Chapter - Edited version same plots
The sound of an object cutting through the air rang out as a rusty plate flew down from above, smashing the dozens of shadow beads on its path into bits, followed by the sound of a heavy object falling. Then it hit the ground, creating a crater that was almost a thousand meters in diameter.
As if that wasn't enough, an azure-colored whip came falling down into the pit, then it wrapped around the thing that had just fallen. It turned out that what had just fallen down was actually the shadow agent who had been fighting against Emperor Zach and Miss Lyla.
After he was dragged out of the pit, shockingly, he was no longer his usual self. His long cloak had been ripped off, showing his corpse-like body and his shriveled hands that looked like claws.
The first thought that would come to the mind of anyone who saw him would be "a walking corpse," and that's not really far from the truth, as no one knows what kind of technique or evil method the Shadow Order uses to empower their members.
Looking at the shriveled man in front of her, there was not an ounce of pity on Miss Lyla's face. She activated the whip's skill, causing it to start growing poisonous thorns which pierced into the body of the shadow agent, drawing black blood from his body and causing him to howl loudly before she smashed him on the ground again and again.
With his terrifying physical strength, Emperor Zach released a flurry of punches towards the shadow agent on the ground. The impact caused the ground within tens of kilometers to cave in.
After the dust settled down, the shadow agent was finally revealed to them. He was covered in black blood from head to toe, his legs and hands were nothing more than mangled flesh with gigantic fist prints on his torso.
Still, he was not dead. Instead, he was looking at Emperor Zach and Miss Lyla with hatred, and he seemed to be mouthing something, but all that came out of his mouth were groans.
"I'm going to finish you off, you bastard!" Emperor Zach shouted and picked up the rusty metal plate which was on the floor not far away from him. With all his strength, he threw it at the shadow agent. Seeing the incoming object, the shadow agent wanted to escape, but Miss Lyla was fast—she used her whip to tie him down, preventing him from flying away.
The rusty plate finally struck the shadow agent, and it cut through him like a hot knife cutting through butter, killing the shadow agent in the process. The impact caused shockwaves that exploded his body into bits and also created a giant hole that was more than a kilometer deep in the ground.
After confirming that the shadow agent was dead, Emperor Zach finally let out a sigh of relief. He then turned to Miss Lyla, who now sat on the ground panting, and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Panting... panting... yeah, I'm fine," she answered.
"This should probably be one of the hardest fights you've ever gotten involved with, right?" Emperor Zach asked.
"Indeed, Your Majesty is wise. This is the hardest fight I've ever gotten involved with," she answered, canceling her transformation because it was draining her energy.
Seeing Miss Lyla canceling her transformation, Emperor Zach did the same. Then he checked the contents of his spatial ring and brought out a bunch of low-level healing pills which he immediately started eating because he needed to stabilize his injuries, or else he would not be able to assist the others in their battles.
"Want some?" Emperor Zach asked.
"No, I got some with me," Miss Lyla answered and took out a bunch of healing pills from her storage ring.
Emperor Zach was astonished because, judging by the fragrance of the pills, even an idiot would know that they were extraordinary.
"Miss Lyla, can I ask you a question?" Emperor Zach asked.
"Of course, Your Majesty, I'll answer to the best of my ability."
"Alright then—who are you?"
"Me? My name is Lyla, and I am an agent of the IGS, which is also part of the MAY organization."
"No, Miss Lyla, that's not what I'm asking. I mean your background."
"My background? I'm sorry, Your Majesty—no comment."
"Sigh... it's okay. I really never expected you to tell me anyway. It's just that I'm quite concerned about it because, sorry, but I don't know if I can really trust you."
"What?! You don't trust me, Your Majesty? After risking my life to fight for you and your empire, is this the way you say your thanks?!"
"I'm just saying what's on my mind, Miss Lyla. If I didn't trust you, would I give you permission to investigate what caused the huge commotion in my empire?"
Miss Lyla was stumped for words and decided to let it go for now because there was a lot they needed to do. She stood up and gazed in the direction of Blue Fur City with furrowed brows. Because of their fight with the shadow agent, they had unknowingly found themselves in another city.
She asked, "Your Majesty, where are we?"
"This... this is the border between Wonder Nation and San-Ku Empire. We are actually over a thousand kilometers away from Blue Fur City."
"Let's get going, Your Majesty. My crew is still in Blue Fur City," Miss Lyla said and took off into the sky, closely followed by Emperor Zach.
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Back at the tunnel, Osa groggily opened his eyes. He tried to sit up but could not even muster the strength to clench his hands into fists.
"Oh... you're awake. That's good, and at the right time," a voice drifted over from his side.
Hearing the voice, Osa was confused at first, but then he started recalling what had happened—the intense fight he'd had some time ago and his close victory, what had caused the fight was... "John and Peter." Osa wanted to scream it out but could not open his mouth. He could not even shake his head. It was as if he had become paralyzed. All he could do now was move his eyes.
Dean's voice came again. "Don't stress yourself, kid. You're all tapped out, but don't worry—you'll regain your mobility soon. Just rest."