Epic of Caterpillar

BOOOMM!! BOOOMM!! BOOOMM!! BOOOMM!!

"W-What?! URGH…! AAGGHH…!"

Barbatos screamed in agony for the first time as he shielded the beams from Shadrach with his arms and weapons.

His arms ended being blown up to bits, as only two and a half of them were left!

His powerful technique, that engulfed the two of them into a storm made out of his own Soul and Aura was quickly dispelled, as the Demon fell into the floor below with a loud thud.

BAAAAMM!!

"Ugh…! That sword…! My arms!"

The Demon glanced at his wounds, feeling slightly panicked. But at the same time, his blood was boiling, his eyes glowed with a sinister glint.

Barbarians of the Wrath Layer were much different than other Demons, even when they were in life-or-death situations, they felt excited.

And would gain power from the damage they take, according to the doctrine and abilities they learn as they grow up in their savage world.

Barbatos Aura slowly started to flicker, as if growing weaker, however…

But his smile only widened as he saw Shadrach appear right above him, floating in the skies.

"Hahah… HAHAHA! Good! Come at me, sword!"

Shadrach appeared right above him, descending on his sword form as he loaded it with as much power as he could.

"You insane bastard! I'll see how much you laugh once I cut you down!"

With all his powers, Shadrach conjured a mighty technique Kireina had only used a few times, his blazing flames spiraling around his blades gracefully!

"[Mystical Katana Arts]: [Chirijiraden: Raging Inferno]!!!"

FLUOOSH!

Suddenly, Shadrach blade became ten times as large, overflowing with flames in the shape of a sword, his sword descended, rapidly cutting through Barbatos defenses as the demon used his two arms and his aura to counter!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLAAASH!

"HAHAHAH! YES! MORE! GIVE ME MORE!"

"You son of a bitch! DIE!"

Shadrach was not used to fight completely insane demons that loved bloodshed, pain, and war like the Wrath Layer Barbarians, as he furiously swung his sword, until he managed to cut down one of Barbatos' heads, the one to his left!

SLAAASH!

"URGH…!"

His two other heads twisted in agony as Barbatos suddenly gathered all his power into his remaining arms and punched Shadrach away.

BAAAAMMM!!!

"UGH…!"

Shadrach felt his entire blade gain countless cracks, several pieces of his body falling apart. His health points were reducing rapidly.

"Y-You…!"

He quickly manifested into a dragon again, slowly crawling towards the weakened Barbatos, who couldn't stop laughing.

"He's still laughing… But why?" The Wyvern Overlord wondered. "What is this bastard planning?"

"Hehehe, this is perfect… Nobody had pushed me this far before, except my almighty Lord Satan!" Barbatos smiled. "Now… Let me show you the real beast that I am. No more dances, just bloodshed."

Barbatos last usable hand pierced his chest, grasping his Demonic Core and then forcefully imbuing it with his Soul Energy.

FLUOOOSH!

And then, a "forbidden technique" of some of the Demon Lords of the Layer of Wrath was activated, as he vomited blood, yet the blood turned into crimson fire.

"Heheh… Ugh…! HAHAHAHA!"

The flames continued emerging from his bleeding wounds, covering his gray body with blazing flame tattoos.

Slowly, his gray skin turned red!

"You know why I was born with gray skin, a very rare skin color among us demons?"

As Barbatos laughed, the red flames-like tattoos covered his whole body and turned him deep red, his wounds were cauterized, although not healed.

"It was because I was cursed… Cursed with tremendous power!"

His missing arms were replaced by his own blood, having turned into solid infernal flames. His missing head grew into the head of a giant goat made of fire.

And he gained demonic crown floating above the head in the middle of his body, overflowing with new power.

"The reason why I had gray skin is… Because my own body sealed such powers. And the only way to unseal them is… Like this! By pushing myself to my ultimate limits, between life and death!"

As Barbatos laughed, his entire body changed, becoming crimson red, with blazing black tattoos covering him. His missing arms became blazing arms, and there were several spiraling snakes made of fire surrounding him.

"This is my life on the line, brave dragon! A technique Lord Satan taught me himself! [Infernal Dance Between Life and Death: Karmic Naraka]!"

TRUUUUMMMMM…!

Shadrach was unable to even comprehend what was happening, Barbatos power had suddenly raised to completely unprecedented levels.

"You were… having your power sealed this whole time?!" Shadrach muttered. "This guy's a monster…!"

"Now, show me, the beauty of your life slowly fading away, brave dragon!"

Barbatos rushed towards Shadrach, resembling a bright crimson star. Shadrach gritted his teeth; his entire body was already standing.

He had the Self-Repair Ability of course, and he was slowly repairing himself, but at this speed, he wouldn't be able to stand his ground before Barbatos crushes him to bits!

"Don't worry! Once I destroy you into smithereens, I'll smelt you and forge you into a fine demonic sword!" Laughed Barbatos, his blazing fists reaching him.

"My name is Shadrach, to begin with! Not "brave dragon"!!!"

Shadrach clashed against the Demon's fists with his own, as he continued to produce the same abilities that Athos had taught him before he died when Kireina died in Genesis.

The power to mold and shape one's soul into whatever form they wanted, as long as there was energy for them to use.

"RAAAAH!"

Shadrach did his best to fight back, his claws clashing against Barbatos fists, but exploding into flames the moment they were hit.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRAAASSHH!!

His entire manifestation was destroyed before he could even react in time. As he furiously swung his blade against Barbatos, aiming for his chest.

"RAAAH!"

He attempted to cut him down, but his blade shattered into pieces the moment he tried to cut through Barbatos incredibly tough skin!

Crack, crack…!

"So this is… it?"

CRACK…!

"That was… the best I could do?"

CRAAASH!

Shadrach collapsed into pieces over the floor, his flames slowly disappearing, as Barbatos looked into the ground, disappointed…

"Ah, maybe I overdid it?" He laughed. "Well, I better collect my prize-"

Crackle…!

However, before he could even say another word, crimson lightning descended from the skies.

CRAAAASSSHHH!!!