Sue and Haruto raced back to the village, their hearts pounding with urgency. The explosion that had rocked the village the moment they left could only mean one thing—someone was watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. As they approached the village center, they saw chaos unfolding.
Four figures were tearing through the village guards, cutting them down with ruthless efficiency. At the center of the carnage stood a man, his appearance twisted and vile, as if his very mana was corrupted. He screamed in fury, his voice filled with venomous rage.
"WHERE IS IT?!"
The man was no longer the same who had visited the village earlier. His features were distorted, his skin pale and cracking, leaking a dark, sickly aura. Sue's eyes narrowed as she noticed the creatures with him—Ifrit beasts, their bodies radiating heat and malice.
"This doesn't make sense! What human would work with Ifrits? And his mana... it's all wrong," Sue muttered. Her eyes locked on Haruto, and for the first time, she called him by his code name, "Kage, take care of those three. I'll deal with him."
Haruto was startled by the sudden change in Sue's demeanor but understood the gravity of the situation. The use of his name signified her trust in him, and he wasn't about to let her down. He nodded sharply and charged toward the Ifrit beasts, his wind element propelling him forward at breakneck speed.
The village guard, who had been desperately fighting for his life, looked up in disbelief as Haruto intercepted the Ifrit's blow. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and the guard realized he was looking at a Warlord.
Haruto didn't waste time. "Grab your wounded and get out of here. I can't fight at full strength while protecting you." His tone was firm but understanding, and the guard, recognizing the truth in Haruto's words, nodded and quickly moved to evacuate his men.
Haruto turned to the three Ifrits, his eyes narrowing as he assessed their movements. He let out a slow breath, calming his mind as lightning crackled around his body. With a sudden burst of speed, he launched himself into the fray.
The first Ifrit lunged at him, its claws gleaming with molten heat, but Haruto was faster. He spun on his heel, channeling his wind and lightning elements into his leg. The lightning compressed into a thin, razor-sharp edge as he performed a spinning kick. "Elemental Magic: Guillotine Kick"
DING!
His leg cut through the Ifrit like a hot knife through butter, the creature's body splitting cleanly in two. The two halves fell to the ground, smoldering as they hit the dirt. Haruto landed lightly, turning his gaze to the remaining two Ifrits, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"One down," he murmured.
Meanwhile, Sue was facing off against the twisted man. She could sense the raw, untamed power radiating from him, and it only made her more determined. She dashed forward, meeting his attack head-on.
WHOOSH! BOOM!
The two collided with a force that sent shockwaves through the air, the ground cracking beneath them. Sue grinned, feeling the weight of his punch. 'He's strong, but not strong enough to stop me.'
The man's eyes widened in surprise as Sue shrugged off his attack. "I was hoping you would not disappoint," he growled before launching himself at her with a renewed ferocity. His fist connected with her ribs, sending her crashing through a nearby wall.
Sue staggered to her feet, spitting out blood. 'This bastard is holding back. He still hasn't shown me his full power. Fine, let's see what you're really made of.' She charged back at him, the ground cracking under her feet as she accelerated.
The man met her blow for blow, their fists moving so fast they were a blur to the naked eye. The force of their strikes sent debris flying, and the nearby guards struggled to stay on their feet as the shockwaves rippled through the air. The sheer power of their fight left the guards in awe—this wasn't magic, but pure, unadulterated physical strength.
But as the battle raged, Sue noticed something unsettling. The man's body was beginning to change. His skin darkened, scales forming along his arms and legs, glowing with a sinister red light. Horns sprouted from his forehead, and his fingers elongated into sharp claws. He was transforming, becoming something inhuman—something closer to an Ifrit.
"Get away from here now!" Sue shouted to the guards. "You're in the way!"
The guards, seeing the grotesque transformation, didn't need to be told twice. They fled, leaving Sue to face the abomination alone. She watched the man's new form with a mixture of curiosity and disgust. 'Transformation magic? No, this is something darker… something incomplete.'
The man, now more beast than human, sneered at Sue. His voice was guttural, filled with arrogance. "I don't know what gives you such confidence, but you should be grateful. It's not every day that an ant gets to be crushed by a dragon."
Sue raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You talk too much, skin-job. Siding with Ifrits is as pathetic as the garbage I take out."
Caron, as he now referred to himself, snarled. "You dare mock me?! I was going to give you a quick death, but now… now you will suffer."
His roar echoed through the village as he vanished from sight. Sue barely had time to react before a crushing blow slammed into her side, sending her hurtling through several buildings. Dust and debris filled the air as she crashed through the walls, finally coming to a stop in a pile of rubble.
Caron straightened, a smug expression on his twisted face. "Hmph, mere insects chirping."
He turned his gaze to Haruto, who was still engaged in battle with the remaining Ifrits. 'This boy… there's something about him. His magic, it's intriguing. Perhaps I should take him to the Master along with the gem.'
But before he could make a move, a wave of pressure descended upon him, heavy and suffocating. He barely had time to turn before Sue's axe slammed into him, sending him flying through the air.
"Where are you looking?" Sue growled, her eyes blazing with fury. She stood tall, her body radiating power as she prepared for the next round. This time, she wasn't holding back.