The world had become red.
Not from sunset — but from blood and lightning.
The air crackled, every breath heavy with iron.
The monster that had once been a serpent now stood taller, its body split by glowing fissures that pulsed like magma veins.
Its scales shimmered between black and molten red, each pulse beating in rhythm with the storm above.
And when it screamed —
the sky screamed with it.
A deafening roar tore through Nagazora, shaking the broken buildings until their skeletons crumbled.
⸻
"Move!" Kuhaku shouted, but the warning came too late.
The serpent's tail swept once, slicing through the air with a sonic crack.
Buildings were cut clean in half — concrete shearing like paper. The wind pressure alone sent the group sprawling.
Bronya's sensors blinked violently, her voice trembling.
"Aura density—unstable. It's… berserk!"
The serpent's red veins flared, and dark crimson lightning began to rain from the heavens.
Each bolt that hit the ground exploded, sending chunks of asphalt flying.
Kiana ducked, barely dodging a falling beam. "What is this thing!?"
Mei raised her blade, voice shaking. "It's gone mad!"
"No—" Kuhaku said, eyes narrowing. "It's evolving again."
The serpent's mouth opened wide, gathering energy. Its roar split the sky — a sound like thunder tearing itself apart.
Then it charged.
⸻
The creature barreled forward, the ground fracturing under its immense weight.
Every step left molten prints that glowed through the concrete.
"Scatter!" Kuhaku yelled.
They leapt aside — but even the air pressure from its charge sent them flying.
The beast slammed into a street corner, shattering the remains of a skyscraper.
Kuhaku hit the ground hard, his vision blurring.
He coughed, tasting blood. "Bronya!"
Through the smoke, he saw her collapsed — pale, motionless, shield shattered to fragments.
[Warning: Ally HP Critical – Bronya Lv.18 | HP: 7%]
Kuhaku clenched his teeth. "Damn it…"
A sharp sound cut the air —
clang, clang!
Kiana burst through the dust, eyes blazing. "Over here, snake-for-brains!"
She swung her weapon, sparks flying as she struck again and again.
The serpent turned, its glowing eyes narrowing.
Mei joined her, blade glowing faintly with stored energy.
They moved in sync, fast and fluid —
dodging, countering, attacking together.
But the serpent was faster.
Its tail lashed out like a whip.
The sound was sickening.
Mei gasped — the tail had pierced through her side.
"Mei!" Kiana screamed, rushing forward — only to be caught mid-step as the same tail slammed down, crushing her legs beneath rubble.
Her scream tore through the storm.
Kuhaku froze for half a second.
Then something snapped.
⸻
He knelt, gently lowering Bronya to the ground.
"Stay here," he whispered, though she couldn't hear him.
He stood up — his hands shaking.
The serpent turned toward him, crimson light flashing in its eyes.
Kuhaku opened his system.
The interface appeared, faint and blue, trembling with static.
[Free Points: 18]
[Apply to Strength?]
[Confirm?]
"Do it."
[Confirmed.]
[Free Points: 0]
[Strength +18 Applied.]
The moment it activated, pain exploded through his body — like his muscles were tearing apart and rebuilding at once.
His blood boiled. His heart raced like thunder.
The world sharpened.
Every movement, every flicker of lightning — he could see it all.
He roared, charging forward.
⸻
The serpent swung its tail.
He caught it.
For a second, even the storm seemed to pause.
Kuhaku's grip tightened, his muscles screaming under the force. The tail trembled, cracking slightly under the pressure.
"Not… this time!"
He pulled, spinning the serpent's body just enough to unbalance it — then lunged forward and punched.
The impact thundered like an explosion.
The serpent's jaw snapped sideways, cracks spreading along its armor.
Lightning struck him, but he didn't care.
Every jolt burned his nerves raw, but he kept swinging.
Blood streamed from his knuckles, yet he didn't stop.
Kuhaku's screams mixed with thunder as he pounded the creature again and again —
his fists carving dents into its armor, his roar echoing through the ruins.
"Get! Away! From! Them!"
The serpent coiled, wrapping around him.
Bones creaked — the pressure unbearable.
He felt ribs crack.
His lungs screamed for air.
But his eyes — his eyes were still locked on the creature's.
He twisted, grabbed his blade, and jammed it straight into its eye.
The monster screeched, its coils loosening. Kuhaku slipped free, rolling on the ground before sprinting again.
He didn't think.
Didn't feel.
Only moved.
⸻
The serpent's body glowed — it was charging again.
A sphere of dark red light built up in its throat, pulsing like a heart ready to explode.
The ground turned molten beneath it, the air trembling with heat.
Kuhaku's system flickered.
[Warning: HP 18% | Fatigue 98%]
He ignored it.
His steps echoed like gunfire as he ran straight into the light.
"Don't you dare—"
He leapt, body twisting mid-air as the serpent released the beam.
The light swallowed him.
For a split second — nothing.
Then a flash.
His fist connected with the serpent's jaw mid-beam.
The light bent, recoiled —
then exploded.
The beam detonated inside the serpent's mouth, ripping through its skull in a violent burst of energy.
The shockwave tore apart the ground, blowing debris high into the sky.
A deep, guttural roar echoed — then silence.
[Boss-Class Enemy Defeated.]
[EXP +4000.]
[Level Up → Lv.24.]
The serpent's massive body hit the ground like a mountain collapsing, leaving only dust and ruin behind.
Kuhaku stood there for a second, trembling.
Then he dropped to his knees.
⸻
Blood dripped from his hands, mixing with the rain.
His system flickered weakly.
[HP: 12%]
[Fatigue: 99%]
He forced himself up, stumbling toward the others.
Kiana was half-conscious, wincing from pain but alive.
Mei lay motionless, breathing shallowly, her side still bleeding.
Bronya's shield flickered faintly, still holding.
Kuhaku knelt beside them, his vision swimming.
"Hey… we made it," he whispered, a weak grin tugging at his lips. "We… actually made it."
Then he heard something — faint shouts, distant but growing closer.
"Over here!"
"Survivors! Call the medics!"
Figures appeared through the haze — silhouettes of soldiers, their armor glowing faint blue in the red-tinted air.
Their boots splashed through the shallow puddles as they approached, weapons lowered.
Kuhaku tried to stand — his legs gave out.
The last thing he saw was a bright light as one soldier reached for him.
Then everything faded.
⸻
End of Chapter 1 – Part 16