Gun of Ashes

As the blazing sun reached its most furious peak, it also marked the moment of its decline. The flames, fully unfurled, suddenly extinguished, and the extreme temperatures plummeted. In an instant, the blinding light of scorching heat disappeared, leaving only the ash-covered ground from the burning.

Lorenzo stood alone on the burnt ground, the Staff Sword in his hand slowly cooling until the heated metal returned to calmness.

Bola looked at Lorenzo’s back, realizing once again the strength of Lorenzo. As time went on, the Demon Hunter before him became increasingly human, while mastering more forbidden powers.

”Pseudo-God...”

Murmuring this unsettling term, Bola couldn’t help but lift the Funeral Bell in his hand, aiming its muzzle at Lorenzo.

He didn’t understand why he was doing it, but in a daze, his hand raised involuntarily, as if by instinct, driven by the biological urge to eliminate this extreme threat.

A cold breeze passed through, dispelling the harsh heat.

Bola shivered, as if waking from a dream, dazedly looking at the raised gun muzzle, anxiously lowering it. Meanwhile, in the distance, Lorenzo finally began to move.

”So...did Michael die from exhaustion?”

Lorenzo’s face fell, leaning heavily on the Staff Sword to prevent himself from collapsing from fatigue.

This is the true Authority of Michael, commanding the order to ”burn,” wielding the Fire Sword that defends the Celestial Kingdom.

But as Lorenzo understood, with gain comes cost. The price of Michael’s authority is as significant as its power; it is burning. With the enemies, Lorenzo himself is also burning, similar to the drawbacks of Shangdafeng’s authority, highlighting the downside of Michael’s authority.

When the authority was unfolding, Lorenzo could distinctly feel himself not within the radiation range of the authority, like the eye of a storm. Located at the high-temperature center, Lorenzo actually experienced no temperature fluctuation, thus avoiding being burnt to a crisp along with everyone else.

But this is only temporary. As the authority activated, more volatile energy was released, and the center’s temperature gradually increased until Lorenzo could no longer control it, leading to a loss of control.

At a certain moment just now, Lorenzo nearly ”detonated” Michael’s authority. He wasn’t sure what the consequences would be, but judging by the current scene of ash-covered ground, the outcome wouldn’t be favorable for him at the heat energy storm’s center.

To precisely control this power, it exhausts the spirit. This isn’t physical fatigue but mental exhaustion, and during the release of this authority, Lorenzo also suffered interference from erosion.

Inhaling the cold air, Lorenzo’s consciousness cleared somewhat.

This is a mighty power, but it also has significant backlash, extremely prone to loss of control. With it, Lorenzo is like a humanoid flaming bullet; if misused, the burning fire would lead him to death.

”Perhaps it can try using two authorities together.”

Lorenzo pondered, considering the powerful offensive nature of this authority, what effect it might have against the Iron Armor of Medanzo, but it was just a thought. If unnecessary, Lorenzo didn’t want to experiment on himself.

Counting on his fingers, he was the final orthodox Demon Hunter, like a rare animal, his life was extraordinarily precious.

”But this is also a law, isn’t it? Everything has a price.”

Lorenzo softly spoke.

Among the known authorities, there’s basically no direct lethality, yet all have numerous limitations. Michael’s authority is the only directly lethal power, with even greater limitations, leading to oneself being dragged into the sea of flames if carelessly managed. As for Gabriel’s authority...

Thinking of this power, Lorenzo felt himself dwelling in darkness, moving forward along his path without being able to see what lies at the end.

”Lorenzo!”

Bola’s shout awakened Lorenzo from his thoughts; he slowly turned around, seeing Bola standing behind the door.

”Seems like everything is resolved?”

Bola hurried over, stepping onto the scorched earth, instantly feeling an intense heat. Even as the authority was lifted, this heat hadn’t dissipated.

”I suppose, at least for now, all these are resolved.”

Lorenzo glanced at the corpses on the scorched ground; they had turned into blackened shells, some beginning to crumble into ash, with residual flames still barely flickering.

His gaze was somewhat lost, Lorenzo unconsciously gripped the Staff Sword, feeling the pain and reality from the palm’s touch.

Gabriel’s authority is a credential, a credential toward Ascension. After obtaining it, Lorenzo’s will could bear multiple authorities: Medanzo, Michael, Gabriel...

”If...if a few hundred years ago, or even a more distant time, there was such a Demon Hunter who came here, unleashing such power to turn the permafrost into scorched earth, destroying the cold and ice, and burning enemies to ashes along?”

Lorenzo’s gaze swept over the ashes, finally resting on Bola’s face.

”If you were there to witness all this by chance, what would you think?”

Bola was taken aback, then expressionlessly said.

”God.”

Lorenzo smiled.

”We’re getting closer to the truth, Bola.”

In an era of ignorance, those who possess the power of authority are like gods walking the earth. Perhaps the Pioneer really is the incarnation of Odin, possibly truly immortal.