Axel: "I see you've found the town that never stops bleeding."
He holds onto his book tightly while forming the black liquid from his energy.
Mochizuki: "..."
(Flashback at the underground facility in his room).
Mochizuki: "Kaien, I..."
He heard a knock at the door which startled Kaien. He got up to open the door and saw the black figure.
The Black Figure: "I have a mission for you and a few others. You, Klaudia, Ashton, and Kiyozawa are going to kill off a cult leader named Axel. He needs to be wiped out."
His shadow appearance looks at him while floating in the air.
Mochizuki: "But I can't, since Kaien needs me here."
He looks at the black figure, then glances over at Kaien.
The Black Figure: "It will be quick. Don't worry, I'll take care of Kaien."
He says it calmly, maintaining eye contact with Mochizuki.
A few minutes later, everyone gathered into the room. Ashton, Klaudia, Kiyozawa and Mochizuki remained quiet as a portal appeared right in front of them. The portal led to the town that never stops bleeding.
(The town that never stops bleeding.)
Appearing into the town, they were greeted by hundreds of rotting corpses scattered across the streets. Blood stains covered everything - the buildings, the ground, even the air seemed thick with the metallic scent of death.
Klaudia: "Something happened here..."
She murmurs, her eyes scanning the dead bodies and broken vehicles scattered around the blood-soaked streets. She feels a chill run down her spine, sensing that something truly horrible has occurred in this town.
Mochizuki: "We should split up. We'll cover more ground."
He immediately takes off running, stepping over the dead bodies without a second thought. His mind is solely focused on completing the mission so he can return to Kaien.
Klaudia: "Ashton, go with Mochizuki. I'll handle Kiyozawa."
She looks at Ashton, who nods in agreement without uttering a word. Like Mochizuki, he wants to finish the mission quickly and return to his lab, the bloody scene around them barely registering.
Kiyozawa: "My chest hurts... Why did that black figure make me come on this mission?"
He grips the cracked crystal on his chest tightly, wincing in pain as it pulses with an unsettling energy. He feels a sense of dread washing over him, questioning the true purpose behind his sudden deployment.
Klaudia: "I kinda knew you'd be a burden."
Her voice is cold as she leads Kiyozawa to a nearby broken house with blood stains smeared across its windows and doors. She knows it's not ideal but given that the town has been deserted for so long, she doesn't have much choice.
(At the Deep Part Of The Town).
Mochizuki: "I sense an extremely dark energy spread throughout the town."
Mochizuki focuses his energy, pinpointing the source - the church. He moves closer, with Ashton trailing cautiously from behind. Knowing he's better suited to intellectual pursuits, Ashton chooses to maintain a safe distance.
Mochizuki: "The church..."
He ignites his blue flames, using them to propel himself forward at incredible speed. He dashes towards the church, then suddenly stops and hides himself in the shadows.
(In his mind).
"I have to wait until he's alone."
(Out of his mind).
(Now).
Axel: "How many people are you?"
He asks Mochizuki as he emerges from the shadows, holding his book in hand. He's the leader of the goat cult that have been causing havoc in the town, and he's curious about Mochizuki's strength and numbers.
Mochizuki: ''Just me,"
He replies coldly, his blue flames flickering menacingly as he locks eyes with Axel. The implication is clear - he doesn't need backup to handle this situation alone.
Axel: "I sense three individuals nearby, but this is a perfect opportunity for the book to choose the next link,"
He explains cryptically, releasing the book, which vanishes instantly. Mochizuki furrows his brow, utterly confused by Axel's strange behavior and mysterious words.
Mochizuki: "Enough talk!"
He charges forward, his blue flames erupting from his hands in a powerful attack. However, Axel's black liquid easily absorbs and neutralizes the blue flames. Realizing he needs something stronger, Mochizuki switches to his black flames, which are hotter and more destructive.
Mochizuki's black flames clash with Axel's black liquid, creating a chaotic explosion of energy. Axel steps back unharmed, his liquid absorbing the impact.
(In his mind).
"What is this guy?"
(Out of his mind).
Mochizuki thinks to himself, surprised by Axel's resilience and ability to absorb his flames.
Ashton observes the intense battle from a distance, his expression hidden behind his gas mask as Mochizuki's black flames and Axel's black liquid continue to clash and explode, creating a spectacle of pure destructive power. He remains still and silent, analyzing the situation with his usual emotionless demeanor. Ashton quietly uses his disease energy, spreading it through the air in an attempt to paralyze Axel. However, to his surprise, nothing happens. Axel remains unharmed, his black liquid continuing to absorb and neutralize Mochizuki's black flames without any signs of weakness or paralysis.
With growing interest, Ashton increases his output, pouring about sixty percent of his energy into a more powerful disease attack specifically targeting Axel. However, despite the increased potency, not even the slightest reaction is visible on Axel's face. His liquid continues to defend against Mochizuki's flames effortlessly.
Mochizuki: "Fuck!"
As the battle intensifies, Mochizuki focuses his energy, pouring everything he has into his black flames, increasing their power and intensity with each passing moment. The flames grow larger and hotter, engulfing Axel completely as he desperately tries to keep up with the escalating attack.
With a subtle smirk, Axel activates just two percent of his true power. The black liquid intensifies dramatically, easily absorbing not only Mochizuki's black flames but also their energy. Mochizuki immediately falters, completely drained from the intense flame output, exhaustion evident in his body.
Mochizuki: "What the hell?"
He stares in disbelief as his flames are effortlessly absorbed, the realization of his own powerlessness washing over him. With a heavy breath, he decides to retreat, stumbling backwards away from Axel, his body weak and weary from the intense energy expenditure.
Axel: "I'll let you live—for now."
He says calmly, his voice steady and composed as he turns away from Mochizuki. Mochizuki sprints away as fast as his exhausted body allows, the fear of Axel's overwhelming power driving him forward. He doesn't look back, knowing that if Axel changed his mind, he would be dead before he could even blink.
(At the Abandoned House).
Klaudia searches through the kitchen cabinets, desperate to find something strong enough to clean Kiyozawa's wound. She pulls out bottles of alcohol but pauses when she notices dismembered body parts stored alongside them. She shudders slightly but continues her search, determined to help her injured friend.
(At the bedroom).
Kiyozawa grits his teeth against the pain, pushing himself to get up and walk through the halls. He notices a glowing book with a demonic pentagram of a goat etched into its cover. The air grows heavy with an eerie energy as he approaches the mysterious tome.
Kiyozawa: "What is this...?"
As he picks up the book, a searing pain shoots through his hand. He watches in shock as a goat-shaped mark appears on his palm, glowing with an otherworldly energy. Suddenly, the book vanishes in a puff of dark smoke, leaving behind only the strange mark on his hand.
(In the background).
Axel: "The book has chosen him... How interesting."
The room falls silent after his words, leaving Kiyozawa alone with his newfound mark. Axel's presence suddenly disappears without a trace, as if he had never been there at all. The only evidence of his existence is the faint lingering of his dark aura and the burning mark on Kiyozawa's hand.
Kiyozawa collapses suddenly, the pain in his life force overwhelming him. He hears Klaudia's quick footsteps approaching from behind just in time to catch him before he hits the ground.
Klaudia: "Kiyozawa?"
She calls out softly, concern etched on her face as she supports his unconscious body. Klaudia grows taller with her energy as she lifts Kiyozawa into a bridal carry effortlessly despite his weight. She speaks softly but with slight annoyance mixed into her voice as she carries him away from the scene.
Klaudia: "I kinda knew you'd be a burden."
She mutters under her breath.
As she carries Kiyozawa out of the abandoned house, she spots Ashton and Mochizuki waiting outside. Ashton's expression is serious as he takes in the sight of Kiyozawa being carried out. Mochizuki looks absolutely exhausted, leaning heavily against a wall for support.
Klaudia: "Let me guess,"
She says sharply, her eyes scanning both Mochizuki and Ashton.
Klaudia: "You two couldn't kill Axel?"
She waits for their response, one eyebrow raised. Ashton looks ashamed while Mochizuki tightens his jaw before answering.
Mochizuki: "He's too strong."
He turns his gaze away from her.
(In his mind).
His mind flashes back to the moment Axel effortlessly absorbed his black flames with that dark liquid. He clenches his jaw, frustration and humiliation washing over him.
"His power is so strong, I can't win against him."
(Out of his mind).
Ashton: "His power is unlike anything we've faced before. That black liquid..."
He trails off, shaking his head.
(In his mind).
"It's actually quite interesting but unfortunately I don't have the information."
(Out of his mind).
Klaudia's determination is clear in her voice as she looks at Mochizuki and Ashton. She doesn't bother to put Kiyozawa down, keeping him in the bridal carry position.
Klaudia: "I'm not going back to headquarters with a failed mission report."
She states firmly.
Ashton: "..."
He stays quiet.
Kiyozawa: "Mmph!"
He jolts awake, his cheeks burning red as he realizes Klaudia is carrying him like a bride.
Kiyozawa: "W-What are you doing!?"
He yelps loudly, squirming slightly in her arms. His voice is an octave higher than usual due to embarrassment.
Klaudia's blood energy suddenly wraps around Kiyozawa's wrists and ankles, restraining him tightly so he can't squirm anymore.
Kiyozawa: "H-Hyah!?"
He lets out a surprised yelp, His face turns an even deeper shade of red. Klaudia's expression softens slightly as she looks down at Kiyozawa, her blood energy gently holding him in place.
Klaudia: "You're in no condition to fight,"
She says, her tone a bit softer but still firm.
Klaudia: "So you're staying with me, whether you like it or not."
Kiyozawa: "At least don't carry me like this... It's so embarrassing!"
He blushes red in embarrassment.
She glances down at him, a small smirk playing on her lips despite the tense situation.
Klaudia: "And how else should I carry you? You can hardly walk."
She adjusts her grip slightly for comfort, but maintains the humiliating bridal carry deliberately.
Klaudia: "Face it, you're embarrassing yourself more by complaining."
Kiyozawa: "Damn it, woman! I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own."
He growls at her in frustration.
Klaudia's smirk widens at his frustrated growl, finding his embarrassment and anger oddly arousing. She leans in closer, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispers.
Klaudia: "Then stop squirming and acting like a damn princess."
Her blood energy tightens slightly around him possessively.
Kiyozawa: "Just do the damn mission already, I've had enough of being embarrassed like this. It's humiliating!"
He blushes a deep red, his face burning with embarrassment.
She laughs softly at his snappy response.
Klaudia: "There he is,"
She mutters softly. Her expression turns serious again. She calls out to Ashton and Mochizuki.
Klaudia: "Let's go. One last try."
She adjusts Kiyozawa unconsciously, making his cheeks burn again.
(At the Arcade).
Hiromi: "Well, you beat me again."
She frowns slightly as she smiles at Kai, a mix of annoyance and amusement in her expression. Kai smirks confidently, clearly enjoying his victory over her in the video game.
Kai: "We should play again..."
He smiles at her, but suddenly freezes as he senses a dark, demonic energy rapidly approaching them.
(In his mind).
"What is this energy?"
(Out of his mind).
Suddenly, a group of people materialize right in front of them, each wearing grotesque goat masks made entirely of bones.
Hiromi: "Wait a minute..."
She remembers the chilling images of the goat cult group and realizes with a jolt that it is indeed them. Her eyes widen in horror, wondering why they would appear here of all places. She looks back suddenly, her heart pounding, and sees one of them standing right behind her.
Kai: "Who the hell are you guys?"
He demands, his voice shaking with anger and fear. Before he can react further, one of the masked figures lunges forward and delivers a brutal punch to his face, sending him flying backwards.
Hiromi: "Kai!"
She immediately springs into action, sprinting towards Kai's falling form. Hiromi catches Kai just in time, her speed suddenly amplified far beyond her usual capabilities. She feels an unfamiliar surge of power coursing through her veins, surprised by her unexpected enhancement. Her eyes widen as she stabilizes Kai, her reflexes faster than she's ever experienced.
(In her mind).
"What just happened?"
(Out of her mind).
Ira: "You're coming with us, Hiromi."
He says it calmly, adjusting his bone goat mask slightly. His voice is low and surprisingly gentle, given the sinister appearance of his masked group
Hiromi: "You're the goat cult!"
She immediately used her strength energy to punch the air, sending strong winds towards them with a powerful gust.
Ira: "..."
In a split second, Ira dashed through the crowd, his immense strength concentrated in his fist as he punched Hiromi squarely in the jaw. The impact was so great that it sent Hiromi flying several feet back.
She dropped Kai as she was hurled towards the wall. A look of pain crossed her face as she fixated on the goat cult member.
Hiromi: "He's so strong..."
She whispered, terrified. His dark eyes glinted dangerously as he dusted off his hands. Getting up quickly, she immediately ran straight towards him, gathering energy around her fist as she tried to punch the goat member. But before her fist could connect, she felt a punch in her stomach, causing her to double over and cough up blood.
Hiromi: "Gah!"
She gasped out painfully.
"Kai: "How dare you hurt her!"
(In his mind).
"I never used my power before but I have to now."
He gathered two percent of his energy to touch the goat member, but before he could act, he felt a wave of fear that completely paralyzed him.
"I can't move?"
(Out of his mind).
The goat cult member passed Kai, heading straight towards Hiromi. But before he could reach her, orange flames erupted from behind him. He looked up to see a young man with fiery orange hair and piercing amber eyes, his entire body engulfed in blazing orange flames.
Azriel: "You're all under arrest!"
He declared firmly, his orange flames lashing out towards the original goat cult member with unbridled ferocity. However, his attention was quickly diverted as he noticed more cult members swarming in to join the fight, their eyes filled with a maniacal zeal.
The goat cult member sneered at the sudden interruption, his hand reaching into his robe to grab a dagger.
Ira: "Arrest? You think you can arrest us?"
He lunged at the orange-haired boy, dagger aimed at his heart. Meanwhile, more cult members rushed towards Hiromi and Kai.
Azriel: "Don't underestimate me!"
He snapped, his orange flames swiftly blocking the dagger aimed at his heart. He surrounded himself completely in blazing orange flames, creating a fiery barrier around his body as he prepared to take on the multiple cult members simultaneously.
(At the Town That Never Stops Bleeding).
Klaudia: "I sense heavy demonic energy nearby."
She looks over to the top of the building just to see the goat cult leader. She gently places Kiyozawa on the ground, her expression turning cold and determined as she focuses her energy. Her eyes changed color from pink to red.
Klaudia: "Stay down, Kiyo..."
She stands up, her palms glowing with a soft red light as she begins to channel her Blood Control energy.
Axel: "..."
Before Klaudia can react, the goat cult leader teleports behind her, tendrils of black liquid snaking around her waist and neck, draining her life force. Kiyozawa and Mochizuki's eyes widen in shock. Ashton, however, raises an impressed eyebrow.
Ashton: "Interesting,"
He murmurs softly, his voice muffled by his gas mask. Without wasting a second, he activates his latest invention, a teleportation device, yanking Klaudia away from the cult leader just before she could be completely drained.
(In his mind).
"That was close..."
(Out of his mind).
Mochizuki: "Second round!"
He growls, unleashing a torrent of obsidian flames towards the goat cult leader. The goat cult leader counters with his black liquid tendrils, the two powers clashing in a violent dance of darkness against the dark.
(In his mind).
"Earlier, his black liquid could absorb my flames, and now it seems capable of sucking out someone's life force. Is he doing this randomly?"
"So that means I have to be cautious around the black liquid."
He nimbly dodges each glob of black liquid, countering with precise bursts of his own black flames aimed directly at the cult leader.
"Every drop could be deadly..."
His movements become more calculated, anticipating each attack.
(Out of his mind).
Kiyozawa: "I'll provide backup!"
His voice rings out sharply as he begins screaming loudly. Powerful sound waves emanate from his mouth like a sonic assault directed straight towards the cult leader. But suddenly, the black liquid reacts swiftly, absorbing each wave instantly as if it were nothing. His eyes widen in realization, realizing the black liquid has just absorbed his attack. Frustrated, he quickly spreads his blade-like wings
Kiyozawa: "At least these might still work!"
He slices through the air with precision, attempting to cut through the black liquid rather than attack it head-on.
Mochizuki: "Let's see you try to attack both of us at the same time!"
His black flames dance around Kiyozawa's wings like a fiery shield as they both charge forward simultaneously towards the cult leader. The cult leader's black liquid spreads faster than ever trying to counter their double attack.
The three figures clash in a explosive battle, the abandoned city streets shaking with the force of their powers. Black flames, sound waves, and blade-like wings collide with the cult leader's ever-spreading black liquid, causing devastating explosions to erupt across the desolate urban landscape. The battle becomes intense as all three clash against each other. Explosions erupt across the abandoned city, black flames colliding with sonic waves and deadly liquid. Buildings crumble, debris flies everywhere amidst the chaotic battle between Mochizuki, Kiyozawa, and the cult leader.
The cult leader's eyes glow with a menacing intensity as he begins to unleash a mere 3% of his true power. The black liquid surges and expands, growing stronger and more menacing by the second. It starts to envelop the entire battlefield, threatening to consume everything in its path.
Kiyozawa: "Fucking hell!"
He shouts in frustration as he watches the black liquid grow stronger.
Mochizuki: "I know."
His flames burn brighter and hotter than ever before, but it seems like they're barely keeping up with the cult leader's overwhelming power.
Kiyozawa: "Let's keep pushing through."
With a roar of determination, Kiyozawa pulls out his sword of death from the darkness. His black wings spread wide as he flies straight towards the cult leader, while Mochizuki channels the heat of the sun itself into his flames, creating an inferno that engulfs everything in its path.
Mochizuki: "..."
(In his mind).
"Damn it! I can only maintain this power for a few minutes!"
Desperately channeling the raw power of the sun into his flames, Mochizuki focuses everything he has into a single, blazing attack, knowing full well that using this much power could burn him from the inside out.
(Out of his mind).
Axel: "A King who cannot control his own power shouldn't be on the battlefield."
The black liquid moves with impossible speed, passing right through Kiyozawa and slamming into Mochizuki with tremendous force. The sheer power of the cult leader's attack sends Mochizuki flying across the abandoned city, crashing through buildings and debris as he is launched away from the battlefield.
Kiyozawa: "Shit!"
With a grunt of effort, Kiyozawa tries to launch a quick counterattack, swinging his sword of death in a powerful arc aimed straight at the cult leader's neck. However, the man is incredibly fast and skilled, easily dodging the blow with a swift movement.
(In his mind).
"What the hell is he? Why he's so overpowered?"
His movements become a blur as he desperately tries to land a hit on the elusive cult leader. His sword of death slices through the air multiple times, each swing imbued with deadly intent and raw power. But the cult leader moves with uncanny precision, each dodge almost mocking.
(Out of his mind).
The cult leader moves with supernatural speed and precision, each of Kiyozawa's swings missing by mere inches as he dances around the attacks. A cruel smile plays on his lips.
Axel: "Is that all you've got? You're slowing down..."
He suddenly grabs Kiyozawa's wrist mid-swing.
Kiyozawa: "Fuck you!"
He unleashes his black wings in a frenzy of rage and frustration. The razor-sharp edges slash through the air, each strike fueled by pure anger and desperation. Despite the intense pain radiating from the crystal on his chest, he pushes forward relentlessly.
In a flash of movement too fast for the eye to follow, the cult leader strikes Kiyozawa directly in the chest where his crystal is embedded. The impact sends a searing wave of pain through him, causing his vision to blur and his body to convulse. The crystal pulses intensely with agony.
Kiyozawa's eyes widen in sheer agony as he feels the crystal on his chest shatter, its fragments digging into his skin like shards of glass. A blood-curdling scream rips from his throat as the pain consumes him, his body wracking with uncontrollable tremors.
Ashton: "I've seen enough."
He declares firmly, materializing behind Kiyozawa in an instant. With precise movements, he attaches a specialized machine to the shattered crystal, ensuring it maintains its stability and preventing immediate death. Kiyozawa collapses, barely conscious from the intense pain.
Axel: "I had no intention of ending his life,"
The cult leader states calmly, his gaze lingering on the weakened Kiyozawa before shifting to Ashton.
Axel: "He is... valuable to me in ways you cannot comprehend."
His voice drips with an unsettling possessiveness.
Axel: "You interfered just in time."
(At the Arcade).
Azriel's flames instantly destroyed the arcade. He glared at the cult members, desperately trying to protect Hiromi from their grasp. He breathes heavily after battling several cult members, but deep down he feels like they're merely toying with him.
Hayden: "Blood Style: Blood Scythe!"
He bellowed, using five percent of his energy to conjure a massive scythe made entirely of his own blood. The scythe crackled with energy, the blood seemingly alive as it swirled and twisted around the handle. Hayden immediately launched his blood scythe towards the cult members, but they swiftly responded with hand-to-hand combat techniques, expertly dodging and countering his attacks. Their movements were fluid and precise, each strike aimed to disarm and disable Hayden. He continued to wield his scythe against the cult members, simultaneously employing hand-to-hand combat techniques. Each swing of his weapon was accompanied by swift kicks and punches aimed at their vital points.
(In his mind).
"These guys are strong."
(Out of his mind).
One of the cult members broke away from the fight and lunged at Hiromi, attempting to grab her. Without hesitation, Kai interposed himself, his body becoming a shield as he blocked the cultist's path and pushed Hiromi behind him for protection.
Kai: "I'm not afraid of you,"
He declared, his voice steady and confident. *He grabbed the cult member's body and activated his power, quickly altering the cultist's DNA to that of a normal human, negating their supernatural abilities and strength.
The cult member's eyes widened in horror as black liquid began to seep from their mouth and eyes. Without the supernatural powers granted by their demonic possession, their human body could no longer contain the demonic energy, and they began to melt and dissolve, collapsing into a pile of goo on the ground.
The remaining cult members watched in shock and disgust as their comrade melted away. The sight was enough to break their resolve, and they quickly abandoned their attack, retreating from the scene in disarray. Their once-menacing presence evaporated as they fled, leaving only the sound of their hurried footsteps behind.
Hayden: "Nice power, kid,"
He muttered, his voice tinged with surprise as he watched Kai effortlessly neutralize the cult member. He glanced over at Kai for a moment as his blood scythe dissipated completely, vanishing without a trace.
Hiromi: "You saved me,"
She breathed, her voice shaking with relief as she smiled gratefully at Kai. Her eyes shone with admiration and gratitude, the fear from earlier replaced by a sense of wonder and awe at his incredible power and quick thinking to protect her.
(At the Town That Never Stops Bleeding).
Ashton: "..."
His expression turns incredulous as he studies the goat cult leader.
Ashton: "Kiyozawa is merely the second-in-command of the Angels Of Slaughter Yakuza."
He states bluntly. His tone carries a hint of amusement and disbelief that someone like the cult leader would find Kiyozawa important.
Axel: "..."
The cult leader's calm demeanor doesn't falter as he explains.
Axel: "He is the second link in the chain that will lead me to my ultimate goal. The book chose him for a reason, and I intend to see that reason through."
His gaze turns cold and determined.
Ashton: "..."
He lifts Kiyozawa's unconscious body effortlessly, cradling him in his arms. He hears the distant roar of Mochizuki's anger echoing through the ruins, but when he turns around, the cult leader has vanished without a trace.
This will continue in the next chapter.