The Watchers were enraged and wary of the four unexpected powerhouses. They quickly adjusted their formation, attempting to block their enemies' movements. Meanwhile, Shingin, amidst his heavy breathing, realized he had narrowly escaped death. Struggling to stand, his gaze swept across the four formidable reinforcements. Though not true allies, they shared a common enemy in this moment.
Kyobei struck first. His psychic energy coalesced into an invisible giant hammer that slammed the ground, unleashing a powerful shockwave that shattered the Watchers' frontline. Lesser minions were sent flying, their bodies twisted grotesquely mid-air before crashing heavily into the ground. Dusting off his hands, Kyobei smirked. "Fragile. Are these really supposed to be the Watchers' subordinates?"
Myoun stepped forward, his daggers emanating a dark mist that spread like poison gas toward the enemy. Those caught in the mist screamed as their flesh rapidly decayed, leaving nothing but black vapor in their place. His eyes glinted with bloodlust, and he sneered coldly, "Pathetic. Next."
Erukasu melded silently into the shadows, flitting across the battlefield with unparalleled grace. Avoiding every attack with ease, his shadow blade sliced through throats with surgical precision, claiming lives without a sound. In a low, detached murmur, he whispered, "These enemies... they're not even worth my effort."
Haiihito advanced steadily to the front line, his steel warhammer gleaming coldly in the rain. Each deliberate step sent shivers down the spines of his foes. A hulking Watcher rushed forward, throwing a massive punch at him, only for Haiihito to block it with his ironclad body. The Watcher's fist stopped dead, and Haiihito uttered in an icy tone, "Brute force won't work."
He followed with a devastating blow from his hammer, sending his opponent flying and spitting blood before crashing lifelessly into the ground.
Amidst the storm, Shingin collapsed, hands pressed into the mud, his blood pooling around him. He lifted his head to see the four figures standing as an unyielding barrier against the Watchers' relentless assault.
The tide of the battle began shifting, but the Watchers were not willing to concede so easily. They coordinated more complex attacks, seeking to turn the tables. Shingin, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, mustered his resolve. "Upperclassmen, let me help!"
"Stay out of the way, idiot!" Kyobei's voice thundered, sharp and commanding. Raising one hand, he unleashed a burst of psychic force that deflected dozens of incoming attacks with ease, his aura brimming with dominance.
Shingin hesitated, his clenched fists trembling. He wanted to fight, yet he knew his current state was a liability.
"You'll just be a hindrance!" Haiihito growled, hammering away at a swarm of attacks with his steel weapon. His raw strength scattered the Watchers' minions like leaves in a storm.
Then, a chilling command echoed from the Watchers' ranks. "You are permitted to release your power—"
The air froze for an instant before a violent surge of energy erupted, sweeping across the battlefield.
Watcher 25 grinned malevolently, his eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty light. Licking his lips, he murmured, "Finally, the time has come to show my true strength." A sharp, piercing whistle rang out, cutting through the storm like a blade.
The ground trembled violently, cracks spreading like a spider's web. Thick mist rose from the fissures, suffusing the air with a suffocating sense of dread. From the depths of the earth came a guttural roar, chilling everyone to their core. Two colossal silhouettes emerged from the haze, their forms gradually becoming clearer.
The first was a massive, deep purple serpent, its body spanning over 30 meters. Eight monstrous heads towered high, each maw gaping wide with razor-sharp fangs. Its eyes glowed an ominous crimson, like lanterns of pure malice piercing through the fog. This was the legendary Eight-Headed Serpent.
The second serpent followed close behind, its sleek body wreathed in black flames. It was even longer than the first, with a tail split into eight blade-like appendages, each aflame with dancing embers that seemed capable of incinerating everything in their path. The intense heat distorted the air around it, exuding an aura of utter destruction.
Watcher 25 spread his arms wide, as if welcoming his creations. His laughter rang out, cold and arrogant. "Behold my trump cards—Twin Serpent Kings! The Eight-Headed Serpent and the Flaming Eight-Tailed Snake. Today, you shall witness true despair!"
The Eight-Headed Serpent unleashed a deafening roar, its soundwaves shaking the mountains, while the Eight-Tailed Snake lashed its fiery tails against the ground, sending waves of searing flames through the battlefield. The scene resembled the end of the world, the presence of the Twin Serpent Kings suffocating all who stood before them.
The other Watchers instinctively stepped back, some murmuring in awe, "Is this... his hidden power? Monsters among monsters…"
The oppressive battle intent saturated the air as Watcher 25 scanned the battlefield coldly, his voice dripping with icy malice. "Come, let's see how long you insects can last."
Meanwhile, the other Watchers were not idle. Watcher 20's body radiated an overwhelming dark energy as shadowy wings unfolded from his back, releasing a deluge of shadowy feathers toward his enemies; Watcher 21's muscles bulged with glowing red veins, his strength surging as he shattered the ground with a single punch; and Watcher 23 lurked in the shadows, poised to strike with lethal precision.
The battle was far from over. As the storm intensified, so did the clash between hope and despair.