Shanghai was no longer a city.
It was a battlefield.
The once-bright skyline had disappeared beneath smoke, dust, shattered stone, and enormous craters. Buildings stood broken in half, roads had been torn apart, and fires burned between the ruins.
Far away, ordinary citizens hid inside damaged buildings and underground shelters.
Many of them possessed Spiritual Beast energy.
They weren't trained Martial Artists.
They were ordinary people who had learned enough to defend themselves when necessary.
One man slowly lifted his head from behind a collapsed wall.
"What… happened to Shanghai?"
Another citizen stared at the enormous black dragon in the distance.
His face went pale.
"Is this… the end of the world?"
Someone else whispered—
"No…"
He looked toward the sky.
"This is the power of the Hell Dragon."
The ground trembled again.
BOOOOOOM!
Everyone ducked.
The shadow of the dragon covered entire sections of the ruined city.
And somewhere above the battlefield…
Renge Akihana was lying motionless on the massive stone structure surrounding the ancient gate.
His clothes were torn.
Blood had dried around his face.
His breathing was weak.
One of his eyes was covered with a bandage, while the other remained barely open.
He coughed.
"Kh…"
A little blood escaped his mouth.
Before he could move—
"Renge!"
A woman in a tight black combat suit rushed toward him.
This was Chen Wei's mother.
She had entered the battlefield with the emergency medical team.
Her combat suit was reinforced for battle, a massive sniper rifle was secured behind her, and two compact firearms rested near her waist. An earpiece remained connected to the medical team.
She crouched beside Renge.
"Easy."
She carefully lifted him.
"You're still alive."
Renge tried to speak.
"I… need…"
"You need medical treatment."
She carried him toward the evacuation zone.
But suddenly—
BOOOOOOM!
The five Guardians descended onto the battlefield.
The enormous forms of the five divine guardians towered above the ruined city.
Kaguya, the Weapon Master Guardian.
Sahara, Guardian of the Earth Temple.
Mizuna, Guardian of the Water Temple.
Raika, Guardian of the Thunder Temple.
And the Guardian of the Wind Temple.
Their awakened demi-goddess forms were completely different from their normal appearances.
Their bodies were surrounded by divine auras corresponding to their elements.
Kaguya's enormous weapon manifested in her hands.
Sahara's earth energy formed layered armor around her.
Mizuna was surrounded by enormous currents of water.
Raika crackled with thunder.
And the Wind Temple Guardian floated within a massive vortex of wind.
Their divine garments had transformed along with their powers—ornamental, battle-ready robes formed from their respective elemental energy, with each design carrying the symbolism of its temple.
The five stood together.
For a moment, everyone below went silent.
Leo stared upward.
Chen Wei stared upward.
Lily and Yuna stared upward.
Then the five Guardians moved.
The earth shook.
Their movements caused the ground beneath them to tremble.
Chen Wei blinked.
"…Are they always that…"
He paused.
Leo glanced at him.
"That what?"
Chen Wei immediately looked away.
"Nothing."
Leo understood.
"…Yeah."
Both of them looked away at the exact same time.
Lily and Yuna exchanged confused looks.
"What were you two looking at?"
"Nothing!"
They answered together.
Even in the middle of the apocalypse, somehow they had found time for an awkward moment.
Then—
A streak crossed the battlefield.
WHOOSH!
Something shot through the air at incredible speed.
It wasn't Spiritual Beast energy.
It wasn't flight.
It was pure physical movement.
A man had launched himself from the ground with such explosive strength that the air cracked around him.
He jumped.
For a single instant—
he seemed to stand in midair.
Then he descended directly toward Kaguya.
Kaguya swung her enormous sword.
WHOOOOM!
The blade came down.
The man raised both hands.
CLANG!
He caught the massive sword with his bare hands.
The impact created a shockwave.
His feet remained suspended for another moment before he finally touched the ground.
Blood ran across both hands from the force of the blade.
But he didn't let go.
Kaguya stared at him.
"You…"
The surviving Martial Artist General gritted his teeth.
"I don't have a Spiritual Beast."
He pushed against the sword.
"I never had one."
His muscles tightened.
"So I learned to fight with what I had."
He shoved the massive blade away.
"Raw strength."
Leo recognized him immediately.
The final surviving member of the Ten Martial Artist Generals.
The other nine had already fallen.
Chen Wei looked at him.
"You came alone?"
The General glanced at the massive alien army filling the horizon.
"…Unfortunately."
Chen Wei looked at the army.
Then at the Guardians.
Then back at the General.
"We're seriously fighting all of them with this?"
Leo smiled.
"Looks like it."
Chen Wei opened a container of noodles and calmly started eating.
Leo stared at him.
"You're eating right now?"
Chen Wei slurped his noodles.
"There's nothing else I can do."
He looked completely serious.
"Don't worry, my friend."
He pointed his chopsticks at Leo.
"I trust you."
Leo laughed.
"Do you really think I always know how to get us out of situations like this?"
Chen Wei swallowed.
"Yes."
Leo's smile disappeared.
"…Honestly, I don't know how I keep surviving either."
The five of them stood together.
Leo looked toward the Guardians.
Then toward the surviving General.
"Alright."
He pointed.
"You."
The General raised an eyebrow.
"Me?"
"You're fighting Kaguya."
The General looked at Kaguya's enormous weapon.
Then at his own hands.
"…Wonderful."
Leo turned toward Chen Wei.
"You're fighting Raika."
Chen Wei nearly choked on his noodles.
"What?!"
"You have the Water Dragon Spiritual Beast."
Chen Wei pointed toward Raika.
"She's literally the Thunder Guardian!"
Leo nodded.
"Exactly."
"Electricity travels through water!"
"I know."
"I CAN DIE!"
Leo grinned.
"If we don't put ourselves in danger, where's the fun?"
Chen Wei stared at him.
"…You're insane."
Then he smiled.
"Fine."
He raised his chopsticks.
"Let's do it."
Leo looked toward Lily and Yuna.
"You two take Sahara and the Wind Guardian."
Lily nodded.
Yuna tightened her grip.
"And you?"
Leo looked toward Kaguya.
"I'll take Kaguya."
He stepped forward.
"Let's lock in."
But before they could move—
"Leo."
Chen Wei's mother's voice came through the communication system.
"Backup has arrived."
Leo turned.
Behind them—
hundreds of Martial Artists emerged from the ruins.
Some carried weapons.
Others released Spiritual Beast energy.
Some were ordinary Martial Artists relying purely on physical techniques.
The surviving General's eyes widened.
"Finally."
The reinforcements spread across the battlefield.
The General pointed toward the approaching alien army.
"You'll handle them."
The Martial Artists nodded.
Leo cracked his knuckles.
"Then let's go."
BOOOOOOM!
The battlefield erupted.
Martial Artists charged forward.
Alien soldiers descended.
Spiritual Beast energy collided with alien weapons.
The entire battlefield became chaos once again.
And above them all—
the Alien Queen sat upon the enormous Black Hell Dragon.
She watched silently.
Her expression remained calm.
As if everything happening below was already part of her plan.
Then—
her gaze shifted.
Toward the medical camp.
Toward Renge.
---
Inside the medical barrier—
Renge suddenly opened his eyes.
His body had been treated, but only half of his injuries had healed.
Machines were attached to his chest.
His breathing was still unstable.
He looked toward the battlefield.
Everyone was fighting.
Leo.
Chen Wei.
Lily.
Yuna.
The surviving General.
The Guardians.
Everyone.
Everyone except him.
Renge suddenly pulled the medical equipment away.
"Wait!"
A medic tried to stop him.
"Don't move!"
Renge stood.
His legs trembled.
"I have to go."
Chen Wei's mother immediately walked toward him.
"Renge."
"I can't sit here."
"You've only recovered about fifty percent."
"I know."
"You fought your own brother."
Renge lowered his head.
"I know."
His fists tightened.
"And now everyone else is fighting while I'm sitting here like a coward."
"You're not a coward."
Renge looked at her.
She continued calmly.
"But if you leave now, you need to understand the consequences."
Her eyes moved toward the bandaged eye.
"Your Eye of Laliguras…"
Renge became silent.
"It isn't simply an eye."
She continued.
"It's also known as the Eye of Blood."
Renge nodded.
"The strongest of the two eyes."
"Yes."
"The Eye of Lotus is dangerous."
She looked directly at him.
"But the Eye of Laliguras is worse."
Renge remained silent.
"Every time you push that eye beyond its limits, it brings you closer to becoming a Blood Devil."
Renge's expression hardened.
"If I become one…"
"You'll gain the ability to manipulate blood around you."
She paused.
"You could control blood outside your own body. Use it as a weapon. Sense it. Manipulate it."
"But you'd lose yourself."
Renge looked down.
"And once someone completely becomes a Blood Devil…"
She shook her head.
"There may be no way back."
Renge closed his eyes.
"I know."
"You could lose consciousness."
"Yes."
"You could permanently lose your eyesight."
"Yes."
"You could become a Blood Devil."
Renge opened his eyes.
"Or I could die."
Silence.
Chen Wei's mother looked at him for several seconds.
Then she stepped aside.
"I won't stop you."
Renge looked surprised.
"You're seriously letting me go?"
"You've already made your decision."
She reached behind her.
"But before you leave…"
She handed him something.
A small bundle of Laliguras flowers.
Renge stared.
"You brought these?"
"I knew you might need them."
His expression softened.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet."
She looked toward the battlefield.
"Come back alive."
Renge nodded.
Then—
BOOM!
He launched himself from the building.
His Spiritual energy exploded around him.
He jumped across the ruined city.
While moving through the air, he took several Laliguras petals and consumed them.
The flowers dissolved into his body.
A warm energy spread through him.
His wounds began closing.
His breathing stabilized.
The blood around his eyes stopped flowing.
The injuries across his body disappeared.
Even the scars faded.
Renge landed on another ruined building.
He opened his eyes.
Both eyes were clear.
His power had completely returned.
But immediately—
three figures appeared in front of him.
Three Alien Generals.
They looked at Renge.
One of them smiled.
"He's injured."
"Only recently recovered."
"He won't have regained his fighting instincts yet."
The three attacked simultaneously.
BOOM!
Renge disappeared.
The first punch missed.
Renge appeared behind the first General.
BAM!
The General blocked.
Renge spun.
A wave of flower petals erupted from his arm.
"Laliguras Art—Petal Burst!"
WHOOOOOSH!
The petals became a concentrated beam.
The three Generals crossed their arms.
BOOOOOOM!
Smoke covered the street.
Renge landed.
Nothing.
Not even a scratch.
Renge's eyes narrowed.
The second General appeared beside him.
SLASH!
Renge dodged.
The sword passed beside his face.
He ducked.
Another strike.
He jumped.
Another.
He twisted through the air.
The blade missed by centimeters.
Renge countered with a kick.
BAM!
The General barely moved.
Renge's expression changed.
"These guys…"
The third General raised his hand.
A massive energy beam formed.
"Die."
FWOOM!
Renge crossed his arms.
BOOOOOOM!
The beam exploded against him.
He was thrown through three ruined walls.
CRASH!
Renge rolled across the ground.
Blood appeared around his eye again.
He stood.
His breathing became heavier.
"Alright."
His Eye of Lotus opened.
The world changed.
The three Generals suddenly saw dozens of Renges surrounding them.
One attacked.
The General struck—
and the Renge disappeared.
Another Renge appeared.
Then another.
The Generals attacked every illusion.
Renge watched from above.
He manipulated their perception.
Their senses.
Their awareness.
But—
the three eventually stopped.
One General closed his eyes.
"It's an illusion."
Another opened his eyes.
"The real one is above us."
Renge's expression tightened.
The three attacked simultaneously.
Renge dodged the first.
Blocked the second.
But the third sword caught him across the chest.
SLASH!
He flew backward.
He landed on one knee.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
His chest burned from the impact.
His vision blurred.
Yet the three Generals remained standing.
Untouched.
Renge looked at them.
"I used my petals."
Nothing.
"My Eye of Lotus."
Nothing.
"My manipulation."
Nothing.
"My Eye of Laliguras."
Still nothing.
His eyes began bleeding again.
Renge breathed heavily.
The three Generals raised their weapons.
"Let's finish this."
Renge slowly stood.
Then—
a voice came from above.
"Oi."
Everyone stopped.
"OI, OI, OI!"
A girl stood on the massive ancient gate.
A huge sword rested casually across her shoulder.
Her assassin-style outfit moved with the wind.
Around her waist were multiple poison grenades.
A mask covered part of her face.
She reached toward one of the poison capsules.
She inhaled the released poison through a small inhaler-like device.
Her eyes widened.
The veins around them became visible.
Her hearing sharpened.
Her instincts intensified.
Every heartbeat around her became clear.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every shift of muscle.
She smiled.
"Don't."
Her voice became cold.
"Touch him."
FLASH!
She disappeared.
The three Generals barely reacted.
A moment later—
she was standing beside Renge.
She grabbed him and carried him away at incredible speed.
Renge blinked.
"Wait…"
She jumped onto the enormous gate.
She carefully placed him on the upper frame.
Then she looked at him.
"You're resting here."
Renge stared at her.
"You…"
"You've already been injured once."
She adjusted her sword across her shoulder.
"Then healed."
She pointed at him.
"Then injured yourself again."
Her voice softened slightly.
"Your body isn't going to tolerate another battle."
Renge's face became warm.
His thoughts became chaotic.
This girl…
This attitude…
This confidence…
This is the girl I…
Then a memory struck him.
Her screaming.
The operation.
Her struggling.
Her pain.
Renge's expression changed.
"Are you…"
He hesitated.
"…okay now?"
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
"Yeah."
She nodded.
"I'm completely fine now."
Renge stared.
She looked directly at him.
"Renge."
His eyes widened.
She remembers my name.
His face became red.
She remembers me.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Good…"
His strength finally left him.
His eyes closed.
He fell unconscious.
The girl caught him before he could fall.
She carefully placed him against the stone.
Then she stood.
Her smile disappeared.
She looked toward the three Alien Generals.
Her hand moved to her sword.
CLICK.
The blade slid partially from its sheath.
Poison capsules rattled around her waist.
She inhaled once more through the poison inhaler.
The veins around her eyes became more prominent.
Her instincts sharpened.
Her eyes locked onto the three enemies.
She rested the massive sword against her shoulder.
"Alright."
A deadly smile appeared beneath her mask.
"Let's begin."
The three Generals prepared themselves.
The battlefield roared around them.
And for the first time since the battle had begun—
the Poison Girl had returned.
TO BE CONTINUED…