The earlier strike had left Mammon's mansion in ruins. Walls that once stood tall and opulent were now reduced to rubble, and the once-grand hall was littered with debris and smoldering remnants of extravagant furnishings. The air was thick with dust and the acrid scent of burning, adding to the chaotic atmosphere.

They had moved out of the mansion and into the city, where the destruction continued unabated. The streets, once bustling with the sinful activity typical of Greed, were now silent, marred by the aftermath of the devastating attack. Buildings lay in heaps of shattered stone and twisted metal, their facades crumbled to dust. Fires raged in the remnants of what had been shops and houses, casting an eerie glow over the ruins.

Bodies of demons caught in the blast were scattered amidst the wreckage. Some were charred beyond recognition, while others lay twisted and broken, their forms grotesque reminders of the sudden and merciless destruction. The air was filled with the stench of burning flesh and sulfur, a blend that made Lilith sick.

But not nearly as sick as the fact that the Fat Clown outsmarted her.

Lilith glared at the man as her arm repaired itself, flesh and nerves stitching over bone. The gate he came from had already been sealed, and it wasn't a gate that connected to Heaven. He had most likely been in the Pride ring, waiting for Mammon's signal. She was confident in her strength, but it was best to avoid a fight altogether, especially against someone who was clearly prepared.

She tried to open a Gate out of the Ring of Greed, focusing her energy on creating an escape route. The portal began to form, shimmering with dark energy, but just as it started to stabilize, it cracked and distorted. Another portal appeared at its center, disrupting her escape. She cursed under her breath, realizing that Mammon was running interference from a safe place, manipulating the portals to keep her trapped.

There was no way out. A fight was unavoidable.

"Fight back?" she hissed, her voice a low growl. She exuded confidence, her eyes gleaming with a mix of fury and dark amusement. "You have no idea what you've unleashed. You'll regret underestimating me, and I'll relish every moment of your downfall."

Seth, unnamed but Lilith had no doubts about who he was, smirk widened. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

"You think you're clever, don't you?" she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Running errands for Mammon like a loyal lapdog. Did he promise you scraps from his table?"

Seth's smirk widened, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "If that's what you want to call yourself."

Lilith's claws streaked through the air as she lunged at Seth with a burst of speed, her target his throat. Seth's blade intercepted with a resounding clash, sending sparks skittering across the shattered ground. He twisted fluidly, his spear coming around in a sweeping arc that cut through the air with a high-pitched whistle. Lilith ducked and twisted, her body flowing like liquid to avoid the deadly strike.

A small cut appeared on her forehead.

The two figures danced across the city, every exchange, leaving destruction and corpses as they kept moving faster than the eye could follow. Lilith's claws left dark streaks in their wake as she unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike aimed to carve through Seth's defenses. Seth countered with inhuman agility, his spear and blade moving in a deadly ballet of precision and power.

Lilith's claws raked through the air, aiming for Seth's chest, but he sidestepped with fluid grace, his spear coming around in a blur of motion. She barely had time to react, twisting her body to avoid the lethal strike, feeling the wind of the spear's edge brush past her skin. the blade passed unoffending.

A gash materialized on the back of her hand.

In a counter move, she slashed at his legs, forcing him to leap back to avoid the blow.

Seth's eyes gleamed with a predatory light as he pressed his attack. He lunged forward, his spear thrusting toward Lilith's midsection. She deflected it with a powerful swipe of her claws, the force of the impact reverberating through her arm. With a snarl, she retaliated, her claws slashing upwards in a deadly arc aimed at his face.

Seth ducked, leaning to the side and coming up with his blade in a defensive position. He pivoted smoothly, his spear following the motion and striking out at Lilith's side with a whistle. She twisted away, out of its reach, only the blade still grazed her ribs, drawing a thin line of blood. Ignoring the pain, she spun around, her leg coming up in a powerful kick aimed at his head.

He blocked her kick with his spear, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. Using the momentum, he spun around, his blade slicing through the air toward her neck. Lilith dropped to the ground, rolling away from the strike and coming up on her feet.

'I was definitely out of his reach, yet...' Lilith dropped to the ground, rolling away from the strike and coming up on her feet her eyes burning with rage and puzzlement.

With a roar, she unleashed a wave of dark energy from her claws, aiming to overwhelm him. Seth raised his spear, the weapon glowing with a fierce light as it absorbed the attack. He charged through the dark energy, his spear aimed straight at Lilith's heart.

Lilith sidestepped at the last moment, her claws slashing out and catching his arm. The force of the blow sent him stumbling back, but he quickly recovered, his blade slicing through the air in a wide arc that forced her to retreat. The ground beneath them cracked and splintered with every exchange, dust, and debris flying in all directions.

Seth's movements were a blur, his spear and blade working in perfect harmony to keep Lilith at bay. She could feel the sting of numerous small cuts on her body, each one leaving a dull ache on her body.
Lilith slashed through the air with fierce intent, but Seth's spear whizzed past, narrowly missing her. She darted around a crumbling building, using it as cover before launching another attack. Seth moved with relentless pursuit, his spear cutting through the wreckage and debris, forcing Lilith to dodge and weave through the chaotic battleground.

The once-bustling city was now a twisted landscape of devastation. Cars lay overturned and shattered, their metal frames crushed under the force of their combat. The buildings around them were pocked with gaping holes and fractures, their facades scarred by the violence. Bystanders, turned to ash or fleeing in terror, added to the grim scene.

The Blessed Son's foot lashed out, catching Lilith off guard with a powerful sidekick. The impact sent her skidding back into a pile of debris. Seth quickly closed in, his spear darting toward her with lethal precision. Lilith twisted just in time, feeling the spear's edge graze her ribs.

As Seth advanced, determined to exploit his advantage, Lilith roared in defiance. She dashed forward with a burst of speed, her claws raking the air in a ferocious arc, several air slashes rushed him. Seth parried with a deft twirl of his spear, letting them pass him by and tearing stone and structure in halves, but Lilith's claws deflected the spear's path, forcing him back. She used the momentary reprieve to her advantage, her eyes gleaming as a beam of laser was released from her orbs engulfing his head in red.

In a daring move, Lilith leaped, catching Seth off balance. Her foot connected with his side in a swift, powerful kick. The impact was jarring, causing Seth to grunt in pain as he staggered to the side. Though her blow didn't draw blood, it struck a solid hit, disrupting his attack.

Trails of smoke surround his face, and Seth's expression darkened with irritation. He quickly recovered, his spear coming around in a sweeping arc aimed at her head. Lilith ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the strike. She sprang back to her feet, narrowly dodging a follow-up thrust from the spear.

With a burst of energy, Lilith propelled herself into the air, Magical circles unfurling in a dramatic display of power. Gravity spheres formed around her ankles, pulling her higher and higher until she was a shadow against the smoke-filled sky. She raised her hands, her fingers crackling with raw energy as she prepared her next attack.

Seth's eyes followed her movement with an almost lazy curiosity. He raised his spear, its tip glowing faintly as if anticipating her next move. The cloak around him shifted, casting long, dark shadows that flickered and danced as he moved.

From her elevated position, Lilith released a surge of lightning, a massive stream of raw, electric power that slammed into Seth with a blinding brilliance. The stream pulsed and roared, bathing the surroundings in searing light. The entire block below was engulfed in a torrent of molten lava, buildings melting into pools of magma as the lightning continued to devastate the area.

The ray surged with relentless intensity, but then it began to twist and spin, transforming into a whirling tornado of electricity. The storm of lightning lashed out, ripping apart the remaining structures and scorching the earth. Lilith's growl of frustration echoed as she struggled to maintain control over the spiraling attack. Just as the lightning seemed to reach its peak, a sudden shift of power wrested the storm from her grasp.

The blinding light began to fade, revealing Seth at the center of the chaos. He stood unscathed, his spear spinning effortlessly in his hand like a fan. The blade glowed fiercely as it absorbed the residue discharge, neutralizing the destructive force until nothing remained of the searing storm.

Seth's grin widened with a cold, predatory satisfaction. As the lightning dissipated, Seth's spear glowed brighter, its energy absorbed and contained. He smirked as he held his weapon aloft, the tip shimmering with the stolen energy. Without warning, he thrust the spear forward, releasing all the absorbed energy in a powerful, concentrated beam.

The concentrated blast shot forth with unrelenting fury, a searing beam carving through the cityscape with a roar that shattered the remaining structure in its path.

The beam cut through the air with a deafening roar, its intense heat carving a path of destruction through the city. Lilith barely managed to twist away, feeling the heat of the beam sear past her skin as it sliced through the space where she had been, her senses prickling as loose charges danced around her The force of the attack sent shockwaves through the surrounding buildings, reducing them to rubble.

Before Lilith could fully recover, Seth reappeared above her in the air with blinding speed. His strike already in motion, his arm cocked back and his sword arched, aiming for her left side. Lilith's reflexes kicked in, but confusion and pain overwhelmed her senses. Seth's blade sliced through her right shoulder, cleaving through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed from the wound, painting his form in a crimson splash.

The sheer force of the strike drove Lilith into the ground with a devastating impact. The earth buckled beneath her, debris and shards of asphalt exploding into the air. The collision left a deep crater in the street, the surrounding area engulfed in a haze of dust and smoke. Instinctively, she forced herself to move, barely dodging the downward thrust of Seth's spear, which struck the ground where her head had been moments before.

Using his spear as a pole, Seth spun in the air, his cloak flaring out behind him. He aimed a powerful kick at her head, but Lilith ducked, the attack sailing harmlessly past. Seth's cloak billowed around him, briefly obscuring him from view. Lilith saw a gleam of light from his blade to the right and jumped back, only to realize it was a feint. The sword was thrown without its holder, a deceptive maneuver designed to throw her off.

Seth darted in from the left, his spear held like a bat, tearing through the air with a sharp whistle. Lilith leaped away, but somehow that only brought her closer. Seth's spear shaft crashed into her ribs with brutal force, shattering them and sending her hurtling backward. The impact obliterated the building behind her, turning it to dust and launching her like a speeding bullet.

Pained and bruised, Lilith crashed through several structures, her body slamming into walls and debris. Desperate to retaliate, she snapped her fingers. Her blood, which had sprayed over Seth, glowed with dark energy before bursting into a massive torrent of demonic flames. The flames roared and surged, consuming the area in a hellish inferno, reducing everything in their path to ashes.

Lilith finally came to a halt, pushing herself up from the rubble. A violet glow surrounded her as she began to heal her injuries, or at least stabilize her condition. She kept her eyes locked on the encroaching inferno, the flames beginning to subside. Despite her efforts, she found Seth emerging from the blaze, cocooned within his cloak. As the cloak parted, it revealed his unharmed form, his demeanor unflinchingly calm amidst the chaos.

Seth's smile remained unwavering as he emerged from the wreckage, his cloak billowing around him. He surveyed the devastation with a cold, detached amusement. The inferno had turned much of the area into smoldering ruins.

"Close, but no cigar," he said, his smirk betraying an air of condescension. The dying embers of the fire cast flickering shadows across his face, highlighting the indifferent gleam in his eyes. He twirled his spear effortlessly, the weapon's tip sputtering with the demonic flames.

Her body was bathed in a violet glow from the healing magic, working to mend her wounds. Her breaths were ragged, and the pain from her shattered ribs was evident in her strained posture. Despite her physical injuries, her mind was in an even worse state.

She was strong, stronger than him, or so her senses told her. Every instinct, every fragment of her being screamed that she should be dominating this fight. Yet here she was, bloodied and battered, while he remained untouched. The very fabric of her confidence was unraveling with each passing moment. Why? Why was he untouched while she was reeling in pain?

The disparity between what she knew she was capable of and the reality unfolding before her was maddening. She had spent decades, centuries, perfecting her spells and honing her physical prowess. Her knowledge of her own strength was absolute; it was supposed to make her superior. And yet, this reality clashed violently with her expectations. Here she was, struggling to grasp how her own techniques seemed to be failing her in real-time.

This had never happened before. She had faced countless foes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, but she had always emerged victorious. Her mastery over her demonic powers, her spells, her combat skills—she had always relied on these to secure her dominance. So, why...

"'Why am I losing?' is what you're thinking, right?" Seth's voice sliced through her chaotic thoughts, dripping with a mixture of mockery and casual disdain. He stepped closer, the remnants of the inferno casting erratic, flickering shadows across his face. His tone was almost conversational, as though discussing the weather rather than the fury of their battle.

"It's a terrifying feeling," he continued, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. "It creeps in slowly, almost imperceptibly at first. But then, little by little, it starts to grip your mind. It seeps into your limbs, and turns your strength into weakness. And before you know it, it's gnawing at your heart, leaving you questioning everything you thought you knew."

He circled her, his movements deliberate, as if he were savoring her discomfort. "You've spent so long building up this image of invincibility, haven't you? All those centuries honing your skills, perfecting your power. And now, faced with someone who's not even on your level, you're forced to confront the cracks in your façade. How's it feel, Lilith? To be outmatched, to see all your confidence crumble under the weight of reality?"

"It's a feeling that a failed human like you must have never truly experienced," Seth continued, his voice carrying an edge of cruel amusement. "It's an instinct deeply ingrained in all humans from the moment they're born."

As he circled her, each deliberate step seemed to mock the very foundations of her confidence. Lilith's gaze remained fixed on him, her eyes burning with a fierce mix of rage and helplessness. The frustration of her situation only intensified with every second.

"It's fear," Seth declared, his tone almost gentle now, as if he were explaining a simple concept to a child. "Fear of inadequacy, of failure, of losing control... It grips you and twists your perception, making you question everything you thought was true. It's the kind of fear that makes you realize just how fragile your power is, no matter how invincible you think you are. And it's the kind of fear that's especially potent when you're confronted with the reality that you're not as untouchable as you once believed."

"Fear of Death," Seth said, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction as he watched her struggle. "It's something we all experience, and something all humans must come to terms with."

Lilith's gaze shot up, her eyes meeting Seth's with a mix of defiance and frustration. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" she spat, her voice strained but resolute.

"Clever?" Seth replied with a chuckle, the sound dark and mocking. "I'm not here to be clever. I'm here to expose the gap between your illusions and reality."

Seth's eyes narrowed, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Let me ask you something, though I doubt your answer will surprise me. When was the last time you went to bed hungry?"

Lilith's confusion was evident. Her mind raced to understand the relevance of his question, her gaze flickering with uncertainty.

"See, no wonder you don't understand," Seth continued with a harsh laugh. "From the moment you were born, you never experienced true struggle. Even after you and Lucifer fell, it was all a walk in the park, wasn't it? Cold weather, scorching heat, hunger, shelter, pain—everything was just a snap of your fingers away."

He took a step closer, his voice lowering to a venomous whisper. "You've never known what it means to truly fight for survival. You've never felt the gnawing hunger or the bone-deep cold. Everything you've faced was cushioned, easy compared to what humans endure. Even in literal Hell, you've lived in a realm of convenience, where discomfort is a distant concept. And now, facing a real challenge, you're unraveling."

"That's why you fail as a human. To be human is to struggle." Seth spread his arms wide, his cloak parting to reveal his attire. He wore a dark, fitted tunic that seemed to blend seamlessly into the shadows around him. Over this, a long, tattered cloak flowed dramatically, its edges scorched and frayed from the heat of the battle. The silver cloak's inner fabric was a deep, almost ink-black hue, its texture a mix of coarse and smooth, giving it a rugged yet refined look.

Around his waist, a belt held various pouches and small, utilitarian tools, each designed for practicality rather than ornamentation. His boots were heavy and reinforced, scuffed from countless miles of travel and conflict. Strapped to his back was a set of well-worn leather sheaths, holding a variety of weapons—daggers and throwing knives, their blades glinting menacingly even in the dim light. "This a true human looks like!"

Lilith's eyes narrowed as she took in Seth's appearance, her lips curling into a scornful smile. She pushed herself upright, her healing magic flickering as she used it to steady her stance. Her voice dripped with derision as she spoke.

"Oh, please," she scoffed, her tone mocking. "Look at you, the picture of a wandering vagabond with your ragged cloak and tattered gear. You think you're some kind of expert on struggle? Spare me the lecture. I've faced more than just the 'gnawing hunger' and 'bone-deep cold' you romanticize."

Seth's smirk widened as he listened to Lilith's scathing rebuke. He folded his arms, the weight of his cloak shifting as he settled into a relaxed stance. His voice carried a mocking lilt, dripping with disdain.

"Oh, how charming," he drawled. "A lecture from the grand dame of Hell herself. How very original. I see your pride is as unshaken as your confidence. But let's be honest, Lilith. You're simply clutching at whatever delusions you can muster to distract from the truth."

He tilted his head, the gleam in his eyes both mocking and cold. "You talk about your battles and sacrifices as if they make you some kind of martyr. But the reality is, you've never truly had to claw your way through the dirt, have you?

Seth's spear twirled in his hand, a mere extension of his will. He lifted it, gesturing vaguely at the devastation around them. "You're used to overpowering your opponents, overwhelming them with raw power. Every hardship you've faced was cushioned by your own power, by the luxury of being immortal, of never having your strength wan with age, of having a safety net called Lucifer. You've never had to scratch and scrape for every inch of survival."

Seth's expression turned slightly smug, as if he found her indignation amusing. "So go on, keep belittling me with your grand stories of struggle. Meanwhile, I'll keep showing you what real survival looks like. The kind of struggle that doesn't come with a safety net or a convenient escape."

Lilith's eyes burned with fury, but there was a flicker of hesitance in her gaze.

Seth glanced at his attire, the tailored cloak draped over his shoulders and the collection of meticulously chosen weapons hanging from his belt. Each piece was crafted for both practicality and intimidation, from the sleek, utility-focused daggers to the intricately designed staff that could be wielded in combat or as a symbol of his preparedness. "This," he gestured to his gear with a dismissive flick of his hand, "is what a true fighter looks like. Not someone who's had everything handed to them on a silver platter."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, mocking tone. "You want to know why you're losing? It's simple. It's because I decided you would lose. All your spells, your physical prowess—none of it matters because I've made up my mind that they won't work."

"Is that all you've got?" she snapped, her voice edged with contempt. "You think you're so clever, hiding behind your fancy toys and illusions. But you're wrong. It's not about what you've decided. It's about whether you can actually back up your boasts."

Seth's laughter was a harsh, mocking sound that cut through the tension. "You really don't get this whole Fear of Death thing, do you?" he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Let me simplify it for you. From the moment I was born until this very day, I've never entered a fight I wasn't absolutely sure I would win."

He stepped closer, his confidence palpable. "Every battle, every skirmish—it's all been a calculated certainty for me. I don't just fight; I dominate. I eliminate every possible risk before it even arises."

"Take a good look at this cloak, should be familiar," he said, his voice dripping with derision, "is made from Leviathan skin. It nullifies all heat and kinetic energy. No matter how hard you strike or how hot your spells burn, it won't touch me."

He lifted his spear, the tip gleaming with a dangerous light. "And this spear," he continued, his tone dripping with arrogance, "is adorned with the hair and fangs of the dynakinetic Behemoth. Its tassel is not just for decoration. It nullifies and manipulates energy. It means I control the very energy that flows through this fight. Every spell you cast, every burst of power—useless."

With a flourish, Seth swung his spear, its shaft releasing a soft whistle with every sway. "And this shaft," he said, his eyes gleaming with pride, "is crafted from the bone and cartilage of the Ziz. Its properties mimic its siren's disorienting song. It's designed to throw you off balance, make you second-guess every move. Up becomes down, forward becomes backward, In becomes Out, and left turns to the right. The more you fight, the more you'll question your own abilities."

He then brandished his short sword, its blade reflecting the dim light with an icy sheen. "Finally, this sword," he said, his voice brimming with smug satisfaction, "was cooled in the Rahab's blood. It counters your regeneration and numbs your senses. Every advantage you might have had, this blade negates it."

Seth stepped back, spreading his arms wide with a grandiose gesture. His posture was one of complete triumph, as if he were daring Lilith to challenge him further. "So go ahead, Lilith," he said, his tone dripping with disdain, "He spread his arms, his cloak flaring out dramatically. "Keep throwing everything you've got. It's entertaining, but ultimately futile. Because as long as I decide otherwise, you will keep losing."

Lilith glared at him, but then a grin spread across her face. "You're right," she said. "You've struggled and I haven't. You fear death, and I don't. Why would I? I've never had to struggle because it wouldn't be fitting."

She stood taller, her posture exuding confidence. She raised her hand, and millions of ethereal chains appeared, rising into the sky and disappearing into the Greed Ring's murky atmosphere.

Soul Chains, Seth noted mentally, his expression hardening.

"To struggle is not something I should ever experience," Lilith continued. "That is my right as a ruler. It is not the difference between Me and humans. That is merely the difference between a Queen and a peasant."

Seth's eyebrow rose slightly as he realized the true nature of the chains. They shimmered with an otherworldly light, each one imbued with a fragment of Lilith's soul.

Lilith's grin widened, her eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of amusement and determination. "You see, Seth, your struggle, your fear—it's all meaningless to someone like me. You might be ten steps ahead, but I'm not even playing the same game. And now, you'll see why a Queen doesn't need to struggle."

With a flick of her wrist, the chains tightened and crackled with energy, their ethereal glow intensifying as they responded to her command. The sky darkened, and the ground beneath them trembled, as if the very fabric of the Greed Ring was reacting to her will.

Their forms materialized out of the gloom, spectral and insubstantial, yet unmistakably present. Seth gazed at them, several of them were recognizable from the data Lute had given him. The sky darkened further as her millions and millions of enslaved sinners were all summoned into the Greed Ring.

Seth's smirk turned into a full-blown grin.