In the Elder Unit, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The Elders, visibly furious, struggled to accept the shocking defeat of the devil at Josuke's hands. Their pride, their calculations—everything had been upended.
One of the Elders slammed their staff on the ground. "How could this happen? Josuke was supposed to die!"
Kyle, lounging in his chair, smirked with infuriating ease. "Looks like someone isn't feeling jolly today."
The room fell silent as a senior Elder turned to Kyle, their eyes blazing with indignation. "Watch your tongue, boy! Show respect to your Elders."
Kyle stood, his posture relaxed but his tone sharp. "Respect? That's funny. Respect is earned, not demanded. And you old hags haven't earned a shred of it."
Maya shot Kyle a wary look but said nothing, knowing he wouldn't back down.
Kyle turned toward her. "We're leaving."
Commander August, his face red with anger, stood abruptly. "Kyle! Where do you think you're going?"
Kyle didn't even glance back. "Unlike you, I have better things to do."
August scowled, his frustration turning toward Commander John, Kyle's older brother. "John! Your brother's insolence is disgraceful. Talk some sense into him!"
John remained silent, his expression unreadable. He simply locked eyes with Kyle, a silent exchange passing between them. Kyle gave a small, almost imperceptible nod before turning on his heel.
Without hesitation, he walked toward the door, kicking it open. His hand touched the shimmering barrier that had kept him and Maya trapped. Kyle chuckled as he examined it. "This barrier… was it supposed to keep me in? What a joke."
With a flick of his wrist, the barrier shattered like brittle glass. Gasps of disbelief echoed through the room as Kyle stepped over the threshold, Maya close behind.
Once outside, Maya couldn't hold back. "You could've broken that barrier this whole time?"
Kyle shrugged with a mischievous grin. "Yep."
Maya's eyes flared with frustration. "And you just stood there, letting those kids fight for their lives against a devil?"
Kyle scratched the back of his head. "Now that you say it like that, I sound like the bad guy."
Maya growled in irritation and smacked him on the head. "You're insufferable. Just teleport us to their location."
Kyle chuckled, raising his hand. "As you wish."
With a burst of energy, the two vanished.
Back at the Forest
The team rested in a battered clearing, trying to recover. Josuke, still in his devil form, paced nervously, his aura swishing with each step. His wild, chaotic appearance only heightened his frustration.
"I… I can't transform back!" he exclaimed, panic creeping into his voice. "What if I'm stuck like this forever?"
Ace leaned back against a boulder, laughing. "Relax, Josuke. You'll figure it out. Besides, it's kind of a good look for you."
Lily nodded with a smirk. "Yeah, terrifying but effective."
Arthur, sitting apart from the group, remained stoic. His gaze stayed fixed on the horizon, his thoughts a storm of conflicted emotions. Nearby, Hinata lay unconscious, her face pale from overexertion.
Suddenly, Josuke stiffened, his sharp eyes catching movement in the distance. Near Gene's broken body, a figure stood, cloaked in shadows. Dressed in a turtleneck, long coat, and a featureless mask, the figure moved with quiet precision, collecting something from Gene's remains.
Josuke raised his weapon cautiously. "Who are you?"
The figure said nothing, merely tilting its head slightly. In a blink, it vanished and reappeared directly in front of Josuke, gripping his neck with a single hand. The impact slammed Josuke into the ground, sending shockwaves through the area.
Lily, Ace, and Arthur were thrown backward by the figure's overwhelming aura.
The figure lifted Josuke effortlessly, examining him as though inspecting a broken object. "Incomplete," it muttered, its voice low and distorted. It then hurled Josuke aside like a ragdoll.
Turning toward Arthur, the figure approached methodically. Arthur struggled to rise but was powerless as the figure seized him by the collar.
"You are special," it said, its tone calm yet menacing. "I'll use you for future plans."
Arthur gritted his teeth. "What… do you want with me?"
The figure raised a glowing finger, pressing it against Arthur's forehead. Arthur screamed as a surge of power coursed through him. The figure removed its finger, letting Arthur collapse unconscious.
Josuke, regaining his footing, charged with his Fullbringer ablaze. His strikes were relentless, but the figure evaded every attack with inhuman speed and precision.
Before Josuke could press further, a bright flash heralded the arrival of Kyle and Maya.
The figure stopped, taking a step back. It observed Kyle, seemingly measuring him.
Kyle narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
The figure spoke for the first time, addressing Kyle directly. "Call me Hans. And believe me, I have no intention of fighting. Especially not with you, Commander."
Josuke growled, "You think you can just walk away?"
Hans turned slightly, his voice calm. "This was merely a test. Consider it a warning."
Josuke lunged, but before his blade could connect, Hans vanished into the air, leaving behind an oppressive silence.
Kyle clenched his fists, his expression dark. "Hans… Things just got a whole lot more complicated."