Chapter 112: Escape from the Collapsing Church Dungeon
The twins, along with the Black Reaper Corps, sprinted at full speed through the crumbling church dungeon, helping the sick, injured, and exhausted prisoners. The ceiling continued to collapse above them, and thunderous rumbling echoed through the tunnels. Time was rapidly running out—they had to escape before they were buried alive.
They raced down a secret tunnel, revealed earlier when the Demonic Beasts were summoned to attack Zoro.
"Hold on, guys! We'll be out of here soon!" Kageha shouted, sweat pouring down his face.
Midway through the escape, glowing formations lit up around them—self-destruct sequences.
"Shit!" Kageha cursed as explosions erupted in the distance.
In the chaos, they couldn't even be sure if Zoro's battle was still ongoing.
"Kage-nii, stay calm. We'll make it. Zoro-Aniki will too. Let's keep moving," Kuroha reassured her brother, wiping sweat from her brow.
"Haha, you're right, Kuro. Let's go, everyone!!"
"Yes, Aniki!!!" shouted the Black Reaper Corps. The rescued prisoners followed in weary silence.
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion echoed behind them, sending a flood of debris racing through the tunnel. They narrowly avoided being caught. After a long sprint, they reached a collapsed door. Once they confirmed there was no immediate threat beyond it, the group pushed forward.
They entered a large, dungeon-like area that sloped upward toward the surface. It was filled with beasts—many dead, but many still alive.
"Tch… What a nightmare," Kageha muttered, scanning the chamber. "Looks like others might've escaped through here long ago."
He narrowed his eyes and barked a command. "All forces, prepare for an all-out assault!"
The Black Reaper Corps quickly formed ranks as the beasts attacked. Some of the former prisoners—mostly young adults and older children—joined the battle.
"Rooar!"
Clink! Clang! Boom!
"Execute the Black Sword pincer formation!"
The fight was intense. Fire and smoke crept in behind them as the destruction chased them.
—KuroKage Style: Dual Black Shadow Collision Strike—
Kuroha and Kageha moved in perfect sync, their bodies blurring like shadows. They cleaved through a row of beasts, killing them instantly.
"Move now!!" Kageha yelled, carving a path forward.
The group surged through the gap. The twins and four of the former prisoners stayed behind to defend, buying time. Eventually, even the beasts began running to escape the collapsing tunnel.
Finally, they reached the dungeon's exit—a damaged doorway. Breaking through it, they emerged into a destroyed, abandoned building just outside the town.
"We made it!" someone cheered.
But it wasn't over yet. A hoard of beasts charged toward the exit.
"Everyone! Hit that passage with everything you've got!" Kageha commanded, preparing a devastating technique.
Barrages of Ki and Magic surged forward, annihilating the beasts and collapsing the tunnel behind them. Explosions and howls echoed as the dungeon finally gave way.
Everyone exhaled in relief, though the tremors hadn't fully stopped.
A young man, about 20, stepped forward. "On behalf of everyone here, thank you for saving us."
"No need to thank us," Kageha replied through his mask. "From the looks of it, some of you weren't test subjects—just captives or rebels."
"Correct… I grew up with these three," the man said. "We joined the Night's Light Devouring Church willingly. We didn't know it had a darker face…"
"It was my idea," a 19-year-old woman added bitterly. "We joined thinking it was a cause worth fighting for… then we were lightly experimented on. But seeing what they did to others—how vile…"
Suddenly, a colossal explosion erupted in the town. The ground split apart. Flames and dust shot skyward. Entire buildings collapsed—one of them being the one that led to the church's hidden basement.
A dark sword aura tore through the air, scattering debris and surging with power.
From afar, a figure was sent crashing into a pit. As the dust settled, another figure soared high, then landed near the crater.
"What's happening?!"
"Are we under attack again?"
"That aura—it's monstrous!"
"I sense demons!"
"Sound the alarm!"
Panic spread among the townsfolk and soldiers.
"Zoro Aniki!!" shouted Kageha and Kuroha, sensing the dark essence of his sword.
Zoro stood at the edge of the pit, bloodied and bruised. His clothes were tattered, and his mask was cracked. Despite his injuries, he stood tall—his bronze-toned skin glowing with Devil Lord Ki. At nearly sixteen, he stood 5'10", his muscular frame a testament to years of brutal growth.
In the pit, struggling to stand, was Reverend Grahman. He was missing a leg, and his aura had fallen below Gold Tier 2. Pain and terror replaced his earlier madness.
"Z-Zoro… S-Spare— cough cough—spare me… please…" he begged.
Zoro stared coldly. Without hesitation, he drove his katana between the man's brows.
"Heh. Even at the end, you tried to cast a demonic illusion. As if I'd fall for that. Even if I did, it'd be pointless."
He ripped the Demon Soul Core from Grahman's stomach, then beheaded him and set the body ablaze with black Ki flames. After looting the corpse, he vanished.
In less than ten seconds, he stood before the others. The Black Reaper Corps and the former prisoners bowed in silence.
"We're leaving—before things get annoying," Zoro said, eyeing the panicking townspeople and incoming soldiers.
"Yes, Aniki!" came the reply, even from some of the rescued kids.
Zoro scanned the new faces. Suddenly, he unsheathed his katana—and slashed down one of the children.
"Wh-what?! Why did you—WHY?!" a teen cried in horror. Even the Reaper Corps stood frozen.
"That one was a plant. Watch," Zoro said calmly.
The dead "child" morphed into a bisected demon—fox-headed, with a third eye. Gasps filled the air as everyone realized they had overlooked a hidden enemy all this time.
As Zoro's skin returned to its normal color, the group quietly set out toward their next destination—where Elton and the others were waiting.