Ashen Dragon

"No—"

The Black Water Lord struggled endlessly in the hazy space, as if being dragged into a deep whirlpool, unable to break free.

With a mournful cry, the massive pitch-black body became increasingly transparent, eventually disappearing completely from the space of Aphernas, while the hundreds of thousands of rotting forerunners also turned into sludge.

"Long live Lord Baal!"

"Invincible in battle!"

"Only a strong, wise, and illustrious lord like Lord Baal can lead Aphernas to victory, to pin those demons relentlessly in the Abyss, never to escape for eternity!"

The devils cheered fervently, showering praises as lavish as they could conceive.

Baal also raised the Purgatory Longsword in his hand high, basking in the adoration of his subordinates, feeling the power of Aphernas gathering towards him—that was a blessing unique to a Hell Lord!

"Swish—"

But at that moment, a piercing explosion resounded through the sky as an arrow carrying an eerie glow pierced the sky, shooting violently towards the heart of the Deep Prison Demon Refiner.

The arrow was about five meters long, with a head forged of jet-black metal, exceptionally sharp and flickering with cold light, and the shaft engraved with complex inscriptions.

Before the arrow arrived, Baal had already perceived everything through a powerful perception capable of foreseeing the future. His wings flapped violently, raising a storm full of sulfurous smoke, attempting to dodge away.

Lava also appeared mid-air, swirling around Baal's body, transforming into floating shields that blocked the arrow's inevitable path.

But the speed of that arrow was simply too fast. First, it pierced through the layers of defense of the Evil Spirit Light, then broke through the lava with a loud bang, causing debris to fly.

"Screech—"

Next, it grazed Baal's left shoulder as it tore through the air, instantly penetrating the devil's thick wing membrane, tearing out a hideous wound.

And the dark glow carried by the arrow was like twisted little snakes, continuously eroding the blood and flesh at the wound, releasing chaotic toxic mist.

Baal, raging with fury, roared in the direction from which the arrow came: "Who are you? Who on earth!!"

"Baal—"

A hoarse growl came from afar.

At the end of the wasteland, accompanied by a dark mist enveloping the earth, another towering figure slowly appeared before everyone.

It was a colossal beast over forty meters tall, with a dark gray color as deep as lead. Its upper body was a human-like torso, but the lower half was a powerful horse body, resembling a Centaur-like Creature.

But unlike the usual centaur, this creature's body was grotesque and terrifying, extraordinarily distorted.

The humanoid torso was covered with ugly scars emitting poisonous smoke, and the horse lower body bore dense scales and protruding bone spurs, like a hybrid of lizard and horse.

And the most terrifying part was its eyes, those sharp eyes flashing cold light in the darkness, exuding a fierce killing intent as if they could see through the weaknesses of all things in the world.

The Centaur-like creature wore light armor stitched from the skins of over a thousand humanoid creatures and held a longbow made from the spine of a giant beast, slowly drawing the attack string and fitting an arrow.

—which was indistinguishable from the arrow that had just struck Baal.

Gazing back at the Centaur-like creature, Baal felt needles on his back, as if being targeted by the most terrifying Hunter in the world.

"So it's you..."

Even Cassius in the distance stood up from the city wall, spread his wings, and fixed his gaze on that creature resembling a centaur.

"What a powerful demon, extremely dangerous, potentially posing a threat to my life...

Perhaps Baal will have no choice but to agree to my terms and seek my assistance." Cassius grinned, revealing a ghastly smile.

Not even needing much speculation from others.

The overwhelming pressure and surging dark mist had already revealed the identity of this centaur-like creature—one of the three Abyssal Lords invading Aphernas, "Hunt Lord" Mastifa!

Baal gripped the Purgatory Longsword tightly and slowly lifted it, speaking in a deep voice: "Mastifa, get out of Aphernas, or your fate will be more miserable than that black fool!"

The Centaur-like creature, or rather Mastifa, looked at the far-off devils and responded with an indifferent voice: "Ha, Baal, the cunning devil who stole from Aphernas.

Speaking of which... I should thank you indeed, for banishing that fool Ishinix, allowing me to gain more benefits in this war."

Baal sneered: "Do all you Abyssal bastards speak so grandly? Indeed, you're short-sighted, brainless fools who can only see the immediate benefits.

Who wins or loses in this war... is yet to be revealed."

Mastifa grinned, licking his lips, revealing a chilling smile, while his sharp eyes were fixed intently on the devils, as if watching—a prey.

"Rest assured, Deep Prison Demon Refiner, you are an exceptional prey. In return for you banishing Ishinix, after the hunt is over, I will keep your corpse intact and make it into the most perfect specimen."

Suddenly, as though recalling something, it shook its head somewhat regretfully: "Too bad Zareel was killed by you. In my eyes, that beautiful, mad Fallen Angel was a more worthwhile prey to collect."

Before finishing his words, the Hunt Lord drew the bowstring, raised the bone bow, and once again aimed at the distant Baal, his eyes sharp and gaze unwavering.

The mighty Abyssal Power surged forward, dyeing the arrow pitch black, and when the bowstring was drawn to a full moon shape, the whole world trembled slightly under the intense killing intent.