Despite being just a severed elephant trunk, it bore an immense weight. Though Zunesha's size had diminished, its mass remained unchanged.
Carl glanced at the bloodied trunk in his hand. Darkness surged forth, consuming the entire appendage.
Blood gushed from Zunesha's wound as it thrashed wildly in the air, with Joy Boy atop its back. While calming the beast, Joy Boy utilized Nika's power to staunch the bleeding.
Once Zunesha was somewhat stabilized, Carl attacked again, sword in hand. As his blade sliced through the air, space itself distorted. Joy Boy leaped off Zunesha, white light radiating from his body. Nika's power coalesced before him, forming a massive white fist that collided with Carl's attack.
Darkness churned; white light blazed.
Carl pierced through the white fist, appearing before Joy Boy. The darkness around him transformed into eight sharp tendrils, all striking Joy Boy simultaneously.
Joy Boy, with his resilient body, withstood the assault. A thick tendril extended from his back but failed to penetrate.
Frowning, he grasped the dark tendrils embedded in his abdomen. As his glowing hands touched them, black smoke hissed into the air.
Muscles bulged on his arms as he shouted, pulling the tendrils from his body and swinging them forcefully.
Carl severed the tendrils, closed in, and delivered a kick to Joy Boy's groin. Joy Boy's expression twisted oddly.
Feeling a rubbery resistance, Carl smirked, "Not a bad feel."
Unperturbed, Joy Boy seized the opportunity to clamp his legs around Carl's foot.
Raising an eyebrow, Carl watched as Joy Boy grinned. Suddenly, the object beneath Joy Boy retracted, trapping Carl's foot.
Disgusted, Carl swung his sword at Joy Boy's neck. But Joy Boy retracted his head into his chest.
Laughing, Joy Boy spun rapidly like a top. Carl, unimpressed, enveloped his foot in darkness.
"I don't have time for your games."
With that, Carl pulled his foot free, extracting a rubbery rod-like object, and slashed at it.
This genuinely startled Joy Boy. Feeling a chill, he ceased spinning and retreated swiftly.
Yet, he was a moment too late. Carl's blade severed the tip of the "rubber rod."
A piece of clothing formed by Nika's power fluttered down, revealing a mushroom-shaped object beneath.
Muramasa trembled, seemingly in protest. Carl paused his pursuit, gently stroking the blade,
"Sorry, darling. I let you touch something filthy."
The sword calmed, emitting a subdued hum.
Joy Boy's eyes bulged, his "Tom and Jerry" physique exaggerating his shock. His face displayed utter disbelief.
His groin attire remained unrepaired. Glancing down, he confirmed the loss of his "mushroom head."
He never anticipated Carl would actually...
Though Nika's power could heal injuries, it couldn't regenerate lost limbs.
In an instant, Joy Boy's face turned beet red.
Fury erupted!
Joy Boy was utterly unhinged, both mentally and physically.
Though he never cared much for women, he was still a man. What man wouldn't be concerned about his "little brother"?
Even ancient eunuchs of Earth preserved their removed parts in jars, treating them with reverence upon leaving the palace.
"Celestial Dragons!!!"
Joy Boy's anguished roar echoed across the skies, filled with sorrow and rage.
The Celestial Dragons atop Mary Geoise were clueless about the events above, their faces blank. Deep within the Flower Room of Mary Geoise, Imu, seated on the Empty Throne, slowly raised their head, a peculiar expression in their eyes. A blush spread across their shadowed face.
Had Nusjuro and the others witnessed this, they'd be dumbfounded. Imu, the wielder of the world's highest authority, was blushing!
Fortunately, they didn't see it. If they had, Imu would have undoubtedly erased them, unwilling to let anyone witness such a lapse.
Moments later, Imu shook their head, murmuring, "This Saint Carl... hehe..."
Imu chuckled softly, "He's quite the interesting one."
Silence returned to the grand hall, save for the twin gleams of white light emanating from Imu's hands on the throne's armrests.
...
Outside the Red Line,
Carl tilted his head, mockingly observing the enraged Joy Boy,
"Why the loud outburst? That thing was useless to you anyway."
"Bastard!!!"
A white light flashed at Joy Boy's groin, his clothes restored. However, the "head" remained forever lost.
Feeling the emptiness below, Joy Boy's fury intensified. His forearms swelled, legs spinning like windmills, propelling him towards Carl.
He swung a powerful punch at Carl's face. Carl raised his darkened left hand to block, his black hair swaying slightly.
Veins bulged on Joy Boy's forehead as he gritted his teeth,
"You dared to take my..."
Carl stared impassively at Joy Boy's contorted face. Joy Boy hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
What could he say? That Carl had "decapitated" his little brother?
Enraged, Joy Boy unleashed Nika's power. Dense white steam rose behind him, forming countless white arms that launched a barrage at Carl.
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+150 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg