Mercoth had seen his life flash before his eyes numerous times since this entire fight of epic proportions had started. Unlike normal people, he as a member of the Arcane Council, knew of the true origin of demons, he knew that there were demons that like Primordial Spirits were true gods. That’s why, when he saw the Servant of Chaos appear, and truly sensed its aura, he realized that this stage was not one where he could stand on.

  After all, that demon was… it most likely wielded the secret of the gods himself. It was not something Mercoth dared to try to fight, and yet Amber had dared to.

  To him, it was incomprehensible. It was something that didn’t make sense to him. After all, when one was that young and powerful, wasn’t it only sensical to not court death and simply try to live life? Or at the very least, to try and understand what was possible and currently impossible for one’s current self?

  At least, that was Mercoth’s world view, but maybe he shouldn’t try to make sense of Amber’s actions through it. After all, the woman had undergone the full procedure to enhance her bones with runes; runes that logically didn’t necessarily make sense to him, but that was beside the point. The point was, the woman had trudged through literal torture just to grow more powerful.

  Even he, as the lead director of that project, had never operated in such a patient. After all, when the pain got to that level it was relatively normal to stop the experiment entirely due to documented deaths, but Amber simply beared with it. Somehow, and in some way, she simply withstood the torturous procedure. In fact, if it had been just a mere few minutes longer, he wouldn’t have been able to keep his cool; that’s how painful the screams sounded.

  To him, this entire sequence of events was something that he couldn’t make sense out of, and perhaps he wasn’t meant to be. Amber, unlike him, knew the secret of the gods, and unlike him, had a lot of potential to be something or someone. Maybe that’s why she stayed behind to fight, while he fled from the explosion at the pyramid, and maybe that’s also why his hairs stood on end when she saw her split the demon in half.

  This stage was simply one he wasn’t meant to step on, so perhaps it shouldn’t have been surprising to him when he almost lost his composure when the entire area in a kilometer-wide radius around Amber and the demon became hell.

  Even the simple sight of it had almost made him lose his sanity, it was akin to gazing at the abyss and have it stare back at you with thousands of eyeballs, but worse. It was simply: chaos.

  And yet, amidst that chaos, Amber was fighting, trying to cull that demon, and maybe even succeeding.

  It made Mercoth question something important.

  Does the Council truly think we can just kill her or are we just being told to die to her?

  No, it was most likely they didn’t fathom the extent of her strength. After all, if they understood the extent, then only an executive would act. But considering one of them was injured and the others were busy with their own plans, perhaps it wouldn’t even be possible to put a stop to her.

  “Actually, would a single executive even be enough…?” Mercoth blinked. After all, the Servant of Chaos had been level 411, and the strength it was displaying well…

  He closed his eyes, not even daring to look in the direction of the battle.

  … the strength displayed certainly was above that level.

  “Well it’s not like they would be totally helpless either, otherwise they wouldn’t be seeking to hunt the primordials or cooperate with the Demon of Genesis.” A sigh left him.

  This situation was truly something he couldn’t fathom. He wasn’t paid enough for this.

  Mercoth heard the destruction from the battle in his ears as he collapsed on the ground, mumbling.

  “Is wanting a half-year vacation really much to ask?” He shook his head. “Maybe I should just retire and start a family…”

  Knowing the secrets of the world was truly too stressful for him at times.

  * * *

  The Servant?— no, Demon of Chaos could never have fathomed just how insane Amber was, not even in his wildest dreams. To him, this human had been nothing more than a lucky bastard that had stepped on his tail without knowing true consequences, but even after learning she was extraordinary he didn’t truly acknowledge her, and perhaps that was his folly.

  But now, he truly realized his mistake, which is why he decided that the creature that was Amber, was worthy of his recognition. But even if he recognized her, he was also prideful. He had lost everything because of Amber ?— and because of his own pride ?— which is why he had to see this through to the end. Whether he died or triumphed, it would all be in his own terms. He wouldn’t run or beg. If he died because of it then he had no choice but to welcome it, because only then could he at least die with only a single regret.

  And that regret would be not killing that damn woman, so at the very least he had to take her down with him. That was his only wish as he felt his Essence being used was to make use of it to crush the woman for good, that’s why he had manifested it as a domain, his very being now was influencing the world.

  “Die!” the Demon of Chaos swung a sword at the air and?—

  Clank! The sound of metal being blocked resounded.

  His eyes widened as he saw Amber once more standing tall and proud, unaffected by the influence that he was exerting on the world. It was a sight that he couldn’t comprehend, not even in the slightest. But before, he could even think about it, she rushed towards him and punched.

  The Demon of Chaos wanted to sneer as he simply willed himself to be somewhere else, but when he tried he felt some interference and the attack?— hit. His entire torso exploded into blood and gore, blood that showered Amber. Something that would’ve been a good thing usually except?—

  As the Demon of Chaos was regenerating he couldn’t help but pause as he sensed the woman recover some of her Essence from his own blood.

  “Sacriligeous…” he muttered before he could do anything else, she sensed the woman coming right for him.

  He shuffled his position once more, and he couldn’t help but frown. Was Amber truly unaffected by the chaos surrounding her? How could this be? Demons of his stature would be affected, let alone a mere human. In fact, she should’ve gone insane just from looking at it.

  Is this the work of divine protection? No, he didn’t feel any interference at the moment. So a divine artifact?

  That made a lot more sense, but if that was the case, it wouldn’t last for long nor allow her to block his attacks for much longer.

  “So that’s how it is.” His mouth curled into a grin.

  Once more, he shuffled his location and this time he raised his hand into the air as he channeled his Essence holding nothing back.

  “Ripper Storm.”

  Almost instantly, a storm of swords befell the entire domain and all of their attacks were redirected towards Amber or her vicinity. For something like an artifact, allowing her to move was probably already plenty taxing; let alone fixing the chaotic mess that was this attack.

  Except, contrary to his expectations, he once more heard the clanking of metal as he watched Amber dance amidst the storm, parrying invisible attacks. It was something that didn’t make sense, and it made even less sense when she swung her sword and two slashes came for him, a flaming and a wind one; instantly striking him.

  She can sense everything…

  That truly made no sense.

  And that’s when she teleported in front of him and slashed him across the torso, ripping into his organs. The Demon of Chaos paused in shock and he met Amber’s clear eyes?— that’s when he realized. It was no artifact, this woman could simply ignore the effects of his domain.

  How? When? If she had such abilities why had he been able to take her Essence at first; if her Essence control was truly that powerful then?—

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  And that’s when it clicked.

  Unless this is the unique aspect of her Essence.

  Then it suddenly all made sense, but if she couldn’t be affected then why had he been able to use it before on her? Could it be it was still a conscious aspect to her? But if it was, then why were other aspects of her growth so ridiculous?

  The Demon of Chaos couldn’t make sense of anything as the human woman appeared before him once more, attacking him. He barely got to block, before rushing back.

  Still, if it’s part of her Essence then shouldn’t she be running out soon? He had sensed her lifespan before, she didn’t have much left. And when he tried to sense it again, it…

  Went up.

  The Demon of Chaos blinked, as the number dropped back down to a single year. But before he could attempt to make sense of anything, the woman appeared once more before him attacking once more. And just like before he blocked and yet?— his hand went flying.

  Once more, her power had risen.

  Not giving him time to breathe, Amber grabbed his head and headbutted him. Then, with momentum she kneed him into his stomach, mangling his organs before stabbing her sword deep into his heart as once more her Essence began to regenerate from his blood. And this time, the Demon of Chaos also felt something else?— a slight attempt to interfere with his Essence, causing the entire domain to shake.

  He grunted, and with an explosion got her off him.

  He didn’t understand why she had so many ways to power up, but at this point it didn’t matter to him. All he felt is boiling rage.

  “If the domain is useless, then I will simply crush you with my own hands, damned insect!” He stretched and grabbed the veil of wretched darkness as he took back his Essence into his hand. “I will let you witness what true evolution is.”

  The murky Essence retracted into his hand, and like liquid it flowed all around his body as it began to reform into a magnificent black armor. Then, extending his hand an ornate black staff emerged with a red gem on top. Finally, he landed on the ground as the dirt at his feet began to change. Some parts of it began to turn to ash, others began to bloom grass and flowers, and some others simply remained the same; it was the essence of chaos.

  Usually, he never used his powers like this, not because of something like almost no opponent was strong enough to face it or anything like that, but because almost no opponent could just ignore the manifestation of his Essence into the real world. Yet, here in this lesser world, one had appeared.

  And her name was:

  “Amberrr…” he growled as he blocked a strike with his staff. “Give it up, defeating me is not possible! Ripper of Death!”

  With that a purple pillar erupted from the sky, hitting the woman dead on. Dirt exploded in all directions as it bore a hole through the earth, but the Demon of Chaos wouldn’t be complacent, instead he prepared for his next attack.

  At this point, he could already foresee his fate if this continued. If he engaged in a battle of attrition, he would be the one falling, after all?—

  His eyes flickered as he saw her holding a golden pendant that shone for a moment. And with it, her lifespan went up and down again, and her power increased again.

  ?— she had access to such a divine artifact.

  This time, the Demon of Chaos barely got to block the attack, and if things continued he would certainly die before the artifact broke from overuse. Which is why, he had to stake everything into one attack. Every single ounce of his being, even if meant his death.

  After all, if he was going to die anyway then this wench had to die along with him. That was his simple resolve.

  With that, he grabbed his staff and planted it into the ground as a purple barrier emerged, surrounding him.

  “To think, I’d use such a cowardly tactic…” he mocked himself for a moment before beginning to cast. “O’ Grand Chaos, I offer you my life…”

  * * *

  Amber instinctually shivered hearing the chanting of the Servant of Chaos, getting a feeling of true danger and snapping out of her battle mode. If she hadn’t misheard then didn’t that mean he was preparing a suicidal attack.

  “He wants me to die along with him?! What a cunt!”

  She had been trying not to overdo it with the All-powerful Pendant of Arkara, she had already used three levels to exchange for lifespan and power, but it seemed like it wasn’t enough considering the barrier that was protecting the Servant of Chaos had turned rock solid.

  Having this realization, she couldn’t help but curse his existence in her now bleeding heart. Especially when a multiple dome barriers appeared in her surroundings, intending on preventing her from fleeing.

  “Fine then, I’ll kill you as soon as possible!”

  Gritting her teeth, she used her divine artifact to the fullest.

  * * *

  The Demon of Chaos heard the desperate knocking on his barrier as if it were a wonderful melody. The desperation with each hit, the constantly increasing strength, it was all simply too wonderful. This was his vindication.

  “... my will, my soul, and my fire… in exchange for a simple request of your humble servant.”

  This was no Essence Skill, this was a Pact a Pact with Chaos itself, with the concept he was bound to. Which is why it took so long to use, and why it had been a last resort. After all, there weren’t many things one could offer their own Essence other than their life itself. A wide grin spread through his lips as the attacks became more and more desperate. Even the barrier began to crack.

  “I wish to use my entire being to eradicate the heathen that dared flip my life upside down. The bastard human that is called… Amberrr.”

  And the attacks became quiet, as the person outside seemed to accept their fate. Truthfully, he didn’t understand just how strong the woman could possibly get to do that to the barrier, but it truly didn’t matter, because this was the end.

  “O’ Chaos, grant me thy power to unleash one final attack upon this being that plagues me!”

  With that, he felt all his Essence, almost all of his being condense at his staff. His body deflated and became like that of an old human’s and yet all he could do was grin as the purple barrier disappeared.

  His staff was pointed at where the human was waiting for her sword at the ready, and he couldn’t help but grin, speaking in a now husky voice.

  “As expected, you’re facing it head on. Farewell, Amber.”

  With that, a beam of white shot forward. As bright as the sun itself, it became a blinding white that engulfed everything and destroyed everything?. And that was the final sight the Demon of Chaos witnessed, allowing him to imagine the pained expression of the human that dared challenge him. It was almost petty to use his life as a fuel, but nonetheless it failed him with satisfaction.

  In the end, you lost, Amber?…

  Just as his vision was about to fade, he saw a small glint pass amidst the white, and that’s when he?— recoiled. He felt some Essence return to him as the white began to? vibrate, destabilizing visibly before it?—

  Exploded.

  * * *

  Amber was in a world of pain, as she groaned. It had already taken all her energy to teleport where the almost dead Servant of Chaos had landed, in fact she could barely stand. Her buffs had ended, and the repeated use of Primordial Exertion had most certainly massacred her body. There was also the constant ache from all her extremities still lingering, along with the particularly awful one within her spine.

  She was truly in an awful condition, but yet as she stepped over the broken horn of the Servant of Chaos she couldn’t help but grin.

  There it was, laying against a boulder, bleeding all over. His head was split open, part of his torso was missing, and his eyes were vacant. If not for the fact that he seemed to be twitching, he would’ve been declared as dead. Finally, after a moment, the demon let out a cough as he came to consciousness.

  His eyes wandered for a moment before it landed on her.

  “Youuuu….” He gritted his teeth in anger before letting out a long breath. “You’ve won, kill me, Amber.”

  Hearing his words of resignation Amber suddenly frowned. “Wait, after that whole last stand you’re just giving up, seriously?”

  She leaned on Cursewelder to support her body as she gestured with her other hand.

  “After all of that you’re just rolling over and dying? No speech about how you’ll come back to haunt me or how this is all the beginning? Really?” She was almost baffled.

  The Servant of Chaos chuckled, almost mockingly. His massive body not fitting his demeanor.

  “Speech about the future? There are no such things, you stupid insect. This was it, you’ve won. You are the victor. This is my true self.” He shook his head. “Maybe if my contract hadn’t been broken, you’d get your wish.”

  Amber frowned. “Your contract was broken?”

  So this is what the hydra egg meant with no backing and being stranded and undesirable? It finally made sense to her.

  He chuckled. “But of course, shortly after failing to kill you the Demon God I served decided I was no longer of use. Not like I knew you were an important target to them or anything. So this is my end.”

  He glanced over at her.

  “Now kill me and take my Essence before it dissipates, you foolish woman.”

  Hearing him, she couldn’t help but frown. Especially after taking a quick look at her status.

  [ Name: Amber | Level: 227 ]

  Having lost 23 levels just to end things like this, actually left a bad taste in her mouth all things considered. After all, the demon that had actually tormented her in her own advancement was essentially choosing to just give up.

  “So… this is it?” she finally asked. “Do you not wish to live or anything? Or at least try to get revenge on me or something?”

  “Live? Revenge? Are you listening to yourself? I know you have rocks for brains, but you’ve reached a new level of foolishness.” He scoffed. “My wishes do not matter.”

  Amber’s face twisted in annoyance: “Just tell me you stupid demon.”

  The Servant of Chaos’ face twisted for a moment, before he spoke with disbelief.

  “Of course I want to live, so I can take revenge on that damned Demon God. While you are an entertaining pest, I’ve let go of my hatred for you. So just kill me, that way my fuel can be used to eventually kick the asses of those Demon Gods.”

  He smirked, and hearing him, Amber couldn’t help but smile.

  “Truly a splendid idea.”

  She removed the sword from the ground and walked towards the fallen demon that was on the verge of death.

  “But I have an even better one.”

  Amber leaned over, and cut her hand open against the edge of Cursewelder before proffering it and her blood towards him.

  “How about you form a contract with me?”

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