Gun of Ashes

This is truly worth celebrating.

”The...will of [Ascension].”

Lorenzo gradually understood everything; Watson had also spoken to him about these matters. However, faced with countless mysteries, these fragmented bits of information were not enough for him to grasp the truth. But now, he had a vague realization.

His will was no longer that of a mortal. It was a will that had been [Ascended]. That’s why he could resist the corrosive forces brought by multiple Authorities, and why these powers were awakening within him one by one.

Lorenzo thought of something.

It’s not that complicated. Isn’t this essentially Demonization?

Bit by bit, he was undergoing Demonization, yet his will remained completely rational, allowing the viscous darkness to gradually envelop him.

So what lies at the end of this path of destruction and fragmentation, at the end of this darkness?

In an instant, a bizarre hallucination flashed in Lorenzo’s eyes. He saw a pale Angel slowly spreading its wings before him, its cold, merciless face leaning toward him, as if preparing to welcome him to ascend to the Celestial Kingdom.

”No!”

Lorenzo growled, as he swung the Nail Sword in reverse to cut himself. The pain shook him back to reality.

That was not the Celestial Kingdom, nor were those Angels.

Silencer.

”In the end, we know too little about Secret Blood, about Demons.”

Lawrence spoke leisurely; he was not in a hurry to fight with Lorenzo.

”I used to be like you, thinking Demons were monsters, and monsters should be killed. But gradually, I learned so much more, and it terrified me, Lorenzo Holmes.”

Lorenzo remained silent, quietly feeling the power within him.

After pulling out the Nail Sword embedded in the high wall, Lorenzo fell into the sea of fire, exchanging a distant gaze with Lawrence.

”So, is the body’s deformity also a form of Authority? Authority·Yanar, mortal will can no longer restrain this power, leading to uncontrolled Authority causing bizarre proliferation of flesh.”

Lorenzo’s voice was calm. He knew Demon Hunters and Demons were from the same origin, but never thought the similarities were so apparent, as if facing himself in a mirror.

The flames burned quietly, and in the next moment, the heated Nail Sword swept up fire and gale.

”Are you still intending to fight?”

Lawrence casually lifted the Nail Sword to block Lorenzo’s attack, upon critical breakthrough he awakened Authority·Yanar… No, calling it awakening is not quite accurate.

Ignoring all the embellished words, Lawrence was merely driven to Demonization due to Secret Blood’s critical breakthrough, causing his flesh to regenerate immensely powerful, a strength known as Authority·Yanar.

Under the support of this Undying Power, it’s difficult for Lorenzo to kill him.

Demon Hunters inherently have strong regenerative powers, and what is known as Authority·Yanar seemingly endlessly enhances this characteristic, just like Authority·Michael.

”Telling me information and wanting to kill you are two separate things; there’s no conflict between the two.”

Lorenzo’s voice was cold as the sword blade sliced through Lawrence’s body, and fierce fire surged from the wound, but it couldn’t burn Lawrence to death. The dead flesh was shed by the proliferating flesh, falling off with burning flames.

”This is such a shame, we are alike... Perhaps the only kind alike in this world. I think we should be more peaceful.”

Lawrence seemed to be toying with Lorenzo; realizing Lorenzo was also an [Ascended] existence, made his darkened heart feel much brighter. But if Lorenzo still insisted on blocking his path, Lawrence wouldn’t hesitate to kill this rare kind.

Lawrence needed no kind; he only needed the sword in his hand.

”It’s getting boring. Show me more surprises, Lorenzo, or this is too dull.”

Lawrence said as he slashed with the Vibrating Sword, and a crack exploded along Lorenzo’s chest armor, shattering it. Flames burst out beneath, blasting onto Lawrence.

Amid the endless white tides, the looming mighty phantasm drew closer, and Lawrence advanced towards the raging flames.

The situation reached a stalemate; Lorenzo couldn’t inflict effective damage on Lawrence. Under this Undying Power, their battle lost any significant meaning.

Unless... fighting in the [Gap].

Lorenzo thought so, but a gut-wrenching pain erupted from within his body.

His movements halted abruptly, then his entire body seemed petrified. Lorenzo could feel searing agony emanating from every inch of his being, as if countless insects gnawed at his flesh from inside.

Ascending the spine bit by bit, finally drilling out from the sockets.

[Silver Binding Bolt begins to melt.]

A cold, fuzzy voice echoed in his mind, then shattered completely.

”Damn it, at this moment.”

Lorenzo breathed heavily, unable to control his body, which began to topple.

Accompanying Secret Blood’s critical breakthrough, the Silver Binding Bolt within had begun to melt, the molten Holy Silver scorched his body, killing him slowly from within.

Lawrence watched Lorenzo’s halted actions, puzzled; he was about to question when he noticed the wound freshly inflicted from the slash.

Metallic sheen shimmered in the scar on Lorenzo’s chest, blood mixed with metal dripping down.