Chapter 155

As still as a statue under a tree, a man observed the boulders in the grassy plains brightened by the rays of the sun.

He squinted his eyes from the shade hiding his features. Despite the brightness of the sky his soon-to-be opponents who were gathering on the boulders didn't see him yet. These opponents being three large mite-looking creatures with purple exoskeletons and saliva dripping from their teeth.

When the tall man stepped forward, all three of the overgrown mites turned around and saw him approaching them. They crawled down from the boulders and crept in his direction.

The man drew his long shiny sword and stood there with a stern expression. The three mites snarled and lunged at him immediately.

These monsters must've been summoned here by Ryukushu. Which means he's gotta be here somewhere. 

One of the mites was shoved away by the man's sword. He did the same to the other two mites that tumbled over each other in the grass. They shook their heads in confusion, unable to decipher the man's movements and attacks. Even his sword appeared as a blur.

Because the man was agile and the sword style he used was taunting. The mites communicated with each other in snarls and growls; This opponent had a unique approach to exterminating them but it was clearly a deathtrap should they fall for their own curiosity.

Hence the mites decided to go for a long-range attack, firing purple beams at the man.

To their despair, every single one of the purple beams bounced off the man's shoulders, neck, and limbs, areas they targeted. The man sensed the enemies' panic and drew closer with his sword raised.

"Availing Tarnisher!" With a green rotational slash, the three bugs flew off the ground and collided against the boulders.

The mites rolled over to get up. They shook their head and discussed another plan to bypass the man's defenses.

"It's time..." A bright light surrounded the man like a shield. "Divine Transformation!"

When this surging power encased him, the mites saw the silhouette of a large bird spreading its wings. It absorbed the bright light and flew up to the sky, revealing its large ethereal appearance.

The snowy white bird resembled a swan with the features of a peacock. Its bright blue quails glowed in the sky like a string of luminescent lights. The wings of this massive creature could overlap an entire stadium.

Its armor reflected the sunlight which made it difficult for the mites to take in its appearance for long. When the large bird swept down towards the mites they leaped up and tried to pounce on it but they fell off when the creature flicked its wings.

"Storm Cutter Blade!" The bird howled and stiffened its pair of wings. A translucent green extension with sharpened ends emerged from the tip of its wings, casting a bright glow for a few seconds.

Before the mites could take a bite out of the wings that threw to the ground, the man who had transformed into this majestic creature dove between the mites, creating a division that kept them far away from each other.

The mites scrambled on their feet and looked up to see the bird in the sky. Their eyes turned dry from witnessing this angelic entity's power for too long. At first they found the attacks mesmerizing, but after the rays of lights struck their concentration and vision several times, they could feel the effects taking place.

And now it was disrupting their movements.

The bird summoned a translucent net that moved closer to the mites who were gathered in their spot. They had nowhere to run, this strange massive net was closing in on them faster than the blink of an eye. It was unavoidable. They couldn't even tell if it was real or just an illusion.

Squealing in desperation, the mites huddled together in defeat. Even the purple beams they fired at the net did nothing to it. Eventually, the net caught them and their surroundings and crushed them in a single grip. The entire radius captured by the net exploded into bright specks of dust, leaving the area surrounding it unrecognizable and distorted.

Another one of Ryukushu's pawns just so he can move a step closer to his motives here in Rome. The plan to stop Ryukushu continues, and the man was certain the demon couldn't get any farther from here.

~~~

Arranging the dishes and plates on the counter, Espablo continued his shift while the other chef had left for the day. Standing beside him was one of his customers for the hour. The man was chatting with him about various topics under the sun.

Suddenly, a tall broad-shouldered man in samurai armor approached them with a paper bag on the side of his neck.

Espablo's customer backed away from the samurai in fear. He had many questions as to why this man was here dressed up like that. He didn't seem a tad bit friendly either, there was something cold and lifeless about this person.

Ryukushu stood there watching Espablo coldly.

"Oh you brought my bag of tomatoes and asparagus that I requested!" Espablo chirped.

The samurai stood there as Espablo walked towards him with his eyes set on the paper bag on Ryukushu's shoulder.

"Wait he can't reach it-"

Espablo extended his arm like an elastic string. His customer gasped in horror when he saw this. No human possessed such ability, he couldn't be seeing things.

Grabbing the paper bag, Espablo excitedly lowered his arm. Ryukushu watched Espablo and his customer's dispute slowly surfacing. The man staggered back. His legs trembling upon realizing that he was the only human being among these two monsters.

"That irritating angel stopped by today." Espablo said.

"An entire squad is tracking us down. Stand your ground." Ryukushu replied fiercely.

"He asked me about the three gladiators and their weapons. Little did he know-"

The demon growled at Espablo who squeaked in fear. "If you keep treating this as a joke, I might have to finish you off myself. Remember, I spared your life while you were a hopeless piece of filth in that cell. Don't try to test my patience."

Espablo nodded fearfully. He was grateful that Ryukushu gave him another chance to give Douma and his friends another wave of suffering, especially after what they've done to jeopardize his reputation. Espablo will make sure they regret it. The battle he had with Douma back at the Hasu Mountains was humiliating.

Ryukushu glanced in the direction of Espablo's current customer and slowly approached him.

He drew out his large sword, narrowing his eyes at the man shivering in fear.

"If I let you go, you'll go around spreading puzzling rumors won't you?"

The man stared at Ryukushu, unable to speak.

"This is for your own good." Ryukushu positioned his sword facing the man diagonally.

The demon slashed the man's torso with his sword. Bleeding profusely, the man fell to the ground. His deep wound leaving the grass with crimson splotches.

Ryukushu kept his sword and stared at the lifeless body in front of him. Espablo snickered and continued wiping the plates at his stall.

"That should take care of him." Espablo said wickedly. "Oh I should clear the mess! Can't let anyone see me or there goes my career!" The chef rushed to his stall to get a few items while Ryukushu stood there thinking of his next course of action from here.