CLANG!
A sharp metallic crash split the air as Shun's sword locked against Jogris's burning blade. Sparks scattered outward in a bright arc at the village gate. In the next instant, Shun pushed with all his strength, forcing Jogris to skid backward across the ground.
-"Jogris! If you win, I'll keep fighting you.
But if I win—you're never laying a hand on Reina again!"
Shun declared, every word striking the ground like a vow.
Jogris let out a mocking laugh, his eyes cold with disdain.
-"I didn't come here for promises.
I came to take back what belongs to me."
As soon as the words left his lips, his blade erupted, crimson flames bursting upward like they were trying to rip the air apart.
Jogris slowly lowered the burning edge to touch the grass—
SSHHHHH—!!!
In a single breath, the entire field of grass—from the village gate all the way to Shun—evaporated, leaving only scorched, bare earth.
Shun stiffened. Never in his life had he seen a sword that could vaporize grass instantly.
-"Such force…? Seriously…?"
But instead of fear, a small, excited grin tugged at his lips.
-"I may not have any special power… but I have this sword!
My strength, my resolve, and a spirit that doesn't break!"
With a shout, he dashed forward like an arrow released.
CLANG!!! — CLANG!!!! — CLANG!!!!
The sound of steel rang out again and again.
Bright arcs flashed as their blades collided, like lightning strikes weaving across the dusk sky.
SWISH—!
Shun tilted his head, narrowly dodging a flaming slash that sliced the air open.
BOOM!!!!
A massive boulder behind him exploded into ash and burning fragments.
-"What—?!"
Shun's eyes widened, jaw dropping in disbelief.
-"There's no way!
Stone doesn't just burn like that—not with ordinary flames!"
Jogris walked forward, calm and composed, as if the destruction meant nothing.
-"This isn't 'fire.'
Anything touched by this sword burns—nothing can stop its spread."
He held the blade up for Shun to see.
-"Its name is Eight Flames.
Forged by an ancient blacksmith more than two centuries ago."
Jogris tightened his grip.
FWOOOM!
The fire surged—
but this time it shifted, becoming a deep, intense blue, like a sun fused with hellfire.
-"Eight Flames — Form Two…
The Sun."
The glare was so bright Shun had to raise an arm to shield his eyes.
The heat was overwhelming—sweat formed and evaporated instantly on his skin.
But Shun's eyes—
were burning even brighter.
-"Good…!
Then I'll crush that sword—
and defeat you, Jogris!"
Lowering his arm, Shun stared straight ahead, his gaze blazing with unshakable determination.
BOOM!!!
A thunderous explosion ripped through the forest.
Ancient trees toppled like dominos as Eobard's blood arrows rained down in torrents—no cooldown, no command, no mercy.
They hunted their targets with a will of their own, like blood-born spirits craving violence.
High above, Shark burst into manic laughter.
He swooped through the sky, effortlessly weaving between the crimson barrage, his dragon wings spread so wide they nearly eclipsed the sun.
-"Now this… is way more fun than that clown earlier.
You've got power—I'll give you that,"
Shark growled, a savage grin twisting his face.
Out of the rising smoke, Eobard emerged, holding Mamyo's severed head in his hand.
It kept trying to regenerate—but every tendril of healing blood instantly detonated, repelled by the Concept of Blood itself.
-"Blood Manipulation… and a Blood Concept?
Not bad,"
Shark laughed.
-"Shut up. I don't have time for you two,"
Eobard muttered as he crushed Mamyo's head without hesitation.
CLANG!!!
A single feather from Shark's dragon wings shot downward, clashing with a blood arrow midair.
-"Let's be serious—
I'm not interested in seeing how many tricks you've got, Eobard,"
Shark taunted, spinning through another volley.
CLANG!
Eobard's blood spear collided with Shark's steel talons, shaking the ground.
-"You're not fighting seriously?
Fine—let me educate you,"
Eobard said, grabbing Shark by the leg—
SLAM!!!
—and hurling him straight into a massive tree, obliterating it like a bomb had gone off.
Standing on a shattered branch above him, Eobard looked down calmly.
-"You're not using your Gil.
But I can feel it—you're not lacking."
From the debris, Shark stepped out, blood running down his forehead yet still grinning.
-"I've absorbed it into my body.
What you're sensing is just the immature Gil that keeps regenerating."
He formed a hand seal, voice dropping low.
-"I'll kill you… then dissect you."
Then he roared—
"CALAMITY DESCENT — FORTY-SEVEN DEMON GATES!!!"
Eobard raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Shark cackled:
"SUMMON—UNSEAL!!!"
BOOOOM!!!!
The ground burst open as a new Mamyo emerged.
Mud casing shattered, revealing a colossal titan-like body wrapped in black cloth and glowing ancient symbols.
Mamyo's eyes snapped open—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The entire forest detonated.
A colossal smoke pillar shot into the sky, winds howling violently as trees were uprooted like grass in a typhoon.
But—
THUD—THUD—THUD—
A massive blood wall rose, enclosing the area, blocking the explosion entirely.
Nothing pierced it.
From the destruction, Eobard walked out, one sleeve torn, blue aura spiraling around him like mystical flames.
-"Not bad.
Mamyo's Gil packs a punch.
But honestly—it's only scary for kids."
Shark stood beside the complete Mamyo, smirking.
-"You used the Hyyo Grand Construct to block Mamyo's Gil, didn't you?
Saw it coming."
Eobard dusted off his shoulder.
-"What is Mamyo's body now?
I don't sense blood. No organs, either."
For the first time, Shark's expression turned serious.
-"Mamyo is the embodiment of every Calamity born from mankind.
A being far beyond what you can grasp."
Eobard rolled his shoulders.
-"All right then.
I'll use… 40%."
He placed his hand on the ground:
"UNLOCKING THE GATE — ANCIENT BLOOD PARASITE."
The earth trembled as black-red veins crawled outward like living creatures.
Shark spread his wings:
"UNLOCKING THE GATE — BLACK ASURA."
The air tightened—
heavy, suffocating,
as if Death itself had turned to look at them.
"—Hey, Millis… did you feel that?"
One of Grakk's men asked, his voice trembling.
-"Huh? I don't care,"
Millis shrugged, lips curling into a smirk.
-"I only care about my little sweetheart."
She tilted her head toward Miliana, locked inside a black metal prison.
Miliana clenched her fists, eyes wet.
-"Willin… Bruno… Drake…
Please survive…
I can't bear losing anyone else… please…"
She bit her lip, forcing back tears.
She knew — right now she was nothing but a burden.
She wanted to fight.
To help.
To defeat the Demon Lord.
But instead, she was captured — the weakness dragging everyone down.
-"Come on now, don't be sad, sweetheart…"
Millis's voice whispered right beside her ear.
Miliana jerked in surprise.
-"I told you — I am NOT your 'sweetheart'!
And I'm not interested in women!"
Millis chuckled, then grabbed Miliana's head, squeezing.
-"My my… someone's being very disrespectful. I guess I'll have to punish—"
-"I'm not afraid!
If I get out of here, I'll defeat you myself!
And if you kill me, my teammates — and Willin — will kill every last one of you!"
Miliana shouted.
Millis's face twisted.
-"YOU LITTLE BITCH!!!"
SLAP!!
Her palm struck Miliana's face so hard that it instantly turned red.
-"Hey! She's Lord Grakk's sacrifice!"
The big brute beside her snapped.
Millis licked her lips, leaning close to Miliana.
-"Listen carefully…
I'll kill all your friends.
Wipe out that Hard-Wirrt academy.
Kill that Willin boy of yours…
And then I'll keep you all for myself."
Miliana hissed:
-"You… you monster."
SPLAT!
Millis's arm fell to the ground. Blood gushed.
-"W–WHAT?!! WHO DID THAT?!!"
She spun around—
And froze.
Grakk stood there, eyes glowing like a demon's flame.
Millis dropped to her knees instantly, shaking.
-"M-my lord, forgive me…
I didn't know you were here…
I won't touch your offering ever again… please don't kill me…"
Miliana stared in shock.
Grakk looked nothing like she imagined —
a tall figure with long black hair, broad shoulders, and terrifying glowing eyes.
-"I'm entrusting Miliana to you,"
Grakk said coldly.
"Now then… Adam. Follow me."
The giant named Adam obeyed immediately, leaving Miliana and Millis confused and terrified.
Underground.
Grakk and Adam emerged from a hidden staircase beneath a tree.
A calm, deep voice spoke:
-"Looks like I guessed right.
You really are Grakk.
And that big guy is your lapdog? … doesn't matter."
Araki stood there waiting, hands in his pockets as if he were out for a casual walk.
-"I'm here to arrest you, Grakk."
Grakk chuckled darkly.
-"You're awfully confident, Araki."
Araki sighed.
-"That's not the answer I wanted."
He stepped forward—
-"You're not allowed to approach Lord Grakk!"
Adam charged, his iron body gleaming.
Araki glanced up lazily.
-"Huh? Who're you?"
-"I am Adam — THE IRON BODY! I won't let you—"
BOOM!!!!
Araki punched him.
Adam flew into the stone wall and exploded like a sandbag.
Araki shook his head.
-"Do you not train your subordinates?
Or am I just too strong to notice any improvement?"
Grakk growled:
-"You've made the wrong enemy, boy…"
And then he vanished.
Araki looked around, bored.
-"What now? Don't tell me we're playing hide and seek."
A voice echoed behind him:
-"How about this?"
Araki turned—
And saw his own body standing beside him.
-"Huh? That's… my body?"
Grakk replied:
-"I just forced your soul out."
-"Oh? So I'm a ghost now?"
Araki grinned, amused.
-"You're about to die, yet you're still smiling?"
Grakk raised his hand, aiming to erase Araki's body entirely.
But—
PUSH!!!
Araki's physical body — even soulless — suddenly fought back, shoving Grakk away.
Grakk's eyes widened.
-"Impossible…
Even without a soul, you can still maintain physical strength?!"
Araki raised an eyebrow.
-"You really thought separating my soul was enough to kill me?"
He smirked — cold, dangerous.
-"Lord Grakk…
You've seriously underestimated me."