A screeching swarm of C-rank parasites came crashing through the underbrush, their grotesque forms writhing in the misty morning light.
Tojo sprinted ahead with a battle cry, slicing through the nearest parasite with a fluid arc of his blade.
Tojo: "Keep it moving, guys! Stay sharp!"
Behind him, Riah caught falling bodies midair, tossing them aside with fiery precision.
Raijin surged forward, electricity cracking around his form like thunder incarnate.
Raijin: "Forty targets—easy work."
With a flash, he released a wave of lightning, striking down the entire group in a single, blinding blitz. Sparks lit up the trees as charred husks collapsed around them.
They pressed onward, deeper into hostile territory.
Gendai: "Where's Riah? She couldn't have gotten far."
Xavier: "Who knows. Probably already fighting at Kazimir's side."
Raijin: (voice low) "Eyes up. We've got more incoming. Big ones. A-rank."
From the shadows, massive parasites began to emerge—towering, armored, and radiating bloodlust.
Tojo: "This is it, guys. Time to show how strong we've gotten. Let's earn this."
Raijin stepped to the front lines, calm and silent.
Tojo: (raising an eyebrow) "Yo, what're you doing?"
Raijin didn't answer. He gripped his dagger, and suddenly, arcs of lightning surged through it—mixed with spiraling currents of wind.
Tojo: (stunned) "Holy shit… where did he get that from?"
Xavier: "That's a whole storm forming around him… his lightning, and now wind? Since when?"
Gendai: (struggling to stay upright) "This pressure… it's insane. I'm doing my best not to get blown away."
A vortex of energy began to swirl around Raijin, the wind howling, lightning crackling in furious circles.
Gendai: (eyes widening) "No… don't tell me. He's trying to use that move."
Xavier: "What move?"
Tojo: "Wait—the explosion on the island exam? That was Kazimir's—"
Gendai: "Yes. The Perpetual Absolute. Riah can do it too. But it drains too much… Raijin, STOP! You'll burn yourself out!"
Raijin: (grinning through the storm) "For too long, y'all looked down on me. Thought I was just some flirt, always chasing skirts at the academy."
He laughed.
"Class A ain't just for show. So if you don't mind—let me cook."
The storm spiraled faster. The wind shrieked. With a final roar, Raijin unleashed it all.
A hurricane of thunder and wind exploded outward, the ground quaking beneath them as the A-rank parasites were obliterated. Trees snapped. Earth shattered. A smoking crater carved itself into the forest floor.
And at its center, Raijin collapsed, his clothes singed and energy completely spent.
Gendai: (rushing over) "I told you you'd waste yourself…"
Tojo: (whistling) "Damn. Bro actually cooked. Didn't know he had it in him."
Xavier: "Now I kinda wanna try that move… just to see how hard I crash."
Gendai: "Yeah, don't. He's lucky he's alive. Look at him—burnt to hell. He's not helping anymore today."
Tojo: "No time to rest. Let's keep moving—deeper in."
Just as they advanced, dozens more parasites leapt from the trees, ambushing them from every angle.
The group fought desperately, but the numbers overwhelmed them. One by one, they fell to the ground, exhausted and bloodied.
As Gendai struggled to rise, multiple parasites pounced on her, their claws grabbing and tearing. Her top was ripped—until a blur flashed through the air.
Another parasite appeared—sleek, elegant, and powerful. She sliced down the attacking parasites in a blink, their bodies falling around her like broken puppets.
S-Rank Parasite: "You disobeyed me. Disgraceful."
She turned to the weakened group.
S-Rank Parasite: "Mortals… you're not to die yet. I am Nyx. I will take you to Astaroth, as ordered."
Raijin stirred, barely conscious, eyes narrowing.
Raijin: (hoarse) "A parasite… who looks human? Honestly, you're kinda hot."
Nyx: (smirking) "Flattery? If you could overpower me, I might submit. But you're too weak to even touch me."
Raijin: (grinning) "Oh? Maybe I'll overpower you in the sheets."
With a flick of her hand, Nyx knocked him unconscious, sighing.
Just as she opened a portal to drag the team through, a wave of searing flame cleaved through the sky—colliding with Nyx and halting her advance.
Riah descended like a divine flame, her phoenix aura ablaze.
Riah: "You're not taking them anywhere."
Nyx smiled. "So, another one. Interesting."
They vanished into the portal—appearing just outside the area where Kazimir battled alone.
Flames and fists clashed. Riah and Nyx exchanged fierce blows—shockwaves scattering trees and setting the air aflame.
Nyx rocketed down, aiming a devastating punch at Riah's skull.
But Riah spun aside, countering with a whirlwind kick that sent the S-rank flying. Her wings unfurled, releasing a divine Phoenix Flame that slammed into Nyx's chest, forcing her to one knee.
Nyx: (shocked) "She's… strong."
Riah: "Get up, Gendai. Kazimir is nearby. Go. I'll finish this."
Gendai: (gritting her teeth) "I can help. She got in a few hits, but I'm not done yet."