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Chapter 43 - 42- You… bastard—

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"Ryosuke!" shouted Mechamaru.

Alarmed, he violently shoved away the creatures clinging to him and fired a blazing shot at the monster. The beam sliced through the air in a straight line, aiming directly for the serpent-like head. But the scourge reacted with inhuman speed. With casual ease, its free hand swept the attack aside, dispersing the beam like a passing breeze. Then it slowly turned its head toward Mechamaru, its eyes gleaming with icy contempt.

"Insignificant toy… I have no time to waste on you."

With a fluid motion, it unleashed a wave of dark energy. The surge slammed into Mechamaru, forcing him back several steps. Before he could regain his balance, the monstrosities swarmed him again, their claws clamping onto his metallic limbs. No matter how hard he fought, they seemed stronger, more coordinated.

Meanwhile, Ryosuke was still suspended in the air, the creature's massive hand wrapped tightly around his neck. Though he was slightly choking, his face showed neither fear nor pain. Instead, he still smiled, his expression betraying a trace of amusement.

"Hey… you're pretty impressive," he rasped, his voice hoarse yet strangely calm.

The creature squeezed tighter, its slit pupils narrowing with fury.

"I will crush you for your insolence."

But just as it prepared to tighten its grip further, a muffled voice rose.

"Don't disappoint me…"

The creature suddenly froze, its golden eyes widening. Without warning, it hurled Ryosuke violently away with staggering speed.

His body cut through the air like a projectile, smashing into a rocky wall with a thunderous crash. Stone shards scattered everywhere as part of the structure collapsed.

"Ryosuke!" Mechamaru cried, trying to rush toward him.

But the grotesque minions, driven by newfound coordination, lunged at him in relentless waves. They clawed, bit, and grappled at his metal limbs, trying to pin him down. Though overwhelmed, Mechamaru managed to repel some with precise strikes from his built-in blades. Yet each attack cost him dearly, as the creatures seemed to regenerate—or multiply—before his eyes.

Amid the rubble, a faint movement drew everyone's attention. A figure slowly rose from the debris, stone fragments rolling aside. Ryosuke emerged—completely unharmed. Not a scratch. His outfit flawless. His expression calm, almost casual.

He placed a hand on his neck and stretched slightly, as though just waking from a nap.

"Ah, that feels great," he murmured with serene ease.

The creature narrowed its eyes.

"You… you are dangerous."

Ryosuke smirked, mockery lacing his expression. He raised a finger, as if scoring a point.

"Bingo! Knew you were smart. Honestly, it's always nice meeting someone with a bit of sense."

He turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Mechamaru, who was still locked in battle, struggling not to be overwhelmed.

"Hey, Mechamaru, mind keeping those little monsters busy while I deal with their boss?"

Cornered, Mechamaru parried an incoming strike by crossing his blades, then blasted a creature away with a concentrated laser. Panting, he shot his partner a furious look.

"You've gotta be kidding me! These things aren't toys—and neither am I! If you're done fooling around, come help me!"

Ryosuke shrugged, an amused grin on his lips.

"Oh, come on, you're handling it like a pro. Honestly, it looks like they barely even bother you."

But as he spoke, a piercing sound tore through the air.

In a split second, the creature had leapt forward with inhuman speed. Its massive fist cut through the air, brimming with immense power, and slammed down on Ryosuke.

BOOM.

The impact was catastrophic. A titanic shockwave erupted from the collision, obliterating everything in its path. The ground cracked and exploded, chunks of earth and rock flying in all directions. Even the minions were swept away, some disintegrated instantly. Mechamaru, caught in the blast, dug his blades deep into the ground to keep from being blown away.

When the dust cleared, a vast crater marked the spot of impact. At its center stood Ryosuke.

Unmoved. Unscathed.

The scourge's fist, pressed against his chest, had not budged him an inch. Not a wrinkle in his clothes, not a hint of fatigue on his face.

The creature recoiled instinctively, yanking its hand back as though it had touched something abominable. Its slit pupils locked onto Ryosuke.

Ryosuke tilted his head, his grin widening in open satisfaction.

"Wow, that was a pretty solid opener. But honestly… I expected more."

The scourge snarled, its reptilian tail whipping the air in frustration.

"Insolent… I will shatter you for your arrogance!"

Ryosuke raised an eyebrow, feigning disappointment.

"Seriously? That's all you've got? Come on, be creative."

Still battling the swarm, Mechamaru growled in frustration.

"Ryosuke, stop playing the hero! Do you have a death wish?!"

Ryosuke laughed, flashing him a wink.

"Relax, Mechamaru. You're the hero today. I'm just here to… have a little fun."

Then, as if to further taunt the scourge, he cracked his knuckles and shifted into a fighting stance, that mocking grin still in place.

The scourge leapt back, its movements betraying primal alarm. Its slit pupils contracted, its long reptilian tail lashing the air with a shrill hiss.

Ryosuke, however, slowly lowered his guard. His arms dropped at his sides, his smirk softening into something rarer—genuine surprise.

"Oh… interesting," he murmured under his breath. "You felt that, didn't you?"

The scourge gave no reply, its scales gleaming under the sinister light.

"I bet you don't even know what it was. But… something told you to move. Honestly, your instincts are impressive. Hats off to you."

The scourge rumbled low, its serpent jaws parting to reveal rows of razor fangs. Its golden pupils narrowed as a venomous hiss escaped its throat.

"You… bastard—"

But it never finished.

Ryosuke vanished. In the blink of an eye, he crossed the distance, appearing so close it seemed he'd always been there. The creature recoiled, startled, its tail lashing hard enough to split stone.

In a panic, it summoned a horde of monstrosities. They erupted from the shadows—crawling, flying, bursting out from unseen cracks in the walls. They swarmed their master, forming a grotesque barrier between him and Ryosuke. Twisted, deformed bodies stacked upon one another, claws and fangs poised to tear apart anything that came near.

But then—Ryosuke's smile vanished.

His face hardened, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

The atmosphere shifted.

And then—hell was unleashed.

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