The demon's heart—that was the only known weakness of a demon.
In the original story, it was Asta's strike to the heart that finally destroyed the Word Magic Devil, sending its soul back to hell.
It might not be the only way to kill a demon, but it was the only confirmed one known today.
Yet inside this glowing sphere of temporal light, Ethan saw nothing resembling a heart within the split body of the demon.
"What's going on? Could it be that demons here don't have hearts?"
He pondered in silence. It wasn't out of the question.
After all, this was the real world—not a hand-drawn anime.
Some discrepancies were to be expected.
"No heart… then how are we supposed to kill this thing?"
Holding the Demon-Slayer Sword, Asta waited for Ethan's answer.
The others also looked at Ethan.
This was their first time facing such a troublesome entity—one they couldn't kill, nor seal.
"Patolli! What's wrong with you?!"
Just then, Vetto rushed to support Patolli, his face full of concern.
Something was clearly off.
Patolli's expression twisted in pain and madness. Suddenly, he shoved Vetto aside and unleashed a wild burst of Light Magic in all directions.
"Has he gone insane?!"
The group cursed as they activated their own magic to block the indiscriminate assault.
Beside Patolli, his previously radiant four-leaf grimoire began to dim.
From its bottom, a black stain slowly spread upward.
Within seconds, the golden grimoire turned pitch black.
Then, astonishingly, a fifth leaf sprouted on the clover on its cover!
"Ke ke ke~~ Release. Restore."
His body was nowhere to be seen, but his voice echoed.
The time-light sphere restraining the demon's body shattered like glass.
The demon's bisected body began to regenerate, swiftly rejoining into one whole.
The surgical precision of the restoration would've put the world's best doctors to shame.
Ethan's pupils shrank as he stared at Patolli's grimoire and exclaimed,
"So that's where the heart was!"
Whoosh!
Freed at last, the Word Magic Devil appeared instantly next to Patolli.
He reached out and took the grimoire into his hands.
"Didn't expect this… After hundreds of years, humanity still manages to produce some impressive individuals. You actually managed to suppress and restrain me...
Good thing I had a contingency."
The devil's face bore a sinister smile, but inwardly he was shaken.
If he hadn't hidden his heart separately from his body, he really would've been done for in that last assault.
But there are no "what ifs" in this world.
Now reunited with his heart—and in possession of a five-leaf grimoire—
No one in the world could stop him now.
Word Magic — Viceiinemidoren.
The devil's whisper was not of this world's language,
But any human could sense the sheer malice behind it.
"This... his magic power—it's even stronger than before!"
"What kind of magic is this?"
"Such overwhelming evil—it's risen to a whole new level!"
Everyone was horrified.
It was obvious this devil was no longer the same as before.
His magic now belonged to a realm far beyond Zero Stage.
Zzzzhk!
A massive void portal opened behind the Word Devil.
From within, a thick, black-purple sludge resembling coral—or mud—gushed outward,
Endless, writhing, and grotesque.
"Ke ke ke~~ I'm not the same species as you… I'm from another dimension!"
Disgusting!
That was everyone's first thought.
These squirming things weren't just hideous, they radiated an evil aura so strong it turned even the bravest stomachs.
But the problem wasn't how ugly they were—
It was what they could do.
"Everyone, be careful! These things devour all life! If you come into contact with them, the consequences will be dire!"
Ethan warned, as his fire-based four-leaf grimoire floated open.
At the same time, a miniature fire dragon perched on his left shoulder—
The Fire Spirit.
Like Zephyra and Sylph with their wind magic, this was one of the four great elemental spirits.
Originally bonded to Fana, one of the Eye of the Midnight Sun's triad,
After her capture, she willingly relinquished her claim, and the spirit joined Ethan instead.
Fire Spirit Magic — Blazing Heavenburst!
BOOM!
Commanding the Fire Spirit, Ethan unleashed a searing torrent of flame.
Waves of heat swept outward, burning hotter with each pulse.
Wind Spirit Magic — Spirit Tempest!
Fire counters wind, but wind can also stoke fire.
With the aid of both spirits, the flaming storm grew fiercer than ever,
Roaring forward to intercept the incoming darkness.
A massive wall of fire formed, halting the approach of the black swarm,
And steadily burning them away.
"Incredible!"
"Nice one, Ethan! Beautifully done!"
Asta howled in triumph at the sight.
What devil? Those fancy tricks were no match for Ethan's magic!
BANG!
"Don't celebrate too soon. Didn't you see...?"
"See what? And Night Captain, please stop smacking my head!"
Rubbing his skull, Asta looked confused.
But as he followed everyone's gaze, he froze.
Yes, the fire had stopped the black sludge—
But from the void above, more and more kept pouring out.
He didn't know whether this spell drained the demon's mana,
But even if it did, it likely wouldn't matter.
Ethan, on the other hand, wasn't a demon. He was human.
Even with his vast reserves, he couldn't maintain such output forever.
"You're impressive… truly the most fascinating and promising human I've met."
The devil didn't seem in a rush.
This was a power from another world—
Once activated, it would never stop. Not even his death could end it.
He figured he might as well chat while time remained.
"You're an anomaly. People in this world are supposed to only wield one elemental affinity.
But you... you use many. And you're evolving too fast.
Tell me—why?"
"I'd like to know that myself. Could you tell me?"
Ethan shrugged with a smirk.
He only knew his bloodline was unique. The rest was a mystery.
And fast growth?
Honestly, Asta and Yuno were the real hacks. They got stronger for no reason at all!
"No matter. Even better this way. Once I bury all of you, this world will be mine.
Shame, though—I won't get to hear your final screams..."
With that, the devil soared upward, aiming for the exit at the top.
Ethan didn't need to say a word—
The others had already launched their attacks.
They couldn't let this monster escape.
If he did, it truly would be the end of the world.
Briar Creation Magic — Thorned Tree of the Hunt!
Watermark Creation Magic — Silver Rain!
Dark Magic — Binding Slash of the Nameless!
A volley of spells erupted, trying to stop his escape.
Asta too activated his devil form, dual swords at the ready.
Yuno wore his crown, lightning-fast in his spirit-assimilated form.
But all of it—
Was nothing against a single command.
"Stop."
In an instant, all magic—and even Asta and Yuno themselves—froze in place.
An invisible force locked their bodies like chains.
They could only watch in rage as the devil neared the exit.
Light Magic — Divine Blade of Heaven!
Zzzzhk!
A golden light exploded from above.
A massive blade of light crashed down,
Its overwhelming brilliance purging all evil—
And slamming the devil back down to the earth.
"Five hundred years… Today, I will bury you for good—devil!"
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