Chapter 19: ASCENT OF THE ABYSSAL BOSS
The horde of monsters surged forward, their jagged claws scraping against the stone floor and their gaping jaws dripping with thick saliva. Their bloodlust filled the cavern, a deafening cacophony of growls and thundering footsteps. Yet, in stark contrast to the chaos barreling toward him, Yomi stood unmoving, his expression calm and calculating.
He exhaled slowly, his hands beginning to move with the grace of a river’s flow, weaving deliberate patterns through the air like an artist painting an unseen masterpiece.
Each movement was deliberate, echoing the evolving form of the skill "Hōdanka" he had mastered in his past life for crowd control. His breathing deepened, synchronizing with the rhythmic motion of his hands. This was no ordinary combat technique—it was the foundation for his ultimate skill among others.
Enman no Kizuna (円満の絆) — Harmony Bond.
Yomi smirked to himself as the monsters drew closer, his movements unhurried. ’How fortunate’, he thought, ’that I created this technique during my reign as the Demon Lord.’ The skill was unique to him alone, a manifestation of his understanding of both Ki and human connection. It amplified his Ki by forging a profound bond with another person—through shared emotions, physical touch, and, most potently, intimate actions.
The bond wasn’t just a transfer of energy; it was a melding of will and purpose. By manipulating Lirien’s desperation and her belief in him as her only hope, Yomi had drawn upon her natural Ki reserves, fortifying his own.
And through Aeloria’s subconscious obsession with magic, coupled with his own intrigue in its mysteries, he had managed to channel their collective energy into something much greater, allowing him to heal her to an extent.
His hands now glowed faintly with a fiery aura, the residual Ki from both women enhancing his power tenfold. Between his palms, a small orb of fire began to form, pulsating with raw energy. Yomi’s movements became sharper, more precise, as he molded the orb with deft control. The fireball grew larger with each rotation of his hands, crackling with power.
The monsters were mere feet away now, their snarls echoing in the cavern. But Yomi remained unshaken, his storm-grey eyes glinting with anticipation. He flicked his wrist, and the fiery orb hovered above his index finger, its heat radiating in waves. His voice, calm yet commanding, reverberated through the chamber.