God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

In less than the time it took to take a single breath, Cain deactivated the flame enchantment of {Burning Spirit}. At the same time, he used the last of his mana to activate the metal enchantment, as well as to materialize a full armor of metal to encase him.

As soon as these things were complete, a burning sensation filled his chest. Cain watched in shock as the sharp tip of the dagger tore through the metal armor and impaled him straight through his chest.

Thanks to the metal enchantment, his defense was increased tremendously. As such, his body was many times tougher, and could resist the attack for a very brief second.

This was all the time Cain needed as he activated {Nexux Tether}. His body phased out of reality and was replaced with a sword that simply shattered to pieces in the {Chaos Orc's} presence.

Cain coughed up a mouth full of blood as he stared the {Chaos Orc} down with tired eyes.

'Damn. It is strong.'

His left hand was clutching the hole in his chest. Blood seeped through his clenched fist, doing nothing to stem the blood flow.

A surge of weakness crashed into him. This was a side effect of completely emptying his mana out.

'Not yet...'

He couldn't use his Ki to close the wound up just yet. As such, he tried activating {Blood Regeneration}. The mana he was recovering little by little would immediately be consumed by {Blood Regeneration} which would try to keep him alive at the very least.

'It is so fast I can barely see it...'

Evangeline had warned him not to get hit by the creature when it had the strange flames activated. Cain got to see why just a single second later...

The energy in his body was in complete chaos. He couldn't activate keep {Blood Regeneration} for even a single second before it either fizzled out, or felt like it was going to erupt and kill him from the inside.

If Cain could look within his body, he would be able to see that the residual flames that had snuck into his body were stirring his energy up like a whirlpool.

'Damn it!' Cain gritted his teeth.

And this was happening not only to his mana but also to his Devil essence and Ki. It was not as though he couldn't activate his skills and spells. However, if he did, the risk of him being killed by his own abilities going haywire was there. And it wasn't little in the slightest...

'Damn it!'

Cain gritted his teeth violently. Blood was still dripping down the sides of his mouth as he had suffered severe internal injuries thanks to the most recent attack from the {Chaos Orc}.

Cain watched as the creature prepared to move again...

'What do I do?!'

Since he had the metal enchantment active, he was very slow and wouldn't be able to react to the next attack. He was basically a sitting duck.

Unless he deactivated the metal enchantment, he had absolutely no chance of avoiding the next attack. If he did, then he would have to find another way to contend with the next attack.

It was a lose-lose situation...

However, whatever he needed to do, he had to do it fast...

'To hell with it! I'll die either way, so what difference does it make!'

Cain's chest rumbled as he decided to take a risk. It was very stupid, and the chances of him exploding from the inside out were very high. However, there was nothing he could do. If he succeeded, then he would have the upper hand against the {Chaos Orc} for a few seconds at most before he would be forced to deactivate the skill.

'Still, it is worth a shot. I'll die if he puts another hole in my chest.'

Cain watched as the {Chaos Orc} disappeared from his line of view again. The creature River so fast, that he couldn't even see an afterimage. One moment it was there, the very same moment, it was already stabbing toward his chest.

Cain chose this very moment to activate {Golden Body}.

***

{Golden Body}: The power of a celestial being now flows within the body of the host, granting incredible fleshy might unlike anything belonging to a mortal. Upon activation, all physical stats are multiplied by 4. Consumes 1000HP and 1000 Ki points per second as well as 10 points of stamina per second to maintain. Subjects the body of the user to incredibly great pain and strain.

When in use, the host will lose all ability to use any other source of power}.

***

The stats of the {Chaos Orc} were scary. However, these stats were not static. Over time, as the {Chaos Orc continued to fight, it had been increasing steadily.

The reason why Cain couldn't even register its speed was because its stats had already reached a very high point, almost three times greater than Cain's stats. By using skills like the flame enchantment of {Burning Spirit}, or {Azure Burst}, he was able to reduce this disparity by a small fraction.

However...

{Golden Body}made use of his HP, which was his very vitality, his stamina, and his Ki to produce a terrifying effect.

In exchange for temporarily losing the ability to use other forms of energy, apart from Ki and Devil essence, his physical stats would be multiplied by four. This will continue until he has no stamina left.

In the blink of an eye, even if it was for a short duration, he had surpassed the {Chaos Orc} in all ramifications...

Cain instantly underwent a metamorphosis...

His body was being broken apart by the energy rampaging in him. It clumps of chaotic flames within him that disrupted his energy seemed to be washed away by the crimson flames with golden radiance that coursed through his body.

Cracks appeared on the surface of his skin. His eyes turned hollow and were filled with golden light. Dark wisps of energy poured out of the crimson cracks on his skin.

Despite his state, Cain was still clear-headed. Almost immediately, he activated another skill...

"Rakshasa..."

Two horns woven from pure darkness manifested onto his temples. The crimson cracks on his body grew wider, allowing his sizzling blood to escape.

His eyes grew wider as tears of blood streamed down his golden eyes...

Watching this from the shadows, Evangeline had a look of pure amazement in her eyes...

'This is... Truly unexpected.'

The {Chaos Orc} stared Cain down, a look of caution and worry appearing in its eyes. As it was, it was strong enough to kill a four-headed {Chaos Troll} with a few attacks.

It was much stronger than Cain had been just a few seconds ago. However, this seemingly insignificant fly had suddenly acquired dragon wings.

The combination of the two skills was truly terrifying. {Rakshasa} increased his output and damage, while {Golden Body} increased his stats ridiculously. A match made in heaven, or hell...

However, the {Chaos Orc} was no mere beast...

It was the Champion of Chaos, a glorious direct descendant of the Primordial Devil of Chaos. Its body had been forged from its flesh and blood. It bore the will of Chaos. It was the chaos personified.

There was no way a fly with dragon wings could defeat it...

"Raghhhh!"

Its head tilted back as it let a roar that shook the foundations of the mountain out from its guts.

A tremor shook the mountain, causing even more rocks and boulders to fall.

The creature's form began to change...

First, it grew bigger and taller. Then its greyish skin morphed into a jet-black carapace.

Its eyes erupted with devilish crimson light, and a new set of crimson runes appeared on the black carapace. Long, sharp claws replaced its plump and thick fingers. A long, bony tail with spikes at its end appeared behind it, and the entire transformation was finished off with its head being enclosed in a helmet with two slits for eyes.

Its mouth broke open to reveal multiple rows of razor-sharp teeth as well as a very long, pink tongue. That seemed as though it could wrap around its head twice.

A shrill shriek escaped its mouth as it stared at Cain with burning hunger and boundless madness...

'Devilish Transformation...' Cain thought to himself.

It seemed like the {Chaos Orc} was finally pulling out all the stops. Cain had decided to give his all. He had poured a hundred percent and more out. This was everything he had.

The {Chaos Orc} recognized that, and was going to put its all into crushing the insolent fly that dared flap its wings at him.

Cain took a step forward and turned into a golden streak. The {Scale of the Abyssal Flame} became engulfed in pitch-black flames as he brought it down with enough might to shatter the mountain beneath his feet into dust.

The {Chaos Orc} responded in tandem, swinging the axe it had originally dropped. The mysterious flames engulfed its arms, as well as its weapon.

The moment the two beings clashed, the entire mountain shook greatly...

Both beings had transcended the realm of mere creatures. They were tapping into the power of deities that had long been extinguished. A power that was hidden deep in their veins...

A breath of red fog escaped from Cain's mouth as he swung forward again with blinding speed, this time, with more force.

Again, it was blocked. However, he managed to push the {Chaos Orc} back a bit.

The transformed creature snarled at him as it opened its mouth and tried to take a bite out of his head. However, Cain released his hold on his blade and held onto its neck. Since he was still smaller than the {Chaos Orc}, its fleshy body managed to overwhelm him.

A growl made its way up from the depths of his extremities as he pushed more and more power into his hands.

A few veins in his hands exploded as he lifted the giant {Chaos Orc} from its feet. The creator tried to struggle, but Cain didn't give it the chance.

With a roar straight from hell, Cain smashed the creature back into the ground. A massive dust cloud billowed into the air as the creature created a crater in the cavern floor.

'I can feel it!'

Cain let out a beastly growl as he smashed a fist into the creature's jaw. The {Chaos Orc}, despite being a bit disoriented, threw a right hook upward as well, drawing a bit of blood from him as well.

Cain responded with another punch to its nose. His hands grasped his sword which he swung again at the unguarded creature.

The creature swung its claws at the blade. However, Cain twisted and redirected it midswing, popping its hand clean off.

With an enraged yell, the {Chaos Orc} sunk its teeth deep into Cain's shoulder, biting a huge chunk of it away.

Fighting the pain, Cain continued his onslaught. He used his hands, his feet, his weapon, and his entire body to fight.

The {Chaos Orc} was the same. Its tail, its claws, its vicious teeth, its sharp battle axe. It tore at Cain's flesh with everything it could.

Both creatures were embroiled in pure, unbridled, primal combat...

The only way they would stop was when the victor tore the vanquished to shreds...