indeed. Per my agreement with Ciel, I shall be facing you in an all-out battle." He reached for his de, keeping his gaze on the floating Nether.


    The Nether nced at Ciel, and the woman nodded with a smile. Her expression told him that he was serious, and that the battle itself would be one of the same nature.


    "I see. Since I have time to spare, I might as well do it" The Nether shrugged.


    "I appreciate it."


    This time, the Martial de God did not bow. Neither did he show any of his usual courtesy to the Nether. His gaze was indeed calm, and he disyed no animosity. However, he was also not being cordial.


    In this state, he unsheathed his de and took his stance, waiting for Ciel to move out of the way. She did so almost immediately.


    "Now, then, how should we do this? From what I have been informed of, you were very instrumental in my return… and it was all for this battle. So, how do you want it to go?"


    The Martial de God gave a very simple answer—one that made him seem extremely crazy.


    "Go all-out. I want to fight you at full strength." This was the only answer he could give.


    After all, he had sacrificed a lot to reach this point. He had caused the deaths and destruction of so many people. He hadmitted unspeakable atrocities—all for the return of this monster.


    And now, it was time for him to im his prize.


    "If I go all-out, you won''t be able to bear it." The Nether''s words brought a smile to the face of the Martial de God.


    When was thest time someone had shown him such consideration in a battle? Usually, he was the one saying it to others. And that was because he was simply stronger than them.


    That''s right… The luxury of giving consideration to an enemy was the luxury owned only by the strong. At the moment, he had lost that right.


    The enemy in front of him was stronger.


    "Very well. Then… fight me until the very end!"


    "Alright then. If it bes too drawn out, I''ll just end you as soon as—"


    >VWUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<


    An immense pressure permeated the air, causing everything around to shiver. The ascending blue light converged on the Martial de God, and his hair turned white—same as his clothing and his de.


    Several incorporeal des appeared around him, and an armour-like structure covered his body. It seemed like the swordsman had really ascended to the realm of the divine, thus living up to his name—a god!


    As the Martial de God felt the power course through his body, he heard a voice echo in his Soul.


    ~Are you sure you want to do this alone?~


    It belonged to his Familiar—one of the constetions that existed beyond the current world he was in.


    "Yes, Aries." The Martial de God smiled.


    The fight would certainly be much easier and faster if he had the aid of one of the most powerful Familiars that could ever exist. However…


    "There will be no point if I do not use my power."


    ~Very well. I will be sure to watch your final moments.~


    "And who says I''m going to lose?"


    ~Well… shall we wait and see?~


    The Martial de God could not help himself from chuckling. It was just like Aries to be salty because he wasn''t being relied on. Still, who could me a Familiar that wasn''t being used by his wielder?


    "Haha… I''ll give my all. There shall be no regrets!" Suddenly, the Martial de God could feel it.


    He was slowly reverting to how he used to feel back when he''d just started practising Martial Arts—back when he hadn''t been so peerless.


    The thrill he felt when he learned his first set of techniques. The excitement he had when he fought his first opponent. The joy he felt when he won his first battle. The fulfilment he had when he created his own Martial Techniques.


    All those emotions had been numbed due to ack of stimtion. But now, facing an opponent that was far stronger than he was, the Martial de God could not help but feel the rush of long-forgotten sensations.


    It felt amazing!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Here Ie!"


    In a powerful leap that destroyed the entire foothold that was perfectly fine a moment earlier, he lunged straight for the Nether.


    His de was fastened to his grip, and his Mind des went ahead of him to strike down the Nether.


    Instantly, the Nethe also brought his own darkened de and parried the des that wereunched, prepared to cross des with the Martial de God.


    >VWUUUUSSSHHHHH!!!<


    Space parted as both parties swung their des.


    However—


    >SPLOOOSSSHHH!!!<


    —Dark liquid spurted from the Nether as the exchange ended.


    "W-wow! I never expected this! You are—"


    Before the Nether could say any more, the Martial de God went for the next strike. His de was brimming with so much power that it could destroy anything it touched—even Nether as dense as his opponent''s.


    This time—


    >SPLOOOOOSSSSHHHH!!!<


    —More darkened blood leaked from the Nether.


    "I underestimated you, eh?''


    The Martial de couldn''t ess most of his abilities due to the Nether''s influence around him and the nature of his being. He could not see through the Nether''s time, and he could not rely on a lot of his techniques.


    Even if he could, they wouldn''t have been very effective on the opponent. In such a situation, there was only one thing he could do.


    He threw them all away!


    He chose not to rely on his other techniques and focused all of his Aether on his de. Every single power he had was focused on his body—and his weapon was an extension of it.


    Nothing else mattered.


    As long as he could reach his enemy… as long as he could cut his opponent down… that was all that mattered.


    "HAHAHAHAHA! INTERESTING!"


    They crossed des many times, and the Nether always came up short—losing more fluids as the match went on.


    Everything around them suffered damage, and there was practically nond underneath them anymore. Even the darkened seas were evaporating rapidly. Before long, there would be nothing left in the world.


    Still, nothing prevented them from exchanging more blows.


    ''This is it! This is what I''ve been living for!'' The Martial de God clenched his teeth and strained his body even more tond another hit.


    In terms of speed and strength, he admitted that the Nether had him outssed. In fact, the distance between them was very wide.


    However, the Nether was not as adept in Martial Arts, which gave the Martial de God his only advantage.


    Even then…


    ''It''s taking every single ounce of my power tond a hit. This is it!'' He was certain that if this kept up, he would finally be able to achieve it.


    He would be able to surpass his limits and reach the state he desired!


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