The last breath of the previous chapter turned here into the first spark.
The show truly began: in the middle of the cracked wooden village, Daniel stood tall, his fists clenched, trembling with a burning energy that burst like lightning under his skin. Around him, dust lifted in a circular dance, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
And in his mind, Lysandra's voice echoed, deep and amused at once:
"Ah, finally… you decide to play your role. Show them, Daniel. Show them what hides behind that carefree otaku smile."
Daniel smirked, his eyes glowing with a near-supernatural light.
"Here we go… just like Battle Nexus, episode 42."
The villagers, gathered around, instinctively stepped back, their faces painted with both fear and awe. A reddish-blue aura seeped from his fists, vibrating as though every heartbeat shook the air. Even Mina, who had kept her composure until now, furrowed her brows at the torrent of energy.
Elise, however, did not seem surprised. She had witnessed this force once before, the latent power bursting from Daniel at critical moments. Yet, seeing it now in the heart of a fragile village made her shiver; she knew if Daniel lost control, the walls themselves wouldn't hold.
"Daniel…" she whispered.
But Daniel laughed.
"My comrades! My brothers-in-arms! Today, we enter the Cursed Village Arc! I won't let you down!"
He raised his fists, ready to strike the void, and added in a theatrical tone:
"As my favorite hero once said: Even when darkness swallows the world, one spark of idiocy is enough to rekindle hope!"
Mina, stung by his speech, blushed and shot back sharply:
"Idiot or not, I won't stay behind. And even if I have to endure your weird references, I will fight."
Daniel pointed at her, grinning mischievously.
"Now that's the spirit! You're already playing the role of the serious rival!"
Elise sighed, crossing her arms, her azure eyes glowing with a fierce light.
"Daniel… you call me your waifu, but know this: I will never lower my arms just because you ask me to. I will fight by your side, not in your shadow."
Her declaration, thrown out in front of everyone, broke the air in a stunned silence. Mina spun away, face burning, and even Daniel was speechless for a second before bursting into nervous laughter.
"Hahaha! This is… exactly like a romcom shōnen! Oh, I love this world!"
But the levity was shattered. At the center of the square, the air warped, swirled, and cracked. Sinister noises rang out, like shattering ice. A black portal, veined with violet, appeared with a deep rumble.
The villagers screamed and backed away. The elder raised his staff, trembling.
"There… there it is! The breach!"
The portal's surface pulsed, then tore open. A viscous mass slithered out, followed by twisted silhouettes: creatures with glowing yellow eyes and claws dripping with black energy. More surged forth, filling the square with a chorus of growls.
Daniel clenched his fists, determination burning in his gaze.
"Here comes our boss fight… Mina, Elise! Classic pattern: tank, DPS, support!"
Mina unsheathed her blade, her face taut.
"I don't understand a word you just said, but I'm ready."
Elise lifted her hands, arcane light already gathering at her fingertips.
"If you think I'll stay behind, you're mistaken."
The first monster leapt. Daniel pivoted, shouting, and slammed his flaming fist into its chest. The impact shattered the beast into fragments of shadow, Daniel's energy exploding outward in a shockwave. The villagers gasped, retreating further.
"Tremble, villains!" Daniel cried. "For my power transcends logic!"
Mina charged, slicing two creatures down in a single fluid motion. Her sword gleamed golden, striking with the precision of a born huntress. Behind her, Elise chanted, unleashing a rain of luminous projectiles—arrows of light whistling and pinning enemies one by one.
Daniel, surrounded by red and blue flares, spun through the fray. His punches were meteors, his dodges a frantic dance. Each blow landed with explosive impact, and every strike was accompanied by another anime-worthy line.
"Secret technique: the fist of invincible determination!"
"Story arc or not, I'll make you bow!"
And his companions, despite the tension, fell into the rhythm. Mina taunted him mid-swing:
"If this is your arc, don't die before the finale."
Elise, focused but her gaze burning, added:
"And me—waifu or not—I'll outshine you. So fight seriously, Daniel."
The battle raged on. Waves of monsters poured from the portal, but each assault was broken by the chaotic synergy of the trio. Daniel, fueled by his otaku dreams, fought with passion, his jokes and references lightening the fear. But beneath the comedy lay a gravity: the portal showed no sign of slowing.
The villagers, wide-eyed, realized they were witnessing more than just a battle. They were seeing the birth of a hero—a strange, theatrical, exuberant hero… but a hero whose light still managed to push back the shadows.