Revenge of the Serpent

Chapter 42

Theodore couldn't turn his head, he just stood there, frozen as he realized that he'd made a big mistake. '...Guess this is as far as I go.'

His increased reflexes had made it seem like time has slowed down, though it would still be impossible for him to dodge or counterattack as if his body won't move with his thoughts.

He calculated his odds of survival, and at point-blank range like this, with the sword position in a way that even if he ducked or jumped, there was practically no way for him to live this attack.

That was unless he'd missed an unknown variable.

A thundering bang had delayed his seemingly inevitable fall, Theodore didn't question what'd just happened as his legs finally began to move, he dashed onto the ground before rolling back on his feet, backing away as he looked at Beelzebub.

The demon king's dominant hand had a large, gaping wound on it, the katana laid on the ground with its handle covered in blood, his other hand was clutching at another wound on his stomach as blood continued to flow despite his attempt to stop the bleeding.

Beelzebub's eyes were widened with glaring anger, though it wasn't fixed at Theodore but someone else behind him.

"...Sloth."

Belphegor didn't lower the two pistols in his hands, his sight trained sharp on his target as smoke rose from the eagle's muzzles. "...Don't get the wrong idea, I just don't like owing people favors."

Theodore felt like he'd just accomplished a great feat, a fast sharpshooter had always been useful in his eyes, he would know best since he had been with a friend like that for years. He glanced at the boy behind him and smiled softly. "Thanks!"

Belphegor didn't reply back before suddenly pulling the triggers once again, the bullets embedded themselves deep into Beelzebub's shoulder and leg, causing him to stagger onto one knee.

"F*ck! You both are cowards!" Gluttony shouted angrily as he tried to get up, although he wouldn't get the chance to even go half way since Sloth shot him again, but this time he was at least to block the bullet with his katana.

Theodore used this moment to quickly pull up his attribute window, skimming through his list of skills to see which one he should use to kill Gluttony. 'System, what's the limit to Voracious Beast?'

[The Demon King of Gluttony has used 'Bottomless Hunger', this got rid of limitations to 'Voracious Beast'. Gluttony can devour any and all abilities, regardless of their status as a Bloodline Skill.]

He was about to simply switch to melee when his eyes landed on Gluttony once again and spotted that something was off about his body.

Beelzebub's neck seemed to be covered in frost and it was still moving upwards, nearly reaching his broad jawline.

'...Is that his weakness? System, what's the side effect of using Voracious Beast?'

[The user will still feel the negative effects of the skill.]

Theodore hadn't used Embodiment of Chaos because he thought the attacks would just be eaten before it could inflict the status effect. 'So I can still use it then?'

[The Fragment of the Original is responding to the use of 'Embodiment of Chaos'!]

[The Bloodline Skill 'Coldest Death' is enhancing 'Frozen Disaster'!]

He extended his palm and summoned a frozen sword from a magic circle, the air around it instantly turned cold as it softly fell into his grip.

[Frozen Disaster: Frozen Blade.]