Even as Dune clashed with Melisa, parrying her swift strikes, his eyes darted to the twins. He saw them blur and shift around Odor, their rapid swaps turning the hulking man's strength into confusion. Odor's heavy fists swung at air, while Ezra and Liam struck with sharp, precise blows.

"If i need to win this, i can't do it alone. I have to somehow turn the tables…he glanced at Omen, that guy from the shadows for some reason isn't participating in the fight… maybe i can use this." Dune thought as he dodged another slash from Melisa."

Ezra clashed with the giant man once again, his movements relentless despite the burns blistering his skin. Each strike from the ant-core user sent tremors through the wreckage of the ship. Even so, Ezra kept grinning, as if pain didn't bother him.

"Hey, Antman!" Liam called out from behind, his tone casual as he ducked a flying piece of debris. "What's your weakness?"

The man paused mid-swing, confused by the question. "Why would I tell you?"

"Fair point, but it doesn't matter." Liam said with a shrug before launching himself forward.

He spun in midair, and then changed places with Ezra, but this time both of them were in front of Odor. Odor got confused with the attack and let his guard down.

"What?"

Twins delivered two powerful Neba enhanced kicks to the man's stomach.

"What the" The impact sent the giant careening backward, toppling over the edge of the ship and splashing into the water below.

Ezra wiped the sweat and blood off his forehead, laughing. "Nice one, Liam!" Twins legs were shaking from the impact.

But before they could celebrate, Lucius Nara, who had been trading blows with Nely, sprinted toward the edge of the ship, aiming to rescue the giant.

"Why is Lucius running? Dune thought confused as he observed battle from the sky.

no way… it can't be!"

"His weakness is water!" Dune shouted from across the deck, catching sight of the chaos.

"Don't let Lucius save him!"

Ezra's grin widened at the revelation, and without hesitation, he charged toward Nara Lucius. Liam and Nely joined in, the three of them converging on the blond man, forcing him to turn and defend himself against the onslaught.

But I had no time to watch the fight unfold.

"Dune, you bastard! Pay attention to me!" Melisa hissed.

I barely turned in time before her clawed leg lashed out, striking me square in the stomach. The force of the blow sent me flying backward, my breath knocked out as I landed hard on the deck.

"Good, this is good, Nely and twins can finish Lucius and then, it will be your time crazy woman."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Blood dripped from my lips as I coughed violently, struggling to pull myself up. "Damn it, she's too strong for me. But Good, this is good, Nely and twins can finish Lucius, and then, it will be your time crazy woman."

From where I lay, I could hear the clash of blades and the shouts of my crew. Ezra's laugh echoed, even amidst the chaos. "Nara, you're fast, but you can't handle all three of us, can you?" he taunted, his voice a mix of cockiness and bloodlust.

Melisa stomped toward me, her green wings shimmering as she tilted her head, a predatory smile on her face. "Look at you, all pathetic and bleeding. I told you, Bunny, you're my prey."

I glared at her, gripping Nely's sword tighter as I struggled to stand. Deep down, I knew. I wasn't her equal in strength, speed, or ability. The others had their battles under control, but if I couldn't figure out a way to beat Melisa, or buy enough time, this was over for me.

"Get up, bunny," she teased, her claws clicking ominously as she stalked closer. "Let's see how far you can jump now."

The sound of rushing water behind me and the roar of my friends clashing with Nara fueled me. I wasn't going to die here.

Suddenly, something appeared in front of us:

[ Zetens 7/8 ]

I grinned, despite the pain shooting through my body. "Seems like your guy drowned," I mocked Melisa. "So his weakness really was the water"

"Good job," she said, laughing. The way her laughter echoed sent chills through me, but before I could react, she charged again, claws outstretched.

"Not so fast," I smirked. Twisting my sword in my hand, this time, I focused Neba into my own palm, channeling it into a volatile burst of Nebastep.

The energy exploded through my hand, i kicked sword from behind with my palm, propelling it at her with insane speed. It tore straight through her shoulder, leaving a gaping, searing hole.

The force of it was so powerful that the blade didn't stop, it pierced the ship's deck and disappeared into the water below. "Damn it! I almost got her."

She collapsed to her knees, clutching her shoulder, and I didn't waste a second. I dashed forward, my fists enhanced with Neba. "This ends here!" I shouted, slamming my fist into her chest and sending her sprawling.

But as I got on top of her, delivering another kick to her side, something sharp pierced my stomach.

"Got you" I froze, looking down in horror as smaller claws sprouted from her stomach and stabbed me repeatedly.

"Agh!" I gasped, trying to pull away, but Melisa grinned wickedly, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace.

"No, bunny," she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. "You're not going anywhere. I'm going to devour you, piece by piece."

I struggled violently, my Neba reserves draining fast as I desperately healed the wounds she kept inflicting. My vision blurred from the pain, and my mind raced. Shit, it hurts! it hurts! Am I going to die here?

Melisa hissed in pleasure, tightening her hold. "How long can you last, Bunny? Your Neba's almost gone."

"Let… go…" I growled through clenched teeth, feeling weaker by the second.

Then, out of nowhere, something massive crashed into us, knocking the air from my lungs. My vision darkened momentarily, and when I came to, I realized I was immobilized.

Green webs covered me from head to toe, sticky and draining my Neba whenever I tried to struggle. Next to me, Nely and the twins were also trapped in the same sticky prison.

Even Melisa, who looked just as surprised as I felt, was bound to the webs beside me.

Standing in front of us, kneeled and panting heavily, was Lucius Nara. "I can't believe you all made me use this," he muttered, wiping blood from his lips.

"Lucius, you ugly bastard, let me go!" Melisa screamed, writhing against the webs. "I'm on your team!"

Lucius sneered, not even sparing her a glance. "Melisa, you know I've never liked you. You're an arrogant pest. And I'm not passing up this opportunity."

He coughed, his body trembling as he spoke.

"I exploded all the Neba inside me to trap you all in these webs. It's a big loss for me, but worth it to eliminate all of you at once. And I think I'll start with you, Melisa."

Melisa's eyes widened in genuine fear. "Lucius, come on. Don't do this. I don't wanna die, you know!"

Her voice cracked as she struggled harder, the webs digging into her flesh. I could only watch helplessly.

The webs drained every bit of Neba I tried to use to escape. Beside me, Nely's expression darkened, her jaw clenched.

"Well, Melisa," Lucius said, his tone cold. "Any last words?"

"Lucius, you piece of shit! I'll kill you when I get out of this!" she spat, her voice defiant despite the fear in her eyes.

The webs around her began to tighten, sinking deeper into her flesh. Blood oozed from where the strands cut her skin.

"Melisa, stop struggling!. "You'll only make it worse!"

She glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the agony on her face. "Oh, Dune, are you worried about me?"

"Well then Melisa, goodbye" Lucius chuckled.

Webs tightened even more and began to crush her. Next to me, Nely and the twins turned their heads, avoiding the gruesome scene.

I wanted to do same but then I felt her hand grab my sleeve. I turned back, startled, only to see her giving me a strange look. does she want to hold my hand?…

what am i doing? i held her hand and Without a word, she held squeezed my hand as the webs finally consumed her, crushing her body to pieces until nothing remained but a faint green mist.

Even if she tried to kill me before.. her death made me feel weird. Made me feel emotions i couldn't describe…

Lucius turned to me next, his eyes cold and calculating. "Your turn, smartass. I'm taking you out before you come up with another bullshit to survive."

He rised his hand moving toward me, but before he could take another step, a low whisper cut through the silence.

"You're too arrogant, Lucius."

Lucius froze, confusion flashing across his face. Suddenly, a blade glinted in the dim light and slashed cleanly through his neck. His head fell to the deck with a sickening thud, and his body crumpled lifelessly.

Behind him, stepping out of the shadows, stood Omen. His face was blank, his eyes cold. Finally, he had made his move.