The ground trembled beneath them as the last remnants of the fallen Jūshin disintegrated into nothingness, its dark form unraveling like threads of a forgotten nightmare. The oppressive weight of the battle lifted slightly, but the victory felt hollow. The moon hung above them, a pale witness to the fleeting triumph. But even as the last vestiges of the creature dissolved, the feeling in Shinkū's chest didn't ease. He could still sense the impending storm, the growing tide of darkness that they had yet to confront.
He turned to his disciples, their faces strained, their bodies battered but resolute. Mei, Gorou, and the others had fought valiantly, but none of them could escape the truth that weighed heavily in the air: the Jūshin were still out there, and worse, there was something even more terrible stirring beneath the surface.
"We need to move," Shinkū said, his voice a quiet command, his eyes never leaving the shadowed horizon. "This was just a taste of what's coming. The true battle has yet to begin."
Gorou grunted, wiping the blood from his brow. "You mean there's more of those things?"
Shinkū nodded grimly, his gaze darkening. "Rank AAA Jūshin are only a fraction of what the enemy has at its disposal. If we don't act fast, Kōmyō Nation—and then the rest of the world—will fall. Mukurojin's influence is spreading faster than we anticipated."
Mei stepped forward, her usual calm demeanor replaced by a fierce determination. "Then we need to hit them harder, faster. They'll never expect it."
Before Shinkū could respond, a low rumble echoed across the plains. The earth groaned as if in response to some unseen force, and the air crackled with a sudden surge of energy. The disciples tensed, weapons drawn, eyes darting to the horizon.
Shinkū's instincts flared. He didn't need to hear it to know what was coming. "It's too late," he muttered. "Mukurojin's forces are on the move."
In a flash, the ground beneath their feet erupted in a burst of black smoke, the very soil splitting apart as something massive emerged from the earth. The disciples jumped back, their weapons at the ready. But nothing could prepare them for what they saw next.
A colossal figure, even larger than the previous Jūshin, rose from the crater. It was a grotesque fusion of metal and flesh, its body encased in jagged, obsidian armor that seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy. Its eyes glowed with a piercing red light, the malice within them burning as fiercely as the heart of a forge.
The creature's shadow twisted and writhed, stretching out like tendrils that reached for everything in sight. Its massive form cracked the ground beneath it, sending shockwaves through the air.
"This… this is impossible," Gorou gasped, his voice trembling as he stared up at the monstrous being. "What in the hell is that?"
Shinkū clenched his fists, his heart pounding with recognition. "A Jūshin Rank SSS," he whispered, his voice laced with disbelief. "I didn't think one of these existed… until now."
Mei's eyes narrowed. "We can't fight this. Not head-on."
Shinkū didn't answer immediately. His mind raced. He had faced formidable opponents before, but this… this was something else entirely. This Jūshin was different. It had been hidden, kept in reserve for a reason. And now, it was here to make its mark on the world.
"We don't have a choice," Shinkū said, his voice cold. "Everyone, fall back to the city. We need to regroup."
But as they began to retreat, the ground shook again, and the creature let out a deafening roar, its voice like the cracking of thunder. The Jūshin's shadows lunged forward, cutting off their path, creating a wall of darkness that prevented their escape.
"We're trapped," Mei whispered, her hand gripping her blade. "What now?"
Shinkū's mind whirred. There was no time for hesitation. The Jūshin Rank SSS was too strong for a direct assault, but they couldn't afford to retreat. The city was their last line of defense. If they didn't hold the creature off, everything would be lost.
"We fight," Shinkū said, his voice steady despite the rising pressure. "But not here. We'll draw it into the city. There, we'll have the advantage."
The disciples nodded in agreement, their faces hardening with determination. The battle for Kōmyō Nation was about to begin, and it was going to be the fight of their lives.
---
The city of Goryoku, once bustling with life, now lay in ruins, the streets eerily quiet as Shinkū and his disciples led the monstrous Jūshin into its heart. The once-pristine buildings now stood as broken husks, their structures twisted and warped by the relentless assault of the Jūshin.
Shinkū's heart raced as he turned to Mei, Gorou, and the others. "We need to split up. We'll use the ruins to our advantage. Draw it into the narrow streets where it can't use its full strength."
Mei nodded. "I'll take the high ground. I can use the rooftops to stay mobile and strike from above."
Gorou cracked his knuckles. "I'll stay on the front lines. I've got the strength to keep it busy."
Shinkū's gaze swept over the battlefield. The creature was advancing, its massive frame looming larger with every step. He could already feel its power in the air, thick and suffocating. It would take everything they had—and more—to defeat this beast.
"Stay sharp," Shinkū warned, his voice low and serious. "This thing isn't just powerful—it's smart. It'll adapt to our tactics. We have to be unpredictable."
The disciples scattered, each taking their position, readying themselves for the battle that was about to unfold.
The Jūshin's shadows rippled, its massive limbs rising into the air as it swung them down with terrifying force. The first strike landed on one of the buildings, sending debris flying in every direction. The shockwave from the impact shook the city, rattling the very ground beneath their feet.
Shinkū gritted his teeth, focusing his mind. The creature's strength was overwhelming, but he could feel the ebb and flow of its energy. There was a weakness there—a flaw in its form. They just had to find it.
"Now!" Shinkū shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Gorou charged forward, his sword raised high. The Jūshin met him head-on, their clash shaking the ground beneath them. Mei, from above, darted between the ruined buildings, slashing at the Jūshin's limbs with pinpoint accuracy, her strikes leaving glowing lines of energy in the air.
But the creature was relentless, its shadow tendrils lashing out, cutting through stone and flesh alike. Shinkū watched, his heart pounding, as the battle raged around him.
The Jūshin wasn't just a mindless beast. It was calculating. Every move it made was deliberate, designed to counter their attacks. It knew exactly how to draw them in, how to wear them down.
But Shinkū wouldn't let that happen. With a deep breath, he drew upon the full extent of his power once more. The air around him crackled with energy, and for the first time, he felt the presence of something greater within him. His body became a conduit for the void itself.
"I am the Abyss," Shinkū whispered, his voice barely audible. "And I will end this."
With a single motion, he unleashed his power, the Abyssburst exploding from him in a torrent of pure emptiness. The Jūshin roared in pain, its massive form shuddering as the darkness consumed it.
But this time, Shinkū didn't hold back. The Abyss filled the air, the very fabric of reality distorting as the Jūshin was torn apart by the force of the void. The creature's form twisted and shattered, its shadows disintegrating as it was consumed by the nothingness.
When the explosion finally subsided, the city was silent once more. Shinkū stood at the center, breathing heavily, his body trembling from the effort.
"We did it," Mei said quietly, stepping forward. But there was no joy in her voice—only the heavy weight of what lay ahead.
"We've only just begun," Shinkū replied, his voice grim. "The worst is still to come."