The viscous, sinewy mass had just begun seeping through the floorboards when, suddenly, a portion exploded in a burst of crimson rain, showering Dunn, whose armor was not yet fully donned.
Pop! Sizzle!
The blood-red droplets splattered against Dunn's armor, corroding it with dark spots. Simultaneously, the remaining mass of flesh coalesced into the shape of a towering figure—an imposing two-meter man, the "Giant" from the Aurora Order.
The Giant, with a crazed grin, tore off his newly-formed left arm, reshaping it into a grotesque, sinew-bound blade, and swung down with murderous intent.
Dunn, just managing to finish securing his steel-clad armor, hastily summoned a shield of pure force in front of him, intercepting the blade's downward strike.
Noting this, the Giant's grin grew more menacing. The moment his blade met Dunn's shield, he detonated the sinewy mass.
Boom!
The fleshy blade exploded, sending shockwaves that hammered against Dunn's shield, forcing the armored figure back several paces.
As the flesh storm subsided, small, unnoticed droplets of blood seeped into the cracks of Dunn's armor.
With the fury of a man possessed, the Giant let out a guttural laugh, "You're done for!"
In sync with his words, he tightened his fist, intending to activate his ultimate attack. But before he could react, his vision fractured like a broken dream.
The Giant found himself back in his prior state, still embedded in the floor as viscous flesh, preparing to launch his attack.
Only this time, the "Iron Armor" standing before him was fully armored, with a blazing orange light building up in its outstretched palm.
The Giant's newly-formed eyes narrowed, realizing he had been lured into a dream! He'd unknowingly fallen into the opponent's nightmare.
Before he could react, Dunn unleashed the gathered "Light Storm," filling the entire room with blazing radiance.
"Arrghh!"
The Giant's furious, agonized roar echoed through the neighborhood, waking everyone in the vicinity.
Some residents, fearing the worst, locked their doors and windows, praying the danger would pass them by. Others, too curious to remain hidden, opened windows or stepped outside to see the commotion.
What they saw would remain seared in their minds forever: a red steel-clad figure hovering above the street, firing beams of light at a hulking green figure below.
"Iron Man vs. the Hulk?" Some of the local tabloid reporters, gleeful at the sight, cursed their lack of a camera.
"You poisoned me? What is this poison? Why can't I purge it?" The Giant struggled against the impurities now mixed into his flesh, which slowed his movements and dulled his control over his abilities.
Dunn kept silent, launching relentless beams of purifying light to hold the Giant in place.
These were not the full-power Light Storm beams but a lesser purifying light, strong enough to contain the Giant.
And the poison? Another feature of Dunn's iron golem, seemingly crafted to counter a Rose Bishop.
"According to Roselle's Hero series, this armor should be called the 'Anti-Rose Bishop Suit.'" Closfia was treating this entire thing as her own form of entertainment.
Dunn sighed, glancing around. The longer he continued, the likelier it was for official Extraordinary squads to arrive.
He had to finish this quickly.
Dunn contacted the spirit within the armor, speaking in Hermes, "Jarvis, switch to Judgment Blade mode."
Immediately, his armor shifted. Light extended from his shoulders like a cross guard, while his legs gathered orange light at the tips, forming a glowing "blade" shape.
The Giant's body turned instinctively, bolting towards a nearby house to use potential "hostages" as a shield.
But Dunn, having been warned by Closfia that the surrounding buildings were empty, swung the radiant blade down without hesitation.
In an instant, the orange glow sliced through the building like butter.
The house where the Giant had sought refuge cracked down the middle, crumbling into a cloud of dust and rubble.
In the haze, the Giant lay there, now dyed green by the armor's poison, his form weakened and slumped, like a puppet with its strings cut.
Dunn seized his advantage and drew the Giant into one last dream.
Moments later, a pallid-faced Dunn stepped from the ruins. Confirming his enemy's death, he withdrew to a safe meeting point with Closfia. There, he removed the suit of armor, returning it to its small box form.
Massaging his temples, Dunn sighed, "Even with your preventative measures, Closfia, glimpsing that upside-down, crucified Giant in the dream was as unnerving as ever..."
Although he could neither see nor sense Closfia, he knew she was close.
"Of course... He is the True Creator, after all." Closfia appeared, lazily clutching a "sketchbook." She grinned at Dunn, "I've recorded the entire fight... Care to see?"
"That won't be necessary, Madam." Dunn shook his head, his expression growing serious. "In the Giant's dream, I learned that Lanevus isn't merely tainted by divinity. He... he's become the True Creator's vessel!"
At this, Closfia's smile faded, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I'll take care of it... Where is Lanevus now?"
"At the dockworkers' union near East Balam Dock. But after this incident, he'll certainly be moved," Dunn said, sighing as Closfia prepared to depart. "Please, take care, Madam."
With a playful smirk, Closfia replied, "Thanks, but my approach is different than what you're thinking… I plan to report this to the Church of the Night." She vanished in a swirl of mist.
Dunn was left speechless, feeling, yet again, that she had tricked him.
Meanwhile, Closfia, having arrived near the dockworkers' union via "Dream Traverse," lost her playful grin. So, Lanevus as the True Creator's vessel… Did "Pride" truly not know? Or was this intentional?
If he shared this information on purpose… What could he be planning?
…
At the same time, Xio, who had been hiding nearby, emerged from her vantage point, approaching the Giant's corpse. After confirming his death, she prayed to the Fool, relaying the details of the battle.
…
15 Minsk Street.
Klein lay in a hot bath, soaking away the day's stress. Then, through the haze of relaxation, he heard an ethereal, layered prayer echo in his ears.
"Miss Judgment?" he wondered, straightening up in the tub. Did she find Lanevus? Did the man who looked like "Little Robert" clash with the Aurora Order?
Leaping from the tub, he dried off quickly, donned a robe, and ascended to the gray fog.
Gazing at Miss Judgment's star, Klein extended his spirituality to listen:
"Oh Fool who does not belong to this era…"
"Honorable Fool, just now on Black Palm Street in the East End, a fierce battle took place… One participant wore armor covering his entire body…"
Kneeling beside the Giant's corpse, Miss Judgment recounted the skirmish with brisk efficiency.
Pressed for time, she didn't use her usual courtly language, instead speaking plainly and directly.
Klein listened carefully, his expression shifting.
Did I just hear that right? The investigator who looked like "Little Robert" actually summoned an "Iron Man" suit? With an array of powerful attacks… And then the Aurora Order sent in a "Green Giant"?
Is this some kind of cross-dimensional Marvel cosplay event?
After a moment, Klein grimaced, realizing the bigger issue: Miss Judgment mentioned that the "Green Giant" had fallen at a spot suspiciously close to his rented safehouse on Black Palm Street…
It's not the time to focus on my losses. The priority is locating Lanevus… but Miss Judgment isn't proficient in spirit channeling… What should I do?!
Perhaps… I could use the "Elder Ceremony" to project my spirit there temporarily!
With a decision made, Klein reviewed the Blood Feast's ritual instructions and shared the process with Miss Judgment's crimson star.
Finally, he spoke in a low, commanding voice:
"Conduct the ritual."
…
Back in the Black Palm Street ruins, Xio read over the Elder Ceremony instructions, her face turning pale. Without any ritual supplies on hand, she saw that the Fool had "helpfully" provided her with a version requiring her own blood as an offering...
…
Meanwhile, within the sixth level of the Dream Labyrinth Tower…
Seated on the second floor of the library, Roselle listened to the young man before him, an amused smile playing on his lips.
"So, you say you know past and future events, which is why you place so much faith in me and want to follow me? Heh, sounds like a scam… But I'll give you a chance to prove it."