What happened on Cthulhu Island could no longer be hidden in the shadows.
Ever since the emergence of terrifying individuals like Takamiya Mayuri and the others, the World Organization had become extremely wary, its eyes now watching the entire world closely.
So when they detected the anomalies—extreme weather changes and a chilling surge of [mana] on Cthulhu Island—the observers, with trembling hands, immediately reported it to the highest level.
It didn't take long for everything happening on Cthulhu Island to become the focus of the various powers that be.
As the data accumulated—two dungeon breaks and three mysterious Guild emblems—they immediately understood what was going on.
"Those greedy bastards!"
Fury erupted in the command room as they realized who was moving behind the scenes.
Without wasting time, the World Organization formed an elite force to send to Cthulhu Island.
Backed by numerous organizations, kingdoms, and empires, Rank S Hunters arrived like waves.
Even the First Commander, Laura Silver—a Rank SS Hunter who had once faced the Frost Assassin—joined this force, her face hardened with a determination rarely seen.
But they knew this wasn't enough.
"Summon the Rank S. All of them."
Five minutes later, an even heavier decision was made.
"Contact both Rank SSS. Tell them this is a red priority."
The World Organization then dispatched Rank B+ and Rank A+ Hunters in numbers that filled the sky.
With this much strength, even the mighty Light Sun Empire would struggle to fight back!
Fleets of helicopters and fighter jets filled the horizon.
By air and by sea, the troops flowed in without end, casting a gigantic shadow over the ocean.
To speed up the deployment, special teleportation gates were prepared by the World Organization's Spatial Magic division. A blue glow lit up the sky as the dimensional gates opened.
But the moment the first troops stepped through the gates, they were confronted with a sight beyond their worst nightmares.
"W-what the hell is that...?"
A terrible storm battered them with a force beyond the category of disaster.
The rain felt like thousands of ice needles, each drop so saturated with [mana] that their detection equipment short-circuited in an instant, the screens flashing red before going dark.
Then their gazes fell upon a colossal figure towering 60 meters in the distance—a giant creature gripping a black diamond spear.
Its breath created a freezing mist, and when the creature opened its mouth...
"𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗛𝗛𝗛...!!!"
Its roar shook heaven and earth as if the world itself were screaming in agony.
And as if that weren't enough, thousands of Giants and countless giant tentacles surged out of the sea and the land, charging at the human forces like a wave of death!
***
𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂! 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂! 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂!
A deafening thunderclap woke Lux from the darkness. He tried to open his heavy eyes, only to find that, let alone opening his eyes, even moving a fingertip felt heavy...
What happened?
Lux's memory felt hazy.
The Rank SSS Giant that Queenie's forces had been facing suddenly appeared before him, and then...
...I was attacked.
His memories returned like sharp shards of glass.
Most shocking of all, Lux hadn't been able to see the direction of the attack at all.
Hit squarely by a Rank SSS Giant's attack, he should have been reduced to ashes.
But thanks to Raiden Ei/Shogun, who had protected him at the last moment, he had escaped death.
Even so, severe injuries were unavoidable.
Forcing his body up with iron resolve, Lux pulled his right hand, bent in a horrifying direction, back into place.
The sound of bones cracking echoed grotesquely as he set it right, yet he felt no pain at all thanks to his Talent.
"𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗥...!"
𝙅𝙀𝘿𝘼𝘼𝘼𝙍...!!
A monster's roar followed by lightning splitting the sky made Lux turn his head.
From a distance, he witnessed a sight that could only be described in one word.
𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰.
Even from a great distance, Lux could still see the silhouette of the Rank SSS Giant fighting Raiden Ei/Shogun.
Their battle created shockwaves that shattered the surrounding land.
No, it was no longer accurate to call it Rank SSS. Judging by its overflowing power and aura… that Giant had clearly surpassed the limits of Rank SSS.
Lux narrowed his eyes, quickly analyzing the situation.
It seemed something—whatever kind of power it was—had caused every Magical Beast in this place to drastically increase in strength.
'I was thrown very far.'
Although this had left most of his body severely damaged, Lux considered it a blessing in disguise.
At his current level of strength, it would be suicide to get involved in a fight between two godlike beings.
"Wow, seriously. You're still alive?"
A familiar voice came from behind, spoken in feigned astonishment.
Hearing this voice, Lux's expression instantly turned cold.
Jet-black hair with purple eyes that glinted dangerously. A cloak ornamented with two skull heads and two long daggers gleaming at his waist.
The figure was a Rank SS Hunter and the Leader of the Second Order—one of the Orders that had long been hostile to Lux.
Seeing the man standing there casually, without a single wound while everyone else struggled to survive, and the fact that he had sought out Lux instead of helping fight the monsters, Lux realized something at once…
"You..." Lux stared sharply, "Is the appearance of these monsters connected to you?"
A smirk appeared on the Second Order Leader's face.
"I know what you're thinking, and yes, that's right. Most of the trouble happening right now is my handiwork." He shrugged as if talking about the weather. "But seeing that you're still alive... I'm not too surprised. That's just like you. By the way, where are your group members? Are they dead already? How disappointing, bu-"
𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙃!!
Before he could finish speaking, the Second Order Leader's figure vanished in an instant as an ice slash shot toward his throat.
"Hey, hey, at least let me finish talking." His voice sounded from the other side. "Aren't you curious what's really going on? If you want, I can explain everything to you, you know," he said in a nauseatingly teasing tone.
"This is my answer."
The air around Lux trembled before thousands of ice spears and swords formed, floating in perfect formation.
A cold blue light reflected off every sharp blade before all of them launched like a storm of death toward the Second Order Leader.
Seeing this, the Second Order Leader merely shook his head with a disappointed sigh.
"Well, that's fine, but..." His smile turned into a cruel smirk. "Aren't you underestimating a Rank SS Hunter a bit too much?"
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃! 𝙆𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙂!
With just one casual swing of his dagger, all of Lux's ice weapons shattered like thin glass.
In the blink of an eye, the Second Order Leader's figure disappeared.
Lux's instincts screamed danger. One of his enemy's daggers had shot out of the darkness, ready to pierce his heart from behind!
𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂!
Sparks of fire and ice flared brightly as the Second Order Leader's dagger was stopped by an ice spear that appeared from nowhere, protecting Lux.
"Oh?" The Second Order Leader couldn't hide his surprise.
But that expression quickly changed when he felt something moving beneath his feet.
The ground beneath him trembled violently before cracking, and from within emerged a two-headed ice dragon that pounced on him with giant jaws!
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙈𝙈...!!!
The Second Order Leader was caught by the ice creature and carried high into the air!
The ice dragon roared fiercely before savagely slamming itself—with the Second Order Leader in its grip—into a series of distant mountains!
Collision after collision created thunderous impacts that drew the attention of all the Giants and octopus monsters around!
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃! 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂!
But the strength of a Rank SS Hunter was not to be underestimated.
Within seconds, the ice dragon attacking the Second Order Leader shattered into crystal fragments that scattered through the air!
The Second Order Leader's figure appeared again, but his appearance was now far from neat.
His cloak was torn in several places and fresh blood ran from the corner of his lips.
"Now you look better," Lux praised without emotion, his eyes glinting coldly.
"Hahaha!" The Second Order Leader burst into laughter, but there was clear anger behind it.
"You've managed to annoy me, Frost Assassin." He snapped his fingers. "So... I'll fight you together with the others."
A moment later, several silhouettes moved at extraordinary speed.
Even with his trained reflexes, Lux couldn't catch the movements of all of them.
𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂...!!!
"Cough!" Blood spurted from Lux's mouth as a solid blow struck his abdomen.
With his left eye closed from injury and his breath ragged, Lux's gaze still radiated a terrifying killing aura.
The ice mask that had concealed his identity all this time was now shattered, revealing his young face.
"Don't blame me, kid. Blame yourself for having too many enemies," said his attacker in a cold tone.
"Isn't it pathetic? Two Rank SS Hunters and a group of Rank S Hunters have to join forces to finish off one ordinary Rank S Hunter?" Lux retorted, his voice remaining calm despite the critical situation.
"Say what you like." The muscular man pinning Lux's body snorted. He was a Rank SS Hunter of the Shadow Order—the Leader of the Fourth Order.
"So? Did you like the surprise I prepared for you, Lux Frost?"
The Second Order Leader walked closer, a triumphant smile on his face.
"..." Lux fell silent for a moment, then asked in a calm voice, "Did you have to do all this?"
"Of course I did!" The Second Order Leader suddenly shouted, his emotions overflowing.
"You! Why does the Guild Leader always pay attention to you?! Why are we, Rank SS Hunters, looked at with disgust by her?!"
His breath was ragged, his face flushed with unconcealed jealousy.
"..."
Lux shifted his gaze toward the Fourth Order Leader, seeking an answer.
"Don't lump me together with him," the muscular man replied flatly. "I have my own reasons. I was simply paid a decent sum to finish you off."
A lie...
Lux could clearly sense the falsehood behind the Fourth Order Leader's words.
He could feel the pure hatred radiating from that man.
But Lux didn't waste energy taking issue with it.
He turned back to the Second Order Leader and asked directly, "So you're the one who did all this?"
"Heh, I really couldn't be bothered to explain since you refused to listen earlier, but since you're on the verge of death..." The Second Order Leader grinned widely. "Yes and no. It's true that I planned all this by spreading false information, but in truth, I'm just a pawn of 'That Being'."
"That Being?"
"Yes! That Being!" His eyes widened with obvious madness. "It's the mastermind behind the sudden surge in power of all these monsters! It's incredibly powerful and invincible! The 'True Cthulhu'—a Dungeon Boss of Unknown Rank that has killed three Rank SSS Hunters!"
The Second Order Leader laughed like a madman.
"We made a simple exchange. I sacrifice Hunters as offerings to restore its power, and in return, it helps me kill you and makes Queenie mine. But seeing your current state..." He licked his lips. "I think this exchange is well worth it."
"..." No words came from Lux's lips.
Seeing no reaction from the Frost Assassin, the Second Order Leader grew even more irritated.
He raised his dagger, ready to plunge it into Lux's heart when a whisper was heard...
"Restore... all templates... and upgrade..."
𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙃!!
"Huh?"
Everyone gasped as a golden glow suddenly radiated from Lux's body...
𝙆𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙈...!!
Blue fire burning like a supernova suddenly exploded, hitting them all with a terrifying shockwave!
"Damn it! Don't let him get away! He's tryin-" The Second Order Leader shouted in rage, but his words were cut off as a white flash shot toward his throat. "?!!!"
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃!!
A sharp slash split the air, and everything in its path was cut into two perfect halves! Fortunately for the Second Order Leader, his reflexes were still good enough to dodge at the last second!
But the attack didn't stop there.
More and more white lightning slashes appeared, creating an orchestra of death aimed at every inch of his body!
In desperation, the Second Order Leader's gaze met a pair of red eyes radiating a killer aura.
A petite figure with a gleaming white katana. White hair tied into twin tails and a red-and-white kimono fluttering gracefully.
Those red eyes looked empty, as if seeing through the soul of prey already marked for death.
The Second Order Leader shuddered in horror as he realized something impossible...
How could an ordinary Rank B Hunter possess power equal to Rank S+?!
The question would never be answered, because hundreds of lethal slashes now rained down on his entire body, giving him no chance to breathe, let alone think!
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃...!!
***
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙈...!!
"I told you to kill him right away! He wasted time with useless chatter!"
The Fourth Order Leader growled in anger.
His eyes were fixed on the young man standing calmly before them.
Hair black like a raven's wings. A pair of sharp, cold dark-blue eyes.
His expression was serious and emotionless, perfectly concealing his thoughts and intentions.
His right hand gripped a blue-black katana known as a 'Nichirin'.
Having once investigated the Frost Assassin and his group, the Fourth Order Leader naturally recognized this young man as a member of Zero Order, but...
"As I recall, you're only equal to Rank B, or Rank A at most." The Fourth Order Leader raised his fist, which was beginning to be cloaked in dark aura.
"But what I'm sensing right now is Rank S+." His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How did you do it?"
"..." The young man, Tomioka Giyū, did not answer his question.
Instead, he spoke in a calm but threatening voice, "For your information... you've made a grave mistake by hurting our Leader. If it were the girls facing you right now..." His eyes glinted coldly.
"Whether physically or mentally... you would be utterly destroyed, leaving nothing behind."
"You're saying something funny."
The Fourth Order Leader's body began to swell frighteningly.
His muscles bulged unnaturally, his veins standing out like snakes beneath his skin.
With a bloodthirsty gaze, his hand enlarged to twice its size. "Destroyed physically and mentally? That's nonsen-"
Before his sentence was finished, the world around him changed.
The Fourth Order Leader suddenly saw the illusion of a giant water dragon shooting toward him!
Though it was only an illusion, astonishingly, the Rank S Hunters standing around him suddenly screamed in pain—their bodies covered in deep slash wounds that appeared from nowhere!
Seeing this, the Fourth Order Leader wasted no time and launched a devastating punch to shatter the water dragon illusion before him!
𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙂...!!!
The sharp edge of the Nichirin katana collided head-on with the Fourth Order Leader's powerful punch!
The clash of the two forces created a shockwave that destroyed the ground within a radius of dozens of meters!
From an outside perspective, the two looked evenly matched, but the reality was different.
Tomioka Giyū felt the hand holding the Nichirin go numb instantly, his bones vibrating violently under the terrifying pressure.
Without panicking, Tomioka Giyū exhaled a thick mist in a smooth motion.
"Lately, Rank SS Hunters have been underestimated far too often." The Fourth Order Leader spoke mockingly. "So I'll show you the true power of a Rank SS Hunter."
The Fourth Order Leader's body glowed a terrifying blood red.
He activated his Talent, which raised his physical durability to an extreme level.
Combined with all of his concentrated [mana], the Fourth Order Leader's power surpassed even the limits of Rank SS and entered the realm of Rank SS+!
"Is that so?" Tomioka Giyū responded calmly. "Then I'll show you what a Hashira can do."
Tomioka Giyū's breathing became heavy and deep.
His heart beat faster and louder, his blood flowing swiftly like a river flooding his whole body, making his skin feel as though it were burning from within.
As his breathing became more controlled, changes began to occur in Tomioka Giyū.
A tattoo resembling flowing water appeared beautifully on the left side of his face, glowing blue under the dim sunlight.
When he opened his eyes again, the world looked different to Tomioka Giyū.
His vision now penetrated the outer layers of his opponent's body—clearly seeing the muscles, the flow of blood, and the movement of every joint of the living being before him.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱—a technique mastered only by the strongest Hashira—was now fully activated.
As if responding to this change, the Nichirin katana, originally blue, changed color to a blood red that glowed with heat!
Witnessing this transformation, the Fourth Order Leader's expression turned to horror!
What the hell is this kid-
"<<𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮 𝐧𝐨 𝐊𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐮, 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐨 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚... 𝐑𝐲𝐮𝐫𝐲𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐢>>"
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃!!!
***
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 — ✯✯』!]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝟭,𝟮𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂 — ✯✯✯』!]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀!]
[𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 — ✯✯』𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 ✯✯✯✯』𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝟭 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲?]
[𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂— ✯✯✯』𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂 — ✯✯✯✯』𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝟭 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝟯𝟳,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲?]
[𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚! 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟲𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲]
[𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 — ✯✯』> 『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 — ✯✯✯✯』- 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟭 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿]
[𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂 — ✯✯✯』> 『𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗚𝗶𝘆𝘂 — ✯✯✯✯』- 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟭 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗶 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝘆𝗮/𝗗𝗮𝗯𝗶 — ✯✯✯』]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝘁 — ✯✯✯』
[𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝟰𝟬𝟬,𝟱𝟳𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀]
"Ukh..." Lux's body staggered, held up only by Dabi supporting his shoulder.
With trembling hands, he wiped the blood flowing from the corner of his lips.
"You look wretched, Leader," Dabi commented flatly, his heavily scarred face showing no emotion.
"...So it seems," Lux replied with an unnatural calm for someone who had nearly died moments ago.
Truly, this time he had really been careless.
Fighting alone against such enormous power was clearly impossible. Who could have guessed a betrayal would occur at such a critical moment?
Although Lux had suspected the Second Order Leader had a hidden agenda to kill him, this plan was far more complex and dangerous than he had imagined.
To match the enemy's extraordinary strength, Lux had been forced to spend tens of millions of Achievement Points at once to summon and strengthen his four templates.
Lux's gaze shifted toward Artemisia, who was facing five Rank S Hunters at once.
Territories of various sizes—magical territorial fields—appeared around her, creating a deadly moving labyrinth.
Even so, fighting five Rank S Hunters simultaneously was still a heavy challenge even for Artemisia.
But something bothered Lux's mind...
Is it just my imagination, or is Artemisia's offense filled with an unusual killing intent?
Lux raised his eyebrows, observing carefully.
Artemisia's movements were different from usual, more aggressive, more cruel. Every attack the woman launched seemed aimed at killing brutally, not merely defeating...
Shaking his head to dispel the thought, Lux created a pair of ice swords that gleamed coldly.
Beside him, Dabi also prepared to enter the battlefield, blue fire igniting in both his hands.
Suddenly, a gigantic shadow enveloped them.
Looking up, they saw dozens of Giants launching building-sized fists toward them!
𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂! 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂! 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂!
"<<𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫>>"
Without hesitation, Dabi unleashed his deadly attack.
Blue flames blazed, forming a giant spiderweb that shot upward at a terrifying speed.
Even though the Giants had received a power boost, they were still helpless against the villain's flames.
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙈...!!!
The Giants screamed in pain as Dabi's blue fire web tore through their bodies, turning flesh and bone to ash in an instant!
Meanwhile, Lux did not remain idle.
Creating a pair of crystal ice wings on his back, he shot forward at a speed barely visible to the naked eye!
𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙃! 𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙃! 𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙃!
Slash after slash was launched by Lux, his ice swords cutting through the remaining Giants.
As the monsters cried out in pain, Lux's eyes changed.
His Mystic Eyes of Death Perception activated fully.
Pitch-black lines of death filled his vision, forming a complex web across the body of every enemy.
Without hesitation, Lux cut every line of death connected to the Giants!
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃!
Like puppets with their strings cut, the Giants instantly stopped moving—their bodies stiffened for a moment before slowly turning to dust blown away by the wind.
Their existence was erased from this world, without a trace, without a remnant.
From the right, Lux's instincts screamed danger.
He felt a strong gust of wind followed by thick killing intent.
In an instant, a dark silhouette shot out of the darkness, launching a deadly thrust toward his heart!
𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂!
The sharp thrust was blocked by a bluish blade radiating a cold light.
Artemisia floated gracefully, surrounded by dozens of rotating transparent green shields protecting her.
With a lethal motion, she swung Arondight—the sword of the second-strongest Wizard in her world—which radiated an oppressive bluish aura as it met the Rank S Hunter's blade head-on!
There was no hesitation in her eyes. Artemisia intended to send her opponent to the afterlife.
𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙃! 𝙒𝙊𝙎𝙃! 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙈...!!
A tremendous boom shook the air.
Magic collided with magic, creating waves of energy that destroyed everything they touched.
While Artemisia crossed swords with the Rank S Hunter, aided by Dabi, Lux frowned as dozens of giant tentacles emerged from the darkness, sweeping the surface of the ground clean.
𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗹𝗵𝘂.
There was no need to see its true form to recognize this oppressive aura. The King of Cthulhu—a Rank SSS Magical Beast whose existence was considered a nightmare.
Yet here, the creature was present with all its terror and power.
With a swift motion, Lux created an ice wyvern and soared high into the sky, dancing between the tentacle attacks that tried to seize him.
The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception were active, his eyes catching the points of death invisible to ordinary eyes.
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃! 𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃! 𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃!
Every tentacle that was cut turned to ash at once—with no chance to regenerate.
Yet the King of Cthulhu remained alive, as if those wounds were mere ant bites to it.
Lux took a card between two fingers.
His blue eyes glinted with cold satisfaction. "Monsters must be fought with monsters. Don't you think so, Takamiya Mayuri?"
"<<𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤>>"
𝙅𝙀𝘿𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘼𝙍𝙍𝙍...!!
A golden flash struck ferociously, wiping out dozens of giant tentacles in the blink of an eye.
The air split, the ground trembled, and the sky seemed torn apart by a power not of this world.
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝘂𝗿𝗶 — ✯✯✯✯✯ 』𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹!]
Beside Lux stood a graceful figure with light blonde hair that shimmered softly under the moonlight.
Her pink eyes gazed calmly at the enemy. Pure white wings like an angel's spread from her back, contrasting with the elegant black dress and gold boots she wore.
Standing side by side with Lux, the two looked like two sides of the same coin…
What amazed everyone was the being behind her—
Kerubiel, a giant winged black sphere radiating the aura of a god.
With its full consciousness, Kerubiel unleashed an unending stream of golden lightning, destroying the King of Cthulhu's tentacles as if mowing grass!
"I'll leave this place to you," Lux ordered.
"Understood..."
Takamiya Mayuri nodded gently, a faint smile adorning her perfect face.
Lux wasted no time. He commanded his ice wyvern toward his destination—the place where the real battle would begin.
Mayuri watched Lux's retreating back, then turned to the monster before her.
Raising her hand gracefully, various elements began to swirl around her, creating a small tornado holding destructive power.
"<<𝐙𝐚𝐝𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐥, 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐞𝐥, 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥, 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥>>"
One by one, the names of the Angels left her lips as if singing a song of death.
A great sword manifested in her hand, crystallizing all the elemental power into a single weapon of destruction.
Blazing fire from Camael, chilling ice from Zadkiel, killing wind from Raphael, and enhanced power from Gabriel…
All of them merged in a terrifying harmony.
"<<𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭... 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧>>"
Mercilessly, the deadly slash was unleashed!
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃𝙃....!!!
***
Feeling the tremendous wave from behind, Lux kept driving his ice wyvern onward, cleaving the sky at a speed that defied the wind.
But suddenly, the pressure of death struck from behind. His survival instincts screamed.
Without hesitation, Lux leapt from the wyvern's back!
𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂!
Like swatting a mosquito, the ice wyvern Lux had created was shattered in a single blow—leaving glittering shards of ice crystal in the air.
"Another Rank SS+ Giant..." Lux muttered calmly.
This was the third Rank SS+ Giant he had encountered. If he could kill it...
If only it were that easy.
In a calm motion, Lux created a sharply gleaming ice spear, preparing to cut the lines of death on the giant creature before him.
But before he could move, a rain of white slashes suddenly attacked, protecting Lux from the sudden strike!
𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙂!!
The Rank SS+ Giant's hand was destroyed in an instant, as if chopped apart by thousands of invisible swords!
"Tsukuyo," Lux greeted the figure that had suddenly appeared.
"Disappointing, but I failed to kill that man."
The petite girl with white twin tails looked annoyed.
Her kimono was torn in several places and drenched in blood—a mixture of her own and her enemies'.
Inaba Tsukuyo's condition was not surprising. Even though her strength had been raised to the Rank S+ realm, killing the Second Order Leader—a Rank SS Hunter—was no easy feat.
"No problem. More importantly, get ready."
Lux gripped his ice spear tightly. He realized they were now surrounded by the Second Order's forces.
In the middle of the encirclement stood a figure with an intimidating aura, the Second Order Leader.
The man walked with a gloomy expression and heavy steps. Blood flowed from his severed right arm, a permanent wound caused by Inaba Tsukuyo.
"You look pitiful, Second Order Leader. But I'm glad to hear that news."
"Lux Frost. Tell me..." The Second Order Leader's voice was low and heavy, filled with hatred.
"Where did you find these monsters?"
From the system…
But of course he wouldn't say that.
"That's a trade secret."
"I see..." The Second Order Leader's eyes glinted dangerously, filled with uncontainable vengeance. "Then die!"
Along with that shout, a black ice thrust shot toward them, spinning and splitting the air like a spear of death!
"Duck!" Inaba Tsukuyo shouted.
Without asking, Lux immediately ducked.
In one graceful yet lethal motion, Inaba Tsukuyo drew her katana from its sheath and swung it in a single smooth movement!
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙃!
Time seemed to stop. The air split. The world was cut in two.
Tsukuyo's horizontal slash extended mercilessly, cutting everything within its range—trees, rocks, mountains, the Second Order's forces, even the Rank SS+ Giant! Nothing escaped that single deadly swing.
Horror was plainly written on the Second Order Leader's face.
This girl was extremely dangerous!
His survival instincts screamed at him to run, but would Lux let him escape so easily?
Of course not.
At a speed almost too fast for the eye to catch, Lux hurled his ice spear.
The Second Order Leader noticed and tried to destroy the spear, but when it shattered, the ice fragments suddenly turned into chains that bound him!
"Damn—"
Panic engulfed the Second Order Leader.
He raised his face and met Lux's left eye shining brightly—the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception were active, marking several points of death on his body.
One line. Only one line was needed to end everything.
𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈!
"Tsk." Lux clicked his tongue in annoyance as a giant tentacle suddenly appeared, blocking his final attack.
Why was it so hard to kill this trash? Was he a hidden Son of Destiny?
"Hahaha! You're finished, Lux Frost!"
The Second Order Leader laughed maniacally.
Lux narrowed his eyes, quickly analyzing the situation.
He glanced at Inaba Tsukuyo, who was now surrounded by dozens of bloodthirsty Rank S Hunters.
He needed more strength.
Without warning, the giant fist of the Rank SS+ Giant shot toward Lux, ready to crush him like an ant underfoot.
Undaunted, Lux raised his hand.
In an instant, hundreds of sharp ice blades rose from the ground, forming a forest of spikes that blocked the monster's fist!
𝘾𝙍𝘼𝙎𝙃!
The Rank SS+ Giant's cry of pain filled the air as its fist was impaled by hundreds of ice spikes. Black blood gushed from its wounds, flooding the ground beneath it.
"Why are you so hard to kill!"
The Second Order Leader began to lose his sanity. Together with dozens of other Rank S and A Hunters, he charged at Lux like a man possessed!
"Give me time, Tsukuyo," Lux requested calmly.
"Understood."
In the blink of an eye, Inaba Tsukuyo's petite figure was standing before Lux.
Her katana was drawn, dancing in the air, creating a storm of white slashes that cut apart every enemy who dared come near!
The Second Order Leader trembled as he watched the slaughter. But his hatred was stronger than his fear.
Why? Why was the Frost Assassin, a mere novice, always surrounded by powerful people? Why not him?
Why was fate so unfair?!
That jealousy and hatred burned his soul, igniting the hidden power of a true Rank SS Hunter.
A dark ice storm appeared around him, shooting toward Lux with a cold that froze the soul!
Inaba Tsukuyo kept cutting down every ice crystal that attacked, but there were too many. Attacks from every direction overwhelmed her.
The Rank SS+ Giant joined in, swinging its fists repeatedly to crush the "insects" before it!
The pressure was too heavy. Inaba Tsukuyo coughed up blood, yet still stood tall.
"Stubborn!"
Knowing she must not fall, Inaba Tsukuyo growled in anger.
With iron resolve, she decided to use her strongest sword technique!
"<<𝐘𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐮 𝐉𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧-𝐑𝐲𝐮, 𝐔𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐨𝐮>>!"
Time seemed to slow.
In a movement barely visible to the eye, Tsukuyo executed three slashes—two horizontal and one vertical—cutting everything before her with terrifying precision!
The Rank SS+ Giant struck by the blade instantly lost both legs, cut cleanly as if by the hottest knife!
"𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗚𝗚𝗚...!!"
A roar of pain echoed as the giant body collapsed to the ground, creating a small earthquake!
But the victory came at a heavy price. Inaba Tsukuyo fell to her knees, her breathing heavy and gasping.
Fresh blood flowed from the corner of her lips.
Trembling, the girl tried to rise, leaning on her katana.
Suddenly, her body was enveloped in black ice that appeared out of nowhere.
"Ugh?!"
Startled, Inaba Tsukuyo tried to resist, cutting at the ice that bound her.
But it was futile. The black ice was too strong, even for her swordsmanship.
"Kuh... How disappointing, attacking a girl from behind. Aren't you ashamed?" she taunted, still able to defy him even while pinned.
"SHUT UP! Now I'll kill you!" the Second Order Leader roared, out of control.
All the Rank S Hunters under his command had fallen at Inaba Tsukuyo's hands.
If not for the mysterious tentacle that always protected him, the Second Order Leader was certain he would have been reduced to chunks of meat as well.
But he was still alive! Fate was still on his side!
As he raised his hand to deliver the final blow to Inaba Tsukuyo, something strange happened.
The raindrops around them suddenly evaporated, creating a thin, hissing mist.
The air temperature rose drastically within seconds.
"What the—"
The Second Order Leader didn't even have time to finish his thought.
𝙒𝙃𝙐𝙐𝙐𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙃𝙃𝙃!
A blazing red jet of flame, hot enough to melt steel, pierced straight through his body!
The fire danced inside his body, burning his vital organs from within.
"Pfft...!!"
Even as a Rank SS Hunter, he could not avoid the death that came in the form of fire.
'Who...?'
In his final glimpse, the Second Order Leader saw a petite figure standing gracefully.
A pure white kimono with a translucent sash floating about. Her body was small yet radiated a terrifying aura.
Her red hair shimmered like licking flames, tied with a black ribbon on a pair of oni-like horns.
In her hand was a large, gleaming red spear—clearly too big for her small body.
Around her, dozens of fireballs floated, ready to destroy anyone who dared approach.
From another perspective, she almost looked like a goddess of fire descending to earth...
Before the darkness swallowed him forever, the Second Order Leader's last thought was filled with irony:
'Are lolis this terrifying these days?...'
***
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟬𝘅 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 『𝗚𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 — 𝗜𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶』!]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝟰𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱!]
A series of system notifications appeared before Lux, displaying his gacha results one by one. His eyes glinted as he saw:
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗻: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀! 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶 — ✯✯✯✯✯ 』]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗻: 𝗢𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲, '𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 - 𝗚𝗲𝘃𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹'!]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶'𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭𝟱𝟵,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀?]
Without hesitation, Lux approved.
[𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚! 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟱𝟵,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀... 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶'𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟬𝟬%!]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹!]
[𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝟯𝟭𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀]
Seeing his point total plummet, Lux's expression remained unchanged.
He approached Inaba Tsukuyo, who lay weakly, her body still wrapped in the remnants of black ice that had begun to melt.
Lux closed his eyes and murmured softly:
"Return."
Instantly, Inaba Tsukuyo's body turned into golden light particles, returning to her original form, a Template card that floated into Lux's hand.
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 — ✯✯✯✯』: 𝟵𝟱% - 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗗𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼』, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱]
[𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲『𝗜𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗸𝘂𝘆𝗼 — ✯✯』: '𝟬𝟯 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝟯𝟬 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀, 𝟭 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀, 𝟮𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀'. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻]
Looking at the card description showing Inaba Tsukuyo's near-death condition, Lux sighed heavily.
He gripped the card tightly before carefully putting it away.
"Are you just going to stand there?"
Lux raised his face, looking at the figure who had just saved them.
Itsuka Kotori.
The fire Spirit from the world of Date A Live. Like Takamiya Mayuri, as a five-star rarity template, her power was undeniable… One might even call it brutal and terrifying.
Though the fire Spirit's face was expressionless, her red eyes conveyed worry and anxiety about Lux's condition.
Her red spear was still ablaze, ready to destroy anyone who dared approach her master.
"Let's go, we still have work to do," Lux said calmly, wiping the blood flowing from the corner of his lips.
"Understood." Itsuka Kotori nodded obediently.
She turned toward the Rank SS+ Giant, still roaring in pain with both legs severed. "And what about this creature?"
"Kill it," Lux answered without emotion.
Without waiting for a second command, Itsuka Kotori raised her hand.
Dozens of fireballs swirled into a large circle, then merged into a fire tornado that shot toward the Rank SS+ Giant.
The colossal creature didn't even have time to scream as its body was engulfed in blazing red fire, melting its flesh down to the bones before turning to ash blown away by the wind.
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗢𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟱𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀!]
"...Hm?" Lux's eyebrows rose at the amount of points he received.
With Itsuka Kotori at his side, Lux strode toward the next battlefield.
In the distance, tremendous explosions and flashes of light indicated that Takamiya Mayuri was destroying the King of Cthulhu.
The battle had only just begun. And this time, Lux had no intention of losing.