"Boom—!"
Accompanied by a dull explosion, a figure shot downward like a cannonball through the collapsed underground passage, smashing hard into the ground.
The ground shattered on impact, as if struck by a small meteorite, and amid the storm of dust, it collapsed into a massive pit.
"Cough, cough."
Lord Crow slowly rose from the pit, coughing. His previously effortless movements had finally become somewhat disheveled.
But he no longer cared about that.
"Boom!"
The gale exploded, and a demonic shadow seemed to burst from the gates of hell. Raising a chaotic storm as it went, it shot toward Lord Crow.
Lord Crow did not hesitate. He exerted force through both legs, shattered the ground beneath him, and likewise transformed into a streak of light that shot away.
But this time, Lord Crow's previously unstoppable speed was no longer as effective.
The demonic shadow rushing toward him was countless times faster than before. With a flap of the wings on its back, it accelerated again and gradually caught up to Lord Crow.
"Tch!"
Lord Crow clicked his tongue. He raised the armored gauntlets on both hands before him, taking a stance to meet the attack.
In that instant, the demonic shadow swept over and appeared before Lord Crow.
The dark demonic humanoid bore a pair of wings on its back, its entire body covered in dark-blue cracks. Its eyes were crimson like a Demon God's as it stared fixedly at Lord Crow, making his scalp prickle and his skin faintly numb.
Under its gaze, the Alchemical Long Saber in its hand radiated scorching heat. It tore through the air, transformed into a fiery arc, and slashed down.
"Clang—!"
The Alchemical Long Saber crashed heavily against the armored gauntlets Lord Crow held before him, sending him flying once again.
The demonic