While Ken was locked in his intense battle with Nyoro, Akio and Akira were fighting Terrakula on the other side of the grand hall.
Akio dashed forward at lightning speed, his body surrounded by electric sparks. He aimed a strike at Terrakula's face, but she gracefully dodged and sent sharp blood threads hurtling toward him!
"Shraaak!"
Akio twisted in the air with agility and speed, a thrill-seeking smile on his face.
Akio (laughing recklessly):
"Whoa! You're fast, but I'm faster!"
Terrakula waved her hand, and the blood threads curved behind Akio, looping around him from the back.
"Shaaaak!!"
Suddenly, pain surged through him—
The threads dug into his skin, constricting his muscles tightly!
Terrakula (with a sly grin):
"Don't bother. You can't escape my blood, little one!"
Before things got worse, Akira charged in from the other side, his muscles swelling, his crimson eyes glowing fiercely, and his claws fully extended.
Akira (grumbling confidently):
"Damn it, why are you always so reckless, Akio?!"
BOOM!!
Akira lunged with werewolf speed, aiming to shred Terrakula's body—
But she dissolved into liquid blood, reappearing behind him.
"Shaaaak!!"
In a blink, she jammed her fingers into Akira's body, blood spilling from his shoulder, though he stifled the pain.
Terrakula (mocking):
"You can't touch me… but I can tear you apart whenever I want. No matter how much I've taught you, Akira, the gap between us is too big."
Akira pulled away quickly, clutching his bleeding shoulder.
Meanwhile, Akio struggled to break free from the blood threads binding him.
But Terrakula wasn't done—
Her crimson eyes glowed brighter as she smiled coldly and raised her hands slowly.
Terrakula (dark and chilling):
"I'm done playing. Let me show you what real pain looks like.
Vakin of Blood – HELL BLOOD CAGE!"
Suddenly, the floor trembled. Red cracks began to spread under their feet—
Then—
BOOOOM!!!
Vein-like pillars erupted from every direction, forming razor-sharp walls of liquid blood—
An enclosed cage pulsing like a living creature. The ceiling above writhed with twitching crimson threads.
At that moment, Ken had just ended his battle with Nyoro.
He walked calmly away from Nyoro's unconscious body and sighed faintly.
He then approached the banquet table, where he spotted a plate of vegetables—
Among them, a fresh red chili pepper. He paused, picked it up, and without hesitation—
took a bite.
The fiery heat spread through his mouth… but he didn't flinch.
He ate it like it was a light snack, looking completely at ease.
He sat on one of the chairs, casually munching on the pepper, while his gray eyes calmly watched the blood cage from afar.
Inside the cage, long blood spikes shot from the walls, aiming to shred them to pieces!
Akio reacted instantly, flipping into the air as his lightning-charged sword flashed like a streak of light.
"Shaaaak!!"
With a swift strike, he sliced one of the blood spikes in half before it could hit—
But there was no time to celebrate.
Three more spikes launched from behind at crazy speed!
He cut them mid-air, his expression tense.
Meanwhile, Akira handled things his way—
Not with dodging… but raw force.
BOOOOM!!
He punched one of the spikes with a massive blow, shattering it completely,
Then spun and kicked the next, ripping it apart mid-air!
Akira (smirking with confidence):
"Is that all you've got? I expected something scarier from you!"
But Terrakula wasn't the type to be provoked—
She smiled coldly and slowly raised her hand.
Suddenly—
One of the severed spikes exploded into dozens of tiny blood needles that flew at them from all directions!
"Zzzzt! Zzzzt! ZZZZT!!"
Akio barely dodged, blocking some with his sword,
But one needle grazed his neck, leaving a small cut!
Akira covered his face with his hands, but several needles pierced his skin, blood dripping from his palms.
Akira (gritting his teeth):
"That witch… she can turn her blood into anything?!"
Terrakula (calmly watching, amused):
"Oh? Still standing?
I thought you two were more fragile… but fine, I'll keep playing for a little longer."
At that moment, Akio started analyzing her.
Something was off…
She was slower than when the fight began.
He looked at Akira, and their eyes met—they exchanged a quick whisper.
Akira (wiping blood off his hand, whispering):
"Did you notice?"
Akio (narrowing his eyes, also whispering):
"Yeah… the more blood she uses, the slower she gets. Even if it's slight."
Akira (grinning slyly):
"Which means she's not invincible… there's a limit to how much blood she can control."
Akio (grinning wildly):
"And that means… we can wear her down until she's slow enough for the final strike!"
Akira (lowering his voice, watching her):
"That explains why she didn't go all out with her blood at first… she knows overusing it weakens her.
That's why she used our blood to fuel her sword.
Now we just need to force her to burn her own blood… and dodge everything we can."
Akio (grinning with mischief):
"Heh. Then let's make her feel threatened.
Make her believe she's about to lose."
Akira: "And are you sure you can pull that off, you idiot?"
Akio (chuckling lightly): "Listen, Akira… I might be stupid, but I'm not weak. If it means I can achieve my dream, I'll do whatever it takes."
Akira (raising an eyebrow, slightly surprised): "And what dream is that?"
Akio (smirking confidently, placing his hand on his sword hilt and raising his voice so Terrakula could hear):
"My dream? I want to become the greatest Shogun this world has ever known!"
Terrakula, hearing Akio's declaration, stared at him in silence for a moment… then burst into laughter!
Terrakula (laughing mockingly):
"Shogun? You?! Oh my… you really think a dumb little brat like you can pull that off?! I can't believe I'm wasting my time on you!"
Akio (smiling, unaffected):
"You know? Everyone says that. But the difference between them and me… is that I'll prove them wrong."
Terrakula (still laughing, holding her chest):
"You don't even have a proper sword! How do you plan to become Shogun? With that pathetic blade?"
Akio:
"Looks like you forgot… I came here to steal your cursed sword and take you down, Terrakula!"
Terrakula suddenly stopped laughing. Her grin became sharp and arrogant.
Terrakula (calm but deadly):
"If you think you can lay a finger on my sword… you're even dumber than I thought."
Akio (tilting his head with reckless confidence):
"Then let's see if you can stop me."
Akira (watching Akio wide-eyed):
"This kid is insane…"
Terrakula glanced at her blood sword—it began to tremble and glow with red veins. It pulsed like it was alive, drawing on the last of her blood. Tension showed on her face—she had already lost a lot of blood, and her body was beginning to show signs of fatigue. If this went on… she wouldn't be able to fight at full strength much longer.
Akio (grinning, gripping his sword):
"Alright then… time for the real party, as you like to say!"
Akio stood firm, and lightning began swirling around him—not as chaotic sparks, but in a synchronized, precise pattern, as if the electricity itself was aligning.
Akira (raising an eyebrow, watching the power gather):
"Hmm? What's he trying now?"
Terrakula observed cautiously, unsure of what he was doing.
Terrakula (narrowing her eyes):
"Whatever you're planning… it won't work on me."
Suddenly—Akio vanished!
Or rather… his form became blurred, surrounded by wild electric storms.
"Shaaaak!!"
Multiple flickering silhouettes of Akio began circling Terrakula at blinding speed—distorted reflections caused by the electricity, making it seem like several versions of him surrounded her!
Akio (his voice coming from all directions):
"Can you see me now? Or am I just a flash of lightning in your eyes?"
Terrakula's eyes widened slightly.
She couldn't pinpoint him at all—every time she focused, he vanished and reappeared elsewhere!
Terrakula (annoyed):
"A petty trick! You really think a kid like you can outsmart me?!"
She flung blood threads in every direction!
"SHAAAAAAK!!!!"
But she hit nothing. Akio had predicted her attack and jumped away, leaving behind a spark that mimicked his shape.
Akio (mocking laugh):
"You're bleeding a lot, vampire lady… are you starting to feel dizzy?"
Terrakula (grimacing, feeling her stamina drop):
"Damn you…!"
At that moment, Akira seized the chaos to act.
Akira (closing his eyes briefly, then smirking):
"Well, if you're having fun, I'm not gonna let you hog the spotlight, idiot!"
He began moving similarly to Akio—not with lightning, but with sheer werewolf agility and sharp leaps! Terrakula, trying to track Akio, was caught off guard as Akira suddenly appeared near her!
BOOM!!
He aimed a surprise kick! She barely dodged, but—
"Shaaaak!!"
Akio reappeared on the opposite side, striking in perfect sync.
BOOOOM!!
The double blow hit her hard—
Akira's powerful punch smashed into her face, snapping her head back,
While Akio's lightning pierced her body, sending intense spasms through her muscles.
"Gggh…!!"
Her eyes twitched in pain, her body trembling from the electric shock, and her head stung from Akira's punch.
Terrakula (gasping, face contorted in pain):
"Damn… you two…"
She fell to one knee… then froze.
Akio and Akira thought it was over… but—
"Heh… heh… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Terrakula exploded into maniacal, chilling laughter—
Her voice rising like something out of a nightmare!
She tilted her head back, grinning grotesquely as her eyes began to glow a deeper, bloodier red.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
It wasn't a laugh of pain or surrender—
It was the delirious joy of someone who thrives in agony.
Akio (stepping back nervously):
"Uh… what's up with this psycho…?"
Akira (frowning):
"Shit… that laugh is not a good sign."
Suddenly, Terrakula licked the blood off her hand—her own blood—slowly… deliberately.
Terrakula (savoring):
"Ah… this taste… delicious… this feeling… it's been so long since I felt this alive…"
She raised her arms slowly, eyes locked on Akio and Akira.
Terrakula (with terrifying glee):
"Come on, boys… make me feel even more!"
And then—she vanished.
In the next instant, she appeared behind Akira!
BOOM!!
Her blood-covered sword pierced his right arm from behind!
"Ghkk…!!"
Akira froze in place, eyes wide as the blade cut through muscle.
Terrakula (whispering eerily):
"I haven't felt this alive in centuries."
Akira (gritting his teeth, trying to push her off):
"You damn monster—!"
BOOM!!
He suddenly turned and punched her square in the jaw with his left hand—
Her head snapped back… but she just laughed again!!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Then—
"SHAAAAAAK!!"
A lightning explosion struck her body!
Terrakula (gasping in pain, stumbling):
"What the—?!"
Akio had vanished briefly… only to reappear above, his body glowing with electricity!
Akio (grinning, pointing his sword):
"If pain turns you on… then let me give you a show you won't forget!"
He moved unpredictably, circling her with electrified afterimages—
An evolved version of his earlier technique!
Terrakula (frustrated):
"Stop running, you coward!!"
But that's exactly what Akio wanted.
Every attack she launched wasted more blood, weakening her little by little without her realizing.
She began to breathe heavier… but instead of panicking, she smiled with venomous malice.
Then—with a sudden motion—
She extended her hand backward and unleashed a wave of blood that pulled something from across the hall…
Nyoro's unconscious body!
Before Akio and Akira could react, Nyoro's limp form floated into the air, ensnared by her threads—
And she yanked him in front of her like a human shield!
BOOOOOOM!!!!
Akira's powerful blow, meant to crush Terrakula—
hit Nyoro instead.
"Aah…!!"
A sudden scream of pain burst from Nyoro's throat—
Even though he hadn't fully regained consciousness!
His body slammed into the ground violently, tumbling until it stopped at Terrakula's feet. Blood began to spill from his wound—far more than before.
As for Akira, who had channeled all his power into that blow,
he realized what had happened… too late.
His face froze in horror, eyes widening as he stared at his friend's broken body on the ground.
Akira (in utter shock):
"N…Nyoro?!"
It was as if his brain stopped functioning for a moment.
He hadn't noticed Nyoro had lost his fight with Ken…
And now—he had struck him down with full force.
"Ghk…!"
Nyoro gasped violently, slowly regaining consciousness…
His eyes were half-open, unfocused, his body trembling as he coughed up fresh blood—
The scene growing even more tragic.
Nyoro (hoarse, barely audible):
"What… happened…?"
Every part of his body already felt broken from his earlier battle…
And now, a devastating blow from Akira?
Terrakula calmly placed her foot on Nyoro's back, pressing down just enough to amplify his pain—
And smiled a twisted, cruel smile.
Terrakula (cold, taunting):
"What a tragic coincidence…
Looks like you destroyed your dear friend yourself."
Akira's fists trembled.
He looked at Nyoro—the same boy who was once playful, sarcastic, and trusting…
Now a shattered body with a devastated soul.
And guilt inside Akira quickly turned to rage.
Akira (quiet, threatening):
"Get your foot off him… now."
Terrakula didn't listen—
In fact, she pressed harder, causing Nyoro to gasp again in pain.
Terrakula (with a sick smirk):
"Oh? And why should I? I enjoy this very much.
The smaller my prey, the more ecstasy I feel while breaking them."
The fury in Akira surged beyond control.
But before he could move—
Akio, who had silently been watching this whole time,
Felt something explode inside him.
Not just anger… but something deeper.
Something that had been boiling within him ever since he saw Terrakula exploit Nyoro without an ounce of hesitation.
The playful gleam in Akio's eyes faded.
Lightning now sparked violently around him—erratic, wild—
Reflecting exactly what was tearing through his chest.
Akio (low, simmering with fury):
"You're disgusting… Terrakula."
His voice wasn't light or cocky anymore.
There was something new in it—real rage.
Terrakula, still pressing her foot into Nyoro's back, glanced toward him with her usual wicked smile.
Terrakula (mocking):
"Oh? Looks like our little one's finally losing his temper.
Did that touch your heart?"
"SHAAAAAAK!!!!"
Lightning erupted from Akio's body like never before!
The air around him shuddered.
The sparks weren't flickering—they had become whirling tempests.
His body was charged head to toe, as if every part of him was screaming to be released.
Akio (shouting, voice cracked by fury):
"You're using them as a human shield… and you feel nothing?!
Do they mean nothing to you?! Just because you're stronger, they're worthless?!"
Terrakula (calmly):
"Of course. They're all trash to me."
She pressed her heel harder into Nyoro's back—
Triggering another pained gasp from him, fresh blood spilling from his mouth.
"Ghkk…!"
Akio stared at Nyoro—someone he barely even knew.
They weren't friends.
He knew nothing about him other than that he worked for Terrakula.
But seeing this—watching it—broke something inside him.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
When he opened them again—
They were blazing, like lightning in a stormy sky.
Akio (whispering, dangerously):
"No value…?"
His fists quaked with rage.
"SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!"
In an instant—he vanished.
Even for someone like Terrakula, tracking him was nearly impossible.
In a split second, he was right in front of her,
Eyes no longer human—
But a storm's wrath.
BOOOOOOM!!!!
A direct punch to her face—unexpected, unhesitating, and fueled with everything inside him.
It wasn't just physical—
It was the accumulation of every ounce of disgust he'd felt toward her—
How she caged Akira,
How she manipulated Nyoro,
How she treated those closest to her as expendable.
Terrakula's body was thrown backward like a ragdoll!
She slammed into the stone wall behind her,
The wall itself cracked on impact—
But she didn't fall.
Slowly, she raised a hand to her jaw, wiped away the blood from her lip…
Then smiled with genuine pleasure.
Terrakula (low, then increasingly unhinged):
"Oh… this is delightful.
You're angry? Angry for someone you barely know?"
But Akio didn't reply.
He didn't let her speak another word.
Instead—he raised his sword high.
Lightning around him grew denser—
The entire hall was engulfed in sparks!
He stood firm, shifting to a different stance.
This wasn't his usual one-handed grip—
He held the sword with both hands,
Electric currents now flooded the blade.
Akio (quiet but charged with fearsome energy):
"I don't care who Nyoro is.
I don't care about his past.
I don't care if he was loyal to you.
But there's one thing I do know…"
He stared at her coldly.
"I hate people like you.
The ones who use others as tools and throw them away when they're no longer useful."
In a flash, he leapt—vanished—
Then reappeared directly in front of her!
This wasn't a feint.
This time—it was real.
"BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!"
A colossal lightning blast erupted from the sword's edge—
An electrical explosion that engulfed the entire chamber!
Terrakula couldn't dodge it.
She tried—
But lightning tore through the air around her,
Her short red hair whipped violently in the storm,
And—for the first time—
Akio's sword cut her.
Time stopped for a moment…
And a single drop of her blood hit the floor.
Terrakula (eyes wide, fingers brushing her wounded shoulder):
"Huh…?"
But instead of fury—
She laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Terrakula (voice shaking with glee, eyes alight with madness):
"You made me bleed?!
You made me feel pain?!
Yesss… you're more fun than I imagined, little lightning boy!"
There was no fear in her voice.
Only the thrill of the hunt.
Akio:
"Get ready, Terrakula…
Because that sword you carry?
It won't be in your hands a minute from now."
To be continued…