"You're more human than you look!" Ross admired, pushing himself up to his feet.

A stream of blood trickled from his nose—a toll for his suicidal strike—but deep down, he knew this fight was far from over. Every fiber of his being screamed that this was only the beginning.

Swipe!

He wiped the blood with the back of his arm, the metallic taste lingering in his mouth.

"All those assumptions, just because I have a number on my shoulder!"

The 84th Genki floated upward from the cratered ground, his body barely grazed by the explosion. A cruel smirk twisted his face—a predator savoring the fear and chaos around him.

"You like tricks, don't you?" It lifted a hand, flicking its fingers as if conducting an orchestra.

Then,

Like a choir master cueing the first note,

Snap!!

The sound split the air—effortless, yet loud enough to reverberate through the shadows.

The resonance stretched outward, rolling across the battlefield like a dark tide, echoing through the realms like an empty hall awaiting the devil himself.

And in that resonance, one truth struck clear: something was coming. And by the tone of the Genki's voice, it was not something to lower your guard against.

"This day is full of surprises. I never saw you as a snapper!"

Ross mocked him, trying to bait any hint of weakness. Seeing your enemy is meaningless if you can't anticipate their strikes.

Suddenly,

A red, empty circle materialized above the Genki's head. Its lines were as thin as wire, almost fragile—but blood began to drip steadily from its form. It was not yet complete, merely the skeletal frame of something far more sinister.

Ding.

Blood twisted into large arrows, suspended in midair, each one sharp and precise. Numbers followed, drilling into the circle, spiraling into something recognizable. A clock.

The question burned: what time was it counting?

Ding!!

All arrowheads aligned at twelve.

"Aaahhhhh!"

The child they fought over whimpered in pain, even in slumber.

"Help me, Mommy!"

The mother, frantic and powerless, tried everything—wet cloths, prayers, medicine—but each effort was meaningless. Time was bleeding out of her child like sand through desperate fingers.

Ross clenched his teeth, skin folding into deep furrows of rage.

"You make me sick!"

"You're the one who refused a fair exchange. You forced my hand. That clock is in his body. The blood that drips from it… it is his. When it reaches ten minutes, he dies!"

Shock widened Ross's eyes. The Genki spoke of a child's life as if it were a toy.

"And when he dies, I will enter your world. The ritual will be complete!"

The 84th muttered with pride, his voice dripping with malice.

Suddenly,

Beep.

A dialogue box flashed before Ross's eyes.

Strength: 45

Speed: 39

Glory: 60

His jaw dropped—he had never fought this intensely, and yet, his stats had surged.

[The force suppressing you has enhanced your attributes.]

"I see now!"

Understanding sparked.

"Hey, Genki. The child's life isn't a toy for you to hold. I will kill you myself, you bastard!"

Pew.

Ross lunged, fists first, stronger than ever. Where he landed, sand exploded beneath him. An aura blazed from his body, a palpable heat that made the air shimmer. The Genki raised its arms, slamming them together into a defensive shield.

Phu phu phu!!

Ross struck the Genki's guard relentlessly. A sharp clack echoed as the Genki staggered back.

Like a boxer reading the rhythm of his opponent, Ross ducked low, slipping beneath the length of the guard.

Thud thud!

His boots slammed against the ground as he pivoted, flashing to the Genki's back beneath its arm.

Pow!

A brutal kick drove into its spine, sending the Genki skidding like a ragdoll off a seesaw.

"There you go again, running from direct combat!" the Genki sneered, mid-push.

"Aaah!"

Its head twisted unnaturally—180 degrees while the neck remained rigid.

Kha!

Its body followed, a wet, snapping sound that could haunt nightmares.

Aaah!

It leaped, headbutting Ross directly in the forehead like a hammer on a nail. Blood burst anew from his nose, fueling his rage like gasoline.

Ross staggered back, finding balance, eyes ablaze. The dance of fists resumed—a brutal ballet of pain, power, and raw determination.

Pow!

Ross's punch tore into the Genki's face, leaving a temporary, gaping dent.

Pow!!

The Genki struck back, smashing into Ross's chest, sending him reeling. Blood poured freely from his nostrils, but he recovered instantly, eyes burning with unyielding focus.

Each strike he landed seemed to strengthen him further, each blow a testament to his resolve.

Pow!

A gut punch from the Genki. Ross didn't flinch. Instead, he countered with a spinning back kick, his body slicing through the air with lethal precision.

Thud thud!

The Genki was forced back, its head spinning as it tried to recover.

Suddenly, it hissed:

Special technique: Raider Webs.

Boom!

Thick, steaming webs shot from its body in all directions, tangling the air like living shadows.

Pew!

One struck Ross in the shoulder, drilling through muscle and sending a flare of pain up his arm.

"Hmh!"

He muttered, teeth gritted.

"Each strand is poisoned. Every living cell in your body is under siege until there's nothing left," the 84th said, advancing with a serpentine calm.

"Guess who's running from direct combat now?" Ross taunted, mockery dripping from his voice.

"At this rate, I'd only tire myself. But this way… it ends quickly!"

Cough! Cough!

Ross coughed blood, thick and metallic. Life seemed to drain from his face with every droplet.

Click.

His eyes, blurry yet sharp, focused on the blood-clock above the Genki.

[8:52]

"I won't fail!"

A.O.I Ithios, god of instinct.

Special technique: Instinct Overrode > Rapidly enhances cellular regeneration

Weakness: can only be used Once every 24hrs

...

The Mutts' Residence

Eleven soldiers swept through the house, small phone-like devices on their shoulders scanning relentlessly for humans. Technology had reached terrifying precision.

Guns raised, they moved through the darkened library. Moonlight shimmered faintly across polished floors, and the red glint of their gun sights cut through shadows.

"Nobody here. It's clear," one muttered. Sensors quiet, they moved cautiously toward the exit.

Kitchkich.

A subtle shift behind a curtain caught one soldier's eye. Not wind. Not a rat. He approached, fingers trembling on the trigger. Slowly, he drew the curtain aside.

Nothing.

He spun, convinced he'd imagined it.

"All clear!" he signaled, stepping back toward his comrades.

Suddenly,

Pew!

A flare burst from the shadows, striking him directly in the face.

"My eyes! It's in my eyes!"

He screamed, hands clawing at the burning metal. Pain screamed louder than his voice, reaching his comrades with shock.

"What the—" they whispered, fear and awe mingled. The flare sank deeper, consuming his skull.

Pew pew!

His comrades ended him, cold and efficient—a merciless act that brought grim relief.

Tension snapped. A new command:

"Shoot on sight!"

Fingers twitched over triggers. Hearts raced.

Fwu.

A metal syringe—the same type Ross had wielded—flew through the darkness.

Swing!

It struck an eye, popping it like a balloon.

"Shit!"

Every attack targeted the unarmored face.

"Fall back!"

Swing. Swing.

Two more soldiers went down.

The strongest among them spotted the shooter—Marie—crouched behind a small desk.

"Aaah!"

He slammed onto it, revealing her hiding spot.

"Fuck!"

She reacted instinctively, leaping back—but four soldiers had already closed in. No options remained.

"We got you now!" one sneered.

Pha!

She lashed out, kicking the nearest attacker's back. Another grabbed her from behind. She struggled, but strength alone wasn't enough.

"Stop her!"

The first soldier leveled his gun.

Pew pew!

Her legs erupted in pain as bullets tore through, blood pouring down like red ribbons.

"Aaaah, fuck!"

Screams tore from her throat. Teeth clenched, fists curled, tears streaking her bloodied face.

"Let's get this bitch to Zabi!"

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