The eerie silence of the Jakarta marketplace was broken by Hantengu's distorted laughter. His grotesque form loomed, the faces of his victims writhing across his shifting body. Gok and Wu-Ji stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their expressions hardened.
"I don't know what's worse," Gok muttered, cracking his neck. "The fact that he's back or that he's uglier than before."
Wu-Ji smirked, summoning his Infinity Dagger. "Focus, old man. We've got work to do."
The moment of levity vanished as Hantengu extended his grotesque claws, the air around him vibrating with a dark, ominous energy.
"You cannot stop me," Hantengu hissed, his voice layered with the echoes of countless souls. "I am beyond your comprehension."
---
The Fight Begins
Gok was the first to strike. With a roar, he launched himself forward, his fists glowing with the remnants of Infinite Energy. Hantengu countered, his claws moving faster than the eye could see. The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shattering nearby buildings.
Wu-Ji followed close behind, using his Infinity Dagger to slash at Hantengu's shifting form. The blade left streaks of radiant energy in its wake, but Hantengu's body reformed as quickly as it was cut.
"His regeneration is insane!" Wu-Ji shouted, dodging a swipe from Hantengu.
Gok gritted his teeth, his movements a blur. "Then we'll just have to hit him harder!"
---
The Crossblade Revelation
As the battle raged on, Wu-Ji's mind raced. He knew they couldn't win through brute force alone. Hantengu's form was too unstable, his power too overwhelming. But then, a glimmer of an idea surfaced.
"Gok!" Wu-Ji yelled, barely dodging another attack. "We need to synchronize our strikes!"
Gok glanced at him, his eyes narrowing. "You're talking about the Crossblade technique?"
Wu-Ji nodded. "It's the only way. If we combine our powers, we might be able to destabilize him long enough to strike a killing blow!"
The Crossblade technique was an ancient skill, whispered about in the highest ranks of the game. It required perfect harmony between two wielders, combining their weapons and energy into a single, devastating strike.
---
The Preparation
Gok and Wu-Ji backed away, their movements perfectly synchronized as if they had practiced this a thousand times.
Hantengu laughed mockingly. "Running away already? How pathetic."
"Keep talking," Gok said, his voice low and dangerous. "It'll make beating you all the more satisfying."
Wu-Ji focused his energy, channeling it into the Infinity Dagger. Its blade glowed with a brilliant white light, illuminating the dark battlefield. Beside him, Gok summoned the remnants of Infinite Energy into his fists, his entire body radiating power.
"Ready?" Wu-Ji asked.
"Always," Gok replied.