While Cero was fighting the monsters, Belial caught him off guard and slammed his staff into his shoulder. Cero remained as steady as a mountain.
"Hit harder. I can take it," he taunted.
Enraged by his words, Belial swung the Battle Instrument in a full arc, sweeping it toward Cero's forehead.
A deafening clang rang out, but Cero remained completely unharmed. "You've got enough power, but your aim needs work," he said with a laugh.
"Damn you, you little bastard! How dare you look down on me!" Belial roared.
Then he activated the Battle Instrument and unleashed Final Flash, sending a beam at Cero.
The beam struck Cero without doing a thing.
Belial was utterly Ultra-shocked. "Impossible!" he bellowed.
"Nothing's impossible," Cero said with a laugh. "I already told you, old man. Your era is over."
"I don't believe it!" Belial roared. He continued firing beams at Cero, but the result was plain to see: they still had no effect.
"Argh, damn you! I'll fight you to the death!" Belial roared, shaking the Battle Instrument to summon even more monsters.
"Trash is trash," Cero said with a laugh. "Summon as many as you like. It won't help."
This time, however, Belial did not order the monsters to attack Cero. Instead, he had them gather around him. Darkness engulfed him and every monster as they began to fuse.
"Cero, stop Belial now! Once he finishes fusing, you won't be a match for him!" Father of Ultra urgently shouted from where he lay sprawled on the ground.
"It's fine," Cero said with a laugh. "I want to see just how strong Belial can get after fusing."
"Cero, don't be reckless! Belial's strength is bound to increase dramatically after the fusion!" Father of Ultra said anxiously.
"Father of Ultra, I don't like the