(Saizo POV – Graveyard)
'How…?' My breath comes out ragged and uneven. 'How the hell is this happening?!'
That bastard's still in front of me, moving around like a monkey and hitting me.
At first… it was nothing. His punches barely registered, like a kid flicking my skin.
Annoying, sure. Disrespectful, absolutely. But it was harmless. And now…
Every hit hurts.
A dull ache spreads through my ribs, my gut, my sides, stacking, building, and refusing to fade.
Another strike lands, and my body jerks as I grit my teeth.
"Ghh—!" I swing down at him, fist crashing toward his skull… but he's already gone, my arm slamming into empty air.
And in that instant—
THUD.
His fist buries itself into my stomach, making my body fold slightly.
And no matter how slight, it didn't happen before. Worse yet, the punch actually pushes me back.
My eyes widen.
'What…?' My foot slides against the dirt, carving a shallow trench as I'm forced half a step backward.
'Is he getting stronger…?' My thoughts are momentarily broken by another hit. Then another. Each one hitting harder, cleaner, and more painfully. 'Or am I… getting weaker?'
My breathing grows harsher as my body begins to feel heavier and slower. Eventually, every movement feels off.
Meanwhile, he's getting smoother and more relaxed. It's almost like this is getting easier for him.
'Like I'm just… practice.'
My lip curls.
"I hate this…" I growl under my breath, right as another punch slips past my guard and strikes my ribs, despite my efforts to defend.
"I hate this—!" My voice rises into a snarl. "I HATE YOU!"
I explode forward.
No more pacing, no more holding back. Just raw violence.
My arms blur as I unleash a barrage of strikes… wide, brutal, and relentless. Each swing tears through the air with enough force to shatter bone, the wind itself howling around my fists.
I don't care about control, leaving openings, or draining my stamina. I just… want him… DEAD!
"DIE! DIE! DIE!"
But… nothing lands.
He continues weaving, slipping past attacks, ducking blows.
It's like trying to grab smoke.
Every time I think I've got him cornered, he's already moved somewhere else… always just out of reach, just beyond my grasp.
My fists tear up the ground instead, cracking stone, uprooting dirt, but nowhere close to hitting him.
"Screaming and throwing tantrums 'cause you're losing?" He says, voice calm, but mocking. I catch a glimpse of his smirk. "What a fucking child."
Something in my chest snaps, and it's not just anger…
Humiliation.
Those words shouldn't matter. They're nothing, and yet they crawl under my skin, sink into my skull, and ignite my fury.
"SHUT UP!" I roar, swinging faster, harder, wilder… but it doesn't help.
It just makes it worse. I can feel the disparity between us, and a thought I've been trying to ignore since it first appeared resurfaces.
'I'm… losing?' My movements falter for a fraction of a second. 'No. That's not possible.'
My jaw clenches. 'I'm stronger, bigger… better.'
If I land a single, clean hit… he's dead. That's all I need.
'So why can't I hit him?!'
My eyes dart around, searching for anything I could use to turn the tide. And then… I see her.
Moka. Standing far back behind him. And something clicks, as a slow, vicious grin spreads across my face.
'There's my chance.' I rush forward again, straight at him, lowering my body like I'm about to slam into him head-on.
It's predictable, obvious even.
He reacts instantly, sidestepping it cleanly, just as I predicted.
'Fool.' I scoff. 'My real target wa—'
Suddenly, the ground vanishes beneath me, my balance shifts, and then…
'What—?'
CRASH.
My face slams into the dirt.
Pain spreads across my skull as I skid forward, gravel and dirt tearing across my skin as earth fills my mouth.
"Can't even walk straight, Saizo?" Kai's voice echoes from right behind me, along with his laughter. "I guess I was being too generous, comparing you to a child."
My fingers dig into the dirt as my entire body trembles.
Rage.
Pure, burning, unfiltered rage sears across my veins.
I spit, dirt and saliva hitting the ground.
I want to turn around and rip him apart! Break every bone in his body… and kill him!
But I stop, forcing myself to breathe and focus.
He's not my target… not yet.
My gaze snaps forward, locking onto Moka.
'Once I get her…' I push myself up, then lunge, not even bothering to stand properly.
My limbs hit the ground as I charge forward, using my arms to generate additional thrust. And as I get closer, Moka's eyes go wide, and she stumbles back, a small yelp escaping her lips as she feels fear.
And it makes my grin widen even further, as victory is already mine.
'Once I reach her, I'll gut him…'
My tongue drags across my teeth.
'Then Moka'll be mine.'
Moka squeezes her eyes shut, flinching back, arms raising instinctively to shield herself, and just as my fingers are about to catch her—
My body locks up as a sharp, searing pain explodes across my back.
"AA—!"
My scream comes out broken and strangled, as lightning rips through me from behind, burrowing into muscle, crawling along my spine, and setting my nerves on fire.
My limbs seize and tremble, refusing to obey. Every muscle contracts at once, locking me in place like a puppet with its strings pulled too tight.
"Ghhh—AAARRGGHH—!!" My teeth grind so hard I feel them creak.
But I endure it.
I have to endure it for just a few more seconds…
'If I can just… push through…'
The current starts to fade, and the buzzing starts dying down, my fingers twitching less and less.
'Now…' My gaze refocuses on Moka, when another bolt slams into me.
"GRAAAHHH—!!" My vision flashes white, back arching violently as a choked scream tears from my throat as the second surge hits harder than the first, like it's clawing through my insides.
'He can… throw more than… one?!' My thoughts are broken up by the shocks, but I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stay conscious.
'I won't… lose!'
My arms give out first. They buckle beneath me, elbows smashing into the dirt as my upper body drops.
My legs follow, spasming uselessly as I collapse forward, barely catching myself.
Just as I try to recover a little…
A third strike. Then a fourth. Then a fifth.
They come in a relentless rhythm. Just as the shocks from one begin to fade, another takes its place.
Each bolt crashes into me like a hammer, my body jerking uncontrollably with every impact. My muscles twitch and convulse, no longer responding to me, just spasming, like a dying animal.
The smell of my burning flesh and organs hits me next. I can't even feel my back anymore. Just a scorching heat, and unending pain.
My breathing grows weak and shallow, as each inhale scrapes through my chest like broken glass.
My hand, still outstretched toward where Moka had been, trembles… then falls limp against the dirt.
She left while I was being barbecued alive, retreating around me, and probably hiding behind Kai again. I'm not actually sure, since I can't even turn my head to look.
Finally, footsteps crunch behind me at a slow, unhurried pace.
'That bastard…'
"Why'd you have to go after Moka?" He sighs, sounding almost disappointed. "I was getting in so much practice. I'd even found my rhythm."
My eye twitches.
'Practice…?' I seethe internally. 'He was using me… for practice?'
My fingers dig weakly into the ground, but nothing comes of it. I have no strength left to do anything significant. I can't even part my lips to curse him.
"Anyway…" He continues casually. "This fight's over."
"I didn't want to use this move unless I was cornered…" I hear him step closer. "But you deserve it."
'What move—?' I don't get to finish my thought, when I hear something behind me…
Pop.
…
…
My world stops.
A sharp, impossibly precise pain blooms low in my body. For an instant, I don't even understand what just happened.
Then… it hits me all at once.
"—!!" My mouth opens, but no sound comes out.
My entire body folds in on itself violently, like I've been snapped in half. My forehead slams into the dirt as my hips jerk upward, every muscle contracting in pure, instinctive agony.
Air refuses to come in as my ribs contract and throat locks. All that escapes is a thin, broken whimper…
"h—hkh—"
'You…' My thoughts are shattered by waves of agonising pain. 'You… bastard…'
Tears spill from my eyes uncontrollably, blurring my vision as the pain spreads, radiating outward, upward, downward, infecting every nerve in my body.
It's not just pain. It's violation… humiliation. My entire mind is occupied by that single point of agony.
"Monsters sure are impressive." He says somewhere behind me, sounding mildly impressed. "You're still conscious after that?"
I want to kill him.
I want to tear him apart.
But I can't even breathe.
Then—
Pop.
The second one.
A wet, sickening sound that I feel more than hear, and this time—
"AA—AAAAA—!!" My voice finally breaks free—but it comes out warped, high-pitched, and completely unrecognizable.
My vision flashes, cycling between black and white as my body spasms violently, fingers clawing uselessly at the ground as though hoping to drag me away.
The pain reverberates through every fibre of my being, bouncing back and forth inside me until all I know is pain.
I want to pass out… I need to pass out.
But I can't as my consciousness clings on stubbornly.
A third strike.
I don't even register the impact properly… just the aftermath. I just realise that there's always worse, as the pain nearly doubles.
And then… the fourth.
Finally, everything goes silent.
No pain, no sound, no thought.
Just darkness.
(Kai POV – Graveyard)
'There has been a great disturbance in the force…' I think solemnly, offering a silent prayer for Saizo's fallen bloodline.
In my defence… I did try to keep things civil.
'But attacking Moka was a big mistake.' I sigh inwardly. 'This hurts me more than it hurts you, Saizo…'
…Not really.
All things considered, the world's probably a better place now.
The tension slowly drains from my body as the adrenaline fades, and everything falls silent once more.
I turn back toward Moka, who's still facing away like I'd asked her, so she wouldn't see anything too graphic.
"You can turn around now, Moka." I call gently. "The fight's over."
The moment the words leave my mouth, she spins around and runs into me.
"Kai!" Before I can brace myself, she crashes into me, arms wrapping tightly around my torso. The impact, and subsequent hug, nearly squeezes all the breath out, doing way more damage than anything Saizo managed.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" She blurts, her voice trembling slightly as she buries her face into my chest. "I was so worried you'd get hurt…"
Her grip tightens, like she's afraid I'll run off and fight someone else.
"And don't do something like that again!" She adds, more firmly now, though her voice still wavers. "I don't know what I'd do if you got…"
I blink, a little surprised by the intensity… before smiling softly and returning the hug, one hand resting on her back.
"Hey… I'm fine." I murmur. "See? Still in one piece."
She doesn't let go immediately, and… I don't rush her. I'm happy she's concerned about me, and I'd never say no to a hug.
Eventually, her grip loosens, though she still stays close, glancing up at me as if double-checking I'm really okay.
"…You really didn't get hurt?" She asks again.
"I promise." I nod. "If anything, I got a good workout out of it."
She pouts slightly at that, clearly not amused, but she finally relaxes.
Her gaze shifts past me, landing on Saizo's unconscious form sprawled across the dirt.
"…What do we do about him?" She asks hesitantly. "Should we… report this? Or… leave him here?"
There are… other options. None of which I'm about to say out loud.
"We'll figure that out." I reply casually. "But before that…" I hesitate slightly. "…Can I try something, Moka?"
She tilts her head, confusion flickering across her face, but there's no suspicion.
"Okay." She says, nodding lightly. "What is it?"
'Alright… here goes nothing.'
I reach forward slowly, slow enough for her to stop me if she wants to, which she doesn't, and I grab hold of the rosary around her neck.
'If this doesn't work, this is going to be really awkward…'
It would mean I've got a lot of introspection to go through, since only someone who wouldn't harm Moka could take the rosary off.
Then, I gently pull, and…
Click.
The rosary slips free easily.
"…Huh?" Moka blinks, her hand instinctively rising to her collar. "It… came off…?"
As soon as her words finish, a blinding flash of light erupts from her body, forcing me to squint as a surge of power ripples through the air.
The atmosphere changes instantly, becoming heavier and colder.
Wind kicks up around us as Moka's gentle, warm presence changes into something far more overwhelming and dangerous.
When the light fades, her hair, now a pristine silver-white, cascades down her back like moonlight. Her eyes… no longer soft emerald, but a deep, piercing crimson that seems to glow faintly in the dim light.
Her entire presence has changed. Where before she felt warm, bright, and approachable—
Now… she's elegant, cold, and untouchable. Power radiates off her in quiet waves, pressing against my skin.
'So this is the real Moka…' I stand there admiring her form for a few seconds, then her eyes lock onto mine.
And despite the pressure, and instinctive warning screaming at me to take a step back and run…
I continue staring in awe. And before I can stop myself—
"…Damn." I breathe, genuinely impressed. "That's… really cool."
…
'…Wait. Did I say that out loud?'
While keeping her easy smile, she raises an eyebrow, the cold edge in her gaze flickers, softening ever so slightly, as though finding my reaction amusing.
********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
So, was it too much? Was Kai too cruel? I mean, probably none of you expected that... Cracking eggs💀, but he deserved it! Ahem... He brought it upon himself, don't blame me.
Regardless, Moka is finally awake. How will she react, what'll they talk about? Who knows?🤣
Actually, I don't have much to discuss this chapter, but I have a question. Do you think of he were to kill (emphasis on if), would he get a ticket for his first kill ever, and first kill of a certain monster species. So 3 total from beating Saizo. Or just a general killing one. I think the former.
You can also read 3 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
Anyway, I'll shut up now. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night😊