The Broken Halo

Sunless being alive was not what Simon expected at all.

Lilith split her in half, and after sensing and seeing Lilith’s power, he believed that Sunless was dead.

But she wasn’t.

And this was bad.

No.

It was the worst.

Even though Sunless was weak, severely injured, and in a completely terrible state... she could still kill all of them easily.

Akaza and Sonya were merely Supreme Archfiends.

Jorra and Merath were Daemons, but they were also Archfiends.

None of them had the power to battle Sunless even in her weakened state.

He was severely injured and weak, and if Lilith took control of his body right now, he would die.

All in all, they were in a very dangerous and terrible situation.

But even in this situation, Simon was calm.

Fearless made him to remain calm, and there were waves upon waves in his sea of consciousness as he thought of what he could do to escape this situation alive.

[How is she alive, Lilith?] Simon asked, and Lilith sighed.

[I told you that Shadow Walkers are difficult to kill. I guess she’s a talented Shadow Walker.]

[I would have made sure that she was dead, but your body could no longer hold on.]

Simon frowned after hearing Lilith’s words.

[What of her soul? Where is it? Is it that tree?]

[Her soul is beneath that tree.]

Simon’s gaze could not help but darken.

Beneath the tree?

Were they to uproot the tree?

Or was there an easier and already prepared method to go underground?

Even if there was and even if they had to uproot the tree, there was no way for them to get to the tree with Sunless present.

Simon was very curious about the withered tree, and he wanted to know what exactly it was.

But now was not the time.

He needed a way out of this situation.

He needed a solution.

[Is there any way you can help?] Simon asked.

He knew that at the moment, Lilith was his best choice of survival in this situation.

Even if the only method of survival was to escape, he would take it.

He had tried damaging or killing Sunless’ soul so that she would not be able to come after him for some time and so that he would have time to grow.

However...

’I knew that I was getting too lucky in that frozen expanse.’

Simon shook his head slightly, then Lilith spoke.

[There is actually a way for you to hurt her soul and a way for you to escape.]

Simon’s eyes flashed with a surprised light.

[What way?]

[Ignite that tree with the Chaos Flames, and allow me to take control of the Chaos Wraps for a few seconds and I’ll create a hole in space for all of you to escape through.]

[But I must warn you, you will appear in a completely random place. I won’t be able to control where you’ll arrive.]

[And, if you allow me to take control of the Chaos Wraps, it’s going to consume your soul energy and mental energy.]

Simon narrowed his eyes.

[Why would igniting the withered tree damage her soul? I thought you said her soul is beneath the tree?]

[Because that tree is special and it’s connected to her soul. It won’t kill her soul, but it would damage it.]

Simon’s brows were furrowed deeply.

He was about to speak on the matter of the Chaos Wraps and their escape, but Sunless began approaching them.

"Why do you look so lost, Blackmoon?"

"Why is your gaze so distant, Blackmoon?"

"Why does your expression keep on changing, Blackmoon?"

Sunless tilted her head with the same wide and disturbing smile as she calmly approached Simon and the others.

"Are you talking with that bitch? Do you think she’ll be able to save you?"

Sunless laughed loudly, then her burned with hatred, madness, and rage.

Her killing intent surged out like a tide, causing Sonya, Akaza, Merath, and Jorra to unconsciously take multiple steps to the back.

They were terrified... And rightfully so.

"A wonderful move, Blackmoon. A truly wonderful move."

She chuckled.

"But do you actually think that I’ll be defeated by you who is a mere child and by that useless bitch?!"

Sonya and the others kept on walking backward with fearful expressions.

"I AM OVER A THOUSAND YEARS OLD!"

"I HAVE SEEN MORE THINGS THAN YOU!"

"I HAVE EXPERIENCED MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE!"

"YOU CAN’T KILL ME!!!"

BOOM!

The world groaned and the ground caved in as Sunless instantly vanished from her spot and appeared right in front of Akaza.

Akaza’s pupils constricted.

His instincts screamed, and without even thinking, he tightened his grip on Simon and tried to jump backward.

But he was too slow.

Sunless’ remaining flesh eye and shadow eye stared at him with a terrifying coldness, then she casually raised her hand and... slapped him.

PA!

The sound was not loud.

It was just a simple slap.

But the power behind it was horrifying.

Akaza’s head snapped to the side, and his body was sent flying like a broken arrow. The air behind him exploded, and the ground beneath his feet shattered from the force of Sunless’ casual attack.

Even while he was flying, Akaza still instinctively tried to protect Simon.

His arms tightened around Simon’s body, and he forcefully twisted his body in the air so that Simon would not take the full impact. His demonic energy erupted around his back and shoulders, forming a thin layer of protection.

Then he crashed into the crimson barrier.

BOOM!

The barrier did not shake.

Not even a little.

Akaza’s back struck the barrier with terrifying force, and the sound of bones cracking echoed softly. Blood burst out from his mouth, and his grip on Simon loosened for a split second.

That split second was enough.

Simon fell from Akaza’s back and crashed to the ground.

The impact was not heavy, but to Simon’s current body, it felt like a mountain had fallen on him.

His eyes widened slightly, and blood flowed out from the corner of his lips.

Every crack on his body seemed to burn at the same time, and for a moment, his vision became blurry. But he forced himself to remain conscious.

He could not faint.

Not now.

Akaza slid down from the crimson barrier and fell face flat to the ground. He was unconscious, and half of his face was swollen from the slap.

Blood flowed from his lips, and his fingers twitched slightly.

Sunless did not even look at him anymore.

To her, Akaza was not worth a second glance.

She slowly walked toward Simon with calm and indifferent steps. The shadow half of her body moved strangely with every step, constantly shifting as though it was not comfortable with its own shape.

Sonya’s expression changed.

"Little kitty!"

The ground beneath Simon suddenly softened, then rose like a gentle wave.

A thick slab of earth carried Simon away from where he had fallen and moved him toward Sonya.

Simon’s body trembled violently from the movement, and he clenched his teeth so hard that blood almost flowed from his gums.

Sunless stopped.

Then she slowly tilted her head and looked at Sonya.

Her remaining lips curled upward with amusement.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Sonya placed herself in front of Simon.

Then the earth beneath her feet rose and wrapped around her legs like armor, while several stone plates floated beside her.

She raised her chin slightly, then she removed her mask and stared at Sunless with a calm gaze.

"This Honourable does not fear you."

For a second, Sunless was silent.

Then she laughed.

She laughed so loudly that the crimson barrier seemed to tremble from the sound.

"You?"

Her laughter became even louder, and madness returned to her remaining eye.

"You don’t fear me?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Sunless vanished.

Sonya’s instincts reacted faster than her thoughts.

The ground exploded upward around her and Simon, forming a thick sphere of earth.

Layer after layer of stone covered them, and within a single breath, Sonya had created a massive protective shell around both of them.

The sphere was thick, dense, and heavy.

Even a Prime Greater Demon would need some effort to break through it.

But Sunless was not a Prime Greater Demon... She was a Demon King!

She appeared in front of the earth sphere and waved her hand casually.

CRACK!

The earth sphere shattered.

Not broke.

Shattered.

The thick layers of stone turned into countless pieces, and before Sonya could even react, Sunless appeared right in front of her.

Then she slapped Sonya with the back of her hand.

PA!

Sonya’s head snapped to the side, and her body spun through the air before crashing several meters away. Blood flew from her mouth, and the earth armor around her body cracked apart.

Just like Akaza, Sonya went unconscious, but it was only for a moment.

She regained her consciousness, but she struggled to move.

Sunless’ gaze returned to Simon.

Simon was lying on the ground, unable to move, but his eyes were still cold.

Sunless slowly crouched in front of him, then she grabbed his neck tightly and lifted him from the ground.

A sharp pain shot through Simon’s body, and his fingers twitched slightly, but he could not even raise his hand.

Sunless brought him close to her face.

Half of her face was flesh.

Half was shadow.

Her smile was twisted, terrifying, and filled with hatred.

"I never knew you had such good friends that were willing to die for you. I’ll make sure to make good use of their bodies."