Asmodeus looked down, his figure taller, stronger and more arrogant than the knights. He did not face Yuina and the knights with kindness.
"Since you are this serious..."
His wings unfurled, cracking the atmosphere and creating a violent sonic boom the moment they flicked out.
"I will crush you to the floor, so you never stand up again!"
'Ah... such a lovely woman, you know I plan to make you mine...'
'Nevertheless! You make the outrageous claim to make me yours!'
"That's just what I wanted!"
It was the first time Yuina showed such a side, not the princess but the beastkin warrior she was. Asmodeus could feel excitement...
'But she is too weak... much too weak...'
There was a feeling like the first time he fought and trained Yumiko, teaching her his mother's martial arts. The rate she learned stunned Asmodeus at first before he became this strong...
There were many times that she managed to land hits and shock him.
'Then let's give her a little push.'
'Serena, can you do it?'
[You...]
[Haaah.... why did I forget you were a battle-loving freak like Lilith...]
[How long will you give your power to her, what percentage, and what's my reward for doing it?]
Serena became more cheeky after their constant bickering.
Yet she would never turn his requests down. Especially if she knew it would be something that made Asmodeus happy. Well, it's not like anyone could blame her. Serena loved him and only wished to see his smile more than anything.
'Enough to where she will be able to stand a chance, for five minutes and I'll grant you one wish.'
[Hahaha~ a mortal granting the wish of a goddess...]
[Okay, you've got it!]
[Then have an enjoyable fight... try not to make her too crazy.
[Yuina was one of the cute ones.]
'You know that's impossible...'
"Phew..."
"Why are you sighing, Asmodeus?! Am I that weak you don't need to pay attention?!"
'She's like a rabbit puffing up her chest against a lion...'
'Adorable woman.'
"Here, take this Yuina. Do not refuse, this is the power to fight me as an equal for five minutes."
The moment she heard Asmodeus speak, her eyes widened. She looked at the knights, crushed and unable to fight. At first, Yuina almost rejected it out of instinct, feeling it wasn't fair.
"Okay then, but don't cry when I beat you."
Yuina's lips curled into a sharp grin, her small fangs peeking from her lips before she fastened the sleeves of her kimono and pulled the fabric just below her buttocks.
'Oh? Is this really the same Yuina?'
"I would love to see you try, Yuina."
Asmodeus felt quite stunned to see her muscular thighs, tight calves and toned arms. The next moment, the fluttering red aura in his palm shone silver. The blood then flew across to Yuina and poured into the centre of her forehead.
"Grrrr!"
A look of agony and veins began to gather in her throat, arms and legs as she physically shuddered. The ground beneath her cracked as a silver aura began to flow upward from her body.
"Argh.... Urrk!"
Yuina's legs below her knee became those of a beast, but larger and muscular... her hands became claws while she rapidly grew nine tails.
The very aura around her crackled with aura, a different style to Asmodeus because he could control his power perfectly.
Yet hers was borrowed, wild and ferocious.
"Asmodeus!"
Her voice became distorted, a deep, resonating after her feminine tone, like an echo.
"Hahahaha! Yuina... Yuina that's it!"
But the difference between them was far too great. The speed at which his attacks flew and their power was something not possible to avoid or even see.
Each blow sent her body staggering back, the blade slicing and cutting his flesh, but he just laughed and hit her twice in return.
POW—!
POW—!
POW—!
The silver aura shuddered and trembled under his assault.
Then he stepped back and flicked out his finger, the force causing her body to break the wall behind her.
'AHHHHH!!'
'It... it's not possible...'
'It's not fair... this isn't a fight anymore... this is a one-sided slaughter...! I want it to end... I... I should have just let it go!'
It was at that moment that she realised something... the amount of pain she should feel from these blows... why didn't she feel any...
All Yuina felt was the pain in her organs and overworking her muscles...
Although her body was a mess from his brutal attacks... it was his body covered in bruises.
"Hahahaha!"
"You...!"
'He's taking all the pain I should be feeing from his blows?! How embarrassing!'
"You bastard! Why are you doing this, is it fun to mock me!"
It was an insult... Yuina's body began to glow silver, and she drew her blade, creating an after-image. The next moment, a wave of wind and force shattered every stone and rock, clearing a space that reached outside the valley walls. Her attack was the same as when a master swung the sword, an unstoppable slash of force.
Asmodeus looked excitedly at the brilliant white light.
Holding his axe vertically—his muscles began to bulge and fill with veins as he gathered his power into the head of his axe. Then, seconds before, it hit him.
He struck down at the force of her sword.
"Arrrk—"
BOOM—!
A violent sonic boom echoed across the sky—the slash Yuina created spread the clouds before causing an explosion the moment it met his blood aura strike.
BOOM—
The moment their attacks clashed... a shock wave spread from the valley. Yumiko dropped to one knee—That moment, she felt immense pain, not from overwork... but from damage and vomited blood.
"Ugh..."
Slowly, the dust settled, and the place she felt pain... was where a deep wound appeared on the chest of Asmodeus.... she wounded him, and he was panting!
"Kukukuku, so you finally started to feel the pain..."
"Hrrk... you ba....trd.... Ngh...Haa..."
"Hahaha... Sorry, isn't it fun this way?"
Asmodeus still laughed while strolling up to Yuina, who couldn't help but kneel, frustrated and defeated... She couldn't believe he would swap their sense of pain.
Yet the moment he stood before her, she didn't hear his mocking voice or any attacks...
With a dizzy and aching head, she lifted her head before he kissed her.
[You are so annoying... just because you need to break her pride to help her become stronger when she transforms!]
'Shh.... I'm kissing my new wife.'
[Let's break up!]
"Mmmph?! Mwah..."
Her mind was hazy from the heat flowing from his kiss and into her body. But the sensation of it slowly disappeared... and the pain subsided. His bloody aura flowed back into Yuina's body, leaving a small amount before returning to Asmodeus.
Asmodeus looked at Yuina, her violent and angry face.
She might not have noticed, but there were still nine tails behind her.
'Thanks, Serena.'
[Hmph... you wanted her to become stronger, so remember you need to make up for that loss in power to protect her... You just gave away 20% of your power...]
'That's why I'll be grinding monsters alone for the next five days!'