Entering Apocalypse in Easy-Mode
Chapter 357: Giving It

Chapter 357: Giving It

The silence between them lasted longer than it should have in the middle of a battle like this.

Asmodeus still stared at Clyde, his face contorted in pain and confusion. The sword was lodged in his chest, piercing all the way through his back.

Then, Clyde pulled his sword free, letting Asmodeus collapse onto his knees and cough up a mouthful of blood.

"You know why I haven’t killed you?" Clyde asked in a calm tone.

Asmodeus looked up and saw Clyde’s cold expression. His heart trembled with rage. He never thought a mere human would be looking down on him like this.

"Because I’m certain you can’t do anything to me," Clyde continued.

Asmodeus wanted to say something, but his voice was cut off by a violent cough, bringing up even more blood.

"Listen, don’t try to resist again. If you want that power, I can give it to you," Clyde said. "In fact, I’ve already met that entity face-to-face. I should thank you for that, actually. Thanks to your medallion, I was able to withstand a lot of pressure that would have crushed me otherwise."

Asmodeus, unable to fully grasp his words, only glared up with gritted teeth, dark blood trickling from his mouth.

What did he mean by meeting the entity? Did that mean Clyde truly possessed that strange power?

A flood of questions surged through Asmodeus’ mind, but his ability to think clearly was waning due to the pain spreading through his entire body. He had tried to heal himself with his power, but it wasn’t enough. Clyde’s combined energy had seeped into his very cells, making it nearly impossible to recover quickly.

Meanwhile, Clyde was considering something else—if he had a Demon King as his subordinate, everything he planned to do would become much easier.

"Do you want to receive this power from me?" Clyde asked again.

"What... what exactly can you do?" Asmodeus asked in return, his once-aggressive tone now fading.

"Just as you’ve witnessed. Have you already forgotten? The power flowing through your body right now, the one tearing you apart from within, is a fusion of multiple energies. And I can wield it at will."

Asmodeus fell silent. He couldn’t help but be impressed by the feat Clyde had just demonstrated.

"That alone should prove the power I hold, Asmodeus. Without it, do you really think a human like me could defeat you like this?"

Clyde crouched down in front of him, leveling their gazes.

Asmodeus still glared at him with hatred, but now, something else flickered in his demonic eyes—curiosity... and even fear.

Clyde smirked inwardly when he noticed. Of course, anyone would feel doubt and fear when faced with something unknown—something that could take their life at any moment.

"Well? What do you think? Do you want this power?" Clyde asked again.

"Does that mean I have to accept you as my master or something? A Demon King like me?!" Asmodeus shot back hoarsely, trying to maintain his pride.

"No." Clyde shook his head. "I genuinely want to give this to you. This power was meant to be shared. That way, you can continue ruling as you wish... and leave me alone."

Asmodeus frowned at Clyde’s words. They were too strange. Just give him power and expect nothing in return? As a Demon King, he wasn’t that foolish.

Clyde could still see the defiance in Asmodeus’ expression. He said, "Or, if you still refuse and insist on killing me, I’ll have no choice but to kill first you right now."

Clyde stood up and placed his clear blade that still glowing with radiant power close to Asmodeus’ neck.

"I... I will accept it," Asmodeus said softly, though his reluctance was clear.

Clyde gave a faint smile and nodded curtly. Then, he placed his hand on Asmodeus’ shoulder. Heat still radiated from it—enough to burn a normal human or any lesser being that touched him. But to Clyde, it meant nothing.

He simply knew how to share the power of the ancient god that resided within him. He suspected the knowledge had simply descended upon him, much like how his system granted him new Titles.

Focusing, Clyde channeled the power into Asmodeus. It felt similar to when he absorbed energy from the Orbs in the Nexus—except now, the process was reversed.

A black mist began seeping from Clyde’s body, curling around his arm before flowing into Asmodeus.

The Demon King glanced to the side and saw the dark mist. His eyes widened as he felt the same sensation he had when he first received the being’s heart.

"So... he was telling the truth. He really has the power!"

A surge of excitement filled Asmodeus. He failed to realize that he was growing eager to receive power from someone who, by all accounts, should have been beneath him.

The energy poured into Asmodeus’ body, and an unfamiliar sensation made his brow furrow. But he did nothing to resist it.

His instincts screamed at him to reject it, to run. But the thrill of gaining new power drowned out the warning, and so, he welcomed the energy as it came.

Asmodeus gritted his teeth as the black mist seeped deeper into his body, spreading like an ink stain through his veins.

It wasn’t just raw power like he thought. It carried something else that feels foreign.

At first, it felt like a surge of overwhelming energy, promising strength beyond measure. But then, a crawling sensation followed.

It slithered beneath his skin, winding through his muscles and sinking into his bones. It was cold... far too cold for a Demon King, who had spent millennia bathing in the searing heat of the abyss.

His heart pounded. This was wrong. This was different.

Asmodeus clenched his fists as he felt the energy touch something deep within him. The very essence that defined him as a Demon King.

For a moment, he could feel it resisting. His ancient instinct warning him that this was no ordinary power transfer. It was as if something unseen was reaching into him, examining him, deciding if he was worthy.

Then, the pain started.

A sharp, piercing sensation shot through his chest and Asmodeus let out a low growl. The black mist twisted, wrapping itself around his power, sinking its tendrils into every fiber of his being.

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