Chapter 7
Battle Royal

Kureto had his hands behind his back, walking ahead of his family group as he led them outside of the castle. Tenri, his father, had his eyes closed in thought with an unreadable expression, as usual. Seishiro didn't hide his frustration and had repeatedly demanded to get the intruders killed already. Of course, Kureto ignored him as his father. Shinya, on the other hand, had his carefree expression, but his eyes were a bit sad. Kureto deduced it was due to Shinoa being part of this "rebellion" against Takenori.

"I do not see why you should worry, Shinya." Kureto began talking once more."As long as Shinoa has the brains to realize this is a lost battle, she should be fine. Although I did not prohibit Takenori from simplifying annihilating all of them here."

"Finally making some sense..." Seishiro muttered under his breath.

Shinya offered him a faint smile."Oh, I'm not worried about her losing her life. I do admire your ability to trust in Takenori that much, but have you thought what would happen if he loses?"

Aoi narrowed her eyes but kept her comment to herself. Kureto sighed wearily."Takenori has no chance of losing against a bunch of amateurs. Let me enlighten you more about Takenori, Shinya, since you two do not interact that much. Takenori is a man that looks at defeat and laughs at its face. He tasted defeat once in his life against that abomination once upon a time, but the way he is now, he's way above anything he's ever faced."

"By abomination..." Tenri opened his eye momentarily."You are referring to "him", correct?"

"Yes, father. But back then Takenori was not as enhanced as he is today. Take no offense to this, you or Seishiro, but he's stronger than you both."

Shinya smiled at the comment while Seishiro responded with a "what?!" at the sudden statement."But he is facing more than one person with Black Demon Series Cursed Gears and he's the only one in his team with one of them."

"I thought about it. But just because they have Demon Series, does not mean they are anywhere as skilled as him. Besides, I've left everything up to Takenori because this is his final test to see if he deserved his promotion. And since they've chosen this castle as their battlefield, I will have no choice but to give it to him as a battle prize. But mark my words when I say that Takenori cannot lose...never again."


Yuichiro was going downstairs of the castle, presumably a place where they might have taken Mitsuba. Once they were inside the caslte, they were met by Reina and told they had to gather the keys to save Mitsuba from her imprisonment. He remembers Shinoa's orders clearly; split up to cover more ground, eat one pill and no more than that, and if the battle gets out of hand, run and regroup. He shook his head, brushing the thoughts of the plan going south. He eventually reached the sewers and he had to say, they were very spacious. He could see the water was not as dirty as he thought, probably because the castle had been unoccupied for a while.

"Looking for something, boy?" A young man with white hair tied up in a ponytail appeared from a current of water coming down.

Yuu took a defensive stand."You know what I'm here for. Your friend told us you guys had keys that would help us free Mitsuba! I want you to hand it over!"

"And not fight for it?" He feigned being offended."No can do, kid. You'll have to take it from my claws if you ever want to get your hands on the key. But where are my manners? I am Goro Karakuyi."

"Yuichiro Hyakuya." He responded.

"Not in the mood to talk, huh?" Goro sneered at him."Alright then, I'll give you hell!" He unsheathed his long-sword."So, how about it?"

"Now you're speaking my language!" Yuichiro smirked as he unsheathed Ashamaru.


"Wait up, you!" Shinoa yelled after Reina who simply glared at her and kept running. Shinoa summoned her scythe and jumped in the air to attack her, only to be stopped by Reina's ax.

"Fool," Reina said as she user her ax to throw Shinoa hard against a door and breaking through it, landing in a green room that seemed to extend considerably. There were a few flags along the way as long as holes in the ground, indicating that this was a mini-golf area."You like it here? It's nice, isn't it? You should thank me for choosing such a nice place to bury you."

"Awww, how thoughtful of you." Shinoa giggled, spinning her scythe."But unfortunately for your plans, I don't plan on dying here today."

Reina bit her lower lip, her grip tightening."Why are YOU here?"

"Huh? I don't understand the question." Shinoa tilted her head in confusion."I'm here to take the key that you announced that you had to help my friend be free again, that is all."

"How noble of you." Reina drawled boringly."But now you're here to die. Let's do this." Reina beckoned Shinoa to attack her. Shinoa gave her a cocky smile before her expression turning serious and sprinted at her, both of their weapons clashing loudly."A big weapon for a small girl such as yourself."

"And a double-edged ax for a complicated and insipid girl like you." They both pushed each other away.

"Inconceivable. You shouldn't this strong, it makes no sense." She then placed a hand in her chin."Then again, you guys did defeat Juzo. But unfortunately for you, you won't be able to gang up against one us one by one."

"Oh, no, that was Kazuma by himself." Shinoa stated with a matter-of-fact tone."

"What?" Reina glowered over her. Shinoa began assaulting her once more but Reina countered her attacks easily. It seemed as though they were evenly matched.

"Shi!" Shinoa's scythe began burning in orange flames and took the form of what it seemed like a demon with giant claws.

"Valkyria-Effect!" Reina yelled as lightning began covering her body and divided into 7 smaller axes that began rotating like saws. With a quick motion, Reina launched the axes at Shinoa. The demon-like figure began grabbing the axes and crushing them in its grip while Shinoa began jumping and evading the current attacks.

"Not bad." Reina stated as she looked on the ground."But not good enough!" An ax came out from the ground and Shinoa barely had time to react to it, causing her to cut her cheek slightly. She let out a cried of pain, feeling the electricity go inside of her wound and expanding in her body. Her demon was being overpowered by the number of axes that were cutting through its body until the axes became one and took the shape of a monster who sliced the demon in half. Reina called off her attacks and simply observed Shinoa with a tint of cockiness.

"It's...too early to be surprised." Shinoa' spoke slowly, revealing marks on her face and her expression turning vicious."After all, we've just gotten started."

Reina scowled at her, feeling her demon slowly surrounding her body as marks appeared on her face."I couldn't agree more with you there. However, do know that your offense will not be forgiven so easily."


"Seriously, out of all the places I could fight in, it had to be in a library?" Kimizuk is sighed upon looking at his surroundings. He had to admit that the library was huge. Wherever he saw he saw shelves lined up neatly with piles of books. He could swear an entire building could be dedicated to this place."Not that I'm complaining. But it sure is a waste to see so many books being here with no one bothering to read them." He began hearing cackles from a couple of shelves to his right and tensed up. He grabbed his swords and quietly sneaked around the shelves and was led to the fiction section. There, Yuka sat on a couch reading comics and laughing hysterically.

"Oh, man! I can't believe! How did I not think of these pick-up lines before, they're great!" He laughed some more and noticed that Kimizuki was standing there with a deadpanned expression. He ignored him and continued laughing.

"Hey, brat. Just hand over the key and I'll let you continue having fun, alright?" Kimizuki offered but was met with a book that almost hit him in the face."Hey!"

"Yeah, right. I am having fun, but if I gave you the key, Takenori will get on my case and not let me read my comics!" He pouted just like a child would."And besides, I might be younger than the others, but I'm one of the strongest in our group. What about you, mister?"

"It's Kimizuki for you. And yeah, I'm also one of the strongest if not the strongest. Also the oldest." Kimizuki responded his chin up and looking down at the child.

"Well then, Kimizuki-san." Yuka got up and summoned his hammer which appeared to be lighter than what it looked like."Let's get on with the fight! I'll start!" He jumped in the air and barely missed Kimizuki, smashing the place where he was standing on and creating a hole.

Kimizuki took this opportunity to attack him from the sides, but Yuka maneuvered his way around his hammer and delivered a double kick to Kimizuki's chest, sending him sitting down to the ground. Yuka gracefully stood on the grip of the hammer, a cheeky smile on his face.

"Oh, it's on kid!" Kimizuki jumped up and went after Yuka again. Yuka jumped down from his hammer and grabbed it, spinning around to force Kimizuki to jump in the air to avoid it. He used the hammer's momentum to smash it on the ground and sending him flying upwards to meet the pink-haired boy with a headbutt to the stomach, sending him crashing against a bookshelf.

'This brat...' Kimizuki groaned as he tried to stand up, his body sore from the impact.' He's really strong...'

"Come on, Kimizuki-san!" Yuka whined, his shoulders slumping."Oh, I know! I'll try the new ultimate move that I've been practicing! You better get ready, mister, cause' this is a one hit kill!" Yuka kicked the hammer upwards and put it over his shoulder as he began spinning around, holding it out with his hands.

"Is he seriously going to throw that hammer while he's spinning?" Kimizuki squinted his eyes in disbelief. Yuka had gained speed and looked like a small cyclone.

"Heaven Slicer!" Yuka yelled out as he threw the hammer exactly where Kimizuki was standing with precision.

"Dodge!" Yelled Kimizuki's demon as he did so immediately, barely avoiding getting his skull taken off his body as the hammer kept rotating until it crashed against a wall, making a huge hole.

"Woah!" Kimizuki pursed his lips, not processing what had just happened and certainly not what was coming. Yuka was still spinning in circles and launched himself at Kimizuki, who held his hands up in defense and was spiral kicked on the side of his body, sending him spinning in the air where the hammer had gone through. Yuka landed on one foot, his cheeky smile showing satisfaction.

Reina and Shinoa were clashing with their weapons and noticed the hammer breaking through the wall and landing next to them and soon after Kimizuki landed face-first on the floor.

"Kimizuki!" Shinoa kicked Reina in her groin, prompting for her to jump back. She rushed to her comrade's side, helping him stand up."Are you alright?"

"Just about. He knocked the wind out of me with that kick even though I blocked it." Kimizuki breathed heavily, his eyes fixed at the kid who had sent him flying that was making his way over to them.

"Heya, Reina-chan!" Yuka waved cheerfully at his friend.

Reina looked at the hammer and then back at the boy."So, it was you who did this."

"Yeah, I was trying to showcase my new move." He threw his hands behind his head."So, you're having a good time it seems. I can't believe these guys actually made it this far into the castle."

"I agreed with your speculations." Reina noted, watching as the younger boy picked up his hammer."There were too many soldiers for them to have defeated them all and still be unscathed. They must have had help."

"Regardless of that, you wanna switch opponent for a bit?" Yuka tilted his head."I wanna see what this girl can do!"

"Fine. But it won't be my fault if I end up killing your opponent." Reina took a step forward, facing Kimizuki.

"Damn...they're treating us like their playthings..." Kimizuki growled, clearly not pleased.

"I just hope the others are doing better," Shinoa said with a hopeful expression on her face.


"So...are you sure this is a good idea?" Yosuke asked Hajime who was drinking a coke.

"Go ahead." Hajime shrugged."Who knows when this fight will end. Besides, this is supposedly going to expire tomorrow, so might as well. Anyways, do we really have to fight? You're looking for the key that Reina brought up, right?"

"Well...yes! But I guess you're not going to hand it over just like that, right?"

"I don't wanna spend energy on this useless fight that Takenori got us involved in." Hajime responded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world."The key is in the drawer next to the fridge, just under the spoons."

Yosuke did as followed and felt a malicious presence about to strike behind him as he opened the fridge. He sidestepped easily, noticing a lance piercing through the can of soda he had grabbed.

"Hey, at least let me get a drink!" Yosuke whined as he tossed the empty can at Hajime.

Hajime simply hit the can to the side with his lance and began spinning it around."I lied! You shouldn't take your eyes off of your enemy, especially in their turf! But you didn't so I'm surprised. You're a lot more serious than I gave you credit for."

"Yeah, well, it's part of the job I guess." Yosuke shrugged, summoning his double-edged sword and taking a stance."It's too bad for you. My weapon has sharp edges while yours doesn't!"

"You really think so?" Hajime's lance began taking the form of a sphere with a long and sharp edge at the very top."My weapon can mask itself to be a regular lance, but in reality, it's a spear. Here, I'll show you!" Hajime jumped on top of the counter and began kicking the plates that were on it at Yosuke who began spinning his sword, deflecting the projectiles. Hajime threw himself at Yosuke and thrust his spear but the latter dodged it and began running outside the crowded kitchen. He then came out to the giant cafeteria that had a vast amount of long tables with chairs. In the far center of the room, a small throne with a table with a few other smaller chairs next to it. The ceiling was decorated with chandeliers that seemed to made out of gold and the windows were stained in different colors.

"A nice place right?" Hajime began clapping as though this was a play."This was where we were going to enjoy a nice evening after the wedding was over. Hell, I think the cake should be around here somewhere."

"Yeah, because marrying a girl against her will is proper," Yosuke said sarcastically, which was gratefully accepted by Hajime who laughed wholeheartedly.

"I do agree with you there." Hajime suddenly sprinted to Yosuke and proceded to trust his weapon while Yosuke either dodged or used his sword to change the trajectory

Meanwhile, Yoichi had helped Kazuma passed the dormitories and fought off against Takaya. A sniper battle that took place in the corridors. While all of this was happening, Yuichiro was dodging Goro as he kept leaping out of the war to attack just to come out again.

Takenori harshly pushed Mitsuba inside of a black coffin and locked it immediately. The coffin had 6 keyholes and he finished off locking them all with the master key.

"Let me out!" Mitsuba pounded on the door.

Takenori sighed, eying the room. It was small and had a gothic style to it. The walls were painted in brown and had a black chandelier on top as well as two big mirrors on each side of the room.

"I have to admit, my love. Your comrades are more resourceful than I gave them credit for." Takenori began pacing back and forth, his hands behind his back."Not only did the find this place and managed to infiltrate, but they also got the better of my security and managed to sneak into the castle. This is a sacred room, see? This was where we would spend a loving night, just the two of us. That coffin that you're in was a family treasure and I kept it here because it represents good luck from the spirits. Locking you away was never the idea, but this left me no choice." He felt a presence approaching several floors below him but was closing in fast."Ah, it seems your platonic love is approaching. I shall be back when I'm done with this cat and mouse game."

"No! Don't hurt him! Please!" Mitsuba's pleads never reached his ears. Takenori walked slowly and exited the room and made his way to the balcony to observe the scenery.

"Kureto-nii-sama...is this your last trial for me? Shall I get rid of the holder of a Black Demon Series or try to recruit him..." His eyes fell on the towers and could see someone laying there motionless."I would need a replacement for Juzo after all." He closed his eyes in thought, his surroundings turning into a blue void with white fog.

"Takenori, how nice of you to come and say hi." Said the seductive voice of his demon. A woman with short pink hair, red eyes and horns appeared behind him floating around. She was wearing a one-piece bikini with her belly exposed up to the beginning of her breasts and was barefooted.

"Don't flatter yourself, Akemi. I am merely here to clear my mind up a bit." Takenori responded absentmindedly.

"So serious, as usual." She hummed to herself."But you cannot fool me. I know you're rather conflicted about this."

"I'm not s-"

"Conflicted about how you should proceed, I mean." Akemi quickly corrected herself, knowing how her master took his pride."But do you really believe he will accept to join you?"

"Most likely not. But it'd be a waste to let Black Demon Series users die like that, so I will give it a try. However, if he says no I'll just put him down once and for all. I won't lose any sleep."

"But as you know two of them are special. Just like that child back then, right?"

"And just like me." Takenori growled to himself, showcasing his annoyance."Be prepared to battle just in case. And don't think much of it. I don't think he will give me a challenge but it doesn't hurt to have some fun with him."


"You know, you guys are probably either the bravest fuckers there is or just the dumbest ones with a deathwish!" Goro jumped from the water and cut Yuu's cheek and went back in again.

"Asuramaru!" Marks appeared on Yuu's face, swinging his sword down and creating a dark shockwave that made a line in the water.

Goro jumped in the air and stood upside down in the ceiling with marks on his face."We're getting serious now!" He launched himself at Yuu and the two of them began clashing blades. Yuu used his sword to moved Goro's out of the way and delivered a firm kick in his chin, sending him in the air in which he did a few backflips and landed on one knee.

"That was a nice more...brat."He grumbled, rubbing his aching chin. He jumped in the air and began running fast and created a miniature version of a hurricane."Shiva-Tornado!" The water tornado mixed in with green lines engulfed Yuu, cutting him in various parts of his body. Yuu jumped out of it, covering his face and with small cuts that were beginning to bleed.

"You let your guard down!" Yuu couldn't even turn around as a blade went through his back and all the way through his stomach. Goro planted his foot firmly on Yuu's waist and pushed with all his might to remove him from his blade, his body falling limp into the water and painting it with red.

"And there is that." Goro viciously sneered at the water."Well, time to go and help kill the others." Goro walked away and headed for a ladder that led to the first floor. He stopped dead in his tracks, feeling uneasiness and strange energy in the air. A screeching and deafening scream erupted and could be heard throughout the sewers. Goro turned his head slowly and watched as Yuichiro was on his feet, a black wing coming out of his back and also black substance began to fall all over the place, infecting the water.

"What the hell...?" Goro wheezed out as he dodges an incoming black wave that was cutting through the ground itself."The kid should be dead by now!" He didn't have time to register what happened next. Yuichiro dive kicked him in the head, sending him crashing several meters away and even made the water dispersed as he flew by.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Yuu screamed once more, raising his sword and bringing it down to create another powerful shockwave that split the sewers in half and even reached the outside. Guren and his unit were trying to get the wooden gate to open. After defeating the countless soldiers, they were spent but managed to make it through without taking major injuries.

"Everyone, get down!" Tanaka grabbed Sayuri and Mito as the others ducked down and barely missed being hit by a black slash that crashed into the ground.

"Guren...that was..." Tanaka eyed his friend and commander who simply nodded."Right. We have to move in." Wordlessly, the group went inside the hole that attack left behind.

Goro literally flew and jumped everywhere he could, taking every corner and entering every door and he would still feel Yuu closing in on him. But not only that, he also heard the water that was coming from a hole Yuu created and was flooding the whole place.

"Shiva-tornado!" Goro swung his sword down, creating a tornado that headed for Yuu but he straight went through it and grabbed the older boy's head and crash it against the ground while he flew. With a powerful cry, Yuichiro threw Goro against the ceiling and began pushing him towards the surface where he finally led the sword-user fall to the ground, unconscious.

"AAAAAAAAAAGRRRRRRRRRRRHH!" Yuu dived in for the finishing blow but was stopped by a blade impaling him. He watched as Guren injected him something and immediately lost consciousness.

"That was..." Sayuri began but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

"We will explain later, right, Guren?" He gave his friend an expectant look.

"Right. For now, we have to put an end to this." He sighed wearily, putting Yuu down."Tanaka, watch over him. We'll go inside and see what's going on with the others."

"Got it. But please...look after Tanaka..." Goshi eyed both friends, sighing. He knew they were hiding something but decided not to press it. The squad headed inside of the castle, leaving Tanaka watching over Yuichiro and by extension Goro."I can't believe two of them are down already. I just hope Kazuma has a better time controlling the seraph than you, Yuichiro."


"Damn it, lady, you really don't hold back, do you?!" Kimizuki asked, blocking Reina's incessant attacks with her ax. He was having an easier time dealing with her due to the attack no having as much power as Yuka's hammer, but he could feel how tough it would be for Shinoa. The girl was rather fragile and not known for her upper body strength. Lucky for her, Yuka appeared to be going easy on her and even traded a few remarks here and there.

"You should be paying attention to the fight!" Reina swung down her ax and cut a strand of hair from Kimizuki. He rolled around and pursue his attacker, blocking another swing with his swords.

"Shinoa! Are you alright?!" He managed to yell out to his friend.

Shinoa gave him a smile before turning into a frown as she was almost hit in the head with the hammer."Yes! Although I'm not really up to fight someone with a hammer!"

"Hold on, I'm coming!" He jumped past Reina and went after Yuka.

Yuka smirked at him and rose his hammer, slamming it onto the ground. Kimizuki jumped back but Yuke used the hammer to launch himself and kick him in the face, knocking him back."That was one of my moves, Kirino Manjamo!"

"I do have to say, you have quite the unique skillset." Reina complimented her junior."I'd say to resume on our battles. After all, I do have a bone to pick with this tasteless girl."

"Sure thing! I also wanted to have some more fun with Kimizuki-san! He's hilarious!"

"That blasted child..." Kimizuki gritted his teeth in frustration."Shinoa! I'll take this kid on! I'll be here to help you once I'm done with him!" Kimizuki began running from Yuka back to the library.

"I should be the one telling you that, you know." Shinoa pursed her lips in thoughts."I'm not doing much of a leader's job, am I?"

"Maybe, but that is a given." Reina remarked, tossing her ax from hand to hand."After all, you are just a half-breed."

"Half-breed? That's a new one." Shinoa asked with a sweet smile but that sweetness only covered a dark aura behind her."Then, if I were to defeat you, what would that make you? Also, you really can't call me a halfbreed when my biological father is Tenri Hiragi while Takenori was adopted."

"You dare insult Takenori-sama?! You wench!" Reina called out her demon, creating more phantom axes that began hiding in the ground.

"This is bad!" Shinoa began jumping away where she saw the ground moving. Meanwhile, Yuka and Kimizuki were exchanging blows. The pink-haired warrior had gotten use to Yuka's attacks and was able to counter every time he went for a swing.

"Not bad, Kimizuki-san! But I'm just warming up!" Yuka reached for his pocket and took out a pill."Now I'm stronger than before! And with more power, comes more news!" He rose his hammer and hit the ground with it, launching his body in the hair and landing.

"What are you doing it? You completely misse-what?!" Kimizuki took a step backward, avoiding being squeezed by the hammer. Yuka jumped in the air again and hit the ground, this time his kick landed on Kimizuki's arm and smash the ground once more."Kirino Manjamo! Triple Helix!"

Kimizuki crashed against a bookshelf, knocking it down and it slowly lost balance. He could only watch as the whole thing fell on him with the countless books landing everywhere.

"That was a nice show!" Yuka clapped his hands together."Although I think I ended it too soon. After all, getting squashed by a bookshelf isn't a good way to go, is it?"

"If you think this is bad...you have no idea what I have in store for you!" Kimizuki cut through the bookshelf and jumped in the air, doing a spin and landing behind Yuka, marks visible on his body."Now I'm going all out." He pointed one of his blades at the young man."So you better not take me lightly. You're going down!"

"You too!" Yuka barked back, putting the head of his hammer on the ground and grabbing the base firmly.


Yoichi sat on the floor, breathing hard. His battle had turned into a stalemate and neither of them had made a move for 5 minutes.

"I wonder...is he going for a surprise attack?!" Yoichi muttered to himself, scanning his surroundings like a madman. Truth be told, he was extremely nervous. One mistake and his life could end.

"Hey! Are you planning on coming out?!" Takaya yelled loudly."This is really tiring me out! Damn it. Out of all places for them to pick a stupid fight, it had to be literally inside of this place where we can't have a decent fight. Screw it! I'm going in!" Takaya stood up and sprinted where he last saw Yoichi."Burn him down, Hashido!" Takaya rose his crossbow and fired an arrow that slowly turned into a phantom of a crow.

Yoichi rolled over and aimed with his bow, firing a total of three shots that counter Takaya's creating an explosion. Takaya ran through the smoke and hit Yoichi with his crossbow in the face, almost knocking him out. Yoichi felt the adrenaline surge through his body and took a step forward, elbowing Takaya in the nose. Takaya stumbled back, threatening to fall due to the impact but used the wall to throw himself and push Yoichi hard against the wall. He pinned him with his crossbow and began shocking him with it."This is the life of us, marksman! Once we run out of projectiles, we have to fight like warriors! You're going to die, kid!"

"No..." Yoichi wheezed out, images of his sister flashing in his eyes. With a cry of battle, Yoichi bit Takaya's finger, causing the boy to yell in pain. He then ran pushed him against the opposite wall and headbutted him so hard his head crashed against the wall itself. Takaya's eyes went white, his body falling limb to the floor with a thud. Yoichi fell to the floor, a dorky smile printed on his face before wincing in pain.

A few floors above, Yosuke and Hajime were on top of the tables, their weapons clashing against one another.

"You know, I have to admit that you're quite good." Hajime spun his weapon and hit Yosuke square in the face, knocking him to the ground and breaking a chair in the process. "I mean, you're wielding a double-edged sword. You can get hurt just as you can hurt others. It's kind of sad just how trusting you are to things. You trust that weapon of yours, you trust your friends that might as well be dead. Is there anything you don't trust?"

"And what...of it..." Yosuke got up, supporting his weight with a nearby table."When I was little, I wanted to be a hero. And now that I get the chance I realize that being a hero is not as fun and games as I thought. This world is corrupted both by humans and vampires and the people willing to change it are limited. We are both fighting to kill all the vampires, but we're also fighting for our philosophies. But at the end of the day, we're just people that are separated by our own ideas."

"Does this speech have a point? Hajime asked, yawning.

"Yeah. Point is that we're not heroes or villains in our own terms in this fight. Right now, we're just people fighting for what we think is right."

"Wrong. I am fighting to kill you. I don't care what Takenori wants and what that bimbo's fate is going to be." Hajime countered him sharply."Anyways, further conversation is useless. Let's finish this."

"Yeah." Yosuke nodded his head, as both boys took a stance.


Kazuma ran down a long hallway where there was only one door. He knew he was getting closer to where Mitsuba was, he could feel it. But he also felt something waiting for him behind that door. Calling forth Rose, his eye turned yellow and jumped in the air, using his enhanced strength to break through the door and skidded on the floor before coming to a stop.

"This place..." Kazuma scanned his surroundings and saw giant craights and other boxes sitting nearby. The room was spacious and everything was set up neatly."A storage room."

"So, you've come." A smooth voice spoke from the other side of the room. Takenori sat idly on top of a barrel, his legs crossed."Hello there, vermin."

"Takenori!" Kazuma felt his fists clenching instinctively."Where's Mitsuba?!"

"She's at the very top of the building. But you already knew that." Takenori jumped off the barrel and landed on the floor, his hands in his pockets."I must commend you for coming here. You made it this far. You should be grateful that I'm praising you. After all, what you people have done is beyond fixing. But even if I can't fix it, I can simply remove you all from existan-" Takenori quickly blocked an incoming kick to his face."A little eager to die, are we? But you've gotten faster." Kazuma removed his feet from his arm and prepared to throw a punch, only to jump and kick Takenori in his gut. Takenori merely grunted, his cool never fading and went for a punch in Kazuma's face, but he used the punch to kick upwards but missed his target. Both of them threw a punch at each other and collide. Their strength was even, although Kazuma was using Mary's power to enhance his abilities. Both of them were sent flying across the room but landed gracefully back to their original spots.

"I'm going past that door and I'm taking your key." Kazuma stated solemnly, taking out his blades."We're ending this now, Takenori."

"Fine, have it your way." Takenori shrugged casually."But I'm afraid that you are way over your head. This is the end of your journey."