Life 2. The Seven Deadly Sins, Part 1 –Sloth & Lust –

Part 1 – Sloth

I, Ram Phenex, stood in position alongside Kaihaku and Tenshi. In front of us is The Sin of Sloth, Orbeus Belphegor. He is Price's Rook, being known as the weakest from his peerage.

However, I know about his origin, so defeating him isn't going to be as easy as it seems.

"… So you're my opponents, huh. Then, come at me with all you got."

As Orbeus says that, Kaihaku creates illusions of herself with her Youjutsu, preparing grey energy on their hands.

"Take this, nya!"

Kaihaku throws her Kasha at Orbeus; however, as he summons a barrier around him, all of them are reflected back at Kaihaku. Because of their purification power, they dealt a great damage.

"Nya? How did he do that?"

"[Counter], a magic created by him that allows him to reflect all attacks that hit his barrier. It's an extremely powerful technique; even Sachiel-san had troubles against it."

Tenshi explains the situation to Kaihaku, who didn't know about his ability. I know the abilities of Price's peerage perfectly; after all, he's my uncle, so he has showed them to me a few times.

"… If you aren't going to attack, I'll do it."

With just those words, a scythe appears on Orbeus' hand. That's a scythe with a potent aura, the weapon owned by the soul harvester Grim Reapers…!

Orbeus moves slowly towards us, we try to attack him from many kind of attacks (light spears, fire balls and kasha), but he just reflects them with [Counter]!

Once he's right in front of us, we stop attacking; in that moment, Orbeus uses his scythe and cuts Kaihaku!

"Guwahhh!"

Kaihaku falls to the floor with extreme pain. It's clear what happened…!

"… My scythes that can cut even the soul, alongside my magic, are the keys of my power."

Not only has he had an immense demonic power and a terrifying magic, but also a scythe that can cut souls. And he is known as the weakest of the group…!

"How is that possible?! That's the power of a Grim Reaper!"

Tenshi shouts with horror on his expression after seeing that. I explain him the situation.

"Orbeus is special case between Price's peerage members. The entirety of his peerage is made of hybrid Devil who descent from the [Great Satan], and while the rest are humans, Orbeus is a Grim Reaper."

Tenshi appears to be shocked by my revelation. However, that isn't all. There's one more thing to know about him.

"His mother is a descendant of Belphegor-sama; however, his father is no other than the Grim Reaper who watches over the frontier between the Underworld and the Netherworld: Charon."

Just like Sargatanas-san takes care of the Underworld side of the frontier, Charon guards the Netherworld side.

"So the son of a Devil and a Grim Reaper… I never heard of something like that, but it's terrifying."

Tenshi creates a light sword on his left hand and starts muttering some prayers with his eyes closed. Once he finishes, he points his sword at Orbeus.

"I don't care if you're a Grim Reaper; as a servant of God, I'm going to defeat you now!"

The light of his sword intensifies before slashing; as Orbeus didn't create his barrier, it was a direct hit!

Orbeus was pushed by Tenshi's slash, and it isn't over yet; Tenshi extends his wings and flies right at Orbeus, slashing him multiple times!

His technique is unlike every other swordsman I have seem: he isn't trying to deal a critical slash like Haruka, neither he's trying to attack from a blind spot with two swords like Edelross-sensei and María, he clearly isn't like Silverage who deal as many heavy slashes as he can, and he definitely isn't reliant of his sword's holy power like Nero; he's dealing countless lightweight slashes so the light of his sword can deal delayed damage.

By depending, not on his quality slashes, but on the quantity of them, he's able to deal an amazing amount of delayed damage by using his light sword.

This boy is amazing; I can understand why Rito trusts him so much-

"Ahhhh!"

Suddenly, Orbeus used his scythe to slash one of Tenshi's wings! By using this distraction, he took some distance and created the [Counter] barrier once again.

"Tenshi! Are you alright?"

"Yes, it's just pain. After having [Sturdy Saint] my whole life, I have gotten used to it."

After confirming Tenshi's safety, I look at Orbeus. I once again remember why I always believed calling him the weakest of his peerage was wrong; he is at least comparable to Paddad.

Salvon, Magnus and Price are clearly the strongest of their peerage, but if it was up to me, Orbeus would be the next one on the line.

However, I remember why we were put on teams on the first place; we're meant to fight in groups to defeat the Seven Sins, so we need to work together to win!

"Tenshi, I have a plan, but you have to trust on me."

"We're classmates, Ram-chan, of course I trust you."

"Then, we need to do this."

As I tell my plan to Tenshi, I can see Orbeus remains on his position with his barrier activated, showing no signs of moving. If we're able to pull this plan off, I'm going to do as Caspar-san taught me.

And then, we charged forwards. Tenshi slashes him from the front, but his slashes are reflected by [Counter]. I need to take this chance.

I fly to the sky, right above Orbeus' head, and launch a flamethrower-like blast towards him. Just as I thought, the fire blast is able to hit Orbeus without problems!

"… So you noticed it, huh. My [Counter]'s weakness, I mean."

"Yes, it took me some time, but I did. Your [Counter] isn't a complete barrier, so it doesn't cover all your openings. If two different attacks hit you from two different directions, you'll only be able to reflect one of them. To exploit that, Tenshi attacked you from the front, so you were unable to reflect my aerial attack."

Just as I say that, Orbeus puts on a slim smile.

"… It's clear you and Price are family."

Yes, I'm a Lucifer, and even when I have lived my whole life as a Phenex, that's a truth I can't deny. For that, I'm going to do this; to embrace my origins.

"Tenshi, it'll be better if you get away from me now."

As I say that, Tenshi flies towards Kaihaku, who finally stood up from Orbeus' early attack. Now that no one is close to me, I have to do it.

I focus all my energy on my back, remembering the moment Wolframy almost killed me only to be saved by Silverage; with the power of this strong feeling, I release the seal!

As the seal on my back breaks, 6 Devil wings appear below my fiery wings. That isn't all; I can feel the immense demonic power flowing inside of me! I have become who I truly am-

"This is my true self, Ram Lucifer."

Now that I have entered [Lucifer Mode], I have to test my power. Looking at Orbeus right in front of me, I feel I found the perfect guinea pig.

I cover myself on an intense aura before launching countless demonic energy balls towards Orbeus! He creates [Counter] before him and reflects my energy balls, but I do the same as Silverage and destroy them with a wave!

Despite using such an incredible amount of demonic energy, I don't feel like I have consumed my stamina at all. However, I need to focus now, this battle is extremely important for Lucifer-sama, so I need to finish Orbeus.

I descend close to Tenshi and Kaihaku and explain them my plan. They nod after hearing my proposal. And now, as Tenshi moves in front of Orbeus, Kaihaku moves to his side and I move behind him. It's time to take the upper hand.

Tenshi starts creating spears of light and throws them at Orbeus. Once he's hit a few times, he creates [Counter] around him to reflect the attacks. This is when my strategy starts.

As soon as Tenshi's attacks started being reflected, Kaihaku started launching her Kasha at Orbeus. Orbeus is hit by the Kasha that have purification power within them. Then, he dispels the barrier in front of him, and now actives it again from his side.

As things are going just as I expected, I create hundreds of demonic energy balls and launch them at him right away. The damage dealt to him is evident. As changes his barrier towards my direction, Tenshi attacks once more. Everything went as predicted.

"… You're smart, Ram. The Phenex clan should be proud of having you as their heir."

As Orbeus compliments my strategy, Kaihaku attacks with her Kasha, keeping the plan in move.

My plan was simple. As Orbeus can only reflect attacks from one direction at the same time, I asked Tenshi and Kaihaku to attack while being away from me. After Tenshi attacks, Orbeus reflect his light, so Kaihaku will attack, then Orbeus reflects her Kasha, so I attack, then Orbeus reflects my demonic energy, and so Tenshi attacks again.

With this, we're able to always keep attacking while keeping the damage to a minimum. At the same time, as Orbeus is busy reflecting out attacks, he can't attack on his own accord.

We keep hitting him for some minutes, and the accumulated damage from our attacks combined to the purification power of the Kasha and the poisonous nature light has towards Devils, Orbeus is severely damaged.

Tenshi and Kaihaku appear to be exhausted, while I'm fine thanks to my immense demonic power. As I thought that, Orbeus puts an expression for the first time: an angry face.

"… I won't let you get away with this."

Despite being covered in large amounts of blood, Orbeus creates a giant scythe on his hand. The scythe should be at least 3 stories tall, and appears to be pointing it right towards us…!

"… I'm the Grim Reaper who represents The Sin of Sloth, Orbeus Belphegor; I'm going to harvest your souls right now."

As he says that, he lowers his scythe towards us! This is bad; since that weapon can cut even souls, it'll kill us if it hits!

"No!"

In that moment, Tenshi steps forward and creates a light sword around the size of the scythe, blocking Orbeus' attack!

"Maybe I'm already at my limit, but I won't let you kill my comrades! As a pious servant of God, I can't allow such act before my eyes!"

Tenshi, you're so brave. However, we'll only be friends, I'm married already. Nevertheless, the girl who'll become your bride will be lucky.

"I'll retain him, nya!"

Kaihaku says that before going towards Orbeus. By making some movements with her hands, she deals a direct punch towards Orbeus.

"Ram, go and finish him, nya!"

She must have altered his ki with those movements; he must be unable to move now. I must end this battle.

I fly above everyone else and create a fire ball on my hand. Soon after, I cover the ball with huge amounts of demonic energy, then fire, and then demonic energy again. A four layered ball that'll end this battle; it deserves a name.

"This is your end, Orbeus; [Lucifer Bomb]!"

As I drop my [Lucifer Bomb] towards Orbeus, Tenshi and Kaihaku fly away; they clearly fear the aftereffects of my attack.

Once the ball hits Orbeus, a giant explosion is created, covering the place in flames. The sheer power of my own attack makes me shiver.

Once the nuclear-like explosion disappeared, Orbeus lies defeated on the ground.

"… I failed you… the names of Charon and Belphegor have been stained because of my loss…"

And like that, The Sin of Sloth Orbeus Belphegor was defeated.

"Haa… we accomplished our job… haa… I just hope… haa… Tatsuya-san can accomplish his…"

Tenshi, who ran out of energy because of the battle, says that. And he's right; maybe Orbeus lost, but defeating Price isn't going to be an easy job.

"Nya… I hope Akai is ok… nya"

As Kaihaku says that, I'm worried over Rito. He's going to face the strongest sin, who is no other than my uncle himself.

Silverage, I hope you're able to protect them, because it's only you who'll able to fight against Price's full power.

"Well, I should get going. I'm going to do as Governor Azazel secretly instructed us when the monsters appeared, you two can rest here."

After I say that, I go after a monster to fight against while Tenshi and Kaihaku rest from the battle just now. I just hope everything goes fine for those men I have deep affection to.

Part 2 – Lust

I, Xie Xie, am accompanied by Yami-chan and Seila-shi, whom I barely know. Before my eyes is Lunorlla Asmodeus, The Sin of Lust.

"I have collected data from all of you. There's no way you can win against me."

The woman with a tattoo on her face and erotic voice tone, Lunorlla, says that to us. Since her ancestor is Asmodeus-sama, it's only logical she'll be obsessed with researching about his opponents.

Lunorlla launches attacks from different kind of magic towards us, but we're barely able to dodge them. However, she redirects them towards us, hitting us from all directions.

"You're fool, falling into the trap of my [Formula One]."

Azazel-sama explained it to me, [Formula One] is the name of her magic, and it's able to manipulate magic. However, since it cannot alter demonic power, Angel's light and [Sacred Gear] abilities, it has many weaknesses to exploit.

I take out [Down Fall Dragon Spear], an Artificial [Sacred Gear] which contains the soul of the Dragon King Fafnir inside it given to me by the Governor General of Grigori, Azazel-sama.

By pointing it at Lunorlla, the dagger I hold changes its shape as I utter the code words.

"[Counter Balance]."

The dagger separates as light gushes out. The light covers me as I take the last step.

"[Balance Adjust]!"

The light covering me turns into golden plate armour surrounded by a golden aura shaped like Dragon, the [Counter Balance] of my [Down Fall Dragon Spear]: [Down Fall Dragon Another Armour].

"Nice transformation sequence. However, that won't be enough to defeat me."

"Let's see if that's true; Seila-shi, Yami-chan, there we go!"

Lunorlla launches magic attacks from all kinds, but I'm able to dodge them with my speed. However, Lunorlla uses [Formula One] and redirects those attacks towards Seila-shi.

"I won't let you!"

I charge towards Lunorlla's attacks as I grip my staff with a golden Dragon in the shape of Fafnir as pommel. I must protect Seila-shi. By using my staff, I destroy the attacks; however-

"It's right behind you, Xie!"

As Yami-chan yells that, I see Lunorlla moved behind me while having multiple magic circles on her hand!

"That's called a distraction; eat this!"

As she launches her attacks, I try to block them by using the hardness of my armour; however, just before they impacted, [Formula One] increased their power exponentially, so I suffered quite some damage.

"Xie! Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Azazel-sama told me about downsides of using this armour, so I must face them."

Since this armour is more durable than my body, an attack than can bypass the armour will deal me great damage. I accepted enduring that when Azazel-sama offered me the [Sacred Gear], so I'm going to keep my promise.

"Well, then what about some more!"

Lunorlla launches more magic attacks towards me, so I prepare to block them; however, they're enveloped by a huge dark red energy ball that consumes them. It can only be-

"I got your back, reincarnated girl."

Seila-shi used her Power of Destruction to protect me. Given she's a conservative Devil because of the ideals on the Great King clan, saving a reincarnated Devil like must have hurt her Bael pride.

"The heir of the Bael clan. Marg was clearly a better prospect than you are."

As Lunorlla mentioned the name of Seila-shi's dead older brother, she got enraged.

"My brother was an idiot. Maybe reincarnated Devils aren't like pure Devils, but despite being inferior to us, they're still Devils, so they deserve at least some respect."

… That talk was… I don't know how to put it in words.

"Well then, in that case, I think I should finish you off with this!"

Lunorlla said that before launching more magic attacks, being directed right at Seila-shi. Seila-shi, on her part, creates a ball of Power of Destruction and launches it right at Lunorlla's attack. Once both attacks clash, Seila-shi seems to have the upper hand, but Lunorlla uses [Formula One] to increases her attacks' power, giving her the upper hand.

"She's distracted; do it now, Yami-chan!"

As I give the command, Yami-chan, who flew behind Lunorlla while she was distracted, shoots her light-arrows.

"Kuh!"

Lunorlla says that as she turns around and attacks Yami-chan, stopping her arrows. They exchange attacks for some time, until Lunorlla finally stopped her counterattack and created a magical barrier instead.

"You're trying to distract me again, aren't you? Unluckily, I know all your powers; I know you don't have any more tricks under your sleeves than to attack me while distracted."

"You are wrong!"

I yell that as I charge towards her from behind. By using my staff covered with demonic energy, I attack her on vital spots, restricting her from moving.

"This is the end for you!"

Seila-shi and Yami-chan appear on my sides, attacking with her Power of Destruction and light arrows. The damage they dealt to her is great.

And now I'm going to finish her. I recall the words Jin-kun told me about his [Fusion] techniques.

"Do you know why I created chants for my techniques? Satoshi said that if you chanted before launching a technique, it would make you more confident on its power, and as such, that idea will make the actual attack stronger."

Believing my technique is strong will make it stronger, and to do so, I need to chant; that's what Jin-kun taught me. In that moment, my body gets covered in golden aura, the aura owned by the Dragon King sealed inside my [Sacred Gear]. And then, I chant.

"Revive your power, [Gigantis Dragon], imprisoned golden beast of calamity. Turn me into the vessel of your endless outrage, [Fafnir Strike]!"

With that, I charge towards Lunorlla, condensing the aura around me into my punch. Then, the aura turns into the form of the [Gigantis Dragon] Fafnir's head before my punch lands on Lunorlla.

"Guh, OOOOGOH…!"

Receiving my super punch powered by the power of a Dragon King, Lunorlla was sent flying far away behind. Without stopping, she clashes against one of the monsters (specifically, the one that was fighting against Azazel-sama and his team), falling to the ground.

"… Haa… haa… haaaa…"

That attack consumed all of my energy, so my armour dispelled shortly after using it. Looking at my comrades, Seila-shi is shocked upon seeing I defeated Lunorlla, while Yami-chan is-

"… Hurrah! We did it! Lunorlla has been defeated!"

She's so full of energy, it reminds of me before my training with Grigori. Azazel-sama flies towards our location. Apparently, the monster they were fighting against has been defeated too.

"… That attack of you, it didn't have only your remaining power, but also the power of Fafnir on it. Honestly, I'll be surprised if anyone but a [Great Satan] class opponent would be able to stand it…"

Yes, by taking out Fafnir's power, and combining it to my own, I have created a technique that can defeat even Ultimate class opponents. The drawback is that I need to immobilize my opponent first to use it, because I have only one chance to hit once I chant, and if I fail, I'll lose immediately.

"I'm proud of you, Xie. You came to Grigori saying you were useless, but after Baraqiel trained you and I gave you that Artificial [Sacred Gear], you have turned into someone capable of fighting back on her own."

"Thank you, Azazel-sama, I feel honoured of having made you proud."

"Hey, Azazel."

When Azazel-sama and I looked to where that voice came from, the person we saw was no other than the super elite Denpachi Okumura-san. On his side is the other super elite member of Grigori, Nicolas Tepes-san.

"María Hernández is fighting against The Sin of Greed, Paddad Mammon, right?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Can you lend me [Blazer Shining Aura Darkness Blade]?"

I'm confused towards Denpachi-san's request; however, given María-san's feat regarding that [Sac red Gear], I think I can see his point. On his side, Azazel-sama appears to have bright on his eyes.

"Of course! Give it that girl right now, kiddo!"

Azazel-sama says that on his childish tone before throwing the sword to Denpachi-san.

"Thanks, Azazel. Nicolas, let's go."

After saying that, both Depanchi-san and Nicolas-san go to where María should be.

"Well, don't forget the instructions: unless you're too tired or hurt to keep fighting, once you defeat your assigned opponent, just go after another monster to fight!"

Azazel-sama said that, so his team went against after another monster as ordered. This also applies to [Team Morning Star] members, so I look at my comrades.

"Maybe I'm too tired to fight, but you must follow his orders. Go!"

As I say that, they follow Azazel-sama and fight a different monster from Azazel-sama's team. Seeing them like that, I go to where Lunorlla is.

"… They have always compared me to him… I'll never be able to reach my ancestor…"

As I hear her lament because of her comparisons with a successful familiar, I close my eyes and think of my brother. Wang-niisan, I want to see you again.