The air changed.
It wasn't just heavy.
It was suffocating.
Yakumaro couldn't move.
Not because he was injured…
But because his body refused.
Every instinct inside him screamed the same thing—
Run.
But his legs didn't respond.
---
The creature stood there.
Still.
Silent.
Watching.
Its form was almost human…
Too perfect.
Too calm.
---
Yakumaro swallowed.
"…What is that…?"
---
No answer.
---
His friend stepped forward.
One step.
That was all it took.
---
"Don't move."
His voice was low.
Firm.
Different.
---
Yakumaro froze.
Not by fear this time…
But by trust.
---
The creature's eyes shifted.
From Yakumaro…
To him.
---
A pause.
A silent understanding.
---
Then—
It disappeared.
---
A shockwave exploded.
The ground shattered beneath their feet.
Yakumaro was thrown back.
Hard.
Rolling across broken stone.
---
He coughed.
Struggled to breathe.
---
Then looked up—
---
His friend blocked it.
Barely.
---
Their hands collided.
Force against force.
The air cracked.
---
Yakumaro's eyes widened.
"…He stopped it…?"
---
No.
---
He was being pushed back.
---
Slowly.
---
The creature moved effortlessly.
One hand.
That was enough.
---
Yakumaro's heart pounded.
"…This is different…"
---
The friend's feet dug into the ground.
Cracks spread beneath him.
---
Then—
He smiled.
---
"…Finally."
---
He pushed forward.
---
The ground broke.
---
For a moment—
They were equal.
---
Then they vanished.
---
A blur.
—
Impact after impact.
Shockwaves tearing through the ruins.
Buildings collapsing from the pressure alone.
---
Yakumaro could barely follow.
Only flashes—
Movement.
Strikes.
Destruction.
---
Then—
A figure crashed down.
---
His friend.
---
Sliding across the ground.
Stopping just a few meters away.
---
Blood.
---
For the first time…
He was bleeding.
---
Yakumaro froze.
"…No…"
---
The creature landed softly.
Untouched.
---
Its head tilted slightly.
---
Interested.
---
Yakumaro's hands trembled.
---
"…He's losing…"
---
The system flickered.
---
[ Warning ]
[ Target exceeds current capability ]
[ Do not engage ]
---
Yakumaro clenched his fists.
---
"…I know…"
---
His friend stood up slowly.
Wiped the blood from his mouth.
---
"…Stay back."
---
Yakumaro didn't move.
---
"…I said stay back."
---
This time—
Sharper.
---
Yakumaro's breath shook.
---
"…Don't die…"
---
A small pause.
---
Then—
A faint smile.
---
"…I won't."
---
The creature stepped forward.
---
And the ground beneath it…
Cracked.