Having departed from Takayama Town, Joseph materialized in the tranquil yet enigmatic Planet Nikko Town. Nestled in Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko Town was renowned for its ornate temples and sacred sites. Although its mystical origins were well acknowledged, the town’s alchemists had spent generations preserving ancient practices through the lens of modern science, bridging the gap between past and future.
Upon his arrival, the serene atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chaos he had anticipated. There were no signs of monster attacks or destruction. However, his presence did not go unnoticed. A group of warriors, clad in ornate armor that glimmered under the gentle sunlight, approached him cautiously. Joseph, calm but alert, explained his reasons for coming. After some deliberation, they agreed to escort him to the mayor.
Inside the grand hall of the town, Joseph introduced himself to the mayor, Miharu Miku. As he explained his business, the mayor listened intently, her piercing yet kind eyes scrutinizing him. When he concluded, Miharu nodded, granting her approval.
Miharu Miku was no ordinary leader. As a D-Rank huntress, she was entrusted with the colossal task of defending entire nations from threats and invasions. Her country-level aura allowed her to erect barriers strong enough to shield vast territories and unleash devastating attacks against large-scale enemies. A proud Pixie, Miharu was known for her unmatched speed, agility, and mastery over elemental magic.
Born in a hidden pixie colony, Miharu had trained extensively in the arts of illusion and elemental magic. At 89 years old—a relatively young age for a Pixie—she had already amassed an impressive legacy of strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication to protecting her homeland. Her ascension to mayor was a testament to her loyalty and trustworthiness, a mantle passed to her by the former mayor she once served faithfully. Now, she balanced her roles as a huntress and a mayor, always putting her people's needs above her own and vowing to safeguard Nikko Town at all costs.
As Joseph prepared to leave, Miharu accompanied him to the gateway portal. She issued instructions to the gatekeeper, who promptly activated the shimmering, circular portal. Joseph expressed his gratitude to the mayor, stepping toward the portal—but then, he hesitated. A faint, eerie sound reached his ears. It was a screeching roar, growing louder with every passing second.
Suddenly, a burst of energy erupted from the portal, forcing Joseph to leap back just in time. Twisting midair, his body morphed seamlessly into sleek, glistening armor. He landed with a skid, his stance firm and battle-ready. Before him emerged a towering humanoid monster, wielding an enormous axe crackling with lightning. Its savage roar shook the ground beneath their feet, and moments later, a swarm of flying monsters poured out of the portal, their shadowy forms blotting out the sky.
Joseph tightened his grip on his weapon, his eyes meeting Miharu's. The tranquility of Nikko Town was shattered, and a new battle had begun.
"Burn this world to the ground. Everything! Everyone!" The massive humanoid monster's voice thundered across the battlefield, followed by a deafening roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet.
The warriors of Nikko Town stood unwavering, their weapons drawn and resolve hardened. Miharu wasted no time, activating her magic as a radiant glow enveloped her. Her body transformed into her sleek, battle-mode suit, intricate with shimmering patterns of energy. Without hesitation, she charged toward the monstrous foe alongside Joseph and a few brave warriors.
The creature flexed its massive, spike-adorned muscles, the sharp protrusions on its shoulders gleaming ominously in the stormy light. Its two large horns curved menacingly from its temples, framing its grotesque, battle-hardened face. It readied itself for the onslaught, gripping its colossal lightning-infused axe tightly.
The monster roared and swung the axe with terrifying force, its lightning-charged blade cleaving through several warriors in one devastating arc. Joseph and Miharu dodged the electrifying swings, their movements precise and synchronized. They attacked in tandem, each strike a masterclass in agility and skill.
The clash of their weapons against the monster's axe sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shaking the ground and forcing the remaining warriors to keep their distance. Sparks and energy crackled with every impact, illuminating the battlefield in flashes of light.
The monster, however, proved relentless. Adapting quickly, it evaded a coordinated strike from Joseph and lunged toward Miharu. With terrifying speed, it seized her by the neck, its clawed hand squeezing with unyielding power. Before Joseph could intervene, the monster slammed Miharu into the ground with earth-shattering force, creating a small crater beneath her.
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Seizing the opportunity, Joseph struck with his blade, aiming for the monster's exposed flank. But the creature caught the sword mid-swing with its bare hand. Blood dripped from its palm, yet it showed no pain. With a guttural growl, it snapped Joseph's sword in half, the sound of shattering metal reverberating in the air.
Joseph staggered, momentarily stunned. The monster capitalized on his hesitation, delivering a brutal headbutt that sent a shockwave rippling outward. The impact forced Joseph backward, his feet digging trenches into the ground as he struggled to regain his footing.
The monster roared triumphantly and flung Miharu aside like a ragdoll, her body tumbling across the battlefield before she managed to stabilize herself. With a fierce battle cry, it leapt into the air, its massive axe spinning wildly. Lightning crackled around it, and the heavens seemed to darken as if responding to the creature’s rage.
Its descent was cataclysmic. The axe struck the ground with thunderous force, unleashing a tempest of lightning that tore through the battlefield, scattering warriors in every direction. The shockwave sent debris flying, momentarily disorienting the group.
But there was no time to retreat. Miharu, Joseph, and the remaining warriors quickly regained their balance, their resolve unshaken. Adopting a more precise and coordinated approach, they resumed their assault. Each movement was deliberate, their strikes aimed to exploit the monster's openings while avoiding its devastating counters.
Their relentless teamwork kept the monster on the defensive, giving it no chance to recover. The clash of blades, the hum of magic, and the roars of battle filled the air as the warriors of Nikko Town fought valiantly to protect their world from annihilation.
Joseph morphed his hands into a massive energy cannon, its surface glowing with radiant light. He aimed it at the towering monster and unleashed a devastating blast, the sheer force shaking the ground. At the same moment, another warrior conjured a powerful magical attack, a searing beam of energy that streaked through the air toward the beast.
Above, Miharu launched herself into the air, her magical sword shimmering with an ethereal glow. Her aura fused with the weapon, amplifying its power until it radiated with overwhelming intensity. As she descended, her movements were precise and swift, her blade arcing downward in a devastating strike.
The monster’s defenses proved futile against Miharu's might. With a clean, fluid motion, her blade cleaved through the creature from head to torso, splitting it in half. Its lifeless form collapsed to the ground with a thunderous thud, its dark blood seeping into the scorched earth.
Meanwhile, the remaining warriors quickly dispatched the flying monsters, their coordinated strikes ensuring the skies were cleared of the monstrous threat. Once the last of the creatures fell, the group turned their attention to the portal. Weapons raised and stances ready, they braced themselves for another wave of attacks—but none came.
The battlefield, though marred with destruction, bore no casualties among the defenders. The warriors had held the line, preventing the chaos from escalating further. Their resilience and teamwork had saved countless lives.
Joseph turned to Miharu, his expression one of mutual understanding. The two exchanged a silent nod, their respect for each other evident. Without a word, Joseph stepped into the portal, which closed behind him in a swirl of energy.
Emerging on Planet Mizuho Village, Joseph was met with a scene of utter devastation. The chaos they had just thwarted had already taken root here. Flames engulfed ruined homes, thick plumes of smoke rising into the ashen sky. Debris rained down like a grim reminder of the destruction, and water, mixed with blood and ash, flooded the streets.
Lifeless bodies of monsters and warriors alike littered the ground. Some corpses were charred beyond recognition, others floated lifelessly in the murky water. The air was thick with the cries of survivors searching for loved ones, their anguish echoing in the desolate village.
Joseph stood in stunned silence, the water lapping at his boots. The overwhelming weight of the destruction bore down on him, but he steadied himself. This was no time to falter. Somewhere in the ruins, hope still lingered, waiting to be found.