Asura stood poised, his focus unbroken before the nine Grulls. His gaze was locked on Mr. Smiles, scrutinizing its slightest twitch, waiting for the moment it might strike. "Not even a stretch..." Asura thought as his sharp eyes scanned the demon for any sign of weakness. Yet, even his coat remained unharmed.

"Shit... What the hell is this thing?" Asura asked himself as he channeled mana to ignite Uriel's flame. The ogre gulped, slightly nervous for the Paladin, who might die quickly if they were not careful with their next move. Since his arrival, he hasn't detected any typical mana, a concerning reality for Asura.

The absence of quotidian mana made his mind race while he attempted to identify it. Without its scent and presence, anticipating its next magical strike became impossible. "Is it a Fallen since it summoned Grulls?" He asked himself as he stared at the smiling demon. "It doesn't look like a bug, though... Fuck."

"A shadow? But it's too solid..." Asura wanted to shake his head in frustration, but he couldn't risk removing his eyes from the monster. From the corner of his eyes, Mel walked forward into his sight with her gun trained on the demon. "Shit!" Asura cursed under his breath as he began to race forward.

Mel spoke with seething anger, barely able to grip her gun without shaking with rage.

"I've waited years to kill you."

The demon cackled while holding the coat out wide,

"It brings me great joy to know you think of me every day."

Mel bit her lip as she ripped the silver elephant rifle apart, the silver frame igniting into amber flames as it split. The weapon's once sleek and elongated form separated into two small bodies that solidified into her signature silver pistols. Their engraved surfaces shimmered with an amber glow as the holy mana wildly coursed through their metallic bodies.

The sudden flare of Mel's flames instantly drew the Grull's attention. Their heads jerked rapidly towards her, and their eyes were filled with blazing hunger as if they were starving. With mouths that stretched wide and mandibles that spread apart, they unleashed a deafening buglike cry. Its ear-piercing sound left the group wincing as it echoed through the casino.

Before Asura could get to Mel, the Grulls charged at her with feral intensity. Their sharp claws dug into the ground as they lunged forward, using their multiple arms like quadrupeds to gain terrifying speed.

Mel's eyes burned with intense resolve. She seemed oblivious to their approach, keeping her amber gaze fixed on Mr. Smiles. Asura grabbed hold of a nearby machine, ripping it from the ground and tossing it with intense force at the nearest Grull.

The machine slammed into its side, crushing its right side underneath the heavy metal and throwing it across the floor. A sharp, sickening crunch echoed as its chitinous body was crushed like a large bug being stepped upon. The Grull screamed in agony, unleashing a barbaric insect-like cry.

To Asura's surprise, the remaining Grulls paid no mind to their fallen sibling and focused on Mel as they hurtled toward her at inhuman speed. Their mandibles clacked together as they hungrily opened and closed their mouths. Asura clenched his jaw, realizing he wouldn't reach Mel in time before the assault.

Behind him, the heavy footsteps of Rose, Tristen, and Gabe echoed across the rubble-strewn casino, but they were also too far to intervene. Rose flicked her arm sharply as though flinging water from her skin. Instead, the black tattoo that painted her entire arm tore away, transforming into a thick, inky sludge.

The fluid twisted and solidified in the air as it separated from her body, forming a chain tipped with a spiked wrecking ball. As it solidified completely, she grabbed hold of its chain and began to twirl it with practiced precision.

Like a lasso, the weapon whistled as it spun through the air, ready to be thrown. Before Rose could strike, Tristen abruptly stopped and raised his bat as he stood upon the rubble. He raised his open hand as if he held something in its grasp. The Paladin channeled mana into his palm, and from nothing, a golden baseball formed with lightning crackling from its surface.

He tossed the ball high into the air, drawing his bat to his shoulder as he settled into a batter's stance. His gaze locked onto Mr. Smiles, unwavering as he awaited the ball's descent. Then, with a resounding, thunderous crack, his wooden bat connected with the baseball with a powerful swing that shook his surroundings.

The baseball punched through the air with speed that could not be seen. Before Asura could register the crack of the bat hitting the ball, it had already slammed into the demon. The ogre expected the demon to be tossed through the wall, shattering it like glass, but, to his horror, the demon remained still.

Instead, the ball shattered as the mana dispersed from the impact. Mr. Smiles laughed as his skin ripped into a wider smile. The demon dropped his right arm, pointing his claw finger at Gabe,

"Hehehahahee."

The sight left Gabe with wide eyes, and the Paladin frantically grabbed hold of his tricep. He tore his arm away from his shoulder, resembling an action figure detaching its limb. A golden mist began to stream from his shoulder before condensing into a radiant, golden, translucent arm.

As he gripped hold of his arm, the flesh hardened, transforming into a silver metallic-like substance. In an instant, the arm's structure stretched out as Gabe's will commanded it to become a large rectangular shield. His mana coursed through its surface, providing a protective layer to reinforce its integrity.

Gabe ducked behind the large silver shield, gripping it tightly. He pressed his golden arm against its back, steadying his hold. The demon uttered one word as if it commanded the world to obey his will,

"Boom."

A large, unseen explosion of wind erupted as if the demon unleashed pure kinetic force from his fingertip. It slammed into Gabe's shield, and for a moment, Gabe let out a breath of relief. However, the moment was cut short as the force tossed his shield to his side, and the rest slammed into his chest.

The Paladin gasped, the air violently ripped from his lungs. It felt as though his chest had collided with the ground, and yet he hadn't moved from his spot. Then, the relentless force continued its path, surging forward and hurling him through the air. His body crashed into a massive pile of rubble and twisted machines.

Tristen turned, his eyes wide as he realized the demon had struck his brother. His face twisted in horror as his eyes searched for Gabe, following the path of destruction that had ripped its way far through the casino. In a pile several yards away, his brother lay with blood spilling out from his mouth.

Gabe remained motionless in a pile, with two red tallies above his head. Without hesitation, his brother swapped the tally with his own, causing one to appear above his head. Tristen groaned as pain shot through his body, and he was brought to one knee. His holy mana swapped the wounds, healing Gabe as he returned to consciousness.

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Then, Mel fired as the Grulls reached her position. Her twin guns were aimed at the monsters as they leaped toward her, claws outstretched at her throat.

"Judex Divinum purifies the wicked. Through Hephestine's flames, the impurities are purged."

Her twin pistols burst with amber flames as the mana coated them, amplifying their firepower. As the first Grull hurled itself at Mel, she fired into its chest, driving holy lead into its chitinous form.

The bullet struck its body but failed to penetrate, causing deep cracks to spread from the point of contact. The impact sent the monster staggering, redirecting its path just enough to miss its strike. Mel watched as its claws drifted inches past her cheek, but she remained unphased. Her gaze remained steady, smoothly shifting her focus to the next foe.

A Grull with six arms lunged at her stomach, attacking with its six arms equipped with razor-sharp claws. Mel fired at its head, sending two bullets that shattered its skull. The deafening crunch echoed as its head exploded, its hard skull cracking like a struck coconut. Its red blood sprayed out as the bullets exited the back of its head.

Asura watched the first Grull rise, shaking off its previous wound. He opened his mouth to warn Mel, but before a sound escaped, Mel fired with her right pistol without looking back. With deadly precision, the bullet struck its chest, tearing through the already weakened area. The Grull collapsed with a sickening thud while Mel fired with her left pistol at her next target.

Like an elegant dance, Mel dodged every strike the next seven Grulls tried, ducking low and firing upward at some while gracefully maneuvering around the others. With every shot she took at the Grulls, she sent one toward Mr. Smiles as if he were her real target amidst the chaos. It was a rhythmic symphony of gunfire, with each shot deliberate and precise.

Mr. Smiles stood firmly as each bullet struck his body, uninterested in the attempt at his life. He laughed again, and across his body, more tearing ensued. The sound of breaking bones and ripping flesh erupted as his chest tore open into more flesh-dangling smiles. Its black ooze poured out, spilling over its malnourished body and onto the ground.

Its jarring voice echoed as though it emanated from speakers surrounding the group. Mr. Smiles's tone was filled with joy, bubbling with laughter as it mocked their attempt,

"The definition of insanity is to attempt the same thing, expecting a different result! Silly child, you cannot hurt me!"

Suddenly, the flowers within its coat opened wide again, expelling more black bile onto the floor. The demon cackled,

"Let's make this interesting! Yes! A handicap is a must!"

Fifteen more black piles of ooze rose into pillars of black tar that bubbled with life. Then, the demon suddenly slammed its coat shut as if finished with giving birth to the Fallen.

"Whenever you hurt me, I return it threefold! So, to defeat me, you must find a way to kill a demon that cannot be wounded!"

The demon laughed at the preposterous statement, knowing the requirement was ridiculous. As the figures solidified into ten more Grulls, the demon continued,

"It's a shame I destroyed this wonderful place. A den of sinners who willingly suffer. All the while dreaming of joy as they face the agony of losing everything they worked for."

Asura cursed as his eyes widened with shock.

"No fucking way."

Then, the last five piles of ooze enlarged into hulking mounds of tar that towered above the rest. From the tar emerged towering humanoid monsters, their bodies encased in black chitinous plates that served as armor that adorned a knight. The jagged, rough material resembled black rocks as though it had been born from the earth itself.

From their backs, unfurled large green beetle-like wings emitted a rapid buzz as they fluttered. Atop some of their heads were a single green eye, while others had three in the shape of a triangle. Their heads were encircled by chitin that formed into a helmet-like shape, with long, thin horns resembling beetles.

A horn grew from the top of their head, with two sprouting straight out from the sides like a cross. The area around their chest was open, exposing a large maw filled with sharp teeth that opened wide as they exhaled. On either side, large black and green mandibles twitched erratically before locking together, forming an armor-like ribcage over their mouths.

The monsters differed from the Grulls, each possessing only two arms and five claws that resembled human fingers. In their grasp, they held large slabs of chitin-like rock that had been sharpened at the edges and broken at the bottom for a better grip. They wielded these massive chunks like towering blades. Asura knew exactly what race of Fallen these monsters belonged,

"Knogths."

These beasts were Grulls who had evolved and dedicated their lives to Vrothota, the Fallen king. They pledged their loyalty, transforming their aimless, wandering lives into that of fierce warriors reborn to protect their realm with unwavering devotion.

After fighting many of them in his past, Asura learned that it took far too long to bring them down. To defeat one of these ferocious monsters, one had to exhaust them to the core and shatter their bodies, but even then, they'd fight to the bitter end. Their bodies were resilient, yet their quotidian mana and magic enabled them to forge sturdy surfaces that wouldn't shatter under any condition.

The Knogths, let out a bellowing insect-like cry as they stretched out their bodies in the human realm. They lifted their blades, swinging them and slashing quickly through the ground at their feet. Their blade's sharp edges cut through the concrete below with ease.

Without warning, Mel fired her twin guns at the beasts, striking their heads with holy lead. As the muzzles flashed with amber light, the heads of all fifteen fallen snapped in her direction. The sight startled her momentarily, and every eye locked on her in unison. It was as if their minds were linked in a hive mind.

Mr. Smiles bubbled with amusement as he commanded the group like dogs,

"SICK 'EM FOR ME BOYS!"

Mel had killed the original Grulls, leaving their corpses burning away with holy mana, but fifteen more were present. All fresh and eager for food. Asura had managed to race past Mel, taking the chance to advance. "Well, shit. If we ain't leavin', then I guess we're fightin'." He thought as he watched Mr. Smiles stand with his arms in his pocket behind the group.

Thankfully, the demon seemed content to be an audience member in the fight. Asura didn't understand why the demon was passive unless provoked, but it was beneficial for him to keep it that way. "As long as Mel doesn't shoot it again." He thought as he raced towards the Knogths, hoping to tie them up in a fight.

"MEL! DON'T SHOOT HIM! KILL THE GRULLS!"

Asura shouted as he ignited his arms with Uriel's flame. The white flames erupted from his skin, enveloping his fists as they spread across his arms in a blazing surge. He glanced back for a moment, hoping to find Mel nodding in agreement, but found her face scrunched in anger.

"She's still pissed off." He thought as he followed her gaze to Mr. Smiles. At first, he thought she was angry because Mr. Smiles attacked Aliza's city. However, it was now evident they had prior relations that invoked deep rage. A memory flashed through Asura's mind, remembering his conversation with Mel long ago.

When he had first arrived in the cathedral, Mel whipped around to face him, putting her pistol against his forehead. Her brows furrowed deeply alongside her narrow eyes, making it obvious she was furious with him. Her venom-filled words echoed in his mind as she recalled a painful memory,

"A demon killed my family when I was young. The thing ate my mother in front of me as a child. He then ripped my brother apart as if it were a game. But he didn't stop there... No, he wanted more and converted my dad into a brainless monster."

Asura's eyes opened wide when it dawned on him. Mr. Smiles was the demon who had murdered her family. While she had previously labeled all monsters as demons, the description she used long ago was correct,

The ogre shouted out again,

"MEL! HE WASN'T LYING WHEN HE SAID THREEFOLD! DO NOT SHOOT THE FUCKER! I KNOW-"

A thunderous gunshot rang out from behind, and to his horror, Asura watched as Mr. Smiles's head bobbed backward. The ogre shook his head, visibly in pain from her response. He wanted to turn around and stop her physically, but he could only race onward towards the Knogths.

If left unchecked, Asura knew if the Knogths joined with the horde of Grulls, they would be far too much for the Paladins to handle. As the Grulls and Knogths charged forward, Asura gave a wry smile,

"Can you guys go home? Ain't your daddy Vrothota gonna be pissed, ya big bastards."

Suddenly, the Grulls split with five of them, racing towards Gabe, Tristen, and Rose. As the Grulls departed, a singular Knogth turned to follow. However, Asura ripped a large chunk of concrete from the ground, coating it with white fire.

With his four arms, he slung the large flaming boulder across the room. The massive creature turned its head, tracking the rock as it soared toward him. Just before impact, the beast swung its enormous black blade upward. The sword sliced through the rock effortlessly, splitting it into two and sending the halves tumbling away, leaving the knight untouched.

Although the attack yielded no fruit, Asura had accomplished his goal as the Knogth began to pursue him, rejoining the five as they charged across the building. Asura cheered as he ran toward the five Knogths,

"Sweet!"

However, Mr. Smiles stood behind the group with an eerie, toothless, ooze-filled smile. He raised his hand and pointed it toward Gabe, Tristen, and Rose. A deep frown spread across Asura's face as he realized the gunshot was about to be returned threefold,

"Not fuckin' sweet."