Demon King
Chapter 158 The Lord Of Pride [4]

Mireina knows my abilities, and if I devour her, I can take her powers. But does he know what I feel when I hear him say such a thing? Up until now, I had ignored his obvious feelings. Unlike the other subordinates who were loyal to me, he was confident in the relationship because he loved me. In the end, I sent him back to the Rookie Battlefield after he evolved into a higher entity. I promised not to kill him, but now that I am, he will die.

In the end, my determination was useless. Isn't he dying because I can't handle Lucifer? I'm just a bastard who can't keep his word. More than that, eat it myself. I have sworn to protect it, but to devour it so that I can kill the enemy and save myself? Blood flowed into my head. Scared, ashamed, angry. They all exploded in an instant, turning my mind white as a rough gray mana rose from my body. I vaguely realized that I was done digesting everything I had eaten.

[Raise level!]

[New Magic increased 298.]

[Soul Witches increased 473.]

[Change to Flame of Destruction is complete. The new power can now be fully digested.]

[Domination to Lv10.]

All my delusions vanished at that moment. My thoughts and feelings became clear because I knew what I had to do. Even though all the attacks rained down on us, we were protected by a light shield. The light protected us from the light of Lucifer himself.

[My attack...by that hybrid!].

“Do not get it wrong.” I responded steadily to Mireina and Lucifer.

“I don't need to eat anything I already have.”

“...?” I raised my head. Mireina's appearance was a little comical as she looked at me with fish eyes, but she was on the verge of death. He had already crossed the line of what he could handle on his own. However, there is nothing I can do for him. My regeneration only applies to me, and even if I can share it with him, I don't know if it will be enough. His ability only affected the soul so he could not heal these flesh wounds as well.

But.

But if I could go further, maybe things would change. Defeat Lucifer, stomp and swallow him. Maybe later…

“Please... You will die!”

“I won't die, neither will you.” I shake my head. I won't let him lose his life now. Even with the agreement ring gone, he is still my subordinate. I have to hope that and Echo will be enough to keep him alive for now.

“But Fate, shield..?”.

“No, all you have to do is stand.”

“What..?” The light around us is getting stronger, even though he has reached his limit. Lucifer was pouring more magic to protect his pride, but the light held everything back. It should have been impossible for him to maintain it, even with his Soul Negation. However, the shield of light continued. Of course, the one who exercises power is not Mireina.

[.certainly.]

Lucifer muttered in a faint voice the moment he noticed it. I smile.

“You made a mistake, Lucifer. I don't just eat fallen angels. ”

[…! You filthy pig!]

There is something called the seven deadly sins — Pride, anger, jealousy, greed, gluttony, lust, and laziness. There were many other intense emotions and actions, but the reason why these seven people were ahead was simple.

[The power of others strengthens the power of jealousy. Jealousy becomes Lv8.]

Lucifer quickly realized that I had obtained the power he had wasted just a few minutes before.

[How…! You can't just get it because you want it!]

“Just like I can't understand the power of Pride, you can't understand Predation either. But, by my standards, it would be rather strange not to eat the immense power that appeared before me. ” It took a long time to digest, but now it has become mine. Now the worst has been avoided, and I am able to stand like this now. I reached out, Mireina's eyes widened as she looked at the shield protecting us all gathered in front of my hands.

“Uh... this... i.... what?” Yes, I was envious of Mireina's power and used to love my own power, as Lucifer had done to me before. When you think about it, it's perfectly natural. Even with the ring strengthening him, it was not enough to double his strength at once. His ability was great enough to protect Belphegor completely, but it was not something that could be sustained. In other words, when he blocked his third attack, his ability was undone, and I was able to take over that ability through the power of jealousy.

“Why...?”

“Do I still have to eat you?”

“But, I will..”

“Do not die.” Increasing the number of shields to stop his attack, I told him once again.

“Never let go. Don't think I'll let you die alone. ”

Someone once told me this about my Predation:

‘Your strength is great, but there are flaws. This is the only absolute ability. You will eventually eat everything and be left alone in this world with an unending appetite. So, what about after that? ‘

Right enough. I learned to moderate by eliminating greed. It's not just about eating; I have to learn to appreciate what I have. I wanted too much, but I was willing to protect her until the end. And now, the power of jealousy has finally given me balance. I don't have to devour the owner to get the power I want. Although, I cannot take this sin lightly. That led to the current incident of Lucifer trying to build his own world.

[Dirty... slovenly, Destiny! You are an earthworm squirming on the ground!]

While managing the shield, I was jealous of his abilities and threw out a copy of his spear of light. The difference between the original and my copy was huge, but it was enough to provoke him.

“How does it feel to know that no matter how jealous you are, you cannot regain the power of jealousy? Hey, you're the best under the sky, so it doesn't matter if I copy you? ”

[You.. always like this.. graaaaahhhhhhhh!].

The radiance from it reached its peak, a pure embodiment of his pride that flooded in all directions to annihilate me. I spread the light shield in response, making him even more furious. The situation is different now. With his strength, I can defeat him.

“Belphegor, come back with Mireina. Please treat him with first aid if you can. ”

With your orders. I calmly instructed Belphegor while spreading blackmines in all directions. I hold the Annihilation in my hands. There is still a very big gap between us — something he has but I don't.

[.. You will regret this!]

To beat him, I had to take him back.