Parallel Memory

[ "Demonic Emperor Sword: Cataclysmic Destruction" ]

Zero used Cataclysmic Destruction when he felt that Kurtis was having a hard time keeping up with him.

Cataclysmic Destruction used to be one of the strongest attacks that would really stress his body. However, thanks to Ancient Dragon's Heart, he could easily use it without experiencing any kind of side effect.

!!!

On the other side, Kurtis who was hatching some plan to distract Zero was surprised when Zero was using Cataclysmic Destruction. He could feel it deep inside his bones that Zero's next attack would be very terrifying.

Despite his mana depleting quickly, he decided to strengthen his mana barrier and then gathered Dark Energy to counter it. Not only that, he decided to use his final Trump card.

He took out a Devil Fruit from a storage ring and ate it. It was a Rank-A Devil Fruit that could increase his strength and mana. It was an extremely rare resource and even a Rank-S Devil coveted it.

Never did he think that he would need it here. However, he didn't hesitate to eat it as his life was in danger.

His body's exhaustion and injuries began to recover quickly and he even regained some of his mana. And his power had almost increased by one sub-rank.

When Zero finally attacked, it was absolute chaos. Whichever path it travels to, everything in its path would disintegrate into nothing.

[ "Demonic Impale" ]

Kurtis drew in whatever Dark Energy he had. He felt that he had to give everything that he had if he wanted to stop Cataclysmic Destruction. Even with the help of Devil Fruit, he was not very confident as Zero's attack gave off a very powerful feeling.

-BOOM!

The two attacks collided with each other, causing a massive explosion that shook the entire battlefield. The ground beneath them cracked and fissured, and the surrounding trees were uprooted and sent flying.

It was apparent that both attacks had canceled each other out. The area where the two attacks had met was now a barren wasteland, with no sign of life remaining. However, except for the Saintess, nobody actually knew what was happening as two of them were inside the Blizzard Storm.

Saintess Amelia was horrified at the level of destruction that Zero had caused with his Dark Energy. She knew that he was powerful, but this was beyond anything she had ever seen before.

Kurtis stood, panting heavily, recovering from an intense battle. He gave everything he had and it worked. He knew that he had survived.

( Haha… I have survived! Do you have any more tricks? Do you think killing me was easy? )

Kurtis thought. He was feeling happy and excited.

However, he almost kneeled when he saw what Zero was doing next.

Zero raised his sword again for another same attack.

Kurtis thought that the attack had taken everything from Zero and he couldn't do this again. But the reality was that Zero was preparing for another attack while he had nothing left.

[ "Demonic Emperor Sword: Cataclysmic Destruction" ]

Zero did another attack. For the current him, it was nothing to use Cataclysmic Destruction four to five times. His body is strengthened, he has good mana control and his mana has increased. These were some of the things that Zero had managed to increase in the Tower Of Obelisk.

"T-This is unfair! How could he have the mana to use such a powerful attack again and again."

Kurtis complained and was already on the verge of giving up. He couldn't handle another of Zero's attacks. However, he was not willing to and strengthened his defense with whatever little mana he had.

-BOOOM!

The ground shook as Zero's attack hit the area, causing a huge explosion. The force of the attack was so strong that it sent Kurtis flying and destroyed everything in its path. The smoke cleared, and Zero stood in the center of the destruction, staring in the direction of the explosion.

Kurtis lay on the ground, barely conscious. A quarter of the right side of his body was blown away without even keeping it intact. He looked at Zero who was before him.

Zero stared at his face and Kurtis knew that he couldn't live. He knew that Zero was not the kind of person who would pity him or let him live. He knew as he exuded a similar aura to that of Lord Aamon who just cared about destruction.

"Devil! Y-You are a Devil!"

Kurtis said involuntarily. A power similar to the Devil, an aura that of the Devil, he thought that Zero was similar to the Devil than them.

"Is that your last word?"

Zero asked.

"Hehe… Don't be arrogant! You might have defeated me but Lord Aamon would send more powerful assassins next time. You can't protect the Saintess!"

Kurtis said, showing his last bit of pride as Rank-S Devil Contractors. He was fearful of Zero a second ago, however, knowing that he would definitely die, he was calm.

"I don't need to protect her at all. I would soon send this Lord Aamon to accompany you in hell."

Zero replied.

"What? Impossible! You could never accomplish that. You don't know who Lord Aamon is. When you see him, you will be begging for your life."

Kurtis said.

"We'll see!"

-SLASH!

Zero killed Kurtis. He soon sealed his Dark Energy and also stopped using Blizzard Storm.

Outside the Blizzard Storm, Holy Knights were fighting with other Devil Contractors and they were on the verge of annihilation.

Saintess Amelia was trying her best but she was also exhausted and could no longer support the Holy Knight. On the other hand, Zain, and others were waiting for the result from Jester and Kurtis.

They could feel incredible power from that area but didn't know more than that. However, suddenly after feeling very powerful mana, the sound from the area where Jester and Kurtis are fighting became quiet.

"What happened? It had become so quiet. Did they reach the conclusion of the battle?"

Christian asked. Everyone was nervous because if the fighting between the two was over, then whoever won would have the advantage. And many believed it would be Rank-S Devil Contractors.

They only believed that Jester could at most hold Rank-S Devil Contractors for a few minutes, which was already very good.

"I sensed a powerful collision of mana and then similarly powerful Dark Energy. I believe that Jester has been defeated."

Zain said. He could not really be sure but this is the conclusion he came up with after he sensed the mana. The mana he sensed was Dark Energy and it was more powerful than what he felt from Kurtis during his fight.

He slowly got up.

"I know this is a hard request but can I entrust you to escape with the Saintess!"

Zain said to Christian and the mercenaries. Saintess could no longer fight and he thought that she would agree as she was useless even if she stayed. He was going to try to buy them time, even though he didn't think he could.

They agreed. They knew that if Jester had failed then their only option was to run.

"No need!"

Saintess Amelia said.

"What? Saintess, please you need to escape! Even if you stay, you are nothing more than a burden. Please run away with Sir Christian."

Zain said. Others nodded. While they wanted to save themselves, the biggest reason was that the Saintess was too valuable to be dying here. With no chance of fighting back, it was better for Saintess to run.

"No, I mean that there is no need to run because that guy beat the Rank-S Devil Contractor!"

Saintess Amelia said. She had seen everything from start to finish, and Zero had won, almost too easily even though his opponent was Rank-S.

Only then she thought about the time when Professor Mia said that Zero is incredibly talented, maybe more than Hiro who is hailed as the greatest genius. She had doubts back then, but she could see why Professor Mia had such a high evaluation of him.

Even without Dark Energy, he was a Rank-A. An 18-year-old Rank-A. He was the youngest to reach Rank-A, beating Professor Mia's record. It also meant that he had beaten Hiro as he is yet to reach Rank-A.

As soon as she revealed that, there was a moment of pause before the words came out of their mouths.

"What?"

"Sir Jester won?"

"How is that possible? Wasn't Jester only at Rank-A? Did he really manage to beat Rank-S Devil Contractor?" …

Many couldn't believe it, despite this coming from the saintess' mouth. The gap between Rank-S and Rank-A was huge. No matter how talented, or how skilled one was, Rank-A had never beaten Rank-S in the history of the world.

Despite the fact that it was unbelievable news, they were happy to hear it. They immediately turned their heads toward the direction of the Blizzard Storm which was slowly fading away.

And finally, a man appeared. It was Jester standing tall. And next to him was S-Rank Devil Contractor who was completely dead!