"Hey, is that you guys? I've been waiting for you since earlier!"
Jyu and the others didn't answer that question. However, Jyu and Taffie immediately realized that the one calling them was Sizhi. The problem was, this girl was under surveillance because of the betrayal she had committed. Especially for Taffie, he was truly furious with Sizhi and intended to kill her.
It was clearly visible that Taffie was already enraged upon hearing Sizhi's voice. His hands kept clenching into fists, looking restless as if he couldn't wait to beat up his junior. But Jyu, who stood beside him, kept holding him back by gripping his shoulder.
A second later, Cobra signalled, asking Taffie and Jyu to meet Sizhi. Taffie instantly smiled with satisfaction, while Jyu felt bitter with fear.
Slowly, the two of them appeared and approached Sizhi, who was in the front area of the demon palace.
"You guys! It really is you, I've been waiting for you since earlier," said Sizhi when she saw Jyu and Taffie approaching her.
However, following Cobra's instructions, Jyu and Taffie remained cautious while observing their surroundings. The demon palace was completely quiet; not a single guard was visible. Even after the two revealed themselves, not one guard appeared.
Sizhi immediately ran toward them. She was very worried about Jyu and Taffie's condition after seeing their severe injuries a few days ago when they were taken to prison.
"How are you guys? Taffie, my grandfather can heal your legs and arms. So your body can return to normal," she said with full enthusiasm and happiness.
With difficulty, Taffie walked closer to Sizhi. They got so close that it was as if their heads were about to clash.
"Who is your grandfather?" Taffie said in an angry voice.
"My grandfather's name is Alber, he lives here. He can heal you!"
"Then why are you here? Did you forget our mission? You've betrayed us. Alber is the Demon King, he's our enemy. How could you possibly side with the enemy we're targeting?"
"He's not evil! He also wants to heal your wounds!"
"Who do you think made me like this? Because of your grandfather, I was on the verge of death, idiot!"
Taffie looked emotional, and now a sword had already been drawn in his hand, ready to slash Sizhi. Taffie had truly lost his patience; now he attacked Sizhi.
Sizhi kept dodging, but Taffie continued chasing her. Jyu didn't stay silent either; he chased Taffie, even grabbing him, trying to stop him from acting recklessly.
"You've all been deceived by Master Jenna. She's the one who had the idea to open a dimensional portal to stay young," said Sizhi, who was now starting to get angry at Taffie's arrogant attitude.
But this statement only made Taffie even angrier. Jyu was quite shocked by Sizhi's words, but he quickly realized that Alber must have deceived his friend.
"Stop! I think Alber has brainwashed Sizhi," said Jyu, who kept trying to stop Taffie.
Even though one leg and one arm were gone, Taffie's movements were still quite agile. Jyu struggled to stop him until he was no longer able to hold him back. In one leap, Taffie managed to wound Sizhi's left abdomen, though not severely.
"What my grandfather said is true. I was asked to meet you myself so we could talk and you would understand Master Jenna's cunning. But instead, you act arrogantly and attack me."
"What my grandfather said is indeed true—you are all trash who only know how to destroy the Darkent realm and the human world."
These words only made Taffie angrier. This time, he truly intended to kill Sizhi. His sword swung directly toward his junior's neck. Within a second, Sizhi's head would have been severed.
"Stop!" shouted Jyu, who didn't want this killing to happen.
Clang...
Suddenly, Taffie's sword collided with another blade, producing a loud ringing sound. A second later, Taffie's sword was knocked away from his hand.
Then another attack came—a punch landed on his stomach, sending Taffie flying backwards.
"Who are you?"
Slowly, a mystical creature appeared right in front of Sizhi—the one who had saved her from Taffie's attack. Its form was almost human, but its physical traits resembled a chameleon. This mystical creature was at the Devil level.
Then, other mystical creatures with the same form also appeared. They had been camouflaged on the walls of the demon palace like chameleons. They were like a squad assigned to ambush Taffie and Jyu. All of them were ready to fight to the death.
"What should we do?" asked Jyu as he helped Taffie stand again.
"We return to the original plan. After this, regroup with the others to find Kuma's curse. I will face all of them."
A second later, Taffie summoned Karakura. Then the demon immediately multiplied its body into more than a hundred forms. Some of them instantly fought against the chameleon demon troops, while others escorted Jyu to regroup with Cobra and Mamba's group.
They immediately returned to the original plan. Jyu and the others focused on finding Kuma's curse and defeating Alber. This would be an all-out war.
Jyu and the others immediately entered the demon palace through a side door. But inside, they were immediately greeted by other guards, and this time, several Arabai had also appeared.
"Capture and kill them," ordered one of the Arabai.
The Karakura demons accompanying Jyu immediately took action. Karakura's forces blocked every attack from the mystical creatures; their efforts were like opening a path so Jyu and his companions could carry out the mission smoothly.
After entering the demon palace, the group was now split into two. Mamba and his subordinates would search for Alber and fight desperately to kill him. Meanwhile, Jyu, accompanied by Cobra, would search for Kuma's curse.
During the meditation before the assault, there was only one clue to reach the location of Kuma's curse: a relief of a raging bear. Jyu continued to explore the demon palace, occasionally fighting the guards. His abilities had increased drastically, and Jyu was able to defeat Devil-level mystical creatures with ease.
Every inch of the demon palace had been explored; even all the rooms had been ransacked. But the relief that marked the location of Kuma's curse had yet to be found.
"Damn! Where else should I look?" Jyu said in frustration after entering a room.
"Come on! We have to hurry," said Cobra.
They continued their search mission. This mission was truly not easy, especially with so many of Alber's forces blocking their way. Even though Karakura was helping, Jyu and Cobra still had to fight. The situation inside the demon palace was completely chaotic.
However, their steps were suddenly halted when an Arabai appeared. He was the old Arabai who had previously beaten Jyu unconscious. Now, all the Karakura were busy with their respective battles; there was no help left to assist them. Jyu and Cobra are prepared to fight.
"I regret not killing you yesterday," said the Arabai arrogantly.