Kurumu and Moka weaved swiftly through the crowd of lizardmen, taking advantage of the chaos and confusion caused by the frenzy induced by the charm wave.
“Tsk,” Kurumu muttered, feeling the mental link of her charm shattering one by one.
“What’s happening?” Moka asked, keeping pace with her.
“My charm’s wearing off!” Kurumu replied, irritation seeping into her voice.
As if on cue, two lizardmen, free from the charm and with eyes blazing with hunger and aggression, lunged to block their path.
“Moka, keep moving!” Kurumu shouted, surging forward.
“Right!” Moka affirmed, her focus locked on reaching Tsukune.
With a powerful leap, Kurumu’s wings propelled her forward, and she infused her claws with youki, slashing in midair to release sharp, shimmering energy blades. The attacks connected, chipping away scales and drawing thin lines of blood but doing little more than slowing the lizardmen.
Kurumu clicked her tongue, annoyed at the minimal damage. Combat instincts kicked in as she adjusted her approach, outpacing the lizardmen's charge. “Moka, ready?” she yelled.
Trusting Kurumu, Moka responded, “Okay!”
Closing the distance, Kurumu targeted one lizardman, swiftly striking at its joints with precision, severing tendons in its elbows and knees. The lizardman crumpled, its limbs rendered useless. Kurumu looped her tail around its limp body and hurled it toward Moka. “Catch!”
Moka, eyes wide but determined, caught the struggling creature mid-bite.
“Throw!” Kurumu commanded sharply.
Without hesitation, Moka used her monstrous strength to fling the lizardman at its charging companion, sending both tumbling back in a heap.
The two pressed on, but with each step, more lizardmen broke free from Kurumu’s charm. Despite using Moka’s strength to knock down enemies and create space, it wasn’t enough. The ranks of lizardmen refilled as quickly as they were cleared, tightening the encirclement around them. The path toward Tsukune disappeared beneath a sea of scales and snarls.
Kurumu instinctively stepped back, placing herself protectively in front of Moka.
Not good. We’re trapped, Kurumu thought, sensing the final lizardman slip free from her influence.
As if moving with a singular mind, the lizardmen focused on the two girls. Their hissing and guttural roars grew louder, and the gap between them and the swarm shrank with each passing moment.
Kurumu considered unleashing another charm wave but hesitated. The succubus charm was undeniably powerful, yet it came with limitations. Unlike the subtle, insidious charm vampires wielded to influence others, a succubus’s charm forcibly distorted reality for its targets. It was most effective against those caught off guard or inexperienced with its effects. However, with each successive use, its potency weakens, and the likelihood of resistance increases—unless she poured a significant amount of youki into the spell.
Kurumu clenched her fists, weighing her dwindling options as the wall of scales closed in.
Unfortunately, the enemy did not wait for her. A lizardman lunged forward, swiping its claws at Kurumu, who effortlessly dodged and countered with a swift strike of her own. But before she could fully recover, a second lizardman seized the opportunity, rushing in from behind.
Moka reacted immediately, shoving the attacker with her supernatural strength and sending it hurtling backward. Kurumu nodded in thanks, acknowledging Moka's quick intervention.
However, this pattern repeated with increasing frequency. Before long, Kurumu and Moka began to feel the claws of their foes grazing their clothes, tearing fabric, and leaving their uniforms in tatters. Just as a claw strike was about to rake across Kurumu, she channeled her youki to reinforce her body. The strike bounced off her skin as if it had hit metal, but Kurumu winced at the energy expenditure. She disliked using this technique due to its inefficiency.
As the lizardmen’s relentless attacks increased, Kurumu found herself using the skin reinforcement technique more frequently, rapidly draining her youki reserves. Moka, for some inexplicable reason, remained mostly untouched, which only deepened Kurumu’s frustration.
After enduring a relentless pincer attack by four lizardmen, Kurumu felt the sting of exhaustion. Her school uniform was torn and shredded, exposing parts of her pristine white underwear. A surge of anger coursed through her—she had intended for only Tsukune to see her like this, not these brutish creatures.
Moka’s heart sank with guilt as she watched Kurumu struggle to defend them both. The lizardmen surrounding them glared with hungry, predatory eyes that hinted at a mix of primal hunger and something more sinister.
A roar from within the crowd signaled a shift. The self-proclaimed leader of the group bellowed an order, and suddenly, they advanced in unison, abandoning their previous tactic of attacking one by one.
Kurumu’s teeth clenched as she prepared to release another charm wave, her last resort. But before she could, a surge of power erupted from beyond the mob of lizardmen. Without any warning, it exploded toward her and Moka like a tidal wave of raw energy.
What is that?! Kurumu's heart pounded with panic.
She quickly redirected her gathered youki for the charm wave into forming a barrier in front of her and rushed to shield Moka.
Hold, please hold! she pleaded internally, pouring the last of her energy into maintaining the protective barrier.
----------------------------------------
Tsukune watched as the two lizardmen cautiously advanced, then split apart, aiming to flank him from both sides. He clenched his jaw and pursed his lips.
I barely managed to take down one…
He was well aware that luck had played a significant role in his earlier victory and knew better than to rely on it again. Gripping the rock in his hand, Tsukune made a swift decision and charged at the lizardman on his right, the one nearer to Hermann and his remaining foe—
Wait, there’s only one left!
Relief flooded him as he saw Hermann had dispatched one of the lizardmen.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
I just need to hold out until Hermann can help.
Even as his thoughts raced, Tsukune didn’t slow his charge. The targeted lizardman widened its eyes in surprise as Tsukune closed the distance faster than expected. Without hesitation, Tsukune hurled the rock, catching the creature off-guard. Instinctively, it raised its arm to shield its face, momentarily obstructing its vision. Tsukune’s gamble had paid off—this lizardman hadn’t seen how he had taken down the previous one.
As soon as the lizardman lowered its arm, it was met with the sight of Tsukune’s leg racing toward its crotch. Reacting too late, the creature had no chance to defend itself. While it was strong and covered in tough scales, it was no legendary beast. The impact of Tsukune’s kick sent shockwaves of pain radiating upward, weakening the lizardman and dropping it to its knees.
Tsukune, unfazed by sympathy, mirrored Moka’s combat style.
Just like Moka.
With all his strength, he lifted his leg and swung down, driving a heavy kick into the lizardman’s skull. The force was enough to stagger the creature, but Tsukune, inexperienced with such powerful moves that required years of training, stumbled as well and fell to the ground.
Cursing under his breath, Tsukune noticed the lizardman’s disorientation. With a burst of urgency, he lashed out from the ground, driving his foot into its knee, causing it to buckle. The lizardman collapses, and Tsukune takes the opportunity to unleash a series of kicks to its head, each strike fueled by desperation.
Before he could finish it off, the second lizardman barreled toward him. Tsukune scrambled to his feet but wasn’t fast enough. A vicious swipe caught him across the chest, tearing through his uniform and slicing his skin. Pain seared through him as the lizardman hissed in triumph, the scent of blood driving it into a frenzy.
The fallen lizardman staggered to its feet, eyes blazing with rage as Tsukune retreated, clutching his bleeding wound. The sight of his injury only spurred the two lizardmen forward, launching into a relentless assault of claws and snapping jaws.
Tsukune focused all his remaining energy on dodging and creating distance, but his body was worn down. Every move sent pain searing through him; he was fighting on the edge of collapse. He barely evaded another swipe, but the lizardman's claws still tore into him, leaving fresh wounds.
Desperation clouded his mind. He was taking too much damage, more than he could bear. His heart raced with panic, and fear rooted itself in his gut.
I need to get out of here. I don’t want to die!
His movements turned frantic, lacking strategy or precision. One wrong step and a lizardman claw would find its mark. The realization hit him like a wave—his decision to act as a frontline fighter against true monsters had been reckless, maybe even arrogant.
But just as he wavered, Yukari’s voice pierced through the chaos.
“It’s done! Tsukune, it’s done!”
Relief flooded him, and without hesitation, he and Hermann broke away from their fights, leaving the startled lizardmen who paused, confused by their sudden retreat.
“You look like hell,” Hermann muttered, panting as he joined Tsukune.
Tsukune could only manage a tired, crooked grin.
They reached Yukari, who was in front of an elaborate pattern of intricate lines and symbols inscribed in a large circle. Her face was tight with concentration as she pressed her hand to the edge, visibly straining as she channeled all her youki into the spell.
“I need your help. Pour every bit of energy you have into the circle,” she commanded.
The two boys exchanged a look, their expressions tight with worry and panic.
“What are you two waiting for?!” Yukari’s voice cut through the tension, strained and desperate. “If you don’t help, this spell will fail!”
Tsukune’s chest tightened with fear.
I-I can’t help! I don’t have youki. They’ll find out I’m not a monster.
As Hermann knelt down, reluctantly channeling the last dregs of his youki into the circle, Tsukune’s eyes darted to the approaching lizardmen—three charging directly at them, with four more breaking off from the main horde.
“Tsukune, what are you doing?” Yukari’s voice wavered as she saw him step forward.
“I’ll try to hold them off. Just concentrate on that spell, okay?” he shouted over his shoulder.
Before anyone could respond, Tsukune surged ahead, a mix of terror and determination propelling him. He knew he couldn’t contribute to the spell, but he could protect his friends. As he ran toward what seemed like certain death, a single thought steadied him.
I won’t be a burden.
The lizardmen closed in, claws outstretched and teeth bared. Tsukune faced them head-on, his heart pounding but resolute. He would buy them time, no matter the cost.
“Tsukune! Stop!!” Yukari’s voice broke in panic as she watched him about to be engulfed by the incoming lizardmen.
But just as the lizardmen were poised to strike, a powerful gust of wind roared from the side, throwing them back in a stunned heap. Tsukune froze as a towering figure appeared into view—a woman even taller than Moka in her unsealed form.
He blinked in disbelief, recognizing her from the aftermath of Gin’s battle.
Sakari?
“You’ve got guts for someone so weak,” Sakari said, turning to him with a sly, approving smile. “I like that in a man.”
The lizardmen, momentarily stunned by the sudden gust of wind, locked eyes with Sakari as she stepped forward, arms crossed and an amused smile on her face. “Come at me then,” she taunted, raising a hand and curling her fingers in a beckoning gesture.
Hermann let out a breath of relief at Sakari’s arrival.
Finally, a heavy hitter.
Meanwhile, Yukari’s anxiety didn’t wane; she didn’t share the same confidence in the towering student, not knowing the extent of Sakari’s power. To her, Moka was still their only hope for turning the tide.
“You know, it’s quite unbecoming for a young lady to be so worked up.”
The familiar voice pulled Yukari’s attention away from the chaos. She looked up to see Gin standing beside her, eyes scanning the fray with a calm, knowing smile.
“You need help?” he asked, though he didn’t wait for her response. Kneeling, he pressed his hand to the spell circle. Instantly, the intricate runes glowed brilliantly, surging with energy as Gin’s formidable youki flooded the pattern.
Yukari’s eyes widened in awe. “W-Wow! This is more than enough!”
With urgency, she turned toward Tsukune and Sakari, who stood at the edge of the circle. “Tsukune! Move out of the way!”
Tsukune glanced back, eyes catching the glow emanating from the ground. Without a second thought, he ran to Sakari and, with all his strength, grabbed her hand to pull her to safety.
Sensing the surge of energy from Yukari’s spell, Sakari swiftly moved with Tsukune to clear the area.
Now in full command of the spell, Yukari directed its energy with focused intensity. As the hastily drawn runes began refining the raw power into a more precise force, she tightened the exit boundary of the magic circle and released it.
With a final brilliant pulse, the circle unleashed a powerful wave of kinetic force that surged outward. The wave slammed into the seven charging lizardmen, scattering them like ragdolls. It barreled forward, maintaining its strength, carving a path through the horde, and sending lizardmen flying in all directions.
“Tsukune! Now!” Yukari shouted.
Despite the pain shooting through his muscles and the sting of his fresh wounds, Tsukune sprinted forward, eyes locked on the center of the disrupted army.
Moka!
His heart lifted, fueling his second wind as he raced ahead. However, the spell Yukari cast was a broad kinetic push, designed to displace rather than destroy. Many lizardmen were already recovering, and the gap in their formation began to close.
Tsukune cursed internally as he saw the lizardmen regroup and charge.
Damn it! Moka!
Just as panic gripped him, two familiar voices called out.
“Need some help, junior?” Gin appeared at Tsukune’s side, a confident smirk on his face.
“We’ll carve a path for you. These small fries are no challenge,” Sakari said, sprinting ahead.
The two taller students charged into the fray, smashing into the oncoming lizardmen with decisive force. The advancing lizardmen were halted, and the gap stopped closing, leaving Tsukune with a clear path toward Moka and Kurumu.
----------------------------------------
Kurumu and Moka watched in shock as a blast of energy split the lizardman horde in two.
Kurumu instinctively reinforced her barrier, preparing for impact, but to her surprise, the energy wave dispersed just before it reached them. Yukari, ever the genius, had calculated their position at the heart of the chaos and tailored the spell to dissipate safely.
“Tsukune!” Moka shouted, pointing at the opening in the ranks.
Kurumu followed Moka’s gesture and saw Tsukune—bloodied, battered, yet fiercely determined—charging toward them. Both of their hearts tightened at the sight of him.
“Kurumu, let’s go!” Moka called, already sprinting toward him.
Not wanting to be left behind, Kurumu dashed after her. The lizardmen, realizing that their prey was now on the move, surged forward with renewed aggression.
Despite the relentless roar behind them, Kurumu and Moka pressed on at full speed, never glancing back.
Tsukune, seeing them run to meet him, felt a surge of hope that dulled the pain coursing through his body.
I’ll make it!
But the lizardmen rallied, managing to close in as Tsukune, Kurumu, Moka, and even Yukari heard a chillingly familiar voice.
“Everyone! Focus on tearing Tsukune and Moka apart! They are the true threats!” Tadashi’s command rang out.
The swarm erupted, converging on Tsukune and Moka with feral intensity. The gap between the two shrank, but the mob grew more frenzied.
I didn’t come this far just to fail! Tsukune screamed inwardly.
“Moka!” Tsukune shouted, extending his hand as she did the same.
Before they could grasp each other, the lizardmen engulfed them, claws and fangs poised to shred them apart.
Tadashi initiates a roaring cheer which is quickly reciprocated by the horde.
At the sound of the triumphant roars, Yukari fell to her knees, eyes wide and mouth agape as despair gripped her.
I-I failed…
Suddenly, the crowd quaked, causing Yukari’s breath to catch. She covers her mouth, hoping.
W-Wait!
The next moment, an eruption of energy sent lizardmen flying in all directions as a taller, powerful, silver-haired Moka burst from the fray. In her arms, she held a bloodied but triumphant Tsukune clutching the rosary, and Kurumu, clinging to the shredded remains of her uniform, doing her best to protect her dignity.
Yukari’s eyes widen in excitement as she screams, “Moka!!”