Kaguya held Hinami in her arms, who curled up like a small cat. Feeling the soft, delicate sensation of her body, Kaguya did not slow her pace for a moment. Like a streak of light, she dashed toward the battlefield, leaving behind afterimages as she sped forward like a gust of wind.
Perhaps feeling embarrassed by her impulsive actions earlier, Hinami remained silent, shrinking in Kaguya's embrace. Fortunately, her face was concealed behind a fox mask, making her expression unreadable.
Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the 20th Ward, the battlefield was undergoing a dramatic shift.
"W-what… is that?"
Everyone looked up, their eyes widening in disbelief at the sight before them. Their hands, which had been engaged in combat just moments ago, froze mid-action.
Towering before them were six colossal giants, each standing dozens of meters tall. Their muscular bodies were wrapped in thick layers of kagune, their grotesque, crimson forms radiating an aura of sheer terror. Every step they took sent tremors rippling through the ground, echoing like the rumbling of an earthquake.
These were the Kakuja mutants that had appeared before.
But how could there be so many now?
Previously, just one of these creatures had rendered them nearly powerless. Now, six had emerged simultaneously.
What's more, the more observant among them had already noticed something different—unlike the Kakuja mutant they had encountered before, these six exhibited a significantly higher level of cohesion in their kagune structures. Some had even fully transformed into massive, humanoid kagune entities. If their previous opponent was considered incomplete, these six were fully evolved, standing at the pinnacle of their monstrous transformation.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the battlefield as one of the Kakuja giants swung its massive, kagune-formed arm downward, slamming it into the human troops below. Soldiers, caught off guard and unable to evade in time, were crushed with a sickening crunch, their bodies reduced to pulp amidst their terrified screams.
Scarlet gore splattered across the battlefield like a grotesque spray of tomato sauce.
"Open fire! Open fire!"
The commanding officer, knocked off his feet by the impact, scrambled to his feet and roared out his orders.
The troops swiftly regained their composure, maneuvering their weapons to retaliate against the Kakuja giants.
Ratatatatat!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Gunfire erupted in a deafening symphony, accompanied by the thunderous roars of artillery. Bullets, rockets, and experimental kagune-infused projectiles streaked through the night sky, forming a relentless barrage that rained down upon the towering creatures.
Explosions burst across their bodies, lighting up the darkness with dazzling flashes of fire and smoke.
"It's no use. These attacks won't work."
Kaya Irimi's expression turned grim, her lips pressing into a tight line. As an SS-ranked fighter, her keen eyesight immediately discerned the terrifying resilience of the Kakuja giants.
The foundation of a Kakuja's defensive capability lay in the density of its kagune armor. The thicker the kagune layer, the higher its durability, and the more complete its transformation, the harder it was to injure.
But the sheer density of the kagune covering these giants was beyond anything she had imagined. Ordinary weaponry wouldn't even leave a scratch.
And as expected—
With an earth-shaking boom, the Kakuja giants emerged unscathed from the cloud of smoke and fire, their massive kagune-formed fists crashing down as they roared in fury, charging straight into the human forces.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the blink of an eye, the giants tore through the defensive line. Their kagune-formed spears rained down like a violent storm, shattering the carefully constructed fortifications and leaving a path of devastation in their wake. Screams of agony filled the air as countless soldiers perished on the spot.
"We can't hold them back."
Kaya Irimi felt a sinking dread in her heart. At this point, their only option was to retreat into the city. With its dense, towering buildings, the urban landscape might provide some temporary cover. Out in the open, they had no chance of victory.
But just as Irimi turned to initiate the retreat, a desperate cry for help echoed from the distance.
"Help! Please! Somebody save me!"
Irimi snapped her head around.
Amidst the ruins, a small girl was trapped beneath a collapsed wall, her body pinned beneath the rubble. Only the upper half of her torso was visible, while her lower body remained buried.
"Please… I don't want to die."
Her pale face was streaked with tears, her voice trembling with sheer terror.
At the same time, the ground trembled violently as a massive shadow loomed closer.
Irimi's gaze shot upward—one of the Kakuja giants was rapidly approaching, its enormous form closing in fast.
Gritting her teeth, Irimi made a split-second decision.
With a burst of speed, she sprinted toward the girl, narrowly dodging the hail of kagune projectiles raining from above. In the blink of an eye, she reached the rubble, gripping the broken wall and wrenching it aside. The debris flew away, freeing the girl from its grasp.
But at that very moment—
A massive shadow suddenly engulfed her.
Irimi's pupils contracted sharply.
She looked up—
Above her, a monstrous foot, larger than a house, was descending fast.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang through the battlefield as a figure leaped high into the air—it was Kaya Irimi.
In her arms, she held the same young girl who had been trapped beneath the rubble just moments ago.
At the last critical moment, Irimi had managed to snatch the girl away from beneath the Kakuja giant's foot, saving her from certain death.
"You're safe now," Irimi said with a reassuring smile, glancing down at the girl in her embrace.
"T-thank you..."
But before the girl's face could fully break into a relieved smile, her expression froze in horror. Her wide, terrified eyes locked onto something behind Irimi.
Irimi sensed the shift instantly. A chill ran down her spine as she turned her head—her pupils constricted sharply.
Behind them, a massive hand, as large as a small mountain, was descending upon them, blotting out the sky as it came crashing down.
They had been discovered.
Damn it.
Irimi's eyes trembled slightly. She gritted her teeth, swiftly twisting her body in mid-air to shield the girl, holding her tightly in her arms.
Meanwhile, the human forces below had also noticed the crisis unfolding above them. Recognizing the airborne figure as their ally—the same woman who had been fighting alongside them earlier—the commanding officer made a split-second decision.
"Fire! Cover her!"
Artillery units quickly adjusted their aim and unleashed a barrage of firepower at the Kakuja giant, desperately trying to delay its attack. If they could just hold it back for a moment—just one moment—it might be enough.
However—
The shelling landed against the giant's massive kagune armor without leaving so much as a dent. The creature didn't even flinch.
"Damn it!"
Watching helplessly as their comrade hovered on the brink of death, and seeing the Kakuja giant remain utterly unscathed, despair took hold of the human forces.
How could they possibly fight against monsters like these?
How could they ever hope to resist?
Was the 20th Ward truly doomed?
Elsewhere in the city, worried civilians had already begun to gather outside their homes. Fear gripped their hearts as they gazed toward the battlefield, watching the distant plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky. And when they saw the towering silhouettes of the Kakuja giants lurking in the darkness, their blood ran cold.
"What do we do?"
"This is it. We're finished."
"Damn it, I don't want to die!"
"We should run!"
"Run? Run where?!"
"Wait! The shrine!"
"Yes! Let's go to the shrine and pray to the Fox Fairy!"
"That's right! She'll protect us!"
"Hurry, to the shrine!"
At that moment, the streets became flooded with people—not in a chaotic stampede, but in a determined surge toward a single destination. Unlike before, they weren't aimlessly fleeing in terror. Instead, they rushed toward the shrine with purpose.
Within moments, the shrine was overflowing with people. The crowd spilled out beyond its walls, filling the temple grounds and even the streets beyond. Hands clasped together, voices rose in desperate prayers.
"Please, have mercy upon us!"
"Save us, just like you did before!"
"I will worship you forever if you protect us!"
Minutes ticked by. The shrine remained silent. The dim lanterns flickered in the cold wind, casting unsteady shadows.
And in the distance, the thunderous roars of destruction drew ever closer. The earth trembled beneath the relentless march of the Kakuja giants.
Despair began to take hold.
But then—
"Worship me? Do you have any warm, freshly made red bean mochi?"
Just as the city teetered on the edge of hopelessness, a voice, as clear and melodious as a celestial song, echoed through the night sky.
The people trembled.
They lifted their heads in shock, their frantic gazes snapping upward.
And there, high above them, a figure hovered in the sky.
A figure they knew.
A figure that sent a wave of uncontrollable relief and elation surging through their hearts.
Some even burst into tears, overwhelmed with emotion.
They recognized her.
It was the Fox Fairy.
The Kakuja giant's massive hand, as large as a small mountain, descended with a howling gust of wind, aiming straight for Kaya Irimi, who was still holding the young girl in her arms.
She was about to be struck.
But at that critical moment—
Just as disaster was about to unfold, the space around Irimi suddenly distorted. A black portal appeared out of nowhere, and from within, a lone figure emerged.
At the same time, the Kakuja giant's enormous palm was already inches away, looming over them like an unstoppable force.
The figure raised a slender arm, spreading five fingers toward the incoming attack.
The contrast was striking—this delicate hand against the monstrous, crimson, clawed appendage of the Kakuja giant.
Then—
A surge of overwhelming power erupted from the figure's palm in an instant.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the battlefield. Dust and debris filled the air as shockwaves rippled outward.
Yet—
The expected pain never came.
Irimi blinked in surprise. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was no longer falling—she was being held securely in someone's embrace.
And in front of her was a familiar, beautiful face.
Smiling at her.
It was Kaguya.
"Didn't expect things to be this lively," Kaguya remarked, gazing at the rampaging Kakuja giants in the distance. Then, turning back to Irimi with a playful smirk, she added, "How could I possibly miss out on something like this? Don't you agree, Kaya?"
Irimi's bright eyes widened in shock. She stared at the unexpected arrival, emotions stirring within her. A faint sting rose in her chest, though she wasn't sure why.
"What's this? Have you missed me that much since we last met?" Kaguya teased, grinning mischievously. "If that's the case, then—ah!"
Before she could finish, Irimi's fingers reached out and pinched her cheek.
"My, my. Someone's gotten bold," Irimi said, feigning irritation. "You dare tease me now?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant—how could I!" Kaguya stammered, her words muffled as Irimi tugged at her face.
"Kaya."
Still playfully pinching Kaguya's cheek, Irimi suddenly noticed something—there was another figure nestled in Kaguya's arms. A petite girl, clad in familiar attire, her face hidden behind a fox mask.
Her brows furrowed in confusion.
"Hinami? What are you doing here?" Irimi asked, surprised.
"It's me," the girl said softly.
Reaching up, she removed the fox mask, revealing a familiar, cheerful smile.
It really was Hinami.
"Honestly," Irimi sighed, reaching out to flick Hinami's forehead lightly. "Didn't I tell you to stay put at the café?"
"I just wanted to see what was happening," Hinami pouted, clinging onto Irimi's arm. "I won't get in the way, I promise."
"This isn't a place for sightseeing. What if something happens to you?" Irimi scolded, though her tone carried more exasperation than anger.
"With me here, nothing will happen," Kaguya interjected with a confident smile.
"Yeah, yeah. The almighty Fox Fairy, all-powerful and invincible. Happy now?"
It had been Kaguya's Yomotsu Hirasaka that saved them, pulling them through space just before the giant's attack could land.
But even as they spoke, the battlefield remained engulfed in chaos. Smoke and fire filled the air, and the defensive line had already collapsed. The human forces were being pushed back relentlessly.
If it had been just one Kakuja giant like before, the situation might have been manageable.
But now—there were six.
And this time, the balance of power was entirely different.
Kaguya turned, her gaze sweeping over the scene of destruction.
Watching the colossal giants continue their rampage, she let out a soft chuckle.
"Well, this is quite the spectacle."
Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
"If someone stumbled upon this without context, they'd probably think they walked into an episode of Attack on Titan."
"Attack on Titan?" Kaya Irimi blinked in slight confusion.
"Nothing, really." Kaguya turned back, smiling faintly. "I'll leave these two girls to you, Kaya. I'll take care of the rest first."
"Alright." Irimi nodded gently and pulled Hinami closer by the hand.
Hinami, though eager to go with Kaguya, knew this wasn't the time to be reckless. If she insisted on following, she would only be a burden and distract Kaguya in battle.
"When I get back, make sure to have some warm red bean mochi ready for me. I haven't eaten yet."
With those words, Kaguya grinned, waved her hand, then turned sharply, pushing off the ground. Like an arrow loosed from a bow, she shot toward the battlefield, streaking through the night like a bolt of lightning.
Irimi watched Kaguya's figure gradually fade into the darkness, a hint of melancholy in her expression. She let out a quiet sigh.
What she didn't know, however, was that her expression at that very moment was being carefully observed from a distance—by Touka Kirishima.
"She… she's the Fox Fairy?"
The young girl Irimi had saved earlier ran over excitedly, her dirt-streaked face alight with admiration. Despite the grime, her bright, expressive eyes shone beautifully.
"Mm-hmm." Hinami nodded, smiling happily.
Seeing so many people adore and revere her beloved Ruri-neesan, Hinami couldn't help but feel proud.
"Really?!" The little girl grabbed Hinami's hand eagerly. "If possible, can you tell me more about the Fox Fairy?"
"Of course!"
As the two girls huddled together, chattering away, Irimi found herself stifling a chuckle. That woman really did have a way with women, didn't she?
—Meanwhile, on the battlefield shrouded in smoke and fire—
The moment Kaguya arrived, the human troops erupted into thunderous cheers.
They waved their arms frantically, their faces brimming with elation and relief.
The legendary Fox Fairy had arrived.
They were finally saved.
Some of the soldiers, overwhelmed with emotion, even burst into tears. After all, they were nothing more than fresh recruits—ordinary people who had never set foot on a battlefield before. That they had managed to hold out for this long was already a miracle.
However—
"What the hell are you all yelling for? Shut up. You're annoying as hell."
The moment the Fox Fairy, floating in the sky, opened her mouth—
The battlefield fell into stunned silence.
The soldiers nearly tripped over themselves, their cheers cut short in an instant. The once lively, triumphant atmosphere deflated like a popped balloon, leaving the crowd dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.
Gods… can curse?
"You don't belong in this world," Kaguya said coldly, her gaze fixed on the grotesque Kakuja giants in the distance. "This is not your place. And since no one else has sent you to hell yet, I guess I'll just have to do it myself."
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"And to think—" her voice dropped, sharp as a blade, "you even dared to interrupt my time with my beloved. That's just unforgivable. You disgusting bottom-feeders… go to hell."
At her words, the human soldiers once again exchanged glances—this time, with awkward expressions on their faces.
The female soldiers, in particular, flushed bright red, their minds racing.
"Gods really are bold, huh? Even their words sound so passionate… I wonder who her beloved is. How enviable!"
From a hidden vantage point on the battlefield, Touka Kirishima, who had been silently observing Irimi all this time, suddenly turned rigid.
As Kaguya's words echoed through the night sky, Touka's face went up in flames.
Clenching her fists, she grit her teeth and muttered furiously—
"That idiot."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven