Seeing Akira enter Balance Breaker mode, Azazel couldn't hide his surprise.
After all, Balance Breaker was the peak state of a Sacred Gear—an advanced realm that only a rare few ever reached in their lifetime. Even among the countless Sacred Gear users around the world, many never came close to touching that power.
And yet, at such a young age, Akira had already awakened the Balance Breaker of a Longinus. Without a doubt, he was a top-tier genius.
"Remarkable… I imagine Vali, the White Dragon Emperor's eternal rival, would be very interested in you."
Despite his words, Azazel remained calm. Even if Akira had activated the Balance Breaker of a Longinus—powerful enough to slay gods or even Maou—that was still just potential. Theoretical strength meant nothing if one couldn't wield it fully.
[Partner, this is your first time entering Balance Breaker, so the mode is still incomplete. At best, it'll only last ten minutes.]
"Ten minutes, huh… That's more than enough."
Akira stared into Azazel's eyes. Within those ten minutes—either he would escape this place, or he would die by Azazel's hand.
But what Azazel truly intended still remained a mystery. If he was serious about killing him, Akira would have no choice but to fight with everything he had.
Besides, the Boosted Gear still held one more stage above Balance Breaker—Juggernaut Drive, the true power of the Red Dragon Emperor.
However, that power was a double-edged sword. It devoured the user's life force, and if one failed to control it, they would either perish… or go insane.
Akira hadn't reached that edge—yet. But it wasn't impossible.
If pushed to the brink, he and Ddraig could forcibly trigger Juggernaut Drive. But the risk was immense. A single misstep, and he would be annihilated.
Ddraig's voice echoed with each pulse of power, and Akira's magical energy surged rapidly.
"…Looks like you're seriously planning to attack me. In that case… I'll respond in kind."
Azazel gave a small smile. Slowly, he ascended into the air, and at the same time, twelve pitch-black wings unfurled from his back—the symbol of a high-ranking Fallen Angel.
A deafening explosion roared through the air as the ground cracked beneath Akira's feet.
Crackling blue lightning gathered around his body, then burst forth like a storm, striking toward Azazel from all directions.
"Lightning, huh? Interesting."
Unlike Akira, whose expression was grave, Azazel seemed to be enjoying himself. He danced between the bolts with ease, weaving through the storm like a child playing in the rain.
But then—his eyes narrowed. Something felt off.
Without hesitation, he vanished from his spot.
In the very next moment, several golden chains materialized from thin air and pierced the space where he had just stood. Unfortunately, they missed.
"A chain-type Sacred Gear, huh? So you have two Sacred Gears? What ridiculous luck."
This time, even Azazel looked genuinely surprised. It wasn't unheard of for someone to possess two Sacred Gears, though it was rare.
But a Longinus and another Sacred Gear in one person? That was something else entirely.
Akira's power climbed even higher, violently overflowing. His body trembled as if it were about to rupture under the pressure.
If the human body was a vessel, then magical power was the water. And right now, Akira's vessel was spilling over.
"Lightning Barrage—Thunderstorm Assault!"
Dozens of golden magic circles flared to life in all directions. From within each one, glowing golden chains burst forth, wreathed in crackling blue lightning.
"What a spectacular sight. Even I can feel the threat behind this attack. Very well—my turn."
Azazel pulled out a strange device that looked like a giant nail, with a violet gemstone embedded at its tip.
The moment it lit up, a solemn voice echoed from the gem:
In an instant, golden armor enveloped Azazel's body. Its design was similar to Akira's, but the colors were distinctly different.
Akira's armor was crimson, adorned with emerald-green gems. Azazel's was gold, with a deep violet jewel shining at its center.
[This feeling… Fafnir? He turned Fafnir into a Sacred Gear?!]
Ddraig's voice trembled with disbelief. Clearly, he recognized the power housed within Azazel's gear.
Fafnir, the Golden Dragon King—one of the Five Dragon Kings. Known for his obsession with collecting treasures from across the world. His iconic gold color now adorned Azazel, having formed a contract and been sealed into one of the Governor's custom-made Sacred Gears.
"Comfortable enough… but still far from perfect."
With his twelve dark wings spread wide and his golden armor glowing, Azazel evaluated his own creation.
This was his masterpiece—his personal project. Yet, it was still unfinished. There were flaws he hadn't yet resolved.
A low mechanical hum filled the air as Akira launched another barrage.
Golden chains erupted once again, hurling themselves at Azazel like a divine storm.
The sound of metal colliding echoed across the sky.
"You're a bit too hasty."
Azazel met the assault with a golden weapon in his hands—a massive twin-bladed spear that shimmered with holy radiance. It looked like a grand variation of the Light Spears used by the Grigori.
"Ddraig! Let's go all in! Channel everything into this one attack!"
[Partner, your body's at its limit! You've already overloaded it! If you push further, your body will break!]
"Break? I was born of the earth—so long as I'm connected to it, I won't fall apart."
[So that's it… the power of the earth is reinforcing your body. That's why it's still holding together.]
"This is our gamble, Ddraig."
[Haha… You're insane, Partner. But I like it.]
Three more boosts. Akira's body cracked—his veins tore, blood seeping from the seams of his armor. But with his feet planted firmly on the ground, he drew on the power of the earth, slowly repairing the damage within.
"…Let the stars light up the heavens—Heavenly Chains!"
With a metallic roar, a colossal chain manifested behind Akira. It tore through the air like a divine spear, hurling itself toward Azazel with overwhelming force.
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