The massive demon lunges forward with insane speed despite its size, roaring as Muath and Mohannad are the first to strike.
[Muath, calm under pressure]: Mohannad, now.
[Mohannad nods with a light smirk]: Let's teach this giant how to respect Egyptians.
The demon swings its huge fist toward them, and a series of powerful clashes begins. Muath and Mohannad move in perfect sync, blocking blow after blow.
[Muath, parrying while searching for an opening at the neck]: We need to rotate around him—counterclockwise, Mohannad!
[Mohannad immediately understands]: Got it, ya Moz!
They start circling the demon from opposite sides. Suddenly—
BOOM!
A gunshot hits the demon's hand, making it roar in pain.
[Mazen blows into the gun's muzzle]: That shot's mine… but next time it's going straight to your head.
Muath and Mohannad seize the chance, leaping to slice the demon's neck—
But Mohannad spots something.
[Mohannad shouting]: Muath, watch out!
Muath doesn't hear him.
Suddenly, the demon's massive backhand smashes into Muath's left side, sending him flying.
He crashes brutally into an old wooden house.
[Muath, struggling to breathe]: My… breath… gone… ribs… probably broken… should've… focused…
Mo'men and Iyad rush to him. Mo'men presses a cloth on Muath's mouth.
[Mo'men]: Focus, bro. It's too early to die—you still need to finish the fight.
Back in the battlefield, the demon grins and heads toward Muath—
but Mohannad slashes its back, the wound regenerating quickly.
[Demon, smug]: Oh, that tickled ♡
[Mohannad, coldly mocking]: Look at you talking, ya demoness.
The demon cracks its fingers, claws glowing.
[Demon]: Step aside, little one. I want the meat of that boy.
A bullet suddenly hits the demon's eye—Mazen, perched on a tree, yelling:
[Mazen]: Try coming closer now!
While Hudhayfah lifts Muath, he thinks deeply.
[Hudhayfah murmurs]: Why are they targeting Muath specifically…?
Muath said demons have preferences…
Wait—
His blood? His flesh? Rare?
His eyes widen as he checks Muath's ribcage, noticing the exact location of the hit.
[Hudhayfah, worried]: His rib really IS broken… what the hell…
Iyad slaps Muath's face.
[Iyad]: Wake up, idiot! You dreaming about Shinobu or what?
Back to the battle—Mohannad and Mazen are exhausted.
[Mohannad, dodging]: Damn it… we've been fighting for hours. I need a surprise attack—
The demon's left fist comes straight for Mohannad's face.
[Demon, smiling wickedly]: Goodbye.
Blood splatters.
But—
The demon freezes. Its left hand is gone.
Both the demon and Mohannad stare—
The attacker is…
Aly, holding his axe, furious.
[Aly, annoyed]: I said I hate anime and I hate demons and I want to sleep. I'm not ending up as a kebda sandwich, for God's sake.
The demon roars and lunges at Aly.
[Demon, enraged]: You worthless insect—!
A cannon blast hits its head, knocking it back.
It looks to see the source: Hudhayfah, Mo'men, and Iyad.
[Demon]: A… cannon? HOW?!
[Mo'men, with a wild grin]: Listen here—WE are Egyptians, not sandwiches.
[Hudhayfah, whispering]: Smart move from Muath telling us about this…
[Muath, barely breathing]: Guys… there's… a cannon… near the boats… clean it…
[Hudhayfah]: A cannon? How is that here?
[Muath, coughing blood]: I noticed… the village… had fishermen… maybe they kept guns for protection… cough…
[Mo'men, excited]: Alright lads—Mo'men Pasha's Ottoman-Japanese plan is ready!
[Iyad, pirate voice]: Fire the cannons, Arrr!
[Muath]: The plan… distraction… then misdirection… then… Mohannad finishes him…
He hands Hudhayfah a paper.
[Hudhayfah]: You wrote all this THAT fast?!
�
Iyad and Mo'men load another shot while Hudhayfah fires again at the demon's head. Mohannad smirks.
[Mohannad raises his sword]: Aly, let's finish him—dollars are waiting, for Kagaya Ubuyashiki and all!
[Aly lifts his axe, dead serious]: This time… we end it.
The demon charges at Hudhayfah and Mo'men.
They brace themselves—
Hudhayfah fires a third cannon shot point-blank into the demon's torso, sending it flying.
Mohannad and Aly leap together toward the demon's neck—
But the demon grabs Aly's axe and pressures Mohannad's sword.
It's about to snap—
A gunshot hits the demon's wrist—Mazen again, wounded but smiling.
[Mazen]: I'm not dying before proving I'm better than Kokushibo! Hahaha!
[Demon, furious]: You CURSED MORTALS—hm?!
Aly slams his axe into the demon's mouth, holding it open.
Mohannad pushes the blade at the neck—
Just then—
[Demon]: Blood Demon Art—Venomous Neck Thorns!!
Spikes grow from its neck, blocking Mohannad's strike.
Mohannad struggles—his blade bending.
[Mo'men screaming]: Another cannon, QUICK!!!
[Hudhayfah slapping him]: We're out, idiot!
The thorns begin snapping Mohannad's sword—
Suddenly—
Muath appears, sprinting in despite his injuries.
He jumps, grabs Mohannad's sword, and pushes it, letting the thorns pierce his palm.
[Muath]: PUSH. NOW!!
With combined force, the two slice the demon's neck clean off.
The demon's head widens its eyes as its body crumbles.
[Demon's last thought]: If I had been serious… I could've won. Damn these brats… They're not even part of the Corps…
Dawn rises. The heroes stand victorious, though battered and bleeding.
[Mo'men to Muath]: You good, ya psycho? That was insane!
[Muath, weak smile]: Y-yeah… yeah…
He collapses, blood dripping, the poison spreading through him.
[Muath]: Damn it…
End of Chapter 5.
Next Chapter (6): A Healing Journey… To Lady Tamayo