The air inside Samael’s Territory trembled. Two forces of creation clashed, light and frost colliding in a storm of divine power. A golden colosseum formed, and the air was thick with frost.

  Uriel managed to activate his Ultimate Domain just in time, dulling the edge of Samael’s sure hit. Unfortunately for him, Samael used a perfected Territory. It was so refined that even with a counter technique, the sure hit seeped through.

  For Uriel’s case, it was a mere five per cent, but even with such low percentages, his mana output dropped, his recovery slowed, and the creeping chill of Samael’s spell gnawed at his limbs.

  The technique used for the sure hit was Acts Reversal: Flash Freeze, which was Samael’s strongest ice spell.

  As frost crept up his soul, Uriel lunged forward, desperate to break Samael’s rhythm and collapse his Territory. But Samael, high on the ecstasy of having landed two Divine Flashes, chose not to defend. He pressed forward instead.

  Is he serious? Uriel’s eyes widened. I suppose someone as egotistical as him wouldn’t bide his time and wait to win.

  Their fists and feet blurred. For each blow Uriel threw, Samael countered—precise, merciless.

  Uriel jumped back, then instantly darted forward. Samael deflected his attack and landed a chop on his throat. Uriel staggered, coughing blood, and a front kick crashed into his midsection, hurling him backwards. He hit the ground, rolled, and rose just in time to meet Samael’s advance.

  Samael stepped in, wide stance, and landed an overhead right. Uriel reeled. As he did, Samael caught his wrist with his left hand, pulled him close, and drove a knee into his face.

  Blood streaked down Uriel’s nose, but Samael didn’t stop. Uriel tried to wrench free, only for Samael to twist his wrist, throwing his punch.

  As Uriel put up his hand to block but Samael’s fist curved downwards into his sternum.

  Damn… if this continues, I’ll—

  Before the thought could form, Samael yanked him forward once more. Their fists collided, but Samael released his grip at the last instant and landed an elbow to Uriel’s jaw with his left.

  A brutal side kick followed, folding Uriel in half, launching him through the frost-silver air.

  Samael didn’t relent. A feinted left jab and followed up with a right cross. Uriel blocked and countered with a cross of his own. Samael caught his hand and twisted it, breaking Uriel’s posture. He then dove a shoulder tackle into Uriel’s ribs, staggering him.

  Uriel grunted in pain as a right hook crashed into his cheek, followed by a spinning back elbow to the neck. The world went white for a heartbeat. When he blinked, his Domain was faltering.

  Samael’s Territory pressed in, nearly swallowing it whole.

  Uriel fought to breathe, blocking frantically. His arms and legs were trembling. Samael’s relentless combinations sent him careening across the ice. A low kick came, Uriel checked it, but Samael’s follow-up—a high switch kick slammed into his guard, sending him flying again.

  Uriel steadied himself, flames flickering beneath his skin to thaw the creeping frost. His left hand shattered from the ice and reformed in fire.

  I can’t keep this up. I need to land a Divine Flash on his heart, or I’m done.

  A grin cut across his face.

  This is so exciting.

  “Your confidence in the face of defeat is admirable,” Samael said.

  “Defeat?” Uriel’s grin widened. “Please. The fight hasn’t even started.”

  He surged forward. Fists flared, strikes echoed. Samael weaved through each one, deflecting them with divine precision. Frustration twisted Uriel’s expression.

  Samael read his rhythm, preparing a counter.

  Uriel jumped back, wary. The moment Samael advanced, he blitzed forward with a front kick.

  Samael dodged, seized his leg, and hurled him through the frozen air.

  Uriel landed, rolled, and came up swinging. Samael met him mid-charge—fist flashing. Uriel dodged and countered, but Samael slipped the blow and punished him with a shot to the ribs. Blood sprayed.

  He staggered back to heal, but Samael gave no quarter. A right straight landed on his guard, followed by a jab.

  After his jab landed, Samael grabbed Uriel’s wrist, twisted it, and pulled him forward. He faked a knee strike, forcing Uriel to block, then he landed an elbow strike to the temple.

  Uriel’s consciousness flickered, as Samael’s elbow flashed gold. Then his Domain collapsed under the pressure.

  Half encased in ice, Uriel blinked through the haze. Samael loomed above, preparing another Divine Flash. Uriel raised his palm, and just as Samael’s fist tore through the air, a condensed solar blast erupted, destroying Samael’s Territory.

  The explosion tore through the air, and the angels shielded their eyes from the blinding light.

  “What power…” Michael muttered, his gaze locked on the arena.

  “To destroy even Samael’s Territory… that’s no ordinary Grace. Samael has his work cut out for him,” murmured Metatron, his voice equal parts admiration and concern.

  Jophiel smirked, watching the fight unfold.

  Gabriel narrowed his eyes. He survived Samael’s Territory? Incredible.

  Samael braced, his Divine Flash cutting through most of the blast, but the shockwave still sent him skidding backwards. He straightened, a grin cracking his lips.

  “Impressive, Uriel. I felt that. But I thought we weren’t using our Grace.”

  Uriel chuckled, his wounds closing in golden light. “Don’t complain. It was only a little burn. This is a fight for the title of strongest; anything goes.”

  Samael healed his burnt hand. “Couldn’t agree more.”

  He drew the heat from his circuits, forging a blazing arrow.

  Uriel charged, confident. Fire? That won’t work on me.

  Samael loosed the arrow. As it neared, Uriel felt a chill crawl up his spine.

  Wait…why would he…? Realisation dawned, and he dodged the attack.

  A grave mistake. Samael swapped positions with the arrow mid-flight, seized Uriel by the throat, and hurled him into the flames behind.

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  Uriel roared, detonating solar energy from within. The blast burnt away the flames and forced Samael to retreat, shielding his eyes from the blinding aura.

  The crowd gasped as the battlefield blazed like a newborn sun.

  That aura is intense. Jophiel thought. His power is even higher than I thought.

  The angel generals could only see the effects of the power. Since Uriel and Samael were Archangels—beings of a higher order—their mana was beyond the perception of the angel generals.

  All they felt was the heat emanating from Uriel.

  “I can’t even track their movements…” Amenediel whispered, eyes wide.

  “It’s not just their speed, it’s their essence,” Gabriele said quietly, sweat beading on her brow. “That’s true power. Their very presence bends time itself.”

  Eliel clenched his fists, trembling. “We call ourselves soldiers of Heaven, yet before them… we’re ants standing beneath twin suns.”

  A hush fell over the ranks. Even the wind seemed to hesitate, afraid to brush against the storm of power raging before them.

  But Samael wasn’t shaken.

  “Your Chapters are back already?” he growled. It must be because of his Grace... I’ll need to take this seriously. If he continues mixing Chapters with his Grace, I’ll be at a disadvantage.

  He invoked Numbers: Amplification X Multiplication, and his stats soared to impossible proportions. When their fists met again, they were equals. Counter after counter, strike after strike. They mirrored each other.

  Their Divine Flashes collided, detonating the air and throwing both archangels across the arena.

  Metatron shielded the spectators from the blast, creating a force field in the middle.

  “Impressive, Samael is matching him without a Grace.”

  Fafniel clenched his fists till they trembled. How is Uriel matching Lord Samael?

  Beside him, Asmodiel scowled. They had once been equals, but now Uriel surpassed him.

  Uriel panted, smiling. “Seems we’re even, master.”

  Samael smirked. “Not for long.”

  He lunged, throwing a right cross. Uriel deflected it with his elbow, spun, and launched a heel kick. Samael rolled under it.

  Both attacked, sliding back from the force.

  Uriel narrowed his stance, waiting for Samael to attack.

  Samael blitzed forward, throwing a high knee. Uriel sidestepped and attempted a counter. However, Samael pulled himself back and threw a kick with the same leg that narrowly missed.

  Metatron smirked. He is getting more creative. Good.

  Samael continued attacking, he switched from wide to narrow, orthodox to southpaw, while feinting and changing angles to disorient and confuse Uriel, and landed multiple strikes.

  Then Uriel adapted, blocking at the last instant. Samael pressed the advantage, a blur of motion.

  As he swapped his stance, Uriel retreated.

  He landed a sidekick, which Uriel blocked, staggering him. He swapped to southpaw and threw an elbow strike with his right. Uriel blocked and countered with an oblique kick, but Samael vaulted forward with a high knee.

  Damn it, he read me again.

  Uriel blocked, but Samael twisted his soul and landed a brutal kick to his ribs. Uriel coughed blood, spinning midair before flipping to his feet, countering with a blast of fire.

  Samael clapped his hands—a pressurised blast of water obliterated the flames.

  Uriel retreated, raising his arms as solar pillars erupted from the ground.

  Michael nodded. “A smart move. Samael is far better in close quarters.”

  Metatron agreed. “A smart move indeed.”

  Samael froze the pillars mid-rise. Uriel’s brows jerked up.

  Impossible! Graces are above Chapters, unless…a Heavenly Pact. Damn it.

  Samael advances and Uriel continues his retreat, launching condensed solar blasts. As Samael got out of range, Uriel used his telekinesis to hurl the frozen pillars at him.

  Due to Samael being unable to use his grace, he is forced into an impossible situation. He gritted his teeth and dodged, closing in. His mind, sharp.

  I have two options—open my Territory or force a mistake.

  Uriel’s continuous ranged attacks forced Samael to retreat.

  “Tired already, master?” he taunted.

  “No, I’m ending this now.” Samael declared. His voice was calm and absolute.

  Uriel’s lips curled upwards. “I would love to see you try.” He motioned for Samael to attack.

  Samael spread his stance, his aura rose, and the seals he placed around the battlefield shattered. Uriel’s instincts screamed; he dodged right as Samael’s Divine Flash tore through space.

  The force of Samael’s blow shook the dome violently, shocking the spectators.

  Uriel’s soul trembled. If that hit me, I would have… He shook his head and went for the counter. In Uriel’s mind, Samael’s right hand was about to explode from failing to land a Divine Flash, giving him the clearest opportunity to attack.

  He launched a cross of his own, putting all his strength behind it. He smirked, certain of victory until he noticed Samael’s grin. He looked down to see Samael’s left palm pointing at him.

  His eyes widened. Why hasn’t his hand exploded yet? And why is he smiling? Did I make a mistake?

  His instincts screamed at him again, and he jumped back, putting his hands up.

  A compressed air cannon erupted from Samael’s left hand, barrelling towards Uriel. The blast hurled him through the dome and threw him into the wall. He collapsed, blood dripping from his mouth.

  The arena fell silent, then erupted in cheers. Only Michael, Jophiel, Azrael, and Gabriel remained still. They were still processing what happened.

  Gabriel’s lips curved faintly. He took the backlash of a failed Divine Flash and turned it into a weapon… no wonder he’s the strongest.

  What…? Why did he get sent flying? Fafniel stared, bewildered.

  Samael grinned and turned away, but Uriel’s voice stopped him.

  “I’m not done yet.”

  He pushed off the wall, swaying but standing.

  Samael glanced back, grin unchanged. “Stay down. You’re only going to get more hurt.”

  “Of course I will.” Uriel cracked his neck. “Who walks out of a fight unharmed?”

  “Me,” Samael said simply.

  Uriel laughed under his breath. “I was a fool to try holding back.”

  Golden bracelets formed on his wrists, then shattered. Divine power burst outward like a second sunrise.

  Even the generals and Dead End members recoiled.

  Metatron’s eyes gleamed. So, this is what you kept hidden.

  Samael jerked his chin toward Michael. “A moment?”

  Michael approached. “What now?”

  “My cuff. Take it off.”

  “You already broke it at the start.”

  “That was yours. Not Father’s. Only the leader of the Archangels can remove my seal.”

  Michael hesitated. “If Father placed it… I shouldn’t—”

  “Do it,” Metatron urged. “Don’t you want to see how far this goes?”

  The other Archangels murmured their agreement.

  Michael sighed. “Fine. But it’s going back on the moment you’re done.”

  He pressed a hand to Samael’s chest. “I release your binds.”

  Sky-blue cuffs manifested on Samael’s wrists, legs, and neck — then cracked apart like thin ice.

  His aura surged through the arena, cold and merciless. Every angel felt a chill down their spine.

  Metatron erected a stronger dome. Samael’s intense aura caused it to hum.

  Samael stretched his shoulders. Uriel steadied his breathing.

  “Now we are both at full power, ready for round three?”

  Samael snorted. “You lost rounds one and two spectacularly. You sure you want this?”

  “This time will be different.”

  They widened their stances and vanished.

  Their fists collided mid-charge, shaking the dome like a struck bell.

  Blows blurred. Each exchange pushed Uriel back a step; Samael’s feints forced him on the defensive.

  Uriel, wanting to prevent what happened last time, retreated while faking a cross. As Samael reacted, he blitzed forward with a jab. Samael knocked it downward, slipped to the side, and smashed a hook into his jaw.

  Uriel dropped to one knee. Samael stepped on his hand, cracking it, then he drove a knee into his face. As Uriel fell, Samael's fist descended towards his head.

  A solar blast erupted point-blank, staggering Samael.

  The attack scorched his hands as he put them up to block, but when he tried to heal them, nothing happened.

  I see… Leviticus mixed with Deuteronomy, amplified through a Heavenly Pact—a destruction curse fused with instant death. If I hadn’t used Perfect Guard… that would’ve been troublesome.

  Uriel clicked his tongue. “All that, and I only scorched you? How tough are you?”

  “It’s a skill issue,” Samael replied, mana condensing around his arms as the burns slowly receded. “If that’s your best, quit now.”

  Metatron stared, stunned. He healed that? Leviticus alone kills outright. Deuteronomy destroys. And he took both?

  A smile crept onto his face. You never cease to amaze.

  How did he heal so fast? No matter, I’ll give him a worse injury. Uriel rushed forward, refusing to give him space.

  Samael landed a devastating punch to his jaw, staggering him.

  Uriel grinned, and Samael noticed a singe on his fist.

  “So that’s your plan? No matter.” Samael let out a terrifying smirk.

  This time, he attacked, closing the distance in a flash.

  His fists, elbows, and knees each landed with brutal precision. Each strike burned his own limbs, but he kept going anyway.

  Uriel’s confidence faltered.

  Is he insane? He’s hurting himself.

  Pain finally slowed Samael’s rhythm. Uriel seized the opening to land a calf kick that staggered him, and he followed up with twin solar blasts. Samael braced, sliding backwards as the intense heat seared his skin.

  As Uriel intensified the heat, Samael countered, sending the blast back infinitely more powerful. Uriel walked out unscathed.

  “Did you forget I’m immune to heat?” he taunted.

  “And did you forget…” Samael raised his burnt hand, face half-melted yet smiling. “…that I know how to hurt you with fire?”

  Uriel blinked, his soul glowing; in an instant, his soul erupted. Hands, ribs, face—all detonated in radiant agony. He dropped to one knee, gasping as he tried to heal.

  Samael strode forward, fully healed.

  “Here I thought round three would be different. But it has the same ending as the previous two rounds. Me standing, you broken.”

  Uriel stared in disbelief.

  You’ve got to be kidding me…that’s how he healed?