The floor was stained with dried blood that glistened. The tunnel walls were damp with mold, and the air was thick with the stench of decay, as if a blend of rotting flesh and acidic metal filled the space. The flickering emergency lights reflected a red hue in the puddles below, creating an illusion as if it led to an unavoidable execution.
At the end of the corridor stood The Maw Devil menacingly—over four meters tall, its body comprised of jawlines that interlocked like a row of giant serrated teeth. "W-what is that?" Fitran whispered, his voice barely audible, his face twisted in deepening fear. Each jaw was lined with jagged teeth, some broken, while others still sucked the blood of previous victims. Amidst that terrifying "face," a human mouth whispered softly, uttering names as if tearing apart the existence of each individual mentioned.
"Don't let it say your name," Makima stated, her gaze sharp and intense. "If it does… you will disappear."
"Then we have to hurry before he gets a chance to speak," Fitran replied, his voice trembling with tension as he tried to push away the fear lingering in his heart.
🖥 [SYSTEM – Boss Fight Initiated]
Boss: The Maw Devil
HP: 100%
Threat Level: S
Special Ability: Name Erasure – Instant defeat if a name is spoken
Party:
Fitran Fate (HP 100%)
Makima (HP 94%)
Dual Affinity Combat System: Locked (Affinity 42%)
Opening Condition: Maintain Affinity > 40% for 10 seconds during battle
The thunderous voice of the Maw Devil echoed throughout the open space, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. Its massive teeth ground against each other, producing a sharp sound like steel being sliced. With a powerful Sonic bite attack, Makima shouted, "Watch out!" Her voice was filled with urgency and warning. The air vibrated, making the eardrums feel painfully sharp.
[HP Update] Fitran: 100% → 88%
[HP Update] Makima: 94% (stable)
Makima stepped forward with a focused demeanor, her face showing determination. "Contracts Command—Controlled Detonation," she said, feeling the energy around her rise rapidly. The targeted explosion shattered two layers of the outer jaw; "Come on, we can't back down!" Fitran yelled as shards of teeth flew through the air, some embedding in the wall while others fell to the floor with a clanging sound. Thick blood flowed from the jaw joint, dripping into a puddle and forming a vibrating black circle.
"We need to focus on attacking simultaneously. Wait for my signal," she said, her eyes shining with resolve.
"Let me know when," Fitran's reply flowed, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility.
Boss surged forward with astonishing speed, its jaw wide open, creating a terrifying full circle. "Now!" Makima shouted, her voice firm, as the flesh in its joints stretched, muscle fibers pulsating visibly between its teeth. Fitran quickly activated Voidlight Dash, grabbing Makima's arm and pulling her away from danger before the circle closed completely. "We can handle this!" he added, feeling the hard thud as the jaw crashed onto the floor, shattering concrete and splattering a mix of blood and water, creating a red mist that enveloped the surroundings.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Dual Affinity Combat Unlocked!
Current Affinity: 42%
Skill Unlocked: [Dominion Severance]
Effect: Voidlight Blade imbued with Makima's Control Contract.
Result: Every hit ignores Maw Devil's regenerative core.
Cooldown: Once per battle.
"Makima, it's time to end this once and for all!" Fitran's voice was firm, filled with fighting spirit.
Makima met his gaze, her eyes burning with fierce intensity. "Now, Fitran. Show them the power we possess."
With those words echoing in his mind, the Voidlight Blade appeared in his grasp, its black golden glow pulsing like a heartbeat. "I won't hold back!" he shouted, his spirit blazing.
Makima gently rested her hand on his shoulder, grounding him in that moment. As the invisible chains forged by their demon contract intertwined with the blade, he felt a surge of energy course through him, amplifying its ravenous desire for destruction. "Together," she murmured, her voice low and steady, "we'll make them regret ever underestimating us."
The UI came to life, displaying a divided image of the two of them, as ethereal chains spiraled around the sword, the air buzzing with anticipation. The ambiance felt charged, electrified by the thrill of an impending clash.
"Dominion Severance!" they shouted in unison, their voices merging into a fierce battle cry that echoed in the air.
With a quick and decisive swing, the blade cut through the three layers of jaws. The grotesque squelch of torn flesh fused with the sharp crack of bone, reverberating throughout the tunnel. "It ends here!" Fitran shouted, the Voidlight chains extending outward, crashing against the throbbing, reddish core of The Maw Devil.
"We can't let it recover!" Makima insisted, her determination unyielding as she concentrated hard on their target.
The blade sliced cleanly through the quivering mass, dividing it in an instant. "Feel our wrath!" Fitran yelled, channeling every bit of his strength into the strike.
Crimson-black fluid gushed out, hot and thick, soaking the ground beneath them with its metallic scent. Makima shuddered at the horrifying sight but steeled her will. "Finish it, Fitran!" she commanded, her voice a fierce rallying cry.
The final scream of The Maw Devil wasn't merely a sound; it resonated with a psychic force that pressed down on Fitran's skull, seeking to wrench free his essence. "It's… it's pulling at us!" he managed to choke out, the remnants of its last attack weighing heavily on his spirit.
Pain spread throughout his body. "W-What's happening?" The Maw Devil shouted, its voice cracking under pressure as pieces of its jaw fell, hitting the floor with a wet "crack." "No, this shouldn't be happening!" it cried repeatedly, its voice filled with panic, before everything exploded into a thick black mist that vanished into the air.
🖥 [SYSTEM – Battle Finished]
Boss Defeated: The Maw Devil
Rewards:
Affinity +8% (42% → 50%)
New Trait: Battle Synchrony (Passive – Affinity increase +2% in battle)
Item: Devil Core Fragment ×1
EXP: +1,200
Makima released her hand from Fitran's shoulder and gazed at him with intense focus. "You did well, Fitran," she said, her voice firm even though a hint of doubt was faintly visible in her eyes. The invisible contract chains began to fade, allowing a glimmer of hope to emerge. "But remember, this is only your first opportunity. Don't repeat the same mistakes." Her eyes still held emotions; a blend of evaluation and strong curiosity.
Fitran replied with a thin smile, "I can say I've learned, Makima. And I will keep finding ways to adapt." His voice trembled with burning confidence, as if the challenge posed by Makima only ignited his spirit to fight harder.
🖥 [CUTSCENE BONUS]
Condition: Affinity ≥ 50%
Event Unlock: Private Debrief – Makima's HQ
Outcome: Unlock next 'Affinity Event – Date Flag'