Mind Demon's Path of Domination

His wings flapping in the air, Mark floated silently, not making a move. The Boss Demon didn’t move either. Mark spoke to Reol’ran, considering things. She also gave him some pointers.

Suddenly, she asked, "Mark, do you know what is the best thing about Ultimate Demonic Arts?"

Mark pondered. "Its weirder and more unpredictable effects?"

"No. It seems you haven’t really understood. The best thing about Ultimate Demonic Arts is that Resistances don’t work against it. You have to dodge it or block it using another Trick or Art."

Mark’s eyes grew wide for a second. Yes, since the Ultimate Demonic Arts were a combination of different powers, it was no wonder the Resistances aimed at a simple power didn’t work against it.

He had just noticed that. But for now, he focused back on the battle at hand. How can he win?

He said idly: "I can use my Ultimate Demonic Art and instantly destroy its Defensive Magic Aura, then go and touch it with my hand—use Alchemic Shapeshifting—and it will be my win. Since I have a lot of Mindpower, I won’t have to worry about exhaustion."

"Okay," Reol’ran mocked. "You want to fight in a battle with an audience, and when someone at the level of the Boss comes up against you—which surely will happen—you will show one of your biggest secrets. Fantastic."

Alchemic Shapeshifting, Inexhaustible Mindpower, Clown’s Circus, and anything regarding the Violet Mirror had to be kept a secret. Otherwise, he would have people aiming greedy eyes at him. Not any people, but strong demons.

If he can’t even win a practice match without revealing one of those secrets, it will be useless for him to go fight in a battle royale as he had planned to. It was the fastest way to get a Seal of Destiny and Portal Key; an important set of things to get started on everything, but it was not worth it if his secrets were going to be revealed.

"If you didn’t have inexhaustible Mindpower, which normal demons don’t have, you can only use your Ultimate Demonic Arts once a day. If you use that single chance to break the Boss’ Defensive Magic Aura instead of using it as a finishing blow, you will be left exhausted.

"And since you wouldn’t have more Mindpower to use your demonic tricks, if the Boss uses its Ultimate Demonic Art then, you will be done for."

Mark nodded. A normal Middle Demon can only use their Ultimate Demonic Art once a day, and once they use it, they will be exhausted and wouldn’t be able to use even their defensive demonic tricks.

If they used up their chance at Ultimate Demonic Art and the enemy didn’t die, their own death was nearly certain.

That was why the demons were always reluctant to use their Ultimate Demonic Arts unless they absolutely had to. In the Battle Royale, Mark had to act like a normal demon, so he couldn’t afford to show that he could use Ultimate Demonic Arts more than once a day.

But didn’t that mean that he didn’t have any way to break someone’s Defensive Magic Aura?

Is there really no other way to break an enemy’s Defensive Magic Aura?

"The lack of a good, usable offensive ability is showing," he said with a sigh. Then, calmly descended. The Boss demon growled at him, and with a simple glance, he ordered: "Stay still."

The creature didn’t make a scene anymore and Mark simply threw it back into his World Space. He walked up to Yuri and Dona.

"What do you say?" he asked.

Yuri looked at him contemplatively. "Do you plan to fight a lot of demons any time soon?"

"Yep, a battle royale. And I can’t afford to reveal Alchemic Shapeshifting and other secrets while at it."

"Ah, I see," Yuri looked at him thoughtfully. He had already told her about the Sufferings of Misfortune he would be facing merely a few months from now, she knew taking some risks was going to be a constant in his life.

"Well. What do you think about my current battle power?"

"If you are not going to show Alchemic Shapeshifting, it’s going to get tricky. It will be tricky either way. You can’t predict what kind of powers your enemies will have, and your defense isn’t that good once your Aura is broken."

She didn’t know about Clown’s Circus and his Inexhaustible Mindpower. He kept it that way for now, then, she could guide him based on that.

"We are in the Exchange now," Yuri said, "So what do you think about sharing one of your demonic tricks for another Trick?"

Mark nodded reluctantly. "I will try but I don’t want to lose any of my demonic tricks. Except maybe Dream Wings, and only if I get something good."

"Mark, isn’t the Boss also a Middle Demon? Can’t you trade with him for now and get your abilities back once the battle royale is over?"

Mark contemplated that for a while. One of the Boss’ demonic tricks—Phantom Transformation—was a really good defensive ability. It allowed one to transform into a Phantom. And most abilities didn’t work against a Phantom, not even Alchemic Shapeshifting worked without touching.

"But I don’t know if I can trade with him because he entered here with me and not through the normal way..."

Mark made the Boss come out. It stared at him blankly.

"Bring out your demonic trick Phantom Transformation, I mean the gem representing that Trick inside your Soul Space," Mark said.

The Boss did what was told and a gem appeared in its palm. Mark’s eyes widened slightly.

"Give it to me," Mark said cautiously.

The Boss tried to give it to Mark and Mark tried to take it.

His Violet Screen popped into Mark’s sight.

[Initiating demonic trick exchange]

[Sensed the Will of the Demon World interfering with Host’s Destiny]

[Choose the demonic trick you want to exchange for "Phantom Transformation."]

"I have to give one of my Tricks in return for its Trick," he said.

Yuri frowned. "So are you exchanging Dream Wings?"

"Mark, don’t exchange Dream Wings," Reol’ran said.

"Why?"

"Dream Wings is at least somewhat useful in a battle. But Dungeon Heart Seed and Dream Gambler’s Mortal Puppet are completely useless in a battle. You can use Dungeon Heart Seed to plant dungeons in people who are loyal to you, and you can start a Dream Gamble in other worlds using the other Trick. Both of those are useless in a battle."

After a while, Mark sighed and shook his head. "No, I don’t want to give it any of my powers. Trading doesn’t do for me, I have to steal."

The exchange was cancelled and the Boss was put back in his World Space.

"Then how the heck are you going to fight a Battle Royale? You need a Defensive and Offensive Trick, Mark!"

Especially since he had to hide Alchemic Shapeshifting.

"Then there is," Mark said, "only one way this can all work out."