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n“AHHHHHH!”

nDamien’s scream was contained within the pillar of lightning striking down on his body, unable to escape.

nYet, the agony he felt was very real.

nGetting hit by a pillar of Heavenly Lightning naturally had the effects one would expect it to have.

nThe only thing in Damien’s heart and mind was pain, and no matter what he tried, he could do nothing but endure.

nThe Imperious Flame Eagle’s essence formed a film around him and protected him from a large portion of the lightning’s effects, which was why he wasn’t burned to a crisp already.

nBut it didn’t seem like his torture would end any time soon.

nAnd the worst part…

n‘What a petty Universal Law!’

nDespite being entrenched in its fluctuations, Damien couldn’t feel an ounce of the Universal Law.

nThis attack had the potential to be a massive blessing that made his pain worth it, but the Severed World wasn’t so kind.

nIt hid the truths of its law behind barriers upon barriers of lightning and formless protection.

nDamien’s perception was trapped within a certain region and unable to trace those hidden truths, and he was in far too much pain to consciously summon the Void to assist him!

nThe current form his body held was still powerful, but his physical defense was far too weak to handle an attack of this scale.

nHis regeneration was also stalled and Heal was unavailable, so enduring silently and internalizing the pain was impossible.

n‘When…will…this…end?!’

nTo keep his mind stable, Damien counted every second he spent in torment. More than a minute passed already, yet the Heavenly Lightning showed no signs of dispersing.

nAbsolute anguish spread through his nervous system.

nThe lightning was laced with the world’s intent. It didn’t merely strike his physical body and attempt to end him, no, it made sure he knew he was being punished!

nThe only defenses he currently had were the Imperious Flame Eagle’s essence and his own flimsy 2nd class mana.

nThese two layers dispersed and diverted the power of the heavens, and with the last shred of consciousness remaining in his mind, he manipulated his mana to use Vector Control as much as he possibly could.

n‘Pain is power. Pain is power. Pain is—’

n“KHHHH…!”

nDamien gritted his teeth and repeated his motto over and over again in his mind.

nAll he had to do was stay alive.

nThe world was angry, but it was also unbiased.

nDamien’s subordinates who illegally entered the realm were targeted with lethal power, but Damien himself still had a way out.

nBecause not only did he enter and accept the realm’s restrictions, but he didn’t break the rules with his actions.

nAfter all, the power he was able to utilize in here was power he gained here. The previous shattering of the Void’s prison was done without abusing loopholes, so the actions he took using his newly gained abilities were also not restricted.

nStill, he assisted others in breaking the rules, so he needed to be put in his place.

nIf he died, it was his fault for being too arrogant!

nHe knew this in his heart and held on with every ounce of power he could utilize.

nWith the passing of time, as he got more acclimated to the pain, he was able to use his lucidity to increase his defense, which thereby reduced the pain he felt.

n5 minutes.

nIt took an entire 5 minutes before the Heavenly Lightning Pillar started to reduce in size until it completely vanished.

nThe storm above also disappeared in a flash, as if it never existed.

nThud!

nDamien’s body fell to the ground limply, his skin charred in many places and his eyes unfocused.

n“Haa…haa…haa…”

nHe took in the fresh air around him and gradually brought his mind back to reality.

nHowever…

n‘Fuck, I can’t move.’

nThere were still strands of lightning coursing through his nerves. He was unable to control his body or even summon his mana.

n‘Transcendent Regeneration is doing this job, but I guess I’ll be stuck here for the next…two or so minutes?’

n“Heh…”

nHe smirked, or at least he tried to, with an expression of pride shining in his eyes.

n‘I survived a direct attack from the Heavenly Law. How many people can say that?’

nIt wasn’t his first time doing it, but every time was an unprecedented achievement.

nIt wasn’t wrong for him to feel proud.

nOnly, the current situation was not the ideal place to drop one’s guard.

nWhoosh!

nA light wind brushed against Damien’s face, and a large shadow shaded him from the sunlight cascading down from above.

nDamien’s strange smirk-like expression lost its joy in an instant.

n‘Ah…**.’

nStanding over him was none other than the Thunder Demon Crow with a strange glint in its eyes.

n“Khh…hey, if you want to fight, wait a bit. I’m a little incapacitated right now…”

nDamien used mana to transmit his voice, putting just a slight bit of faith in the challenge system this mountain held.

nBut of course, it was false hope at best.

n“Now that you have killed Haka, you are a new King. There is no rule that restricts fighting between Kings.”

nDamien smiled wryly.

n‘Worst case scenario, I get hit by more Heavenly Lightning…that’s a worst case scenario I really don’t want to experience…’

nWas there no other choice?

nHe knew the girls were probably somewhere nearby, but he didn’t want them to get involved with this.

nAfter all, the foe was a 4th class being!

nDamien looked into the raven’s eyes as it raised its claw into the air.

n‘I guess I’m going to experience what it feels like to be eaten ali—’

nDamien’s eyes widened.

nA figure appeared in the skies above without revealing an ounce of its presence.

n“Crow, do not.”

nThe being said only three words.

nBut three words were enough to freeze the crow in its tracks.

nIts head turned hesitantly, and it lowered its posture submissively the second he confirmed the newcomer’s identity.

n“Pegasus, this is my prey. Haven’t we agreed to not interfere with each other’s affairs?” The crow spat through gritted beak.

nThe Pegasus was powerful, but the crow was a king as well! He was unresigned to simply following this being’s will, and he was humiliated by himself for instinctively lowering himself in front of it.

n“Our agreement holds no weight in this instance. I am not acting on my will, but my master’s.” The Pegasus responded indifferently.

nThe Thunder Demon Crow’s eyes narrowed in frustration, but there was nothing it could do.

nHe could still muster up his courage to confront the Pegasus, but the Cloud Emperor could not be disobeyed.

nThe emperor of this entire world; if he offended such an entity, death would be the least of his worries!

nTap!

nThe Pegasus gently landed on the ground and walked past the Thunder Demon Crow, not paying any mind to his presence.

nHe approached Damien and looked down at him with a frown on his face.

n“Foolish human, come with me. My master wishes to see you.”

nDamien returned the creature’s gaze blankly.

n“What is it, fool?”

n“Um…I’m a little paralyzed right now, so I could really use some help.”

n“…”

nThe Pegasus sighed and used mana to lift Damien’s body onto his back.

nNo matter how he looked at it, he just couldn’t understand what his master saw in this foolish outsider!

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