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At that moment, a creature suddenly leapt out of a side alley. It was different from the others. Its body was larger, its appearance more defined, almost humanoid, but with disproportionate limbs and claws so long they dragged on the ground. Its eyes locked on Yuta.
"Is that what we were looking for?" Yuta asked.
"Not sure," Panda growled. "But if it's not the boss, then it's his bodyguard. Get ready."
The creature let out a piercing howl that rattled the cracked windows around them, then charged with surprising speed. Yuta instinctively stepped in front of Panda, raising his katana to intercept.
Clang!
The clash between the blade and the creature's claws sent sparks flying through the air. Yuta braced his legs to keep his balance.
"It's strong!" he gritted through his teeth.
Panda seized the opening and slammed both paws into the creature's torso. The impact hurled the beast against a wall, which collapsed under the force.
"And so are we," Panda declared with a fierce grin.
But before they could celebrate, a deep, guttural growl rumbled behind them. Panda whipped around in an instant. Three more creatures had appeared, all of similar size. They circled the duo, cutting off any retreat.
"Alright, change of plan," Panda muttered. "I'll take the three newcomers. You finish the one we already smashed up. And don't play hero. Got it?"
Yuta nodded.
"Got it."
The first creature, though wounded, slowly rose to its feet, its gaze still locked on Yuta. Its torso was slashed open, thick black fluid seeping out like toxic smoke. But it didn't seem weakened. If anything, it looked even more ferocious.
It lunged, and Yuta countered with a strike aimed at its right arm. His blade cut deep, severing the twisted limb in one clean motion. The creature shrieked with rage but didn't back down.
Behind him, Panda roared and charged into brutal combat with the three other monsters. His fists slammed like hammers, each blow landing with a thunderous thud, but the creatures were fast and coordinated, attacking from every angle.
"Come on, Yuta, focus," the boy muttered to himself.
The creature leapt again, but this time, Yuta waited until the last second to sidestep, his blade tracing a deadly arc. The katana cleaved across the monster's back, and it finally collapsed, its body dissolving into a cloud of black mist.
He turned just in time to see Panda hurl one of the remaining creatures against an abandoned car, which exploded in a shower of sparks.
"Two more, Yuta! Move it, I'm not doing this all by myself!" Panda shouted as he dodged another strike.
Yuta didn't answer. He dashed straight toward one of the creatures.
"Yuta, watch out!"
It was Panda's voice.
---
Meanwhile.
Maki sliced through two enemies in a single swing, the blackened chunks hitting the ground with a wet thud.
"We're moving too slow," she growled.
Toge simply muttered, "Cucumber."
Maki wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Around her, the remains of creatures cut down by her naginata slowly evaporated into black, viscous wisps.
"This never ends," she said in frustration, glaring at the thick darkness that blanketed the district. "Where the hell are all these curses coming from? It's like they're spilling out of the ground."
Toge, leaning against a cracked wall, scanned the surroundings. He tilted his head slightly before murmuring, "Tuna."
Maki frowned. "Yeah, I think it's fishy too. This kind of concentration doesn't happen by accident."
She tightened her grip on her weapon, narrowing her eyes. "Either this district's been cursed somehow… or someone gathered them here on purpose. But why?"
Toge suddenly turned his head toward the end of the street, as if he'd heard something. He lifted his collar slightly, ready to speak, but before he could, Maki raised a hand.
"Wait… you feel that?"
The air seemed to freeze around them, heavy and oppressive. The silence that followed felt unreal, as if the entire district was holding its breath. Maki clenched her jaw, gripping her naginata tighter as she scanned the shadows.
A strange sensation crawled up inside her. It wasn't fear—Maki knew fear, and she had learned to conquer it. No, this was different. More visceral. As if her body was screaming at her to get away, to run immediately.
"This isn't normal," she whispered, teeth gritted.
Toge gave a slow nod, his hand still on his collar.
A frigid wind suddenly swept through the deserted streets, rattling the rusted signs above the abandoned shops. The sound wasn't natural. It almost resembled whispers, voices muttering in an unknown tongue.
"Toge, can you tell where it's coming from?"
He lowered his eyes, concentrating. His lips moved slightly, but no words came out. After a moment, he silently pointed toward a dark alley on their left.
Maki sniffed and advanced cautiously.
They passed through the narrow alley and emerged into a small, empty square. At its center stood a weathered stone statue that seemed to watch them with eerie intensity. Dark markings, like claw scratches, marred its surface. At the statue's base, a circle of black energy slowly churned, pulsing like a monstrous heart.
"So that's where they're coming from…" Maki murmured.
Toge stepped closer, his expression grim. With a sharp motion, he pulled at his collar and spoke: "Dispel."
A wave of light burst from him, but to their surprise, it had no effect on the black circle. Instead of fading, the energy vibrated, letting out a low, ominous hum.
"What the hell is that thing…?" Maki asked, her fingers tightening around the shaft of her weapon.
A rumble shook the air. Slowly, a silhouette began to emerge from the circle—first an indistinct shape, then massive arms, razor-sharp claws, and burning red eyes filled with pure hatred.
Maki stepped back once, then planted her feet firmly.
"Toge, this time, we don't hold back."
---
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