A Ground War
Adam had just massacred eleven heroes, leaving him feeling… delight?
("Am I affected by something right now?") [Adam]
"It must be the |Demonic| energy you consumed." [Astos]
("When did I…? Oh.") [Adam]
He recalled back to the negotiation room with the Supreme Demon Lord.
"Although |Demonic| energy is similar to |Divine| energy, it enhances sadistic and violent tendencies. Maybe you should try eating |Divine| energy to balance it out." [Astos]
("There's a bunch of dead heroes. Can I take it from them?") [Adam]
"|Divine| energy disperses quickly after death and returns to their rightful god. So, no. I mean, there are some exceptions, but these guys aren't such things. Capture a hero alive and steal it from them." [Astos]
For many, such a feat would be difficult. For Adam, it was only a question of who it would be.
"Look down, Adam. Can you see it?" [Astos]
Turning his gaze downwards, Adam could see the aftermath of his actions. Several dead heroes splattered in the city's streets, causing chaos among its citizens. Many pointed fingers, and armored people gathered at the scene.
"Up there! It's the Hero of Metus!" [???]
"Bring him down!" [???]
Adam suddenly felt a shift of weight atop his shoulders, forcing him to plummet to the ground.
("What is this?!") [Adam]
Curious of what was happening, Adam allowed himself to land. He fell into a pool of blood, a remnant of the heroes he defeated.
"...Disgusting." [Adam]
He rose to his feet, facing another group intending to stop him.
"So, who're you guys?" [Adam]
Amongst the group a long red haired man stepped forward.
"We are heroes of the Temple. How dare you come here and slay our people." [Red Haired Man]
"More heroes? How many of you are there?" [Adam]
"Enough to stop your evil ways." [Red Haired Man]
Adam froze in disbelief.
("I… The way this guy talks… Is so repulsive!") [Adam]
"Remember, capture him and take his |Divine| energy." [Astos]
("I know, I know.") [Adam]
There were far more of what Adam could assume to be heroes than what he had previously fought, and there was more flooding into this street. Though he thought it annoying, the whole street was a straight shot to a very glorified building that he deduced to be the real Temple.
("It's going to be an endurance test from here on out.") [Adam]
"What say you, villain? Surrender now and your sins will be-" [Red Haired Man]
"Soul Aggression." [Adam]
Conjuring up lightning, Adam was equipped with transparent armor.
"H-He's attacking!" [Red Haired Man]
With the use of Implode, Adam closed the distance and grabbed the Red Haired Man by the throat.
("I have to sense the |Divine| energy…") [Adam]
Entering deep into his senses, he searched for an unfamiliar energy within the hero.
("Found it.") [Adam]
"Compression." [Adam]
Grasping a warm and powerful energy, Adam tore it out of the hero. It was pulled out as if a mist had appeared, swirling and converging into Adam's palm.
("A beautiful shade of gold.") [Adam]
Is what Adam thought as he stared at the shimmering light that was |Divine| energy in his hand.
"Y-You…! You took my power…!" [Red Haired Man]
"That is correct." [Adam]
With that, Adam ate the |Divine| energy.
("...Incredible.") [Adam]
It felt like he had a new reserve of mana, but somehow purer. In fact, it was replenishing the mana he had already used.
("This will get me through.") [Adam]
Tossing aside the Red Haired Hero, Adam approached the others.
"Leave if you're not going to fight. That will be my only warning." [Adam]
Although the heroes facing him were anxious seeing what had happened to their colleague, none fled.
"Ch-Charge!" [???]
The heroes let out a collective battlecry that resounded across the city, causing all of them to flood towards Adam.
("Krino, I'm going to apply a new spell on you.") [Adam]
"Understood." [Krino]
After identifying the presence of |Divine| energy, Adam switched out his sealing spell for an absorption spell on his sword.
("I'll cut them down in one go.") [Adam]
Rushing into the horde of heroes, Adam slashed through them like a butcher in an slaughterhouse.
"Someone focus on defense! He can't- Agh!" [???]
Blood splattered onto the white residential buildings and the streets ran red with blood. Adam was tearing through them like nothing. He felt invigorated as |Divine| energy seeped into him, pushing him further.
"Fall back and cast afflictions! Wear him down!" [???]
"|Paralyze|!" [???]
"|Slowness|!" [???]
"|Blind|!" [???]
As the heroes unleashed their skills, Adam felt himself become burdened within an instant. His vision vanished, he felt feverish, the strength in his body waned, there was ringing in his ears, and a great weight had dropped on him.
"Break through it, Adam!" [Krino]
"Don't let them slow your momentum! Their morale is low! Keep going!" [Astos]
Intending to retaliate, Adam traced his hand along his sword.
"Compression." [Adam]
Uncaring of what he was drawing in, Adam pressurized dust, dirt, blood, and air onto Krino's edge. Then, he guessed the direction of his foes due to his lack of eye sight before letting loose a mighty slash.
"Pressure Cannon, sword version." [Adam]
Using the same principles of compression and release, Adam's slash sent a lethal slicing projectile through the ranks of the heroes.
"Wha- What is that?!" [???]
"Raise your shields!" [???]
While some of the heroes managed to erect a magical transparent shield before Adam's attack reached them, it's sheer power cut through, felling dozens in one go.
"Oh, my vision's back." [Adam]
Blinking as if to check if his sense of sight had returned properly, Adam was able to see the carnage.
"..." [Adam]
He felt great sorrow at the view, but it was a decision that Adam had to make.
"Push forward Adam, it was their choice to face you." [Astos]
("I know.") [Adam]
Stepping over the deceased, Adam continued his march towards the main temple. Several heroes trembled upon Adam's approach, yet were excited the moment they heard a boom from above.
"Halt!" [???]
Dropping down from the sky, something struck the ground before Adam.
"Finally! Reinforcements!" [???]
"Thank the gods! A Supreme Hero!" [???]
Someone of very large stature appeared, one that Adam was familiar with.
"...Tearsman." [Adam]
"...Hmph. It's no surprise you've recognized me." [Tearsman]
Appearing before Adam was Tearsman equipped with a completely different set of armor and weapons. Unlike his previous white and gold armor, he donned black and gold with some kind of shield emblem on the chestplate. His weapon choice was no longer a spear and shield, but of two axes strapped to his waist with a flat side on the back. To complete the outfit, he was draped with a purple cloth.
"I've been waiting for you, Astos." [Tearsman]
"Oh really? By the way, is that a new cape?" [Adam]
Tearsman smiled, holding back his anger.
"I trained and trained after my defeat. I reached heights I never thought possible. Now, I've finally attained a seat among the Supreme Heroes." [Tearsman]
"Wait, didn't you already say you were a Supreme Hero?" [Adam]
"A candidate." [Tearsman]
"So you lied? That's not very hero-like to me." [Adam]
"It's not a lie if I make it true." [Tearsman]
Adam let out a chuckle.
"That's kind of funny. All jokes aside, get out of my way." [Adam]
Tearsman pushed aside his cape and grabbed his axes.
"Today, I cut you down and cleanse myself of the humiliation of that day." [Tearsman]
Seeing that there was no convincing Tearsman, the air around Adam cracked with lightning of impending conflict.
"Tearsman, that day was the last I granted you mercy." [Adam]