Chapter 123: Mortal Killer Vs Malevolent Lord

Malvorr soared through the air, his body hurtling above the treetops but below the clouds. The stunning landscape beneath him would be a dream for most, the sensation of flying like a bird, feeling the wind enveloping them. But for Malvorr, this was no dream. His teeth clenched in fury as he was flung gracelessly, the mocking laughter of his adversary echoing through the forest.

"Shut up!" Malvorr roared, his hands coming together in a precise gesture. "Graventh!" he invoked, and a red portal materialized behind him. From it emerged ten ominous black cannons adorned with glowing red demonic runes. Each cannon aimed directly at Ercale, who stood on the ground below with a smug grin.

The cannons unleashed a deafening volley of flaming red cannonballs, their explosions ripping through the forest. "Where are you aiming at?" Malvorr heard from behind him. He spun in mid-air, his eyes widening as he saw Ercale, unscathed. Before he could react, Ercale's right hand clamped down on his face.

Ercale's laughter reverberated as he spun Malvorr around and hurled him into the ground at an angle, causing him to skid violently. Before Malvorr could recover, Ercale was already upon him. With a high kick, lightning crackled as Ercale drove him into the earth with such force that it created a crater and shook the surrounding forest.

Malvorr lay gasping on the ground, clutching his chest that burned with pain. He forced himself up, wheezing, and faced Ercale, who stood with arms crossed. "I have to give it to you," Ercale mocked. "You can take a beating. You'd make a fantastic punching bag."

Rage boiled within Malvorr, threatening to consume him. "Die!" he screamed, bringing his index finger, middle finger, and thumb together. "Krazulik!" he invoked. A red portal opened beside Ercale.

"Not bad," Ercale remarked, watching as a massive demonic crocodile's maw emerged from the portal and snapped shut around him. Malvorr's face twisted into a triumphant grin. "Ha! Talked a lot of garbage for someone killed by my weakest technique!" he gloated.

"Idiot," came Ercale's voice from within the demonic beast. Malvorr's grin vanished as lightning burst through the creature's brain, killing it instantly. The demonic crocodile dissipated, revealing Ercale, completely unscathed and casually dusting off his hands.

"I just said 'not bad,' and you're already getting your ego back?" Ercale smirked. "How trashy can you be?" He chuckled, his mocking laughter echoing once more through the devastated forest.

Malvorr's rage boiled over. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists so tightly that his nails pierced his palms, causing them to bleed. "Why!?" he screamed, charging at Ercale with blind fury. Ercale stood motionless, a smirk playing on his lips. As Malvorr's fist shot toward him, Ercale tilted his head slightly, effortlessly dodging the attack.

"Why are you so strong!?" Malvorr bellowed, launching into a furious flurry of punches and kicks. Each strike met with nothing but air as Ercale gracefully sidestepped, ducked, and weaved. The forest around them became a giant battleground, their movements blurring through the trees.

Malvorr's attacks were relentless. He threw a right hook that sliced through the air, missing Ercale by mere inches as the latter leaned back effortlessly. Ercale's feet barely seemed to touch the ground as he moved, his body flowing like water around Malvorr's wild strikes.

A swift kick aimed at Ercale's ribs was countered with a graceful twist, Ercale pivoting on his heel and allowing the kick to pass harmlessly by. The force of Malvorr's kick struck a nearby tree, splintering the bark and sending fragments flying. Ercale darted forward, his movements a blur as he closed the distance, forcing Malvorr to stumble back, his footing unsteady on the uneven forest floor.

The two moved through the dense forest with incredible speed. Malvorr's frustration grew with every missed strike. He swung a spinning backfist, aiming for Ercale's head, but Ercale ducked low, using the momentum to sweep Malvorr's legs out from under him. Malvorr recovered quickly, rolling to his feet and immediately charging again.

Ercale moved like a dancer, every motion smooth and precise. He sidestepped a powerful punch, his body twisting gracefully to avoid a follow-up kick. As Malvorr lunged forward, Ercale leaped onto a fallen log, using it as a springboard to flip over Malvorr's head, landing lightly behind him. Malvorr spun around, his rage-fueled attacks growing more desperate and wild.

Ercale led Malvorr deeper into the forest, their battle carving a chaotic path through the underbrush. Trees and bushes became obstacles in their high-speed chase. Malvorr's fist slammed into a tree trunk as Ercale sidestepped, the impact causing the tree to shudder and leaves to cascade down like rain. Ercale used the cover of falling leaves to slip behind Malvorr, delivering a swift kick to his back that sent him sprawling forward.

The chase continued, Malvorr's attacks becoming more frantic and less coordinated. Ercale effortlessly dodged each one, his movements a blur of fluid grace. He vaulted over a boulder, using it as a shield as Malvorr's enraged punch smashed into it, cracking the stone. Ercale rolled to the side, coming up on his feet in a low crouch, his eyes never leaving Malvorr.

Malvorr's breathing grew heavy, his anger clouding his judgment. He threw a wild punch, and Ercale seized the opportunity, sidestepping and grabbing Malvorr's outstretched arm. With a swift twist, Ercale used Malvorr's momentum against him, flipping him over his shoulder and sending him crashing to the ground. Malvorr landed hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him.

"Why can't I hit you!?" Malvorr screamed, struggling to his feet, only to be met with a powerful punch to the stomach from Ercale. The impact forced the air from Malvorr's lungs, and he coughed up blood as he was sent flying once more. He crashed into a shallow stream, water splashing around him as he landed on his hands and knees, gasping for breath.

Ercale landed lightly behind him, his eyes filled with disdain. "You're a fucking idiot. How did they make trash like you a Demon Lord?" he mocked, looking down at Malvorr with disgust.

Malvorr dug his fingers into the muddy ground, trembling with anger. "What the hell do you know about being a Demon Lord!?" he screamed, struggling to his feet and turning to face Ercale. "You don't know what I had to give up for this! You don't know anything!" His voice was raw with emotion as he charged at Ercale again, desperation fueling his movements.

Ercale remained unimpressed, effortlessly dodging another punch before tripping Malvorr with a swift kick. Malvorr fell face-first into the stream, water splashing around him as he hit the ground. Ercale looked down at him with a mix of pity and contempt. "Gods, you're so pathetic and just plain sad," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. He viewed Malvorr as nothing more than garbage, something worthless, a waste of space that wouldn't matter whether it existed or not.

Ercale let out a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm getting bored playing with you now," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. He turned away, walking about twenty feet before stopping and glancing back. At this point, Malvorr had managed to stand again, looking more like a sick vagrant than a noble Demon Lord.

"Go on, use your strongest technique. I want to see if you have some worth in you," Ercale ordered, his tone more commanding than curious. Malvorr glared at him, his body trembling with exhaustion and rage. He took a few deep breaths, steadying himself. His eyes burned with determination as he clasped his hands together and invoked, "Lorandath."

(Next time! A True Demon Lord!)