"That won't be a problem. The blast originated from there, so that's where we need to go first," Rich asserted, pointing towards the pinnacle of a distant skyscraper.
Their gazes followed Rich's outstretched finger. At last, they discerned the building—the sole structure still standing amidst the flattened neighborhood. They stood in silent reverence, taking in the desolate panorama.
"Well, that explains how the entire neighborhood was obliterated in an instant," Don remarked, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped the group.
Rich hesitated briefly before retracting his finger and starting toward the skyscraper.
"Let's go. We can't afford to let it escape."
Son, too, began advancing, followed closely by the others, moving with deliberate purpose alongside their leader, Rich.
***
Stomp
Stomp
They proceeded with measured steps, making their way toward the skyscraper. Rich, his expression a mix of determination and resolve, led the way, his focus fixed on the towering edifice. Son quickened his pace, drawing level with Rich's right side.
"Rich..."
Rich glanced at Son, noting the visible discomfort on the young man's face.
"Something wrong, Son?"
"No, no… it's just that, well, it's kind of exhilarating. We're about to confront whatever leveled an entire neighborhood."
"You don't seem particularly thrilled."
Son cast his eyes downward as they walked.
"I can't say I'm not scared. I'm a rookie, facing something far stronger than I am. It's natural to be afraid, don't you think? But... I'm more concerned about their safety than mine."
"Putting others before yourself is admirable, but in our line of work, the best way to protect others is by protecting yourself. You can't save anyone if you're dead."
"I know..."
Son's gaze returned to the skyscraper.
"They're here because I said I'd accompany you. I just don't want anyone to die because they followed me."
Rich, taken aback by Son's remark, offered a gentle smile.
"You've got a kind heart. That's something many in this world lack."
"Oh, thank you. I think you're a good guy, too."
"Thanks. So, why did you become an exorcist? Let me guess—you want to make the world a better place."
Son chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Not quite. I became an exorcist because… well, I wanted to become an elder."
"Is that so? Why aspire to be an elder, given their pay?"
"No. My father was an exorcist, but he never reached the elder rank. He tried relentlessly, with every ounce of life he had, but he never succeeded."
"Oh... Where is your father now? Is he retired?"
"... He passed away a few years ago."
Rich, shocked by this revelation, turned his gaze away, focusing once more on the skyscraper.
"Oh... I'm s-"
"Don't worry, you didn't do anything. It's a common occurrence. Only a small percentage of exorcists retire. The rest either quit or..."
"Given this, why go through the trials of being an exorcist?"
"As I said, I want to achieve what my father could not."
Son replied as they continued their trek toward the skyscraper.
***
At last, they arrived at the skyscraper. At its base, they stood, staring up at the building's crest. Each member of the group displayed a mixture of fear and anticipation, awaiting someone to take the initiative.
Rich closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and turned to his companions.
"Are you all ready?"
"No, but we might as well get this over with." Nina said, stepping forward into the building.
Thus, they all entered.
After a lengthy climb up the skyscraper's stairs, they reached the roof access. Rich grasped the doorknob, turning it gently. The soft click of the lock disengaging resonated through the air. He glanced at his team.
With a final nod, exchanged by all, Rich pushed the door open. They charged onto the roof, weapons drawn and at the ready.
To their astonishment, the roof was deserted. There was no sign of the anticipated adversary. They scanned the area, finding no trace of any presence.
Rich, perplexed by the enemy's absence, turned to Son.
"Maybe it escaped?" Son suggested, equally bewildered.
As if by fortune, at that very moment, Rich's eyes widened, and a gasp escaped his lips.
Gasp!
In an instant, Rich lunged toward Nina, tackling her with all his strength. A projectile plummeted from the sky, crashing down precisely where Nina had been standing.
But it wasn't a mere projectile; it was a humanoid entity.
As they beheld the creature before them, their eyes widened with horror at the beast that had nearly taken Nina's life.
"W... what the hell is that?" Don blurted out, his reaction entirely understandable. The creature before them defied classification, neither human nor possessed. It had a robust, muscular physique akin to a bodybuilder, with human-like fists bearing claws. Its lower torso was akin to that of a horse—hindquarters and all. The most striking feature, however, was its head: a grey owl's visage with piercing golden-yellow eyes.
It was a grotesque abomination, a nightmare made real, and now it was ready to confront the four of them.
The beast assumed a high-block stance, bracing itself for battle against the exorcists.
"What the hell…"
Without delay, Rich charged at the possessed entity, drawing his sword in a swift arc aimed at its neck.
Slash!
The creature recoiled, narrowly evading the attack, but Rich wasted no time and struck again. The beast ducked, then retaliated with a powerful fist aimed to crush Rich. The blow was deflected by Rich's blade, but the possessed's forehead collided with Rich, sending him sprawling to the edge of the roof.
"Rich!" Nina cried out.
Drawing her nunchucks, Nina, along with Don, advanced on the beast. It effortlessly sidestepped her nunchuck strikes and dodged Don's pickaxe swings. Nina swung rhythmically but failed to land a blow, until finally, the creature sent her sprawling and whipped Don aside with its forehand.
Turning its attention to Ferdinand, the creature advanced menacingly towards the trembling figure.
"Stay back!" Ferdinand shouted.
The beast charged at Ferdinand, its fist already molded into a lethal weapon, launching a devastating punch before Ferdinand could react. Eddy intervened, severing the creature's arm and making a second attempt to decapitate it. The beast retreated a few steps, evading the strike once more.
"Every... move!"
Don, Nina, Son, and Rich simultaneously attacked the possessed. Rich, Son, and Don aimed for different vital areas, while Nina targeted its head from above.
Bwuk!
The nunchucks slammed against the rooftop as the beast sidestepped their combined assault. It charged with ferocity, colliding with Nina and sending her crashing to the far edge of the skyscraper.
Swing!
Rich swung his katana in a desperate attempt to cleave the beast in two, but it ducked, delivering a resounding hoof kick to Rich's jaw. The creature jabbed at Son repeatedly, eventually knocking him away. Don slashed at it, only for the beast to dodge and regenerate its severed forearm, using it to uppercut Don.
All five were defeated. The beast's superior strength overwhelmed them. Despite their injuries, Ferdinand remained upright, quaking in fear as the creature approached him.
Rich, struggling to rise to his knees, muttered, "Why the hell is he just standing there? Dammit. The last thing we need is a liability. And why the hell is this thing fighting us with martial arts…?"
Don, coughing violently, stood up, grinning at the beast as he hefted his blade and clenched his fist.
"I don't know what the hell you are or why you even exist, but one thing is certain... I'm the one who's going to exorcise you."
The creature ignored Don's taunts and continued its advance towards Ferdinand.
"Huh? Are you deaf, birdman?"
Don's taunts had no effect, and the beast remained focused on Ferdinand. Frustrated, Don charged forward, shouting as he closed in on the creature.
"You bastard..."
Meanwhile, Rich wrestled with troubling thoughts, observing the possessed.
"This creature could obliterate a neighborhood in seconds… is this the right one? If so, why is it fighting us with martial arts when it could—"
Gasp!
The realization hit Rich like a bolt of lightning, but it was too late.
Don, racing to aid his friend, prepared for his assault.
"... don't you dare ignore me!!"
He was mere steps away from the creature when, with blinding speed, the owl-like head twisted around, revealing its searing, red-hot eyes. In an instant, a beam of light erupted from those eyes, covering nearly half the rooftop and hurtling straight toward Don.
BOOM!!!