A crescent-shaped wave of pure divine light burst forward and collided head-on with Narakasura's beam. The entire hall exploded with blinding radiance. The scarlet beam shattered like glass under a hammer. The golden wave continued unabated and struck Narakasura squarely in the chest.
His pupils shrank.
Impossible—
The impact sent him hurtling backwards like a broken kite. His feet carved deep trenches across the marble floor before he finally crashed through a collapsed pillar in a cloud of dust and stone.
Yet before the divine wave could continue toward Shukracharya, a gigantic figure stepped into its path.
Devavinashaka.
The crocodile-headed demon simply raised one enormous arm.
BOOM!
The remaining force crashed against his scales. The floor beneath his feet cracked and spider-webbed outward. Dust billowed in every direction. Yet he did not retreat even a single step. The golden radiance gradually faded. His arm slowly lowered. Not a single wound could be seen.
Karna's calm eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Devavinashaka's crimson eyes remained fixed upon him. His monstrous lips slowly curved upward.
"Suryaputra… my nemesis."
Before another word could be exchanged, Karna closed his eyes. His lips began moving. Ancient Sanskrit syllables flowed continuously from his mouth. The same mantra that he invoked against Balarama as well…
The divine energy surrounding Vijaya immediately became restless, humming like a living thing.
"Om Anantaya Namah,
Adi-Nagarajaya Mahabalaya,
Vasuki-Takshaka-Karkotaka-Sammata,
Yasya Pashena Deva-Danava-Manavah Badhyante,
Yasya Sankalpat Trailokyam Kampate,
Mama Dharma-Sankalpam Grihana.
Mahanagapasha Divya-Shaktim Prabodhaya!
Ananta-Koti Bhujangan Samudbhavaya!
Sarva-Shatrun Avichchhinna-Pashair Bandhaya!
Na Devo Na Danavo Na Manavo Vimoktum Shaknuyat!
Om Mahanagapasham Mokshayami!"
*
Shukracharya's expression changed at once.
"He is invoking a Divyastra!" His voice suddenly rang throughout the chamber. "Stop him!"
Without hesitation, both Narakasura and Devavinashaka charged simultaneously. Their combined killing intent swept across the throne hall like a violent storm. The floor shattered beneath every step.
Yet Karna never opened his eyes. The mantra continued uninterrupted.
Just as Narakasura crossed half the distance, Karna's eyes snapped open. The mantra ended.
"Maha Nagapaash!"
He released the arrow.
A deafening hiss echoed throughout the throne hall. The single arrow split into thousands of radiant serpents. Within an instant, they coiled around Narakasura from every direction. His sword slipped from his hand.
"What?!"
The enormous king crashed heavily onto one knee. Thousands upon thousands of celestial serpents wrapped around his arms, legs, torso, and neck, tightening relentlessly. The more he struggled, the tighter they became.
Maha Nagapaasha.
"Graaaa..."
Narakasura roared furiously. His entire body erupted with violent asuric power as he attempted to tear the divine serpents apart. One after another, several snapped. Yet before they could fall, more immediately formed to replace them. The king's furious roar shook the palace.
"I will kill you, Karna!"
Ignoring him completely, Karna shifted his attention.
A gigantic shadow already loomed overhead.
Devavinashaka's enormous fist descended toward Karna's skull like a falling mountain.
BOOM!
The marble beneath Karna exploded into powder. But the Suryaputra had already vanished. Appearing several steps to the left, Karna raised his right hand. Golden light condensed within his palm. Moments later, a short divine dagger materialized. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist.
The weapon became a streak of pure sunlight.
THUD!
The dagger embedded itself into Devavinashaka's shoulder. The demon merely glanced at it. With a calm expression, he gripped the hilt, pulled it out, and casually threw it aside. The wound visibly closed before Karna's eyes. Not even a scar remained.
The demon slowly lifted his head. His jaws opened unnaturally wide. Dark energy rapidly condensed within his mouth. The surrounding light dimmed. An ominous black sphere pulsed with terrifying destructive force.
Karna's instincts screamed.
Without hesitation, he crossed both arms before his chest.
The sphere fired.
BOOOOM!!
The explosion swallowed him completely.
A violent shockwave erupted through the throne hall, reducing several remaining pillars into rubble.
Moments later, a golden figure burst through the smoke. Karna slid across the fractured marble for dozens of meters before finally stopping. His golden Kavacha shimmered brilliantly. Tiny sparks danced across its surface before disappearing. The attack had been completely absorbed.
Yet Karna's eyes had become noticeably more serious.
This creature… was unlike anything he had fought before.
Without giving Devavinashaka another opportunity, Karna attacked him with fast attacks. His fingers moved like flowing water. One arrow. Two. Five. Ten. Dozens. Golden streaks filled the throne hall as an endless rain of celestial arrows descended upon the demon.
Devavinashaka crossed both arms.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each impact echoed like divine bells.
Several arrows exploded against his scales. Others shattered against his forearms.
Still Karna did not stop. His arms became nothing more than afterimages.
Every heartbeat released another volley. The continuous barrage forced the demon backwards through sheer pressure, unable to advance even a single step.
Shukracharya watched silently. His brows slowly furrowed.
"So much mastery…"
Finally Karna stopped. His fingers released Vijaya. The divine bow dissolved into countless particles of golden light.
Devavinashaka immediately charged. His enormous body blurred forward. The distance between them vanished in an instant. Scarlet energy gathered within his right hand. Moments later, a gigantic crimson trident materialized, its murderous aura distorting the surrounding air.
At that very moment, golden flames suddenly illuminated the throne hall.
A sword appeared within Karna's grasp.
The moment Shukracharya saw it, his pupils violently contracted.
"No…" His voice unconsciously escaped his lips. "That sword…"
The terrifying golden flames dancing across its blade carried an aura he recognized instantly—Mahadeva. More precisely… the flames of the Third Eye. His heart trembled.
"How… could such a weapon… be in his possession? How could Mahadeva bless him with such a weapon, carrying his destructive flames? Not even Ravan has been blessed as such..."
Devavinashaka, however, had already reached Karna. The scarlet trident descended with overwhelming force.
Karna calmly raised the sword.
CLANG!!
The collision lasted only an instant. The crimson trident split cleanly into two pieces. The razor-sharp blade sliced through it as though it were nothing more than dry wood. Devavinashaka's crimson eyes widened. Before he could react, the broken weapon dissolved into scarlet mist.
Yet the demon showed remarkable battle instincts. Instead of retreating, his massive tail swept toward Karna's waist from behind. Karna lightly leapt upward. The tail passed harmlessly beneath his feet. While still suspended in midair, he swung the blazing sword downward.
Devavinashaka twisted his enormous body at the final moment, narrowly avoiding the blade. The sword struck only empty air.
Landing gracefully upon the floor, Karna slowly infused divine energy into Suryatej. The flames upon its blade instantly grew several times brighter. The slash he just released was powered by the Sun's flames this time, not the destructive flames of Mahadeva. He exhaled softly.
Then he swung horizontally.
A crescent wave of golden flames erupted from the blade, surging across the throne hall with unstoppable momentum—carrying with it the searing heat of the sun itself.
The blazing crescent crashed into Devavinashaka before he could regain his footing.
BOOM!
The demon instinctively crossed both of his arms before his chest. Golden flames engulfed his entire body as the overwhelming force continued pushing him backwards. His feet carved deep furrows across the marble floor while shattered stones flew in every direction. Only after being forced back dozens of meters did the attack finally dissipate.
Smoke rose from his crossed forearms.
Yet the demon remained standing.
Karna slowly lowered the sword.
"…It is time to end this."
The flames upon Suryatej gradually disappeared as the divine sword dissolved into streams of golden light. In its place, Vijaya materialized once again. The moment Karna grasped the bow, the atmosphere itself seemed to change.
He slowly drew the bowstring. His lips moved with ancient Sanskrit mantras. The divine energy surrounding the bow surged violently.
Om Vajradhara Mahendra Deva,
Svarga-Senapati, Megha-Nayaka,
Yasya Vajrena Girayah Kampante,
Yasya Garjanena Trailokyam Namati,
Mama Sankalpam Dharma-Hetum Grihana.
Indrastra Divya-Shaktim Prabodhaya!
Vidyut-Jvalam Samudbhava!
Shatru-Balam Bhasma Kuru!
Om Indraya Astram Mokshayami!
*
Shukracharya's expression became grave.
"Indrastra…"
Within moments, a celestial arrow condensed upon the bowstring. Unlike ordinary arrows, brilliant lightning danced endlessly around it, illuminating the ruined throne hall. The air trembled. Even Narakasura, still struggling against the countless celestial serpents binding him, instinctively looked toward Karna.
Devavinashaka finally stopped sliding backwards. He stood perfectly still. He neither defended nor attacked. Instead, he simply watched the approaching Suryaputra.
Karna narrowed his eyes.
Something was wrong.
Yet he released the arrow.
The concentrated Indrastra tore through the hall like a bolt of divine judgment. Everything before it split apart. The floor cracked. The air screamed. In the blink of an eye, it reached Devavinashaka.
Then the demon opened his mouth—far wider than should have been possible.
The blazing Indrastra disappeared directly into it.
Silence.
Karna's pupils contracted.
Impossible…