Dominic's smile widened the moment the system window faded from Ishmael's vision.
The clearing trembled beneath the pressure rolling off the Demon as black ice spread slowly around his feet, freezing the dead earth into jagged layers of obsidian frost. The temperature dropped instantly. Luka nearly lost his footing as cold air tore through the clearing like invisible blades.
"Sixth Ascension…?" William muttered under his breath, disbelief creeping into his voice.
Ana's face had gone pale.
That wasn't an opponent they could fight.
Hell, it wasn't an opponent they should even be standing near.
Meanwhile, Dominic stared at Ishmael with growing interest. "Interesting," he said casually, retracting his clawed hand from the silver blade blocking it. "Most would've died before processing my movement."
Ishmael didn't respond.
Silver moonlight flowed quietly around his body as he stepped slightly forward, placing himself between the Demon and the three adventurers completely.
His instincts screamed at him. To run.
This thing was stronger than him.
Far stronger.
But running now wasn't an option.
Not with the others behind him.
Dominic noticed the movement and chuckled softly. "Protecting them?" he asked. "That's inconvenient."
Then—
He vanished.
Ishmael's eyes sharpened instantly.
Space distorted as he disappeared in a flash of Silver light, just as rows of massive spikes of black ice erupted where he had been standing.
The clearing exploded apart.
Frozen debris was scattered everywhere while dark ice spikes ripped through the ground. Luka barely avoided getting impaled as William dragged him backward.
"What the hell is this monster?!" Luka shouted.
Ishmael reappeared several meters away, silver flames igniting around his arm as Dominic emerged directly beside him again.
Fast.
Too fast.
Dominic's fist coated in compressed dark ice crashed towards his face.
| GLACIAL OBLITERATION |
Ishmael raised his sword instantly.
KRAAAASH!!
The collision detonated violently.
Moonlight and black ice exploded outward in opposite directions as the impact shattered the ground beneath them. Ishmael was blown backward across the clearing, boots digging trenches through dead earth before he regained balance.
Dominic glanced at his frozen fist with amusement. "You didn't break immediately, Impressive."
Then he stepped forward again.
The pressure intensified.
Ishmael narrowed his eyes, Spirit energy churning as tens of light spears started forming overhead.
| FALL! |
Ishmael said coldly, and the spears descended, moving at incredible speed to impale the Demon.
Dominic raised one hand lazily.
Dark ice condensed instantly.
BOOOOM!!
Moonlight exploded against a dome of black ice, frozen shards raining across the battlefield.
Dominic walked through the explosion completely unharmed.
"You really need to do better Gregorian child" he muttered.
The words barely left his mouth as he dashed forward, speed barely traceable to the untrained eye. His energy surged, forming a clawed gauntlet of dark ice as he swung at the silver-haired teen.
But Ishmael just disappeared from the trajectory and appeared beside Dominic, spinning around to deliver a powerful kick knocking him back.
The Demon staggered a few meters backwards as a hint of surprise coloured his sharp features.
Then his crimson eyes gleamed coldly as he spoke again.
"Let's take things up a notch shall we?"
The black ice around him expanded violently.
| FROST WAVE |
Temperature plummeted as a wave of Ice surged with Dominic at the centre.
Dead trees crystallized black. The ground disappeared beneath layers of corrupted ice.
Even the air slowed.
Ishmael's movement faltered slightly as freezing demonic energy spread toward him from every direction.
"Careful!" Lunaris warned sharply. "That ice isn't normal!"
Too late.
One spike brushed Ishmael's shoulder.
Pain exploded through his body.
The fabric around his shoulder instantly froze solid while black frost spread across his skin unnaturally fast.
And before he could recover, Dominic appeared above him.
A massive axe of condensed black ice formed in his hands before crashing downward.
Ishmael's eyes widened.
| SPATIAL DISTORTION |
Space bent violently.
The attack missed him by inches and the ground split apart forming a crater as shockwaves blasted outward violently. William and the others were thrown off their feet from the impact alone.
Ishmael reappeared near the edge of the clearing breathing harder now.
His shoulder burned.
The black frost was still spreading.
Dominic tilted his head slightly. "Basic spatial manipulation," he observed calmly. "Sloppy…but effective."
Then he disappeared again.
This time Ishmael barely reacted fast enough.
KRAASH!!
Dominic's knee slammed into his ribs and launched him across the clearing like a projectile.
Several dead trees exploded apart as Ishmael crashed through them violently before skidding across frozen ground.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Luka stared in horror. "He's getting destroyed…"
William clenched his fists helplessly.
Because there was nothing they could do.
Nothing.
Dominic walked slowly toward Ishmael through the frozen clearing. "You know what's fascinating?" he asked casually. "Most beings always assume talent matters."
Black ice curled around his arms.
"But against overwhelming power…" His smile widened. "Talent means nothing."
He blurred forward again.
Ishmael forced himself upright just in time.
BOOOOM!!
Their fists collided directly this time.
Silver flames erupted around Ishmael's arm while dark ice exploded from Dominic's. Each fighting for domination.
The collision sent a massive shockwave tearing through the forest. But Ishmael immediately realized something terrifying.
Dominic wasn't serious yet.
The Demon grinned wildly as he overpowered him inch by inch.
"You've got good instincts!" Dominic laughed. "Great reactions too!"
Cracks spread beneath Ishmael's feet.
"But your body can't keep up!"
KRAAASH!!
Dominic's fist finally broke through Ishmael's guard and slammed into his stomach.
The impact folded Ishmael instantly. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was launched skyward.
Dominic appeared above him immediately.
| ABYSSAL FROST BREAKER |
His leg descended coated in compressed dark ice.
Ishmael barely crossed his arms in time.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!