Watcher 09's emotions were completely ignited by the battle. The desire for slaughter burned like a wildfire, and his scythe swung faster and faster, moving like the grim reaper's guiding touch. His ghostly figure disappeared in an instant, leaving only the stench of death lingering in the air.
Elder Kasamaki, unaware of the danger, kept his eyes fixed ahead, straining to hold back the onslaught of masked figures with his rock golem. He failed to notice the lethal attack silently approaching.
In a sudden gap in the fight, Watcher 09 appeared out of thin air, directly in the elder's blind spot. Before the elder could react, the scythe slashed through the air like a flash of icy light, slicing toward his upper arm.
"Crunch—"
A crisp sound of bone cracking rang out. Elder Kasamaki's upper arm was cleanly severed, revealing stark white bone as blood gushed like a fountain, splattering everywhere. The sudden, excruciating pain made the elder's face contort, and he let out a muffled groan, his eyes filled with fury and agony.
"You...!" Elder Kasamaki growled through clenched teeth, trying to turn and counterattack. But Watcher 09 moved even faster. His shadow-like figure flickered again, and he mercilessly swung his scythe, slicing across the elder's lower body.
"Snap!"
The sound echoed through the air as Elder Kasamaki's entire leg was severed without hesitation. It flew upward like a broken branch, arcing into the sky before vanishing into the horizon.
"Aaaaargh!"
The elder's scream of agony reverberated across the battlefield. His body lost balance and collapsed heavily to the ground, unable to stand. Blood gushed from his wounds, pooling around him. The rocky golem that had shielded him shattered into pieces, its fragments scattering as it failed to provide any further defense.
"Grandfather—!!!"
From afar, Harutemi's heart broke at the sight. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down uncontrollably. Her desperate cry pierced the battlefield, tearing through the air. She charged recklessly toward the elder, her eyes fixed on the man who had always protected her. But the chaos of the battlefield swallowed her up, preventing her from getting closer.
Elder Kasamaki's eyes dimmed as he struggled to rise but couldn't support his weight. The scythe's vicious attack had drained him of all resistance. His trembling lips murmured, "Silly girl, Grandpa's fine..."
"Grandfather...!"
Harutemi's voice was a wailing sob as she desperately tried to reach him. Yet, each step forward felt blocked by an invisible force, her efforts futile against the chaos. In her despair, Watcher 09's figure emerged once more, looming over them like the incarnation of death itself.
"It seems this is the end." Watcher 09's low whisper carried a chilling finality. Blood dripped from his scythe, forming cold, unfeeling droplets that fell like frozen crystals.
Elder Kasamaki had lost all strength to fight back, while Harutemi's despair and rage ignited a flicker of unyielding resolve within her. Her fists clenched tightly as an inexplicable determination shone in her eyes. She wouldn't let her powerlessness or despair extinguish her spirit.
But Watcher 09 remained as cold as ever, his deathly presence filling the air. He raised the scythe again, ready to deliver the final blow.
"Do you think you can stop me?" Watcher 09 sneered, his voice devoid of warmth.
From a distance, William's eyes flared with anger. Despite his injuries, he forced himself to rise, his battered body trembling under the strain. Gasping for breath, he clenched his fists and dashed toward Harutemi, determined to shield her.
"You dare harm her?!" William roared, his voice resolute despite his wounds. Though his defiance seemed futile, he refused to stand idle.
Watcher 09, however, reacted far quicker. With a flick of his scythe, a storm-like force erupted, striking William with thunderous power. He was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground with a heavy thud.
The scythe's icy wave slashed past Harutemi, tearing her clothing as if mocking her helplessness. Startled, she instinctively hugged herself, her fearful eyes wide with shock. But even her futile defense couldn't halt the oncoming threat.
"Protection unto death?" Watcher 09 sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. "What does it change?"
William writhed on the ground, struggling to rise. His bloodied lips parted as he gasped, "You...can't harm her..."
Though every bone in his body screamed in pain, William summoned his last ounce of strength to lunge toward Harutemi. But his battered frame collapsed before he could reach her.
Watcher 09's laughter echoed like a cruel specter. "Your efforts are as meaningless as your life."
With no resistance left in sight, Watcher 09 raised his scythe high once more.
Harutemi trembled, her tears mixing with fury. Though she knew she couldn't stop the inevitable, she clenched her fists tighter. She refused to surrender to despair, even if her defiance seemed doomed to fail.
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and an eerie stillness settled over the battlefield. The air grew unnaturally cold, and the atmosphere turned oppressively heavy.