THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 754: The Path Toward the End (1)

In the height of the confrontation between the Shadow Sect and the High Demons, Frey Starlight faced off directly against his rival—Amon.

The overwhelming disparity in their strengths was undeniable.

Still, Frey Starlight held his ground by layering six devastating world-breaking abilities all at once.

What rendered this showdown so remarkable wasn't just Frey's defiance... but that he wasn't holding back his foe in the least.

He was truly striving to slay him.

That's why he refused to fall back.

He wasn't aiming to drag out the skirmish.

He unleashed every ounce of his might... without a second's pause.

The Dark Sister, now merged with Balerion, took Amon's assaults straight on, bearing the fused might of Soulfire and Black Hole Aura.

Through blending those forces, Frey achieved a tremendous destructive potency—one that even Amon couldn't dodge without harm.

The Rank 11 Demon sought to finish Frey in a flash with his rapid blows, bolstered by the higher tiers of SSS-class aura.

However, Frey countered effectively because of The Void.

His gaze captured every detail with perfect sharpness, regardless of how swift Amon grew.

By linking that sight to immediate teleportation, Frey evaded nearly all of Amon's onslaughts... a feat that had eluded even Gehrman.

As for the hits he couldn't dodge quickly enough...

His remarkable regeneration worked without a hitch.

In attack and protection.

Stamina and agility.

Aura mastery.

Frey commanded it all.

And it all originated from Shadow Adaptation.

That's exactly why this power ranked among the top three world-breaking forces known.

"Truly terrifying... and it isn’t even fully complete yet," Amon commented, a strained grin spreading over his features.

His limbs blazed with a huge rush of shadowy aura, his pace quickening relentlessly.

Unlike Frey Starlight, Amon wielded just one world-breaking ability...

And oddly, he hadn't deployed it still.

Thus, he was forced to depend on his sheer might and polished fighting skills to claim triumph.

Consequently, the pair engaged in a brutal near-contact duel, swift and unyielding.

Typically, foes never risked getting so close to Amon given the blistering quickness of his punches.

But the core edge of the Rank 11 Demon was utterly nullified by The Void.

"To struggle this much against someone who isn’t even Nameless himself... haha, how ironic," Amon remarked.

Even amid the peril, he kept his odd poise... genuinely relishing the combat.

Conversely, Frey Starlight stayed utterly composed.

He spoke not a word.

His expression betrayed no feeling... just total concentration on the fray.

His blade shifted in ways unlike his prior patterns.

He had forsaken his standard approach.

All this stemmed from Nameless’s instructions, whispering right by Frey’s ear during the heat of battle.

"Listen carefully, Frey Starlight.

If you wish to surpass your opponents in battle, then you must abandon the primitive style Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow."

Nameless’s voice reached only Frey.

He had watched it all from inside Frey’s thoughts right from the start.

"Binding yourself to a single combat style is utterly impractical.

It will not always serve you on the battlefield... especially when your opponent possesses a superior fighting style."

Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow was certainly a formidable battle technique, crafted by one of history's mightiest humans.

But against the pinnacle of the realm's supreme entities...

It fell woefully short.

"It is time to discard that style completely and fight the correct way... by exploiting the First Stage of Shadow Adaptation, which you have neglected until now," Nameless instructed, directing Frey with sincerity.

"The First Stage is the foundational pillar upon which all these powers are built.

You were never able to use it properly because you remained shackled to your style."

"The First Stage is the counter to all combat styles and techniques.

It is a replacement for fighting styles... one I created myself."

As Frey’s sword met Amon’s fist and aura burst fiercely from their impact, Nameless kept directing him.

"Let the shadows lead you.

Move according to your opponent’s rhythm—then overturn the flow against him."

"There is no need to fear him.

Even if he appears powerful, his style is not something I cannot surpass.

In close combat, I stand far above him... and so does my ability."

"You have every weapon at your disposal.

Do not lose."

"..."

Frey’s eyes gleamed as each phrase etched deep into his form.

His sword now flowed in flawless harmony with every one of Amon’s advances.

No remnant of Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow lingered.

Nameless allowed Frey to keep just the mightiest blows he had devised... like Nameless Judgment.

All the rest was cast aside.

And the outcome proved rewarding.

Frey sensed no more inferiority to his adversary, despite their huge power divide.

He battled Amon on even footing.

Harmonizing numerous world-breaking abilities weighed heavily on Frey... to the point where his skull seemed ready to burst.

Nevertheless, he bore the burden without any flicker of distress on his visage.

A stark indicator of profound advancement... in strength and mental fortitude alike.

"Vessel of Nameless... all that borrowed power has indeed made you strong.

But will you endure until the very end?" Amon queried, launching a weightier strike.

His frame still brimmed with fearsome vigor... as if the clash had barely started.

"As you can see... the Third Stage of the SSS-class—Origin Revelation—has granted me the innate traits of demonkind: overwhelming endurance and vitality."

"In other words... I am immune to exhaustion, no matter how long I fight."

BOOOOM!!

Their auras smashed together again...

And Amon managed to block the Black Hole Aura, enhanced by Soulfire.

"Furthermore, the Fourth Stage... Aura Boil grants me a type of aura far superior to ordinary aura.

That is precisely why I am able to keep up with the terrifying abilities you possess."

Amon’s grin broadened as his blood-red eyes flared with a booming light.

"The Fifth Stage... Curse of Immortality allows me to remain at my peak at all times.

I do not age, and under normal circumstances, I will never die."

BOOOOM!!

"The Second Stage allowed me to transcend the limits of demonkind itself...

not to mention the massive increase in raw power granted by each successive stage."

Amon advanced nearer, his face mere inches from Frey’s.

"And then there is the Sixth Stage, the one I have been bound to since time immemorial...

the Domain of Life and Death."

"Through it, I obtained a world-breaking ability of immense power from the Great King,

and gained the freedom to shape and invent my own techniques and abilities."

"In other words...

Six SSS-class stages versus six world-breaking abilities personally created by Nameless."

"I truly wish to see how this battle will conclude..."

Between sheer might and the strength from abilities...

It proved hard to judge which held the upper hand.

Yet the oddest aspect of this fight was Amon.

The Rank 11 High Demon also held a world-breaking ability,

yet his choice to withhold it thus far left Frey deeply uneasy.

Amon kept pushing hard, displaying no plan to unleash that force soon.

This compelled Frey to battle with full commitment... and prepare for that power should it emerge.

"Those eyes of yours are special. They can clearly perceive my flash strikes," Amon stated evenly.

"But I wonder... what will happen if the attack comes from everywhere?"

For a split second...

It seemed like time froze in place.

Amon extended his arms...

And fists burst forth from all sides.

From his form.

From every corner of the field.

Observing from a distance, both Gehrman and Abraham instantly recognized...

It was the exact move Amon had employed to overpower them.

"A high-speed flash assault coming from all directions...

making defense utterly impossible," Gehrman whispered, gripping his fist tightly,

questioning if the present Frey could withstand such an onslaught.

Amon released his bolt-quick barrage, encircling Frey Starlight entirely.

At that pivotal instant...

Frey’s Void Eyes blazed,

and the rush of time dragged to an extraordinary halt.