Just as Asagi was still hesitating,
a faintly glowing firefly drifted into the cave.
It circled twice around Shion, who had been quietly standing to the side, before flying straight out.
"...Mama!"
Shion's eyes lit up. Without a second thought, she dashed after it.
"Shion!" Asagi's expression changed as she hurried after her.
Moegi, Midori, Roku, and Dai exchanged glances before following as well.
The children crept cautiously toward the source of the explosions, hiding behind rocks as they peeked out.
What they saw left them stunned.
A lone man stood calmly in the open,
while the three Shitoshin, rulers of Mount Penglai Island and their lifelong nightmares, were crawling out of the rubble in miserable states, their bodies covered in wounds.
"Someone… really came in?"
"So strong… even the Shitoshin can't beat him…"
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
"I hope he kills them!" Midori clenched his fists, excitement flashing across his face.
"But… what if he's even worse than them?" Asagi frowned, worry clouding her expression.
Moegi's gaze hardened.
"If he can kill the Shitoshin and avenge everyone… I don't care what happens to me after."
Silence fell.
They had already lost everything.
Now, only six of them remained.
Their eyes fixed on the battlefield,filled with desperate hope.
Not far away, Kagetsu 's gaze flicked briefly toward the rocks.
He had already sensed them.
The surviving half-demon children…
But he said nothing.
"Scorching Bird!"
Kyōra roared, violently swinging his red evil ghost fan.
Flames surged, condensing into a massive firebird that screamed through the air toward Kagetsu .
"Preta Path."
Kagetsu didn't move.
The firebird slammed into him,
and dissolved instantly.
Its demonic power was stripped away, absorbed completely, leaving only scattered embers drifting in the air.
Using the flames as cover,
Ryōra struck.
A blade of light sliced toward Kagetsu 's neck.
Clang,!
A black rod appeared in Kagetsu 's hand, blocking the strike effortlessly.
Sparks flew.
The shockwave blasted away the surrounding flames.
"Die!"
From behind, Jūra lunged forward in his beast form,muscles bulging, claws tearing through the air.
Killing intent burned in his eyes.
"Shinra Tensei."
Boom,!
A terrifying repulsive force erupted.
Both Ryōra and Jūra were blown away instantly, crashing into distant rock formations with thunderous force.
Dust filled the air.
"Flame Tornado!"
Kyōra roared again, unleashing a spiraling inferno that surged toward Kagetsu .
But the moment it reached him,
it vanished.
Absorbed entirely.
"Bansho Tenin."
Invisible gravity seized Kyōra.
His body shot forward uncontrollably.
"Kyōra!" Ryōra shouted, raising his blade.
"Heavenly Dragon Swift Thunder!"
Lightning crashed down from the sky,
and dissipated instantly upon reaching Kagetsu .
Like it had never existed.
Ryōra gritted his teeth.
"Damn it!"
For the first time,
helplessness crept into his heart.
"Stop!"
Kyōra spread his massive crimson wings, struggling against the pull.
It was useless.
He was dragged forward at terrifying speed.
"Die, you human!"
He swung his fan desperately,
"Asura Path."
RIP,
Kagetsu 's shoulder tore open,
and a mechanical arm burst out.
Clang,!
It caught the fan mid-swing.
Sparks exploded.
Kyōra's eyes widened.
That… wasn't human.
The arm shifted.
A steel cable shot out,
wrapping tightly around Kyōra's neck.
"Human Path."
Kagetsu struck his abdomen,
then paused.
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"…Heh. No soul?"
A cold smile appeared.
"Then you're just a shell."
"Preta Path."
Kyōra's demonic power erupted out of him uncontrollably,
draining into Kagetsu like a collapsing dam.
"No,!"
Terror filled his eyes.
He struggled violently, trying to break free,
but more cables shot out, binding him completely.
"Die!"
Jūra charged again in fury,
"Shinra Tensei."
Boom,!
He was blasted away once more, crashing into the ground.
Whoosh,!
A blade cut through the air.
Ryōra, hidden to the side, had thrown the Wind Blade Fang,
aiming straight for Kyōra's restraint.
"Naive."
"Susanoo."
A pale purple skeletal giant erupted around Kagetsu .
Clang!
The blade struck,and bounced off harmlessly.
Not even a scratch.
Inside the Susanoo, Kagetsu stood unmoved.
Kyōra was completely restrained, his power nearly drained.
Outside,
Ryōra and Jūra stared in disbelief.
Their attacks…
their power…
everything,
was meaningless.
And behind the rocks,
the children watched in stunned silence.
For the first time,
the Shitoshin were losing.