Second World

Lucifer turned to the main underworld portal behind him. His feet left the ground. He slowly floated up.

Around the place were hordes of demons. These were the demons who stayed behind to guard the main underworld portal. These demons became agitated because their God moved. They were trying to find out what had caused such an incident.

Were there trespassers? They wondered. They scurried around the place, trying to find out what was wrong. Demons with wings flew around the place, doing the same thing. They were all eager to show their devotion to their God. They both adored and feared him terribly.

Lucifer ignored these worshipping demons. He continued to fly higher. As he did, his hands danced in the direction of the main underworld portal. Runic symbols appeared around the portal. Soon, a yellow translucent layer covered the giant portal. This layer seemed thin and fragile, but the nearby demons knew that even if they all combined their attacks, they wouldn't make a dent in this layer.

Lucifer's action caused the demons to wonder even more. The yellow layer was an exceptional protective barrier. But at the same time, it also prevented further reinforcements from the underworld. No demon would come out of this portal as long as the barrier was in place.

An archdemon, who had the highest level and grade among the hordes, approached Lucifer. He flew at an extremely slow pace while in a bowing posture. He remained in that pose even after he arrived before Lucifer.

"My lord, is something the matter?" He asked without lifting his head.

"Good Xugguth, my loyal follower," Lucifer said gently. "I will leave this place for a while. During my absence, take care not to let anything happen to the portal."

"We will guard it with our lives! I swear in all things unholy that no harm will come to the portal," Xugguth uttered.

"Good… Also, call back all the demons in this country. Cease the hunt for the outworlders, at least until I return."

"It will be done, my lord."

"I trust you, Xugguth. For your sake, do not disappoint me," Lucifer said. His voice remained gentle. Yet, Xugguth shivered involuntarily.

"I will not disappoint you, my lord," Xugguth stated.

"Then I will leave this place in your care. I am off," Lucifer said and vanished.

Xugguth continued to remain still for a few more seconds. Only after he was absolutely sure Lucifer was no longer around that he lifted his head. He turned and watched the portal with the protective barrier. Even if they were not here to protect the portal, it was unlikely anyone could do anything to the portal. Even so, he had no intention to disregard Lucifer's instruction. His very existence depended on it.

He started barking orders for the demons to form a defensive perimeter. He organized groups of demons to scout the area, both on land and in the sky. He then sent the command for the roaming demons in the country to start making their way back.

*

As Xugguth was organizing the defense around the portal, Lucifer was traveling by constantly warping. He was already out of Liguritudum in a matter of minutes. In less than ten minutes, he had entered Hydrurond's territory.

Suddenly, he found a change in the area around him. This change disrupted his warping process. He stopped and looked around. He immediately located the source of the interference.

He smiled and said, "I have been wondering when you punks will make your move."

Six beings materialized around him, surrounding him. They were the Gods and Goddesses of the upperworld. Pride, Serenity, Love, Greed, Wrath, and Fear.

Lucifer looked at them one by one before saying, "The four of you do remember that I warned you about showing up without Hope, don't you? Yet, here you are, without Hope. Now, I can only think of one logical explanation."

None of the six responded. This caused Lucifer's grin to become wider. "Well, I'll be damned. So, it's true? If I had known, I would have taken action sooner."

"Don't underestimate us, devil!" Wrath exclaimed. "Even if you are superior, there are six of us! Don't think it is a sure win for you!"

"Six of you," Lucifer muttered. "Three good and three bad. Such balance, such perfection. Who would have thought? Too bad I'm going to crush this balance soon."

"Don't think that will be easy!" Serenity exclaimed.

"Hehe, so eager," Lucifer chuckled. "Before we duke it out, I have a question. Three of my devils have just perished. Is it your doing?"

"No," Pride answered. "We are no liars. We gave our words that we don't meddle with mortal conflicts. We stay true to our word."

"Hm… I believe you. The devils carry my marks. If they are attacked by divine beings, I will know."

"Then why did you ask?" Greed asked.

"I just find it too hard to believe," Lucifer answered. "To think there are mortals in this world who can slay my devils…"

"You underestimate these mortals too much," Serenity uttered.

Lucifer smiled upon hearing the remark. "Perhaps," he said. "I was on my way to meet these mortals who exceeded my expectations before you interrupted me. Even if you truly have no hands in the demise of my devils, I have a feeling you have been lying in wait for me."

"We have," Pride said.

"Then I have to ask why you–Hrgh…!"

A strong energy blast hit Lucifer from the back before he could complete his question.

"Why are we wasting our breath? Attack…!!!" It was Fear who released the energy blast. The energy blast from a divine-level being was almost instant. From this range, mana sense was useless. Hence, Lucifer was unable to avoid the back attack.

Greed turned to Fear with an irritated expression. "You do remember we are trying to stall, don't you?"

Even though Greed wished Fear waited and let Lucifer speak longer, he didn't stay still. The first strike had been made. He joined the attack. The other four followed suit. They unleashed their respective energies on Lucifer.

Lucifer might be unable to dodge, but it didn't mean he was helpless. When he noticed the six, he already shrouded himself with a protective layer. The combined assaults from the six Gods were unable to cause him any real harm. Even so, the combined power of six divine beings still rendered him unable to move.

"Haha, not bad," Lucifer laughed. In the underworld, he was the only divine being. No one was his equal. Even though these six were still not his equal, at least they were not beings who could be instantly squashed like his underworld minions. This made him happy.

The six exerted their power. Yet, no matter how much energy they pumped, Lucifer seemed unfazed. The layer protecting Lucifer started to glow. The glow became brighter the more the six increased their force. The glow became so bright that it looked like a bomb ready to go off, and it did.

The detonation produced a dark sphere that expanded. The six Gods could not resist the explosive shockwave and were pushed back hundreds of meters.

After the explosion subsided, they saw a transformation in Lucifer's appearance. His back was adorned by six wings of colorful feathers. Three shining halos floated above his head. The dark sphere that expanded from the explosion remained. It rendered the space around Lucifer to be constantly gloomy.

Lucifer's two eyes were glowing. When he spoke again, traces of light could be seen inside his mouth.

"Haha. This is exhilarating. Come on. Do your worst! Since Hope is no longer around, the six of you have to make up for him. Do not let me down!"

"Don't get cocky, God of the Underworld!" Pride exclaimed. His armor produced a blinding glow. He vanished and reappeared directly in front of Lucifer. His two fists were above his head. He brought them down with a force that could crush mountains.

"Ha! You are one to talk!" Lucifer returned. His fist shot up and stopped the incoming fists.

A ring of light radiated upon the impact. The thundering sound they produced traveled for hundreds of kilometers. Even when they were high up in the air, the shockwave hit the ground. The monsters on the ground received damage from this shockwave. The low-level monsters were killed. The high-level ones immediately ran away from the area.

Pride didn't let up. He sent another punch, then another. His fists were so fast they became blinding lights crisscrossing beside his body. One finally got through Lucifer's defense and struck his jaw.

"Hm…" The punch didn't hurt Lucifer much, but it still came as a surprise.

"You are much stronger than you should be," Lucifer said while swinging his arm. The swing produced a crescent energy that forced Pride back.

Lucifer noticed then. Serenity and Love were behind Pride. Threads of energy linked the two to Pride.

"They are channeling their divine powers into you. You do know that you risk damaging your essence with that stunt, don't you?"

"If it means defeating you. I don't mind sacrificing myself!" Pride exclaimed.

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