The fox-woman's sudden attack was easily blocked by Nix. She leaped back, her nine tails fanning out like a giant peacock, her eyes narrowed with extreme caution.
"You... you're no ordinary person!" she said, her tone drastically changed.
Nix remained silent, his hand still raised after effortlessly blocking the surprise strike. His calm was like a deep ocean, unshakable.
The fox-woman observed him more carefully. "So, what is your purpose in freeing me?"
"You definitely wouldn't go through the trouble of freeing someone without a reason,especially challenging two demon kingdoms and their kings simultaneously. You must have a specific intention."
Nix finally spoke, his voice even and authoritative. "My organization could have freed you willingly, without fear of opposing the two demon kingdoms and the two demon kings who imprisoned you. If we wished, my members could destroy them all."
The fox-woman scoffed, her wariness increasing. "Then, what is your true objective?"
"Simple," Nix replied. "Will you join our organization?Our goal is to fight against the gods."
"What?!" the fox-woman exclaimed, disbelieving. "Your organization is insane?Fighting the gods? Can you even face the Four Sacred Races?"
Nix gave a faint smile. "Even if we said 'we can', would you believe it? It all depends on your judgment. If you join, you will be safe with us. But if not... you should prepare to become a target for all sides."
The fox-woman fell silent for a moment, her mind working quickly. It was a beneficial offer, but also full of risk. On one hand, there was protection and a clear goal. On the other, raising arms against the gods was a path to suicide. After a moment, she took a deep breath. "Alright. I agree."
Then, her sweet smile returned. "May I warm up? It's been so long since I moved my body."
"You may. As long as you don't attack my members," Nix permitted.
"Your members... the Hydra and the golden magic-wielding demon? They look strong," asked the fox-woman.
"No. Actually, the ones fighting them are my members," Nix corrected.
The fox-woman immediately grinned, her expression showing confusion and disbelief. "Ha? Them? The ones who look weak? You claim your organization can destroy demon kingdoms, but can't handle Hydra like that?"
Without waiting for an answer, her body shot forward and vanished from the spot.
On the battlefield where Kazan fought Dairoki, the fox-woman suddenly appeared right in front of Dairoki.
"You—?!" Dairoki gasped in shock.
But before he could react, the fox-woman merely touched Dairoki's chest with a single finger. THOOM! A tremendous energy blast struck Dairoki and hurled him until he smashed into a distant wall. His large body instantly split apart, separating into the unconscious forms of Ao, Daidaiiro, and Kiiro.
Kazan, still in his defensive stance, was stunned, looking at the figure before him. The power just displayed was so absolute and overwhelming.
The fox-woman turned to observe Kazan, her eyes full of mystery. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon one sword sheathed at Kazan's waist—a sword he hadn't used at all during the fight. A sharp, curious expression radiated from her face.
"Ridiculous," she finally said, her voice a whisper like the wind. "Watching you struggle like this... it's like a dragon pretending to be an earthworm."
She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Shame? An oath? Or... fear? I'm curious, what kind of heavy stone have you hung around your own neck that you choose to drown?"
"Foolish," she added, her tone now deeper and full of disappointment. "This world will not pity you because you choose to be weak. It will only crush you."
Kazan gripped the sheath of that sword tightly, his expression stern. "That's none of your business."
"Indeed, it's all up to you," the fox-woman replied indifferently. Before Kazan could retort, her body vanished again.
On the other battlefield, Guro and Zenless were pressuring Zephyr and Leon. Suddenly, the fox-woman appeared in their midst, stopping all attacks with just the pressure of her aura.
"Who are you?!" Zenless shouted.
The fox-woman ignored him. Her eyes focused on Guro. With a lightning-fast movement, she appeared in front of Guro and kicked him. CRASH! The large and powerful Guro was sent flying like a ball, crashing into a wall and splitting back into the helpless forms of Gure and Chairo.
Her gaze now shifted to Zenless. Zenless, finally realizing who he was facing, immediately bowed deeply, his body trembling.
"P-Please! Don't kill them!" Zenless pleaded, his voice shaking with fear.
The fox-woman raised an eyebrow. "For what reason should I not kill you?"
"B-Because... I can help you! I can help you conquer all the demon kingdoms and races!" Zenless answered quickly, sweat beading on his temples.
The fox-woman grinned. "A tempting offer."
Zenless raised his head, showing a hopeful smile, thinking his offer was accepted.
"Unfortunately," the fox-woman continued in a cold tone, "I refuse. I have no desire to cooperate with the descendant of someone who helped imprison me."
WHAM! Without warning, she slammed Zenless into a wall with a force that left him severely injured and instantly unconscious.
"What a waste of my time," she remarked. She then turned to Leon and Zephyr, who were still on full alert. "Relax. I won't harm you. I am your comrade now."
Leon and Zephyr exchanged a glance before finally lowering their weapons. "Welcome aboard," Zephyr said.
Elsewhere, Kin'iro watched all his comrades fall. His hands clenched, his body trembled. He grabbed his own hair in frustration. Then, something occurred to him. There was still one way!
With teeth and nails, he wounded both his palms until blood flowed freely. He knelt and began drawing on the ground with his blood—not random scribbles, but a perfect enneagram with intricate symbols.
Once ready, he began to chant. "I summon all cores of life, all souls bound to my name... Gurin! Ao! Daidaiiro! Gure! Aiiro! Kiiro! Chairo! Shiro!"
Starting as a whisper, his voice grew louder and echoed. With each name called, wherever they were, whether alive or dead, the bodies of the named Hydra began to dissolve into orbs of colored light. These orbs of light shot towards Kin'iro at incredible speed.
"AAAAARRRGGGHHH!"
As the energies entered him, Kin'iro's body screamed in agony. It felt as if his body was being torn apart and reconstructed from the smallest cell.
Sensing the terrifying aura suddenly radiating, Nix, the fox-woman, Kazan, Leon, and Zephyr all shot towards Kin'iro. They had to stop him before this process was complete!
But they were too late.
BOOOOM! A massive wave of energy exploded from Kin'iro's body, hurling back everyone who had approached.
As the dust and energy subsided, a terrifying figure stood there. Kin'iro had completely transformed into the true form of the Hydra. His body was now enormous, towering high, with patterns of nine different elements shimmering across his skin. His nine long, sharp-eyed serpent heads hissed, each emitting light of a different color. A horrifying aura of power filled the air, so strong it felt difficult to breathe.
Everyone who saw him was stunned, both in awe and terror.
Kazan and Nix immediately moved to stand beside Leon, Zephyr, and the fox-woman. They all gathered together, facing this new threat they had never imagined.
Zephyr tightened his grip on his sword, lightning and wind coiling around the blade. "It seems we must defeat him together."
Kazan drew his sword, a pure white aura blazing. Nix raised his hands, crimson-dark flames igniting. The fox-woman stood firm, the aura of her nine tails spreading out majestically, a great power ready to be unleashed.
Then, Leon stepped forward. His face was full of resolve. "It's time I used that."
He took a deep breath, his eyes glowing with a deep purple light. Pure dark energy gathered around him, far denser and deeper than ever before.
"Eternal Darkness, First Form!"
=== CHAPTER 44 END ===