AURORA

Chapter 8

:Losing Is Battle Raging:

A massive wall of fire surrounded them, making it feel like they were inside a volcano. Animals nearby fled from the intense heat. Despite some initial worry, they focused their magical energy into a huge ball, which they launched at Vince. To protect themselves from the heat and flames, the others used special clothes called 'Mikara Sela.' The resulting explosion was so loud and bright that people in the nearby city could see and hear it. About 200 meters of plants were destroyed, and rocks melted. The fiery wall disappeared, leaving behind only ashes where Vince had stood.

Feeling relieved, they sat down. Vince's death was a big step toward their dreams, giving meaning to all their hard work and suffering. They were now filled with hope and determination to change the world and avenge their friends.

The tense jungle, which had held its breath, finally sighed as a gentle breeze began to rustle its leaves. The moon cast its beautiful light upon them. Ryan couldn't contain his joy and shouted, "We did it! We did it, guys! Now we're one step closer to our dream!" The captain, gripping her dagger tightly, added, "Next, the king."

Their hearts raced when they heard rustling leaves nearby, and the first thought that crossed their minds was, "Is he still alive?" Tension gave way to a mix of relief and confusion as the approaching figure turned out to be an elderly man named Ray. Kaori asked, "Who are you, old man?" Ray explained, "Oh, I'm the butler of the man you were fighting with." A single tear rolled down Ray's cheek. "It seems you didn't disappoint him." Ray collected the ashes and stored them in a bag before walking away without a fight. "That old man was strange," they thought.

With their mana nearly depleted, “Thanks jullie” Ryan thanked Julie for her guidance. "Let's contact the boss," Julie suggested, calling their leader to share the news of their success. Julie, ever the admirer of Soan, couldn't resist asking, "If you're thankful, can you introduce me to your friend Soan? I'd love to meet him." Ryan and Kaori exchanged amused glances, thinking,

There she goes again.

"Hello, Julie!" He was curious to know if they had won or lost, holding onto hope due to that strong move. "Hello, Julie! Did you win?" he asked. "Yo! Yan!" Suddenly, Yan grinned, and his anger flared because it wasn't Julie; it was "Vince!"

"What happened? Why was Vince there? He was supposed to be dead after that attack, but he was standing there like it was nothing.

When Julie was calling Yan, they were talking."C'mon, guys, why are you looking at me like that? You don't know when you may lose your life, so I want to go on a date with a handsome man,"Julie said."I can't believe you two are siblings – one is a simp, and the other is cold," Kaori said.

"Miss, would you like to go on a date with me? I'd love to learn more about that move," a voice sent shivers down their spine, causing them to instinctively pull out their weapon. A shadowy figure approached them.

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"How the heck are you alive?" Ryan shouted, realizing it was Vince. Vince responded, "Oh, I survived because of Kengai, Ekal kuru."

Confused, the same question echoed in their minds: What does it mean? Vince explained, "Kengai Ekal kuru is a domain that nullifies any magic weaker than fire, such as Hana, the grass magic. I'm immune to fire magic as long as I'm a stronger fire user, and I am the strongest."

Vince adjusted his glasses and continued, "That strange magic? I just tanked it. Of course, there are some setbacks to this power. It consumes a considerable amount of mana."

"It seems some reinforcements came for you, but..." Tension gripped all three of them. "I killed them all," Vince's words sent shockwaves through their spines. In a panic, all three attempted to flee, but their efforts proved futile.

Suddenly, Ryan was sent hurtling into the woods. As he struggled to regain his footing, he was struck in the face again, slamming him to the ground. Julie and Kaori launched an immediate counterattack against Vince, but he effortlessly disarmed them. Vince then kicked Julie, sending her flying into the woods.

With Kaori in his grip, Vince tightened his hold around her neck, causing her to cry out in pain. Ryan, fueled by a mixture of rage and fear, lunged forward with his sword, swinging it at Vince. However, Vince skillfully evaded the strike, resulting in Ryan losing his arm along with the sword, Ryan screamed in agony.

"You wanted a scar on your face, right?" Vince seared the left side of Ryan's face with a burst of flame. He then released his grip on Kaori's neck, and she slumped unconscious. The moonlight illuminated the grim scene as Ryan and Kaori lay on the ground, gravely injured and near death.

"Please, boss, pick up the call!" Julie desperately called Yan, but he didn't answer. Vince forcefully gripped Julie's face and slammed her onto the ground, dragging her towards where Ryan and Kaori lay. However, an unexpected turn of events unfolded as a peculiar, shadowy creature emerged and began to draw them into what seemed like a shadow on the ground. Vince watched in astonishment as this bizarre, comical creature panicked upon seeing him and leaped into the shadowy portal with them.

One remained behind: Julie. Her head and nose bled, and she struggled to her feet, trembling not out of fear but pain. Julie accepted her death, resigned to her impending fate, she steeled herself for a desperate fight, thinking, I'm going to die anyway, so why not fight back?

However, her body couldn't match her resolve, and she collapsed to the ground. Just as Julie hit the ground, Yan finally picked up the call. Vince took the phone from Julie and greeted, "Yo, Yan!"

Hearing Yan's enraged voice, Vince continued, "Well, well, don't be so mad. You should have known I wouldn't lose to a bunch of wannabe heroes. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, do send stronger reinforcements. It didn't take much time, but at least your two members managed to escape, leaving this lady with me."

Yan, now seated in a chair, responded sternly, "Vince, let her go." He then sliced a finger off the person who was tied to another chair, indicating that Yan was in the middle of an interrogation.

Vince chuckled and replied, "Leave? Don't make me laugh. I'll kill her. If you want to save her, you should have come yourself instead of sending reinforcements."

Julie started laughing. "Go ahead and kill me, but keep one thing in your mind - our blades will reach the king, and you will witness the change." Vince put his leg on her head to silence her.

Yan asked, "You heard that, right?" Yan, filled with rage, hatred, regret, and a sense of helplessness, began to tear up. He said, "Vince, you may kill one of my soldiers, but keep that in mind I am coming-"

Before Yan could continue, Vince cut him off, stating coldly, "I'm coming for your head." His face showed no expression, just pure rage. “Before you can reach the king’s neck, I will cut your head off.”

As Yan was about to end the call, Julie, with almost no energy left, called out in a faint voice, "Boss." She remembered her time with Ryan and Kaori and Yan's generosity. "Boss, thank you for everything, and please, tell them my last words."

Yan held the phone tightly, ready to convey Julie's final message. Vince ignited his fist, intending to end Julie's life after her final words.

“It was fun with you guys, love you”