Ken and Gray, who were still heading north while carrying the frozen Racer, were soon drawn to the massive black-and-white pillar of light rising into the sky from the east.
Ken immediately recognized the phenomenon."Nirvana... it's really been unleashed."He had only warned them about the possibility before, never expecting his fears to come true.
Gray asked urgently, "Should we still keep heading this way?"
Ken shook his head, analyzing quickly, "No, we need to head towards Nirvana. Now that the seal is broken, the remaining Six Demon Generals will surely converge there."
"Got it!"
Gray adjusted the Ice Cage holding Racer on his back, ready to move, but Ken suddenly grabbed his arm."Someone's coming."
A rustling sound came from the nearby tall grass.Seconds later, under Gray's tense gaze, a giant purple snake slithered into view, hissing menacingly.
Gray's eyes widened in recognition."That's the snake that bit Erza!"
Ken stayed calm, keeping a sharp eye ahead.Moments later, a figure followed the snake, emerging from the undergrowth.
"You want to reach Nirvana? I could hear your voices…"The voice was cold and mocking.
Ken's expression sharpened as he recognized the newcomer.With sharp teeth, wild dark-red hair, and a pristine white coat draped over him, he looked both elegant and sinister.
"Cobra," Ken muttered. "One of the Six Demon Generals. And that's Cubellios, his partner of more than ten years."
Gray immediately dispelled the ice restraints, ready to summon a storm of ice weapons to take Cobra down — but Ken stopped him.
"I've got a special way to deal with him," Ken said calmly. "He's a Poison Dragon Slayer and, worse, he can hear thoughts. You keep watch over Racer."
Ken's voice was low, but Cobra's heightened senses picked it up easily — he could even hear the faintest thoughts.
Cobra's expression faltered for a split second before returning to his usual smug smirk.
"I don't know where you got your information from," Cobra sneered, "but this is as far as you go."
Ken didn't bother responding.Instead, he circulated the earth-aligned Dragon Slayer Magic inside him, focusing it into his right palm.Bending low, Ken struck forward suddenly.
"Earth Dragon's Collapse!"
The ground before him cracked wide open, surging forward at a frightening speed toward Cobra.
"Cubellios!"
At Cobra's shout, the snake reacted swiftly, coiling around him as wings sprouted from its body, lifting them into the air just in time.
Gray was stunned."That snake can fly?!"
"Storm Dragon Wings!"Ken called forth his wind-aligned magic, conjuring two pitch-black swords from his arms and slashing through the air.
"Iron Dragon Sword!"
"I heard that—you're attacking from the left!"Cobra sneered and dodged easily.
Ken didn't react outwardly, but Cobra, still tuned to his thoughts, heard something new.
"Now I'll change it… attack with iron rods…"
Ken's swords shifted mid-swing into heavy iron clubs, smashing down hard — but Cobra narrowly dodged again.
Again and again, Ken's attacks missed, as Cobra anticipated every move.
"You can't win," Cobra gloated. "You're strong, but I can hear everything you're planning."
Ken, however, simply smiled slyly.Dropping his fighting stance, he relaxed his body, letting the fighting spirit drain from him.
"You like listening to my thoughts, right?" Ken said casually. "Why not listen carefully now?"
Curious and suspicious, Cobra listened in.Instead of tactical plans, he was suddenly bombarded with wildly inappropriate images — bizarre, shocking, and highly suggestive scenes featuring himself and Cubellios.
"Wha–!?"
Cobra's face turned bright red in fury."Stop!! Stop thinking that!!"
Ken remained calm and innocent-looking."So? How do you like the thoughts you heard?"
"Pervert! Disgusting freak! How can you think about me and Cubellios like that!?"Cobra screamed, his mind completely thrown into chaos.
Gray poked Ken and whispered, "What... exactly did you imagine?"
Ken answered innocently, "Nothing much. I just… imagined some scenes. He happened to pick them up."
Gray's expression shifted to one of horrified admiration."You're way wilder than you look…"
Ken coughed awkwardly."Ahem. It's called strategy."
Next Chapter: Poison and Fire