Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 263: Ouroboros vs Jerom

Chapter 263: Ouroboros vs Jerom

Explosions rang out across the southern front as the forces of the Xaos Kingdom clashed with the Azarin Empire. The ground quaked with each blast, and the sky flickered with the glow of magic and steel. The top-tier soldiers from both sides could be seen on this battlefield, showing martial skills, strength, and spellcasting abilities that could only be described as superb.

Yet, amidst all this chaos, the mightiest explosions came from the battle that involved just five figures. Their power was beyond all others, and no one could interfere with their fight.

At the heart of this explosive battlefield stood Pope Jerom, his face twisted with determination and zeal. Yet, any experienced warrior could notice the concealed fear behind the bravado. In his hands, his white staff pulsed with immense divine energy, and with a sweeping motion, he unleashed one of his most powerful techniques.

"Spear of Holy Judgment!"

The spear, forged from pure Divine Power, gleamed with radiant light. Its brilliance was blinding, and the sheer heat it generated scorched the very air around it. The power within the spear was immense, capable of reducing entire buildings to rubble with a single strike.

The ground beneath trembled as the spear shot forward with terrifying speed, carving through the battlefield like a divine decree of destruction as it headed straight for one of the spellcasters who had been relentlessly assaulting Jerom.

The Pope of the Church of Glory showed a vicious smile as he pictured the spear blasting the women to pieces. But before the spear could reach its target, a figure materialized in front of it—Ouroboros, the Depravita of Greed. His impressive demonic werewolf body was cloaked in swirling demonic energy and Force.

"ROAR!" With a fierce bellow, Ouroboros countered the Spear of Holy Judgment, launching a devastating kick infused with dark, demonic energy. His foot collided with the spear, and for a moment, it seemed as if the air had frozen. Shockwaves burst in all directions due to the immense power of the collision.

"CRACK!"

The spear shattered into fragments, its Divine Power splintering and dissolving into the air. However, the collision wasn’t without consequences. Ouroboros reeled back, his leg smoldering with small, searing burns from the holy energy. The Depravita of Greed’s eyes narrowed. No matter how much he despised the man, he had to admit that Jerom was formidable.

[Beep! Scan target completed.

...

Name: Jerom

Race: Human

Level (Energy): 13

Class: Priest

Lineage: None

...

Stats:

Strength: 12.5

Agility: 30.9

Vitality: 13.8

Energy Pool (Magic): 258.2]

A solemn light appeared in Ouroboros’ eyes as his A.I. Chip displayed the stats of the man. His power was formidable, and the purity of his Divine Power in his energy pool rivaled someone with a Guardian Tier Bloodline.

The Depravita of Greed was not foolish. He understood that a direct battle would put him in great danger, but he wasn’t alone, a fact made clear by the next barrage flashing through the air.

Jerom, momentarily staving off Ouroboros’ attack, was forced to react instantly. He raised his staff again, summoning several Holy Shields to protect himself as three powerful attacks surged toward him.

By controlling metal and electricity, Mirena hurled a barrage of jagged, electrified metal constructs that crackled with dark lightning, each strike aimed with deadly precision from the left.

Wielding a specialized artifact-like gun, Frank unleashed a torrent of deadly projectiles from the right. Their paths were erratic and unpredictable, each carrying the weight of powerful explosive energy.

Roman, the archer of the group, fired arrows enhanced by wind and sharpened by dark energy from the back. The arrows sliced through the air and vanished from sight, their trajectories unpredictable.

The Holy Shields flickered as they absorbed the combined force of the three Royal Guards’ attacks. Each impact sent tremors through the barrier, but Jerom held his ground, his divine energy radiating outward to maintain the shield’s integrity.

"Is this all you have, heathens?" Jerom sneered, though his voice carried an underlying tremor. His taunts were meant to mask his growing unease as he sensed the relentless power behind each attack.

"Divine Smite!" Jerom raised his staff high, and with a booming voice, he conjured a swirling column of divine light, casting it down like a hammer upon Ouroboros.

The Depravita of Greed reacted instantly, leaping into the air. His body twisted with otherworldly speed to dodge the attack with flawless precision, leaving no opening for the enemy.

"Face my attack, you coward! How dare you run from the light of Goddess Lucia’s chosen!" Jerom spat as he sent another spear of Holy Energy the next second. He made no attempt to conserve his energy, revealing signs of desperation creeping into his mind.

Ouroboros responded with a sneer. Dark energy cloaked his palm as it clashed with the glowing spear coming his way. He managed to shatter it but felt his entire body tremble from the force.

Jerom smiled as he saw the werewolf falter and was ready to strike, but the Royal Guards gave him no opportunity.

Mirena waved her arm, and metal shards levitated around her, crackling with electricity. She thrust her hand forward, sending the shards spiraling toward Jerom like a swarm of wasps.

Jerom’s eyes glowed with anger as he conjured a shield of pure Divine Power. The holy light formed a solid dome around him, but the metal shards ricocheted off it with a series of sharp clangs, sending electricity surges through the barrier, filling it with cracks.

"You think your tricks can overwhelm me?" Jerom shouted, his hand glowing with holy fire. With a swift gesture, he sent a beam of energy through the metal storm, aiming straight for Mirena’s heart.

Mirena reacted just in time, diving to the side. Her eyes remained sharp as she dodged the attack, maintaining her composure despite the burning rage in her heart. Even in the heat of battle, her focus remained steady—expected of a Royal Guard who served the Depravita of Wrath.

The battle raged on, each side unleashing devastating techniques with no clear victor. Ouroboros was the core of the Xaos Kingdom’s team, his martial prowess terrifying. His strikes were fast and brutal, each punch and kick laced with demonic energy. His claws sliced through the air with deadly precision, and his agility allowed him to weave through Jerom’s divine spells with astounding speed.

Jerom, on the other hand, was a master spellcaster. Every incantation he uttered was precise, and his vast amount of Divine Power was impressive. He countered each strike with waves of light, casting spears, beams, and shields that matched the strength of the Royal Guards.

He taunted them at every turn, goading them, trying to force Ouroboros or the Royal Guards into making a mistake. But they did not falter, and the only thing that was revealed was the cracks in his confidence.

After more than fifty clashes, the pressure on Jerom began to show. He was breathing heavily now, his arrogance fading into thinly veiled desperation. His divine energy was wearing thin, and the relentless assault from Ouroboros and the Royal Guards showed no signs of stopping.

Ouroboros’ eyes sharpened, and the Royal Guards exchanged knowing glances. The signs were clear, and Jerom was weakening, but not fast enough. Every second counted, so they knew it was time to end this.

In unison, they focused on the demon souls caged within their hearts. A surge of power exploded from within, their bodies transformed as they unleashed the full might of their Demon Soul Master Strength System.

Ouroboros’ entire form became cloaked in deep shadows. His once hulking, werewolf-like body compressed and refined, growing leaner and more powerful. Dark energy surged through him, his eyes glowing with predatory hunger, his claws extending with a palpable, deadly pressure.

Mirena exuded a fierce aura of dark lightning. Her metal constructs pulsed and glowed with black energy, the electricity fusing with the metal, making them faster, sharper, and far more lethal.

Frank’s right arm mutated, twisting and transforming into a volcanic limb molten with fiery energy. Small openings appeared along each finger, ready to unleash an explosive barrage of terrifying destructive force.

Roman’s body shifted, and gray feathers sprouted across his skin. His eyes gleamed like those of a demonic hawk, sharp and predatory. Large, dark wings unfurled behind him, surrounded by a fierce, shadowy wind.

Jerom’s eyes widened in horror. His instincts screamed danger as he realized the trio had unleashed a demonic power, unlike anything he’d ever seen. The energy they now wielded dwarfed everything they had shown before, and he could feel the suffocating weight of their power bearing down on him.

"This... this can’t be!" Jerom stammered, his bravado faltering as he realized the true danger he was in. Before, they had been evenly matched, but now their power surged far beyond his own. He searched desperately for an exit, but all routes were blocked.

Ouroboros’ lips curled into a grin, his voice a low, menacing growl. "I will have your heart in the name of my father!"