Chapter 124: A True Demon Lord

The air around him felt still as if nature itself froze in place. *I'll definitely murder you!* Malvorr declared in his mind while he glared at Ercale with rage in his rose-red eyes. Ercale raised an eyebrow, understanding what Malvorr was doing. *So that's what he's up to, huh?* he mused, watching as Malvorr's pupils changed shape from round to slits. His orange hair slowly turned ashy, and two black horns grew atop his head. His skin shifted from white to a teal-ish color, and he grew an entire foot in height. His nails transformed into claws, his body becoming more muscular and lean, built for combat. Even his facial features sharpened, giving him a defined, demonic appearance that lived up to the title of Demon Lord.

Ercale's lips curled into a thin smile. *Heh, having a technique tied to it is pretty interesting. Fine, you've managed to intrigue me, Malevolent Lord.* As Malvorr finished his transformation, an immense, suffocating amount of demonic energy emanated from him, corrupting the environment around him. The once vibrant forest turned dark and twisted; trees withered and blackened, their leaves falling off in a lifeless shower. The ground cracked and oozed a dark, tar-like substance, while the air became heavy with the stench of decay.

Ercale clapped his hands, looking around at the changing environment with amusement. "Wow, you actually managed to impress me somewhat," he said, his tone mocking.

Malvorr gritted his now sharp teeth. "You think I give a shit if I impress you or not?" he snapped, clenching his fists, from which vibrant red flames emanated. "All I care about is killing you. After that, I'm going to kill all those friends of yours," he declared, getting into a fighting stance. He spread his legs wide, his knees bent slightly, arms raised with his claws bared, ready to strike. His posture was one of raw, predatory aggression, every muscle tensed and poised to attack.

Ercale let out a scoff of disgust. "Friends? I only care about one of them who's basically my house. The rest, I never even met," he said, not bothering to get into a stance. While he was somewhat impressed by Malvorr's transformation, he still viewed him as a nonentity.

Malvorr let out a snarl before charging at astonishing speed toward Ercale, who smirked and raised his arms. Malvorr unleashed a left hook that created a sonic boom as it swung through the air. Ercale blocked with his elbow, pivoting slightly to let the blow graze past him. *I got you to block!* Malvorr thought triumphantly before stomping his foot on the ground, creating a shockwave of vibrant red flames that launched Ercale into the air.

"Not having fun anymore, are you?" Malvorr yelled, appearing next to Ercale in mid-air and punching him in the stomach. Fire exploded from his fist, seemingly burning Ercale to ash instantly. Malvorr looked down with a manic smile at the spot where Ercale had been, only to be kicked in the temple from behind. Lightning sparked as Malvorr was sent hurtling through about two dozen trees, his demonic energy corrupting more of the forest as he crashed through them.

"That fire's fun, but nothing really unique," Ercale's voice echoed. Malvorr looked up to see Ercale standing completely fine and unharmed, not even a single hair out of place.

"How did you—" Malvorr began, only to be cut off by Ercale's dismissive tone. "I'm still way faster than you, simple as that," he stated casually with shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Malvorr stood back up, getting into his stance again. "I won't lose. No matter what, I won't!" he screamed before charging at Ercale once more.

Malvorr's movements were a blur as he invoked "Tarjin!" A red portal opened beside him, from which demonic claws reached out, slashing towards Ercale. Ercale dodged each swipe with fluid grace, weaving through the onslaught without breaking a sweat. As Malvorr closed the distance, he aimed a powerful right cross at Ercale's jaw. Ercale blocked it with his forearm, the impact creating a shockwave that shook the corrupted forest around them.

Malvorr wasted no time, spinning on his heel to deliver a roundhouse kick that Ercale ducked under. Before Ercale could counter, Malvorr invoked "Vorath!" Red portals appeared around him, and he used them to teleport behind Ercale, aiming an axe kick at his head. Ercale raised his arm to block the strike, the ground beneath them cracking from the force.

The forest around them twisted and decayed from Malvorr's demonic energy. Trees wilted and darkened, their leaves turning to ash, and the once-clear stream nearby now ran with a sickly, corrupted sludge. The air grew thick and oppressive, stifling any sense of natural beauty that once existed.

Ercale smirked as he effortlessly parried another series of rapid strikes from Malvorr. "You're getting better," he taunted, dodging a straight punch and countering with a lightning-infused jab to Malvorr's ribs. Malvorr grunted, using the momentum to backflip away, invoking "Krazulik!" Red portals opened again, summoning ten black cannons that fired flaming red cannonballs towards Ercale.

Ercale dodged the cannonballs, moving like a shadow through the corrupted forest. His body flickered with bursts of lightning as he countered with a powerful kick that sent Malvorr crashing through another set of trees. The environment around them continued to decay, a testament to Malvorr's raw, destructive power.

Recovering quickly, Malvorr used the portals to reappear beside Ercale, launching a flurry of attacks. A left hook followed by an uppercut, then a swift knee aimed at Ercale's abdomen. Ercale blocked the punches and dodged the knee, retaliating with a lightning-charged elbow to Malvorr's jaw. The impact sent Malvorr spiraling back, but he managed to land on his feet, sliding to a stop.

"You think you're untouchable, don't you?" Malvorr snarled, his eyes burning with rage. He invoked another technique, "Zarathul!" A massive red portal opened above them, from which a colossal demonic beast emerged, roaring as it charged at Ercale.

Ercale's eyes flickered with interest. "Now we're talking," he muttered, dodging the beast's initial charge with a swift sidestep. He moved like lightning, landing a series of rapid blows on the beast, each strike sending shockwaves through its massive frame.

Malvorr took advantage of the distraction, summoning more portals to bombard Ercale with a mixture of fireballs and dark energy blasts. Ercale danced through the chaos, dodging the projectiles and countering with lightning-infused strikes that decimated the beast and continued to drive Malvorr back.

Ercale's movements were a blur, his attacks precise and devastating. He landed a spinning kick to Malvorr's chest, sending him flying back into the corrupted forest. The impact created a crater, and Malvorr struggled to rise, blood dripping from his mouth.

"You really don't get it, do you?" Ercale said, his tone almost pitying. "You're not on my level."

Malvorr wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes blazing with fury. "I'll show you... I'll show you my true power!" he roared, invoking another technique, "Lorithax!" Red portals erupted around him, summoning a storm of demonic energy that converged on Ercale.

Ercale dodged the incoming energy, his movements a blur of lightning and speed. He closed the distance in an instant, landing a devastating uppercut that lifted Malvorr off his feet and sent him crashing into the ground once more.

As Malvorr struggled to rise, Ercale stood over him, unimpressed. "Is that all you've got?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Because if it is, this fight is over."

Malvorr glared up at Ercale, his vision blurring from the impact. "I won't lose... I can't lose," he muttered, his voice filled with desperation.

Ercale rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever, I guess you did entertain me a little, so I'll show off one of my techniques," he said, as Malvorr tensed and locked eyes with him.

"Do your worst," Malvorr said, readying himself to receive the attack.

Ercale smirked. "Oh, don't worry, I will," he replied smugly, slowly raising his suddenly glowing indigo right hand and putting it in front of his face as if aiming at something.

Malvorr's eyes widened in realization. *No, there's no way. There's no way he can use it,* he thought desperately as Ercale brought his index finger, middle finger, and thumb together, uttering, "Krazulik."

Beside Malvorr, a thunderous tearing sound echoed through the corrupted forest. A rift had been torn open, resembling the night sky adorned with stars, vibrant hues of blue and purple swirling within. From within this rift, Malvorr saw four glowing slit eyes staring at him. *There's no way!* he thought as from within the rift emerged a massive crocodile-like creature, larger than the one he had summoned, with indigo scales and starry spots. 

The beast opened its maw wide as Malvorr stood frozen in terror. The creature chomped down with a violent snap, lightning sparking as Malvorr let out a scream of agony. Ercale watched, laughing as the demonic crocodile tore into Malvorr. 

"Like I said, you're weak."