"Holy fucking shit!!" Belle screamed as the train's rear cars exploded, causing the train to start derailing.
She grabbed Eous and Nekomata before leaping back just in time to avoid being split in half by a massive greataxe swung at them through the smoking wreckage of the train car that had exploded. From the billowing smoke and flames, the Dead End Butcher emerged, looking as menacing as Belle remembered. But there was something else too.
'What the Hell? Are those.. are those mana crystals stabbed into its fucking back!?' Belle's eyes widened, seeing the Dead End Butcher with a multitude of mechanical apparatuses bolted onto the Ethereal's back that held the mana crystals in place.
"UAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!" The Dead End Butcher screamed, almost sounding human in its sheer rage and bloodlust.
"Nyaaah!! The Dead End Butcher!? Why is it here!? Did the noise attract-" Belle forced Nekomata's head down as it swung again, cleaving the rest of the train in half and causing it to derail.
[Master, retreat is recommended. The Ethereal, 'Dead End Butcher' is an A-ranked enemy with the potential to become S-rank or beyond. Mana and Ether fluctuation confirms, it is targeting Master to feed on your Mana and Ether]
Belle leapt back and leapt off the crashing train with Eous and Nekomata. The horrifically loud screeching of the rails filled the tunnel before the loud crash followed up.
Fortunately and unfortunately, the crashed train created a blockage in the tunnel and separated them from the Dead End Butcher. They managed to create some distance from the Ethereal but the way to Canvas street was on the other side of the blockade, where the Butcher was.
"Is everyone okay? Nekomata? Wise?" Belle asked in concern.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine.. But what are we gonna do? Canvas street is that way." Nekomata answered, pointing at the flaming wreck that used to be the train.
"I'm fine too. No problems with Eous. I think we can navigate around the tunnel but we'll need Fairy's help to reach-"
Just as Wise was speaking, a loud, eerie metallic groan filled the tunnel before the train wreckage exploded, knocking Eous back and making both Belle and Nekomata slide backward from the sheer pressure. Out of the flames came the Dead End Butcher, dragging its axe in one hand as it slowly walked toward them.
"Sonova.. are you really gonna aura farm on us too?" Belle grimaced, quickly taking out the chainsword and using it to block the monstrous axe coming at her.
*CLANG!!*
The sheer physical power in that one strike put Belle on one knee and made both of her arms numb. The chainsword held up but even it had made a strange noise in protest when the Butcher smashed its weapon down into it.
'I should have fucking made that flying Raijin blueprint..!!' Belle complained as Nekomata leapt in and struck the Butcher from behind, employing her Assassin class skill to 'blink' behind the Ethereal and hit it with a critical strike.
*CLING!*
"Eh!?" Too bad it virtually did nothing. Her blades struck the dense Etheric material it was composed of and bounced off like she had just hit titanium.
Nekomata was forced to bend back really quick as the Butcher swung its hand at her, far faster than it should have been able to. Its large, clawed hand sailed over her head, carrying enough momentum and force to easily overturn trucks.
Hunters were durable, some more than others. Assassins and Mages were unfortunately the squishiest due to them not usually engaging in long, drawn out battles or casting in the rear. Nekomata was agile, yes. But her durability was sorely lacking. So when the Butcher spun on the balls of its feet and struck out with its axe far faster than it should have, she felt her life flash before her eyes.
*CLAAAAAANG!!*
"UGH..!!" Luckily for her, Belle leapt in the way and parried it with the chainsword revving, creating sparks as the metal teeth tried to dig into the etheric metal.
[+5 affection points!]
"Not now! Nekomata! Take Eous and run to Canvas street! I'll hold this big bastard off while you get reinforcements!" Belle shouted, pushing against the stronger Ethereal as her chainsword screetched against the axe.
"Belle! Okay... shit okay.. Nekomata, grab me and run down the tunnel, okay? I'll have Fairy help guide us." Wise focused, helping Nekomata up to her feet as she shakily yet gratefully gives Belle a nod, picks Eous up and runs down the tunnel.
Thankfully for Belle, the Butcher seemed dead set on her. Unfortunately, it was stronger than her.
*CRASH!*
The Butcher kicked the back of its axe and sent Belle flying down the opposite end of the tunnel, back toward the Hollow.
"Hngh!" Belle bounced off the rails a few times before thrusting her metal hand down and jumping out of the way of yet another axe swing.
She rose up, arm transforming to long range as she unleashed the Ether/Mana beam right at the fast approaching Butcher.
-♤-☆-♤-☆-♤-☆-♤-
"Nic-Nicoleee!!" Nekomata yelled as soon as she ran through the Hollow's exit.
The crowd of old and young residents of Canvas street looked over at her in confusion. Nekomata panted, dropping Eous and falling to her knees as her chest rose and fell rapidly. She had pushed herself hard to get there and she was out of breath and drenched in sweat.
"Nekomata? What're you- Oh! You brought the Proxy along? Perfect! We just need-" Nicole walked over as soon as she heard Nekomata's voice again and helped her up but froze once she saw her pale complexion and the sheer fear in her eyes.
"Nicole! Belle's in trouble. We hijacked Vision's train and were about to redirect it to you here but that Boss-class Ethereal, the Dead End Butcher suddenly attacked the train and made it crash. Nekomata and I were only able to get here because she's currently holding it off!"
Nicole's face paled after Wise quickly explained the situation. Spinning on her heel, she faced Anby and Billy with a serious expression.
"We need to back her up. Now."
Anby nodded, giving a single grunt as she placed her hand on her blade's hilt. While Billy quickly checked his ammo and spun his revolvers around his fingers.
"You got it, Boss lady. Operation: Save Boss' girlfriend is a go." Billy declared before taking a kick to the shin, courtesy of Nicole.
"Stop saying useless things! Now, let's hurry and-" "Stop RIGHT there!" An annoyed, male voice shouted out as several mercenaries dressed in Pubsec tactical gear marched into the area, guns pointed at the Cunning Hares.
Standing safely behind them, was the four-foot five Perlman, with an angry scowl etched on his face. Immediately, the residents of Canvas street took cover in abandoned stores and buildings while Anby, Billy, Nicole and Nekomata faced off against a platoon of mercenaries.
"What the hell did you cretins do with my train!? Where are my reinforcements!?" Perlman demanded, poking his head out between the legs of the mercenaries to yell at the Cunning Hares.
"Shut up, Perlman! You're in no position to ask anything when you're scheming to kill all these civilians so you can save money!" Nicole shouted back louder and angrier as she aimed her Ether suitcase at him.
"Now.. GET OUT OF OUR FUCKING WAY!!"