Heunae stood tall, a glint of determination in his eyes. "This is the first time I've ever done this, and it's in the complete package as well," he announced, a mix of excitement and focus in his voice.
Wareme, unfazed, crossed his arms with a smirk. "I can still beat you in my sleep."
But as Wareme stood there confidently, he noticed something peculiar. Above him, a cluster of clouds had formed, each swirling with a strange, glowing mist.
Wareme glanced up, puzzled. "Is it gonna rain?"
Heunae's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. "Heavy."
Suddenly, from the clouds descended a barrage of massive fists, each one forged entirely from chains. The fists plummeted toward Wareme with incredible force. Reacting swiftly, Wareme jumped back, narrowly evading the onslaught. As he did, he caught a glimpse of Heunae's body dissolving into the glowing mist, only for Heunae to reappear directly in front of him. Before Wareme could react, Heunae delivered a powerful punch to his stomach. The impact caused Wareme to stagger slightly, but he quickly regained his footing, flexing Heunae off him with a grunt of defiance.
Heunae darted back, creating some distance between them, a satisfied grin on his face. "That one moved you."
Wareme cracked his neck, acknowledging the hit with a nod. "Be proud of yourself. You actually got me there with your teleportation."
His expression darkened as he added, "But consider that the last hit you'll ever get!" Wareme began channeling magic into his fist, ready to strike back with devastating force. But just as quickly as the energy gathered, it suddenly dissipated, leaving him stunned.
"What—" Wareme started, confusion washing over him.
Heunae's voice was cold and confident. "You got hit. This is the first skill of my awakened weapon, Air Seal."
Realization dawned on Wareme as he muttered, "You closed my Yoso using Air magic."
Heunae's eyes blazed with determination. "Now you lose!"
Without hesitation, Heunae summoned a massive cloud of mist behind him. From within the mist emerged thousands of fists, all made of chains, surging toward Wareme with unrelenting ferocity.
But Wareme was undeterred. "This minor inconvenience means nothing!" he roared.
With a burst of speed, Wareme charged into the oncoming storm of fists, dodging and weaving through them with remarkable agility. As he neared Heunae, Wareme leaped into the air and came crashing down in front of his opponent with thunderous force.
Heunae barely had time to react, his voice cut off mid-cry as Wareme's arm swung out like a hammer, clotheslining him with brutal precision. The impact sent Heunae flying into the air. Before he could even process what was happening, Wareme appeared above him, slamming him back down with another clothesline, this time with such force that Heunae's body crashed through the floor, plummeting into the room below.
The lower room was vast, filled with various crafting equipment, but Heunae barely noticed as his body hit the ground, bouncing from the sheer impact. Yet, Wareme was relentless. He appeared in front of Heunae almost instantaneously, delivering another devastating clothesline. This time, he didn't stop. With Heunae in tow, Wareme bulldozed through the room, smashing through walls as if they were paper. The destruction was absolute as he carried Heunae across the room, slamming him into every obstacle in their path.
Finally, Wareme released his grip, letting Heunae's battered body drop to the ground. He stood over him, his expression a mix of mockery and superiority.
"Enjoyed the ride?" Wareme taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.
Heunae's eyes narrowed with intensity as he spat out the words, "I'll crush you."
Wareme's body stiffened involuntarily, his muscles tensing as if gripped by an unseen force. The pressure was palpable, his breath catching in his throat.
"So, you can control air magic?" Wareme's voice cut through the tension, laced with a mix of amusement and challenge. "You should have left it alone!" With a powerful flex, his muscles bulged, breaking through the magical hold with sheer force.
Heunae cursed under his breath. "Damn—" He quickly stood, his body shifting into a defensive posture as he began to circle Wareme, his eyes never leaving his opponent.
Wareme's smirk deepened. "Kachiro told us all about you and your little niche vampire colony. He was sent there to fetch us a vampire, but he was baffled by your existence. You and your magical weapon bones—now that's exactly the kind of twisted experiment Anata would pull on an unsuspecting child."
Heunae's patience snapped. "Shut your mouth."
Wareme raised his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa there, partner, no need to get rude. But seriously, how did you even end up like that?"
Heunae's jaw tightened as he forced the words out. "A goblin stole my bones."
Wareme's expression flickered with genuine curiosity. "How did you survive?"
Heunae hesitated, his voice faltering. "My go—Atanasius saved me..." The words trailed off, his mind grasping at something just beyond reach.
A sudden realization washed over Heunae, his eyes widening in confusion. "How did I survive??"
Wareme's mocking laughter rang out. "Is this seriously the first time you've thought about that? What kind of breed of dumbass are you—natural or blind?"
Heunae's world blurred as a memory surged forward, unbidden and vivid. In his mind, he was strapped to a hospital bed, his vision hazy. Through the fog, he could just make out the glint of someone's glasses, reflecting the sterile lights above.
Anata's voice echoed in the memory, tinged with an unsettling mix of pride and regret. "How did I do it? How did I create perfection the first time around? I gave this one everything I had, trying to make him worthy enough to call my son... but he's just an abomination."
As Anata removed his glasses, the cold, hollow emptiness of his eyes was laid bare. The sight sent a chill down Heunae's spine.
"Dear god..." Anata whispered, his voice trembling.
Tsuto approached Anata, her sobs breaking the silence as she wrapped her arms around him, her tears wetting his shoulder.
Anata's voice cracked under the weight of his own guilt. "This is too far for me... There's no other way to kill him."
Bonsam stepped forward, his presence heavy with suggestion. "Z-010 could."
Anata's response was swift, his tone resolute. "No, I refuse to let any of my children die at the hands of anyone numbered. We'll just have to let him go..."
The memory shattered as Heunae snapped back to the present, his eyes wide with terror. He clutched his head, agony tearing through his skull as he moaned and groaned, the pain almost unbearable.
Wareme watched, a cold smile curling his lips. "I tried keeping the cat in the bag, Anata. But the memory magic just couldn't hold up."
"SHUT THE HELL UP!!!" Heunae's voice roared with a fury that echoed across the battlefield, reverberating through the very air. The ground beneath Wareme began to shift and churn as a dense mist rolled in, enveloping the area with an eerie, cold grip.
Wareme's expression darkened as he murmured, "I'm going to have to break the promise I made to you, Anata." Without hesitation, he leaped into the air just as the mist beneath him erupted. Thousands of chain-like fists surged upwards, rocketing towards him with deadly precision. Twisting his body with remarkable agility, Wareme dodged the barrage, his movements fluid and controlled even in mid-air.
Heunae's voice cracked with desperation and anger, "WHAT AM I?!" His eyes burned with a mixture of rage and confusion as he thrust both palms towards Wareme. "YOU WILL ANSWER ME!!!"
The spikes along Heunae's arms began to glow with a potent purple light as the magic within them was violently sucked out, gathering into his outstretched palms. The power swirled and crackled, forming into a tangible, deadly force.
"Poison Magic: Poison Dart Bomb—Ballista!!!" Heunae shouted, his voice filled with raw power as he unleashed the attack. A massive, serpent-shaped bolt of poison magic shot forward with terrifying speed, hissing as it sliced through the air. In an instant, it found its mark, striking Wareme directly in the stomach with a force that could shatter mountains.
Wareme's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh wow—" His words were cut short as the bolt exploded violently, erupting into a towering pillar of poison magic that shot up into the sky, parting the clouds with its sheer intensity. The blast was immense, and even though Wareme was left hovering in the air, a gaping hole now marred his stomach, dripping with dark, noxious energy.
Heunae's form dissolved into mist, disappearing from sight only to reappear directly above Wareme in a flash. With blinding speed, he unleashed a flurry of punches, each one landing with the force of a thunderclap, pummeling Wareme relentlessly. As a final blow, Heunae delivered a devastating stretched punch that sent Wareme hurtling towards the ground. The impact was cataclysmic, the earth itself trembling as Wareme crashed into it, leaving a deep crater in his wake.
Hovering above, Heunae retracted his arm, still burning with the fury of battle. But his victory was short-lived.
"Is that all you got?!" Wareme's voice rang out defiantly as he slowly rose to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination. "Specific Magic: Homing Enemy!" he declared, his voice full of conviction.
In an instant, Heunae's body froze mid-air, seized by an invisible force. Before he could react, he was violently yanked downwards, spiraling uncontrollably towards Wareme.
"Electric Magic..." Wareme growled, electricity crackling around his clenched fist, lighting up the darkening sky. The energy gathered, building to a peak, as Heunae's descent accelerated.
In that fleeting moment, another memory flashed before Heunae's eyes, a voice from the past echoing in his mind—Atanasius's voice. "Remember something, child. You aren't human. I'm not human. Only humans truly care for humans, and that's why they're weak. All non-humans are animals to them. Humans don't know how it feels to be alone in the world, and that's what makes us stronger. Loneliness only brings the best out of monsters."
The memory jolted Heunae back to the present, his mind sharpened by the cruel truth of Atanasius's words. But it was too late.
"Mega Magnum Fist!!!" Wareme roared, his fist slamming into Heunae's stomach with the full force of his electric magic. The impact was catastrophic, a blinding flash of light engulfing the area as the power surged through Heunae's body. The shockwave knocked him out of his awakened form, his strength drained as he crashed to the ground, unconscious, the fight leaving him sprawled on his back, utterly defeated.
Toi, Sai, and Corse moved carefully through the rubble, with Corse carrying Seabi on his back. The aftermath of the battle above them was all too evident—the ground shook with the impact of each strike, and large rocks began to rain down from the fractured ceiling above.
Toi glanced upwards, his eyes narrowing as he tried to sense what was happening. "Whoever Heunae is fighting must be strong! I can kinda feel his presence... but he's knocked out!"
Corse's expression tightened with concern. "So he's either been defeated, or he's unconscious from fatigue after winning. I hope it's the latter."
As they pressed forward, Seabi's eyes fluttered open, the world coming back into focus. His voice was weak, but determined. "W-We won?"
Corse glanced back at him, uncertainty in his voice. "Not sure..."
Seabi gritted his teeth and began to gather his strength. "I have enough mana."
A smile spread across Corse's face. "Sweet, let's do it."
Seabi carefully slid off Corse's back, standing tall despite the fatigue in his limbs. His resolve was unshakable. "Tsuki No Ono!" he commanded, and in an instant, Corse transformed into a gleaming hatchet that settled into Seabi's hands.
With a deep breath, Seabi invoked the next technique. "Skill 4: Dying Moon!" A surge of energy pulsed through him, completely healing his injuries as he entered his Dying Moon state. The power within him surged to life, and with a mighty swing, he unleashed a powerful green slash wave that cleaved through the air, obliterating the massive rocks that were hurtling towards them. The danger was neutralized in a flash.
Corse reverted back to his human form, landing gracefully beside Seabi. Toi grinned, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Alright, the gang's all back together!"
Sai, however, was less at ease. "What about Heunae?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Toi's confidence didn't waver. "We'll get up there ourselves!"
Sai looked around at the destruction surrounding them, skepticism creeping into his tone. "Everything is destroyed though!"
Toi clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. "We can always blast our way through!"
Corse shook his head, his voice calm but firm. "Toi, I don't think any of us have that amount of energy and mana left."
Toi turned to face his comrades, his voice filled with an almost desperate hope. "Believe in the process!—"
But before he could finish, something changed. Everyone's eyes widened in unison as they were suddenly gripped by an overwhelming presence. It was as if the very air around them had frozen, stifling their movements.
Corse's voice was barely a whisper, his breath caught in his throat. "That presence..."
Sai's gaze darted around, trying to pinpoint the source. "Who was that?"
Toi, usually brimming with confidence, found himself at a loss. "That speed... It was unbelievable."
Seabi's voice trembled with a mix of awe and fear. "H-How... Who?"
The group stood frozen, each of them acutely aware that something—or someone—far beyond their comprehension had just made itself known. The battle above them had been intense, but whatever was coming next promised to be even more formidable.
Meanwhile, Wareme stood over Heunae's unconscious body, his expression contemplative as he spoke to himself. "I should bring him back to the doctor. He seems to be a partial success, though not on the same level as—" Suddenly, Wareme stopped mid-sentence, his senses picking up on a powerful presence nearby.
He turned, his eyes narrowing as he muttered, "Speak of the devil—" But before he could fully react, a fist connected with his face, sending him hurtling backward with a force he had never experienced before. Wareme landed roughly but quickly got back to his feet, rubbing his cheek where the punch had landed.
"You're as strong as ever..." Wareme remarked, his tone a mix of grudging respect and resignation.
In front of him stood Sairu, his business suit pristine and unruffled, exuding an aura of power.
Wareme grinned, despite the situation. "That was the first punch I've felt thus far!"
Sairu's eyes were cold as he took a step forward. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right here."
Wareme raised his hands defensively. "I don't have a mutation yet. Fighting me wouldn't satisfy you. I can let you destroy this building, but I promise you that the next time we meet, you'll have a challenge!"
Sairu's expression didn't change as he continued walking towards Wareme. "Sorry, I'm not battle-hungry anymore."
Panic flickered across Wareme's face. "Hey, hey, hey! Wait, Z-001—"
But Sairu's glare silenced him, and in an instant, Sairu vanished, only to reappear directly in front of Wareme.
"Mana Release: Sponge Squeeze," Sairu intoned, his voice calm and controlled. He drove his fist into Wareme's chest, and in a split second, Wareme's mana shot out of his back in five separate beams, the energy visibly draining from him.
Wareme staggered back, his mind reeling. My mana— He leaped away, barely managing to escape further damage.
"You almost sucked me dry!" Wareme shouted, disbelief mingling with fear.
Sairu's gaze was icy, though a hint of amusement played at the corners of his mouth. "Maybe I am a little bit hungry still. I'll make that a warning shot, Z-010. Go get your mutation. Just know, the Negative Point will win."
Wareme's bravado returned, even in the face of such overwhelming power. "You're still as egotistical as ever. Though we may lose the battle, we'll still win the war."
Sairu's patience was clearly wearing thin. "Get out of my face."
In an instant, Wareme vanished, leaving Sairu alone with Heunae. Sairu walked over to Heunae's prone form and effortlessly picked him up. I'm getting a bit rusty, he thought to himself, assessing the unconscious boy.
Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted behind him. Out of the debris came Toi, Sai, Seabi, and Corse, their expressions a mixture of shock and anger.
"Put him down, bitch!" Toi shouted, his voice filled with fury.
Sairu turned calmly, meeting their hostile glares with indifference. "Don't attack. I'm with the Negative Point."
Corse's eyes widened in recognition. That's— he began to think, but Seabi interrupted him.
"He's right. I've never seen this guy in M.A.G.I.C," Seabi said, trying to calm the others.
Toi wasn't convinced, his suspicion clear. "He could be a secret spy—"
Sairu cut him off, his voice firm. "I sensed that you defeated a big guy. You got his body?"
They all stared at Sairu, the tension still palpable in the air.
"N-No..." Sai stammered, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Without warning, Sairu vanished and reappeared in the same spot, this time holding Kachiro's unconscious form in his arms.
"We're taking prisoners. You guys completed your mission; I'll take you back to the Negative Point."
Toi blinked, barely able to process what had just happened. "You're fast—"
Before he could say anything more, Sairu and everyone else vanished into thin air, leaving the destroyed building eerily silent.