Shu dashed forward at full speed toward our heroes. They wasted no time and immediately took defensive positions.
"Positions!" shouted Ikku, realizing that the real trouble was about to begin.
Kenny and Ikku moved to the front, ready to face Shu head-on, while Carla and Yumé stayed back. As Shu closed in, just a few meters away, he extended his hand toward them.
"Mantra Level 5!" he shouted. "DAR BAKUDANE!"
"A Mantra?" said Ikku, confused. "But he didn't even use a scroll," Kenny replied.
There was no time for questions. Shu's hand glowed green and unleashed a beam that shot between Ikku and Kenny, heading straight for Carla. She managed to absorb part of the attack with her chain, but the rest hit her hard, launching her several meters away and slamming her violently into the ground.
"CARLA!" the others cried out in shock.
But they had no time to focus on her. Shu was already in front of Kenny, who braced himself. A flurry of strikes rained down on him. He blocked a few, but many landed, eventually knocking him to the ground. Ikku tried to attack from behind, but Shu reacted faster, landing a brutal punch to Ikku's face and sending him flying.
Yumé was the last one standing. Shu walked slowly toward him, eyes filled with violent intent. Yumé immediately took a fighting stance, his eyes and hands glowing with energy.
"Bring it on!" shouted Yumé, ready to fight.
"Tch," Shu muttered, annoyed. "Better not take another direct hit from a Sonka."
This time, he raised both hands, palms pressed together.
"Mantra Level 5! GIGANT BAKUDANE!"
A beam three times larger than the previous one blasted from Shu's hands toward Yumé. Realizing he couldn't dodge in time, Yumé crossed his arms to shield himself. The light around his arms intensified. Shu's attack crashed into him, pushing him several meters back, but Yumé didn't fall.
"No doubt about it, you're a true Sonka," Shu remarked, clearly impressed.
Yumé launched himself at Shu, throwing a barrage of punches, but Shu dodged every strike with ease and leapt onto the roof of a small house. Meanwhile, Ikku and the others rose to their feet, groaning, and regrouped around Yumé.
"Carla, are you okay?" asked Yumé. "I'll live," she replied, rubbing her neck. "And you guys? Ikku? Kenny?" "Just some scratches, I'm good," said Kenny. "Same here," added Ikku.
Kenny, now more serious, stared intently at Shu:
"Be careful. This guy's no joke. If we don't go all in, put our lives on the line, we'll never beat him."
Shu watched them with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face:
"You're impressive, kids. How about joining the Mafia? No more money problems, full support to become even stronger."
"Over my dead body!" snapped Ikku.
"I figured you'd say that," Shu replied calmly.
"One thing I don't get," said Kenny. "How can you use Mantras without scrolls?"
"You're still green," said Shu. "Mantra scrolls are crafted from Yggdrasil wood. But there's more than just scrolls. My rings are made from that wood. Runes are engraved on them. That's how I cast Mantras. Anyway, preparations are done. I gave you a chance. Now, I'm coming for you."
Shu extended his hand again, and the team instinctively took a defensive stance.
"Another Mantra?" Ikku asked, bracing to dodge.
But nothing happened. Then they noticed something strange.
"Kenny! Yumé!" shouted Ikku. "There are black circles appearing on your bodies!" "You too!" they replied in unison.
"What?!" Ikku gasped. "Looks like Carla's unaffected... I get it! It must be her Brand."
"I see you're catching on," said Shu. "Let's see how long you last."
He slammed his foot down on the house below him, which crumbled into rubble. But instead of falling, the debris flew directly toward the group. Carla stepped forward.
"Leave it to me!" she declared.
Her chains formed a massive shield that blocked all the debris.
"Nice work, Carla!" Yumé said proudly.
She turned to them and gave a thumbs-up. But hidden in the dust, Shu was already beside her.
"Now tell me, who's going to protect you?" he said arrogantly.
He struck her hard, sending her flying and knocking her out cold.
"You'll pay for that!" roared Kenny.
He transformed into his animal form, growing instantly. Ikku and Yumé pulled Carla away. Kenny lunged at Shu, swiping with powerful claws. Shu danced around him, effortlessly dodging and taunting.
"Getting bigger's great and all, but if it makes you slower, what's the point?"
Kenny didn't reply. Instead, he let out a deafening roar that unleashed a shockwave, blasting Shu through a nearby building.
"Nice one, Kenny!" shouted Ikku. "Yumé, get ready. We're next." "Got it!" Yumé answered.
Shu emerged from the rubble, clothes in tatters, a wild grin on his face.
"My turn."
He jumped onto a rooftop, knelt with his hands on the ground, then leapt high into the air. Kenny watched him cautiously.
"What's he up to?" Kenny wondered.
He soon had his answer. The building began to tremble, then lifted off the ground and flew straight at Kenny.
"What the hell?!"
Kenny managed to destroy the building with another roar. But more structures crashed down on him. He reverted to human form under the sheer force of the impact and lost consciousness. Only Ikku and Yumé remained.
"You understand now, Ikku?" asked Yumé. "Yeah," he replied. "It's tied to his Brand."
"Correct," said Shu, now sitting on another rooftop. "My Brand is called 'Death Hunt.' Those circles on your bodies? They're targets. Anything I touch or throw will home in on you. Buildings, cars, trees, rocks...everything here becomes a weapon. You're my prey. Try to entertain me before you die."
"Ikku, got a plan?" asked Yumé. "Not really," Ikku admitted.
"Yeah... that's what I thought. We're screwed."