As Joseph continued his fierce battle with the monstrous creature, the beast retaliated with devastating force, tossing him aside like a ragdoll. The impact sent him crashing into the ground with brutal force, but just before the monster could stomp on him with its massive foot, Joseph rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow.

Meanwhile, Yoshi, observing the battle from a distance, sensed the overwhelming power radiating from the creature. He noticed Lyra preparing a powerful magical attack aimed at the beast and heard her telepathic communication with Joseph. She explained the source of the monster’s immense strength—it had absorbed a treasure lodged in its chest, fueling its devastating abilities. Lyra needed Joseph to create an opening, and he was more than willing to oblige.

Understanding the situation, Joseph surged forward with renewed determination. He charged at the monster, which responded with a deafening roar. The shockwave from its roar was so powerful that it nearly knocked Joseph off course, but he activated his force field just in time to shield himself. He then leaped into the air, growing to match the monster's size, and engaged it in a colossal battle.

With his chainsaw in hand, Joseph delivered a deep cut to the creature’s left arm, but the sheer force of the impact shattered his weapon. Undeterred, he attacked with the chainsaw on his other arm, but the monster caught it in its hand, gripping it tightly and preventing it from making contact with its skin. Blood oozed from the monster’s hand as it held on, refusing to let Joseph deal further damage.

Realizing he needed to change tactics, Joseph activated the chainsaw on his head, aiming for the monster's skull. But the beast, sensing the impending danger, unleashed a blast of dark energy from its core. Joseph had no choice but to abort the attack and shrink down to avoid the deadly blast. He hovered midair, using his smaller size to his advantage as he propelled himself toward the monster, infiltrating its skin with his chainsaw in a bid to get inside and attack from within.

The monster, sensing Joseph’s plan, reacted swiftly. Tentacles erupted from its skin, snaring Joseph in his shrunken state. The tendrils wrapped tightly around him, their grip like a vice, squeezing his armored body until pieces of his nanotech armor began to crack and fall to the ground. Even as he reverted to his normal size in a desperate attempt to break free, the monster's tentacles only tightened their hold, leaving Joseph helpless and trapped.

Seeing Joseph in peril, Lyra seized the moment. With the monster's attention focused entirely on Joseph, she cast a powerful immobilization spell. A glowing magical symbol appeared beneath the monster, locking it in place as it struggled to break free. The ground beneath it seemed to pulse with energy, holding it captive. Simultaneously, another magical symbol hovered above the creature in multiple layers, creating an intricate web of forces that pinned the monster's tentacles apart, pulling them in opposite directions as if they were about to be ripped from its body.

The monster howled in rage and pain, thrashing wildly against the restraints. Its struggles were immense, but Lyra’s spell held strong. However, after a moment of intense effort, the monster managed to free one of its massive arms, and it began working to free the other, its immense strength threatening to break the magical hold.

With the creature distracted, Joseph knew this was the opening they needed. Gritting his teeth, he prepared to strike, calling upon every ounce of strength and ingenuity left in him. The next blow would have to be decisive, and with Lyra’s magic still holding the monster in place, they had one final chance to strike down this monstrous foe.

In that decisive moment, Yoshi unleashed a powerful aura blast, the light of which pierced straight through the monster’s chest. The monster let out a deafening roar as the blast tore a hole through it, exposing the treasure power at its core, suspended in blood and glowing ominously. The excruciating pain was evident on the creature’s twisted face, and as it stumbled back, Joseph saw his opening.

With a fierce determination, Joseph launched himself into the air, his chainsaws merging into one massive weapon. He descended with tremendous force, cleaving the monster in half. The beast’s guts spilled onto the ground in a gruesome display, its body collapsing lifelessly. As the monster fell, the large portal in the sky snapped shut, and Yoshi swiftly used his powers to vanquish the remaining creatures, turning them to dust.

The battle was finally over.

As Lyra dispelled the protective barrier around the city, she and Yoshi joined Joseph outside. Joseph held in his hands the ancient treasure known as the Treasure Power, its aura crackling with unimaginable energy. The artifact radiated a seductive and intoxicating promise of unlimited power, whispering to Joseph that it could free him from the seal on his head, tempting him with the release he had long sought.

For a moment, the power of the treasure seemed to cloud Joseph’s mind. Lyra and Yoshi watched him closely, their bodies tense, ready to defend against what they feared was Joseph succumbing to the treasure's influence. However, Joseph's strong will prevailed. With a mischievous smirk, he pretended to toy with the idea of keeping the power for himself, but before either Yoshi or Lyra could act, he calmly handed the treasure over to Himari.

The warriors took the treasure back to the city, placing it in its rightful position. The relic, once lost, now restored, would once again protect the city and its people, serving as a symbol of their survival and resilience.

Though they had won the battle, the victory had come at a steep cost. The city lay in ruins, and many lives had been lost. Yoshi surveyed the devastation with a heavy heart, his eyes filled with sorrow. Lyra, ever attuned to Yoshi’s emotions, understood what he was feeling. She wanted to help, but Yoshi insisted on doing it himself.

Without hesitation, Yoshi unleashed his aura, a radiant energy that enveloped the entire city. His power spread far and wide, reversing the destruction wrought by the monsters. Buildings were restored, the wounded healed, and, in a miraculous feat, the dead were brought back to life. Families reunited, their tears of grief replaced by joy and gratitude as they embraced their loved ones.

The people of Hakodate were stunned and overwhelmed with gratitude for Prince Yoshi’s selfless act. The once-devastated city now stood whole again, its people filled with new hope.

As the energy receded, Joseph rushed to Yoshi’s side, noticing that the prince, drained from the immense effort, was about to collapse. Quietly, Joseph supported him, keeping him from staggering. No one else noticed Yoshi’s fatigue—except for Lyra, who silently watched, understanding the toll it had taken on him. Despite his exhaustion, Yoshi smiled, knowing that his actions had given the people a chance to rebuild and recover from the tragedy.

After the city's victory and restoration, the City Lord, filled with gratitude, approached Yoshi and his companions. His tone was respectful as he insisted they stay longer, acknowledging their duty to help other regions but expressing a desire to show them just how much their aid meant.

"Please accept this small token and offer of our appreciation, my prince. It’s not enough to fully thank you and your companions for all you've done, but we are forever in your debt. The people of Hakodate City will never forget your deeds,” the City Lord said before departing with his council.

As Lyra and Joseph followed after, Yoshi was briefly left alone. As he wiped away a sudden nosebleed, a momentary flicker of concern crossed his face. However, he quickly composed himself and joined the others, though the incident lingered in his mind. The City Lord was briefed by Himari and Joseph on the mission, learning of the dangers they faced and the need to fortify the city's defenses against future threats.

That evening, Lyra visited Yoshi in his room. Her sudden presence startled him slightly, but she wasted no time expressing her concerns. "Why didn’t you let me handle the city's restoration and healing the wounded?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Yoshi, smiling softly, explained, “I needed to do it myself. It gave the people hope to see it done by me. They needed to feel like everything would be okay.”

Lyra, taking a deep breath, reminded him of his brother Yoshito’s struggles with controlling his abilities and why their family had entrusted her with a portion of their power. "We’re family now," she said, her tone soft but firm. "I can't afford to lose any of you. What you did today was reckless, even for you. After battling that monster and raising the dead, you're risking too much. If you keep doing this, I might have to take matters into my own hands—for your sake and the sake of your family."

Yoshi’s smile grew warmer as he absorbed her words. "You remind me of my late sister—so caring, brave, and selfless. I promise, I’ll be more careful next time."

Their quiet moment was interrupted when Joseph barged in, checking on Yoshi. Before he could invite Yoshi to join him, Chiyori, and some of the warriors at a nearby spot, he caught Lyra’s concerned gaze. The intensity in her eyes made him quickly back off.

"Bye!" Joseph said with a sheepish grin, retreating hastily. As he left, he muttered to himself, "Geez, I haven’t even asked her anything, and that look was terrifying."

Later, Joseph, Chiyori, Himari, and some warriors found themselves at a love hotel, unwinding in the VIP lounge. Himari proudly showed off her new weapon, a sword Joseph had crafted for her, teasing her comrades about how strong it was. They tried, and failed, to lift the sword, much to her amusement. She explained its abilities in great detail, while Chiyori, intrigued, listened closely.

Amid the lively conversation, a hunter turned to Joseph. "Is it true?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity. "Are you really what they say—the savior?"

The other warriors fell silent, listening intently. "From Himari's testimonies at the council, it was a lot to take in. Even Chiyori couldn't believe it at first. But we saw it—we all saw how you fought those monsters. Your skill, your techniques… they’re like nothing we’ve ever seen before."

Joseph chuckled, deflecting some of the praise. "I’m just doing what I can," he said, but the hunter persisted.

"Where did you come from?"

"Am I right in guessing you want to hear my orange-in story?" Joseph said with a flourish, holding up an orange. The group stared back, confused.

Joseph's grin faltered, and he sighed. "Come on, guys... Orange-in... Origin story? I'm holding an orange, making it sound dramatic?"

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The group looked at each other, then back at Joseph, still puzzled. He shook his head, chuckling wryly.

"Seriously? I have to explain it? You're ruining the joke! Now that I've explained it, can't you see it? Orange-in... Origin story... Ah, never mind."

Himari shook her head, laughing. "Only you, Unkillable, would try to make a joke that requires a lecture."

Joseph grinned, shrugging. "Hey, someone's got to keep things entertaining around here."

The group chuckled, and the tension dissolved. As Joseph shared his origin and the stories of his variants, everyone, even Chiyori and Himari, listened in awe. Chiyori reflected on his initial impression of Joseph, realizing how deeply he had underestimated him.

“By the looks of things, it’s undeniably true,” Chiyori mused, “if Joseph truly is the savior, his aura far surpasses that of any warrior, prince, princess, king, or queen from the four lands.” The weight of Joseph's tales lingered in his mind. “Even the most elite warriors would struggle to challenge such overwhelming might.”

“His aura must rival, if not exceed, that of the highest monsters and supernaturals. And yet, he carries himself with such humility—selfless, always ready to fight, even if it means sacrificing his life. Truly, Joseph the Unkillable is a mystery beyond comprehension, one that even the gods themselves would find impossible to unravel.”

Joseph leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with intensity as he spoke, his voice echoing through the room.

"Alright, hear me out," he began. "We have two cosmic formulas in front of us. One, the *Almighty Formula*, capable of granting its user powers so boundless, so unimaginable, that you could alter all of reality—fiction, non-fiction, all of existence—by solving it accurately. Whatever you can conceive of—be it consciously, unconsciously, or even subconsciously—would manifest instantly. Sounds like the ultimate power, right?"

He paused, watching the reactions of those around him before continuing.

"But here's the catch." His tone darkened. "If you misstep, if you make even a single error in solving it, the consequences are catastrophic. Madness, insanity beyond reason, or worse—complete and total erasure. Not just death, no. Your very existence wiped out, irrecoverable, even to the most powerful beings across the multiverse. Gods, cosmic entities, omnipotent and transcendent beings—none are safe from the formula’s wrath. They've gone mad, broken by just one mistake. Even I...”

Joseph trailed off for a moment as if something had clicked in his mind. "I think I’ve just realized something about myself. My madness, my fractured personality—it all traces back to a miscalculation with the Almighty Formula. Sure, the fusion of my infinite variants played a role, but the true origin? The formula." His voice carried a haunting conviction. "Because we can't die, we didn't get erased... we just went mad."

The room remained silent as the weight of his words sank in.

“Now, let’s compare that to the *Anti-Life Equation*. It may not grant you the god-like reality-altering power of the Almighty Formula, but it could enslave the minds of anyone, even gods. It’s one of the most powerful weapons in the DC universe. Its only drawback? The equation itself might try to control you. If you don’t have a strong enough will, you could lose yourself to it, becoming its puppet instead of its master.”

"Of course, there's an opposite to the Anti-Life Equation, known as the Life Equation. In alternate realities, both can grant users reality-altering abilities. The Life Equation can restore and undo the effects of the Anti-Life Equation. However, our focus isn't on the Life Equation, but rather comparing the Almighty Formula to the Anti-Life Equation," Unkillable explained.

Unkillable let the words hang in the air, giving everyone time to consider.

“So, which would you choose? The Almighty Formula, where a single wrong calculation could erase you forever, but with the potential to become the ultimate being in all of existence? Or the Anti-Life Equation, where the risk is control, but not permanent destruction?”

After a moment of reflection, some spoke up, choosing the Anti-Life Equation. "The Almighty Formula is tempting," one of them said, "but the risk of being erased from existence? That’s too high a price."

Another agreed. "Madness is one thing, but permanent non-existence? I’d rather have the Anti-Life Equation, even if I have to battle for control over it."

But a few others were drawn to the allure of the Almighty Formula’s limitless potential. "Power beyond all imagination? I’d risk it," one said, a dangerous glint in their eye. "I’d take that chance, no matter the cost."

The room buzzed with divided opinions, and Unkillable smiled, knowing he'd given them much to ponder.

Unkillable pondered silently, his mind racing. Though the author of *ULTRA AI* hadn't explicitly outlined the intricate details of the Almighty Formula in the story, they had provided a glimpse—just a summary—of its boundless potential. The power it held was unimaginable, almost incomprehensible. But the specifics, the exact nature of the risks and how to navigate them, were left shrouded in mystery.

He wondered to himself, *Was this deliberate?* Was the lack of detail meant to protect those too ambitious or reckless? Or was it part of the formula’s design—an unsolvable enigma for even the most powerful minds, designed to test not only intelligence but resolve?

Unkillable’s own experience with the formula had left him scarred, fractured in a way he hadn’t fully understood until now. But it all made sense. That misstep in calculation had driven him mad, yet, because of his unique nature, he was spared from the ultimate fate: complete erasure.

*If only the author had given more…* he thought. More information, more clarity on how to wield the formula safely. Perhaps then, so many others, even versions of himself, wouldn’t have fallen to madness.

As the evening festivities continued, a group of warriors approached Joseph, disrupting the lively atmosphere. They presented him with a group of beautiful women—vampires, fairies, orc-goblins, dwarves, elves, humans, hybrids, tribrids, quabrids, and more. Sixteen alluring women stood before him, all eager for his company. At first, Joseph hesitated, his thoughts turning to the promise he had made to someone waiting for him back at the Kingdom of Fujimori.

Himari and Chiyori, overhearing his reluctance, chimed in with their support. "It's good to honor your promises and vows," Himari said, adding a playful jab about how some warriors weren’t exactly models of fidelity. Chiyori chuckled, agreeing with a lighthearted joke about warriors who strayed from their commitments.

However, one of the warriors interrupted, laughing as he made an objection. "If you're not married yet, there's no harm in a little fun, right? After all, a man’s gotta relieve himself once in a while when he’s far from home." His grin widened as he urged Joseph. "Come on, don’t be a chicken! We’ve already prepared a room for you, and these beautiful ladies are ready. You don’t want to be the dull boy who only works, do you?"

Another warrior raised his beer and added, "What’s done in secret isn’t cheating. When you get back to the kingdom, you can be as faithful as you like."

Chiyori shook his head, offering a more cautious perspective. "Whatever choice you make, you’ll have to deal with the consequences later." Himari, on the other hand, outright refused the idea of Joseph spending time with the women, her disapproval clear.

With pressure from the warriors and mixed advice from his companions, Joseph finally gave in, but only took one woman at first. The warriors teased him, urging him on with praise and temptation, eventually convincing him to take four more, making it five women in total. Amid the mockery and cheers, Joseph surrendered to the moment, allowing himself to indulge. The other warriors, following suit, each took two or more women for themselves, the night descending into debauchery.

Chiyori and Himari watched in silence, choosing not to participate in the affairs. Joseph, however, enjoyed himself with the women, spending the night with all five until the early hours of the next day.

The following morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon, the warriors arrived at Joseph's room, informing him they were heading back to the city. Joseph, still groggy from the night before, inquired after Chiyori and Himari, only to learn that they had left quietly the previous night while he and the others had been indulging in their enjoyment.

Joseph, feeling a sense of unease, left the room quietly, careful not to disturb the women still fast asleep. Unbeknownst to him, their brief encounter had left a lasting mark—each of them, including the pure vampire who had previously been unable to conceive, was now pregnant with his child. The consequences of that night would ripple far beyond their understanding.

As the group made their way back to the city, Joseph joined a few of the warriors on an expedition to explore and neutralize minor threats in dungeons just beyond the city's border. They swiftly cleared out the dungeons, dealing with the dangers that lurked within, and once the task was done, they returned to the city, where a grand feast was thrown in honor of Yoshi and his companions. It was a celebration of their victory and an expression of gratitude before they set out on their next mission—to save the neighboring regions in need of their aid.

As the group prepared to leave the city, Chiyori, Himari, and a few other warriors came to see them off. Himari, in particular, was grateful for Joseph's contributions and expressed her hope to fight alongside him again in the future. Warm farewells were exchanged before the party ventured onward, setting their sights on their next quest.

Unbeknownst to them, back within the stronghold where the Treasure of Power was kept, an ominous presence slipped in unnoticed by the guards. Like a shadow creeping through the dark, the entity claimed the treasure, leaving no trace of its theft.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the region, a rebel guard knelt before Ryujin, the leader of the renegades, and delivered his report. "Hirotsugu has failed, and the monster sent to destroy the city was defeated. But there is good news—our forces successfully reclaimed the treasure."

Ryujin listened intently before responding, his tone cold and resolute. "It is clear that Prince Yoshi, the Savior known as Joseph the Unkillable, and the royal witch Lyra are moving from region to region, aiding those in need. But that won't stop us. We will reclaim every treasure and relic from those who stand in our way. And whatever it takes, we will have Joseph's abilities."