2:04 AM.
Tokyo was surprisingly silent — as if the city itself was holding its breath before the coming storm.
On the rooftop of the tallest building stood five figures: Akito, Arden, Targus, Elian, and Kenshi.
All waited tensely for the sky to tear open again — just like last time.
"Jarl," Targus said quietly, "this time, we'll win. We've grown stronger."
"Young master," Elian added, eyes fixed on the crimson horizon, "we won't lose again."
But Akito remained silent.
His gaze was locked on the heavens — still haunted by the memory of Zalgrum shattering entire districts, breaking bones, stealing lives.
Suddenly — a flash.
All electricity in the city went dark. Instant blackness.
And then — the sky ripped open.
"Let's go," Akito exhaled.
Without hesitation, they leapt in.
The world spun, twisted, and turned inside out.
They landed on a cracked, dead land.
Above them stretched a brownish-red sky. Ash floated in the air.
In the distance stood shattered stone ruins.
"Just like the Death King's place…" Akito muttered.
"Yeah," Arden smirked. "Except we almost died last time."
"But we had fun," Targus added — though there was no real joy in his voice.
A figure appeared over the ridge.
"It's him…" Akito gripped his sword. "Zalgrum."
Skill activated: [Eye of Truth — S Rank]
The system flooded his vision with information.
A split second — and the figure rushed at them.
"Model, cover Pale One!" Arden shouted. "He's on support duty!"
Kenshi was already charging in, twin katanas drawn.
Akito followed close, sword in hand.
Arden activated [Lapet's Pulse], his body sparking with lightning as he surged ahead of everyone.
He struck at Zalgrum — and missed.
The creature was far too fast for its size.
Counterattack.
Arden was launched backward, tearing a groove into the ground.
Kenshi buried both blades into the beast's side, forcing it to stumble.
"You bastard…" Arden growled, rising.
"We came back for you!"
Akito slashed twice —
[Damage dealt: +1%, +1%] blinked across his vision.
But Zalgrum countered with a heavy strike, sending him sliding across the ashen ground.
"You… insects!" the monster snarled.
"I'LL CRUSH YOU!"
The beast roared — only to be silenced by a sudden wave of Kenshi's aura.
"Alright, you dumb rock," he said coldly.
"Time for you to go back underground."
Skill activated: [Seishin no Dojo — Spirit Duel]
In an instant, both Kenshi and Zalgrum vanished.
The space around them sealed off — void of light, scent, or warmth.
Only sound remained.
Screams.
Clashing blades.
Silence.
Strikes — one. Two. Ten.
"Shut up, stonehead," Kenshi muttered in the dark.
He fought blindly, but with precision.
A blow landed — a piece of Zalgrum's face flew off.
Skill activated: [Hakuyonsho Rendan — 144-Strike Combo]
144 hits. In two seconds.
Steel tore through darkness.
Zalgrum's skin split open. Chunks fell away.
His mangled body dropped to its knees.
A full minute passed.
The zone vanished.
Zalgrum's body collapsed to the ground.
"That's it…?" Akito said, glancing at Kenshi.
"Disappointing," Kenshi replied flatly.
"I thought he'd be stronger.
How did you even lose to him the first time?"
But just then, the seemingly lifeless body of Zalgrum shot into the air.
A heartbeat later, he was behind Kenshi.
A brutal punch flew — Kenshi barely managed to cross his blades to block, but was still launched across the fractured earth.
"NOW… I SHALL DESTROYYY YOUUU!!" Zalgrum roared, and dozens of stone warriors erupted from the ground.
"Here we go!" Targus grinned, slapping his shoulder.
He activated [Blood of the Jotun], then charged in with a thunderous roar.
His axe cleaved through enemies two at a time, eyes glowing with pure battle-lust.
Meanwhile, Akito engaged Zalgrum head-on.
Arden flanked from the side — only to get punched in the gut and sent flying.
Zalgrum whirled —
His next blow aimed straight at Akito's chest.
Flash — Arden reappeared.
Skill activated: [Fang of Deceit]!
He struck at the weak spot Kenshi had exposed earlier.
The blade pierced the cracked side of Zalgrum's face, forcing a roar of rage.
Zalgrum stumbled back —
Only to be pinned by Kenshi, who drove both katanas into his back, slamming him to the ground.
Kenshi opened his mouth to speak —
But was instantly grabbed by the leg and hurled with monstrous force.
"I'LL DESTROY YOU ALL!!" Zalgrum screamed —
And in a blink, he was right in front of Akito.
The sword missed.
Akito dodged and stabbed Cryos into Zalgrum's neck.
Arden struck from the side —
But it still wasn't enough.
Zalgrum's arms suddenly extended, grabbing them both by the head.
"DIE!!" he bellowed — spinning violently and hurling them in opposite directions.
[-200 HP]
"Youthful master, I'm ready," Elian said calmly, deactivating his [Forest Crossbow].
He crossed his arms —
Eyes glowing a deep green.
Skill activated: [Phantom Veil].
Akito, lying on the ground, became semi-transparent.
Zalgrum's arm passed right through him.
Smiling, Akito stabbed the monster in the leg, slowing its movement.
In that instant, Arden and Kenshi struck from both sides.
[Lapet's Pulse]!
[Yami no Kiri — Fog of Darkness]!
Their bodies blurred beyond sight.
Arden swept at the legs, Kenshi slashed at the head.
Zalgrum's massive body twisted mid-air — and Akito leapt up, driving his sword into the beast's chest.
Zalgrum flew backward —
Straight into Targus.
"MY TURN!"
The giant swung his axe with full force.
The ground shattered beneath them.
Debris erupted into the air.
Zalgrum was launched across the wasteland, crashing through a hill and leaving a trail of broken stone in his wake.
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!