The magic split, multiplying into several terrified waves of energy.
These Death Waves intertwined, forming a world-destroying torrent of power that surged forward with endless killing intent.
The "deadlands" at his feet expanded madly, covering a hundred-meter radius.
The ground turned scorched black, and viscous black liquid gushed from the cracks like sewage from the River Styx.
"But no matter how many secrets you have, you need to be alive to explore them."
Jose raised his hand, and the black crystal armor on his arm transformed into a massive three-meter-long scythe.
"Let me see just how much 'death' your holy attribute... can purify."
There was no sound of wind.
Only "death" itself spreading.
Ace finally moved. He took a step back, the crimson-gold Digital Soul condensing in his palm.
CresGarurumon poured its entire body's golden fighting spirit into its blade.
Aiming at Jose, it fiercely swung out a crescent-shaped golden blade aura, dozens of meters long.
At the same time, Sakuyamon slammed its Vajra Staff heavily onto the ground.
"Kongoukai Mandara—Full Release!"
With the staff as the center, a massive purification barrier composed of countless flowing, pale-gold Sanskrit characters expanded to cover the entire stone chamber!
The barrier radiated a solemn, sacred wave that purified all abnormalities.
BlackWarGreymon charged, gathering crimson energy in its claws.
"Terra Destroyer!"
Three Mega Level Digimon.
Three attacks of absolute devastation.
A purification barrier, a demon-cleaving blade light, a dark dragon's nuke.
In the same instant, they landed on Jose.
BOOM—!!!
With Jose at the epicenter, the surrounding ground suddenly began to crumble and collapse—not shattering, but disappearing.
It was as if a mysterious force was erasing it from reality.
Along with this shocking change, the solid ground fragmented, and a huge cavity appeared.
This cavity was like a hideous, gaping maw, swallowing all objects and life.
Ace stood quietly at the edge of the barrier, his black trench coat flapping in the energy storm like the wings of a night spirit.
He stared at the center of the explosion.
The dust and smoke cleared.
Jose was still standing.
But he wasn't smiling anymore.
His robe was tattered, his breathing ragged.
The "invincible" Wizard Saint was visibly shaken!
"Impossible..." Jose muttered, wiping blood from his mouth. "How... how can mere summons possess this level of power?"
He gathered a massive amount of darkness in his hands, a super-powerful dark shockwave beginning to form.
That surging magical power swept over like a tidal wave, carrying an unparalleled might.
"DEATH STORM!!!"
With his roar, the dark elements transformed into a shockwave composed purely of the concept of "death"!
The light within a thousand-meter radius seemed to be swallowed by this sphere.
The ground was erased from existence.
But Sakuyamon simply raised her staff again.
"Amethyst Mandala."
A barrier of pure crystal light formed.
The Death Storm crashed into it.... and stopped.
The barrier held firm against the concept of death itself.
Sakuyamon stood calmly behind it, her expression serene.
"Is that all?" Ace asked.
CresGarurumon roared and swung its blade again.
The golden light sliced through the Death Storm, splitting the shockwave in half. The concept of death was severed by the concept of holy war.
Jose's eyes widened in horror. "My... my magic..."
"Your magic is impressive for a human," Ace said, walking forward as the storm dissipated harmlessly around him.
"But you are fighting gods."
BlackWarGreymon appeared directly above Jose, casting a shadow over the Wizard Saint.
"Gaia Force."
A massive sphere of super-heated atmospheric energy, glowing like a miniature sun, descended upon Jose Porla.
The Wizard Saint looked up, and for the first time in decades, he felt true fear.
"GAAAAHHHHHH!"
The battle was over in an instant.
BlackWarGreymon slowly landed.
It stood tall, its armor gleaming, looking down at the smoking crater with disdain.
CresGarurumon sheathed its blades, not a scratch on its body.
Sakuyamon loomed in the background like a silent sentinels of destruction.
...
And on the other side of the battlefield—
"CLANG—!!!"
The piercing sound of clashing metal exploded.
Erza held a longsword in each hand, facing a Phantom Lord executive.
Her face was expressionless, save for the cold killing intent in her eyes.
But at this moment, that killing intent was tinged with a hint of wavering—because in the distance, their guild master had just been obliterated.
Erza didn't give chase.
She turned her head, her amber eyes looking in Ace's direction, at the black figure standing in the center of the ruins, at the three Mega Level Digimon exuding terrifying auras that hadn't even broken a sweat.
"Is this his true strength..." Erza murmured to herself, her grip on her swords tightening unconsciously.
"He ... he dismantled a Wizard Saint just like that."
She remembered when Ace had just joined the guild a few years ago, a rookie with a weak summon monster.
And now, he alone—or rather, together with his partners—had crushed a Ten Wizard Saint as if he were swatting a fly.
"When will I be able to catch up to him..." Erza's gaze was complex, filled with admiration, unwillingness to be outdone, and fighting spirit.
"It seems that as I am now, I'm still not working hard enough."
"Hey! Stop daydreaming and focus!"
A sharp cry came from the side.
Mirajane, in her demon form, viciously tore apart a Phantom Lord wizard's defensive magic, simultaneously moving to block for Erza, parrying an ice spike from another enemy's sneak attack with a "clang."
Erza's pretty face flushed slightly—she had actually lost focus during a battle.
She immediately collected herself, her twin swords crossing in a slash that forced the deadpan enemy before her back three steps.
"Even though you saved me, I'm not going to thank you!" Erza snorted, her tone carrying a rare awkwardness that only those who knew her well could detect.
"Hmph, then let's see who defeats him first!" A competitive smile tugged at the corner of Mirajane's mouth, her demonic claws wreathed in dark purple magic.
"But before that—"
Her figure suddenly accelerated, cutting into the enemy ranks like a phantom, her claws tearing through the air!
"—let's take care of these small fry!"
Not to be outdone, Erza's twin swords danced, creating a brilliant display of sword light.
For a moment, it was as if Fairy Tail's two most outstanding female wizards were competing in an invisible contest, their speed in clearing out the remaining Phantom Lord forces more than doubling.
And in the center of the battlefield, Ace seemed completely unaware of the skirmish in the distance.