The Battle Ignites!

"T-The D-demon... I-it's standing up!!"

Meiko cried out, her voice trembling as her wide eyes reflected the horrifying sight.

The bear demon's torn body, which lay lifeless moments ago, began to twitch and shudder.

Patches of its flesh, ripped apart in battle, began to regenerate, knitting together with grotesque speed.

The bear demon opened its glowing, crimson eyes, pulsating with dark energy.

Its movements were jerky at first, but it slowly began to rise.

Gsh!!!

A loud, wet crack resounded as the demon's back tore open, spraying black blood.

Two massive, jagged blades erupted from its shoulders, far larger and sharper than anything they had seen before.

The creature doubled in size, its muscles bulging grotesquely under its now obsidian-black skin.

The faint glow of crimson energy in its eyes grew fiercer, radiating palpable hatred.

Everyone was frozen in place, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"I-it's evolving too...?"

Shigeru stammered, his face pale, beads of sweat dripping down his temples.

"B-but how is that even possible!? Not only did the demon regenerate, but it also evolved?

This has never happened before!"

His voice quivered as he tried to grasp the gravity of the situation.

(What's happening?! How is the demon still standing after that attack?)

Shigeru's thoughts raced as he stared at the towering monstrosity before him.

ROAR!!!

The demon unleashed an ear-piercing roar, shaking the air around them.

Dark energy surged out of its body in a violent wave, crackling ominously as it spread.

The ground trembled underfoot, rocks splintered, and bushes rustled wildly.

Then, through the dense forest, a horrifying sight emerged.

A horde of bear demons stepped out from the shadows, their bodies as massive and grotesque as the first.

Like the evolved beast, they had obsidian-black skin, sharp, mutated blades jutting from their backs, and burning rage in their eyes.

They encircled Ryuu and the others, their heavy footsteps thundering as they positioned themselves to strike.

"H-how...!? H-how!? T-the demon reached the top of B rank...!"

Shigeru's voice cracked, his expression a mix of disbelief and terror.

"A-and where did all these other B-rank demons come from!?"

Since the demons' reappearance years ago, only a few rare incidents had involved a single B-rank demon.

Now, before them stood a horde, each radiating the destructive power of the highest tier within that rank.

The ground shook violently as the evolved demon growled, its mutated blades shifting unnaturally.

The others growled in unison, their movements synchronized as they tightened the circle around Ryuu and the group.

Tension was thick in the air, evident on everyone's faces.

(How did so many of them appear out of nowhere? And why are they all evolved? This is becoming a serious nuisance.)

Ryoko's sharp gaze flickered with determination, though her unease was evident.

She stepped forward, raising her hand. An icy-blue sword materialized in her grasp, glinting under the fading light.

Frost began to spiral around the blade as a frigid aura radiated outward.

"Nobody move! I'll handle them!"

Her commanding tone left no room for argument as she positioned herself at the forefront.

The frosty winds intensified around her, making her sword glow brighter.

"RYOKO-SAN, STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

THEY'RE ALL TOP B-RANK DEMONS! YOU CAN'T TAKE THEM ALON-"

BOOM!!!

Ryuu's voice rang out, laced with panic, but Ryoko didn't falter.

Before he could finish, Ryoko slashed her sword in the air, unleashing an arcing wave of icy energy.

The slash hurtled toward the demons with incredible speed, connecting with a deafening explosion.

Everyone shielded their faces as the shockwave rippled through the area. When the dust cleared, a collective gasp escaped.

The demons were still standing.

Their forms were scorched, and their blades gleamed with residual frost, but they appeared unfazed.

If anything, their eyes burned brighter with an even greater fury.

(They survived…?)

Ryoko's brows furrowed, though she remained composed. The others, however, were visibly shaken.

The tension broke as the lead demon roared again, charging toward Ryoko with terrifying speed.

The others followed, their mutated blades gleaming as they prepared to strike.

Ryoko's grip on her sword tightened, her stance unwavering as she awaited their onslaught.

The mutated blades of the evolved demon gleamed ominously as it locked eyes with Ryoko.

Its hulking body charged forward, the ground beneath trembling with its sheer force.

Behind it, the other demons followed, their synchronized growls echoing like a death knell.

The air itself seemed to thicken with tension.

The mutated blades on the lead demon's back shifted unnaturally, bending together to form a sharp point.

Black fumes began to swirl around them, condensing into a pulsating orb of shadowy energy.

"What is that black ball!? What kind of magic is this demon using?"

Carol gasped, her usually confident demeanor shaken by the ominous sight.

The orb grew denser, crackling with sinister energy.

A palpable wave of malice radiated outward, making the air feel heavy and oppressive.

GRR!!!

The demon let out a guttural growl as it bent forward, aiming the shadowy orb directly at Ryoko.

BOOM!!

The orb shot forward with blinding speed, tearing through the air. It moved like a meteor, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake.

BLAST!!!

The impact was deafening. The shadow ball collided with Ryoko, triggering a massive explosion.

A dense cloud of dark fumes enveloped the area, blocking everyone's view.

"RYOKO-SAN!!!"

Ryuu's frantic voice rang out as he rushed toward the blackened haze.

His vision blurred, and the acrid fumes stung his throat, making it hard to breathe.

"Ryoko-san! Cough—where are you!?"

He stumbled through the smoke, his heart pounding.

Then, amidst the suffocating darkness, a calm, icy voice pierced the chaos.

"I'm alright..."

The winds suddenly shifted. A chilling gust swept through the area, dispersing the black fumes.

As the smoke cleared, Ryoko's figure came into view.

She stood at the center of the battlefield, breathing heavily.

Her clothes were torn, and her body bore visible signs of exhaustion, but her grip on the ice sword remained firm.

Her sharp gaze was locked onto the evolved demon.

They all froze when they saw her. This was the first time they were seeing her in such needy, tired form.

The evolved demon growled lowdly as the other demons regrouped around it, their rage evident in their glowing eyes.

ROAR!!!

The horde moved with newfound ferocity. Their mutated blades came together, each emitting the same ominous black fumes.

The dark energy spiraled upward, forming shadow balls in unison.

"They're doing it all together!? That's totally unfair!"

Seichii's voice cracked with frustration as the reality of the situation sank in.

Only one shadow ball had left Ryoko visibly weakened.

Now, every demon in the horde was preparing to attack simultaneously.

Ryoko's eyes narrowed as she tightened her grip on the sword. Her posture shifted slightly, preparing for what was to come.

The demons roared as one, their combined energy reaching a fever pitch.

The dark orb formed in between of their mutated blades. They all bent as they pointed the black orb towards the group.

(That's the chance!)

Ryoko's eyes twitched as she clenched her sword.

Psh!!!

In a split second, her figure vanished, leaving a faint frost trail in her wake.

She reappeared directly in front of the horde, her ice sword glowing brilliantly.

"CRYSTAL CUT!!"

Her voice reverberated as she swung the sword with immense force.

The blade extended, creating a massive, devastating slash of icy energy.

RUMBLE!!!

The ground quaked violently as the slash tore through the demons.

The demon's body was shredded into pieces, its lifeless form crashing to the ground.

Several others were caught in the blast, their bodies flung backward and smashed into the trees.

The sheer force of the attack left everyone in awe.

They stared at Ryoko, their expressions a mixture of relief and astonishment.

(…Such overwhelming power...)

Raijin thought, his eyes wide.

Shigeru, however, stood frozen, his mind racing.

(That attack… it's the same one she used to kill the demons on the mountain!

But this time, there's no white flame on her forehead.

Was the flame enhancing her strength? And if so, why wasn't it present now?

These Azure and White flames… they're becoming a bigger mystery by the second.)

As the others stared in amazement, Ryoko landed gracefully on her feet.

Her breaths came in sharp, labored gasps, and her body swayed slightly.

"Ryoko-san! Are you alrig—"

Ryuu's voice cut off as Ryoko suddenly collapsed.

Without hesitation, he darted forward, catching her before she hit the ground.

"RYOKO-SAN! ARE YOU OKAY!? WHAT HAPPENED!?"

His voice was frantic, his arms trembling as he held her. The others quickly gathered around, concern etched across their faces.

Ryoko looked up at him, a faint, weary smile on her lips.

"I'm alright… it seems I'm still not capable…"

Her voice was soft, laced with frustration and regret.

"NO, RYOKO-SAN! YOU'RE STRONG!"

IN FACT, YOU'RE THE STRONGEST PERSON I'VE EVER SEEN!

YOU PROTECT EVERYONE WITHOUT HESITATION, EVEN BEFORE YOURSELF.

YOU'RE MY ROLE MODEL, THE PERSON I WANT TO BE LIKE THE MOST.

IN MY EYES, YOU'RE THE BRAVEST, STRONGEST FRIEND I'VE EVER HAD!"

Ryuu's voice cracked with emotion as he tightened his grip on her hand.

"So don't say that you're not capable."

Ryuu said as tears formed in his eyes.

Ryoko's eyes widened at his outburst.

She raised a hand, placing it gently against his cheek.

"Thank you, Ryuu-kun,"

She whispered, her smile softening into something radiant.

The group stared in stunned silence, captivated by the rare sight of Ryoko's genuine smile.

It was a moment of pure beauty, leaving them momentarily speechless.

Ryuu's heart skipped a beat, his cheeks flushing red.

(Beautiful…)

He thought, momentarily lost in the sight of her.

ROAR!!!

The moment shattered as a guttural roar echoed through the forest.

The remaining demons, battered but alive, began to rise once more.

The evolved demon, now severely injured, stood at the center, its rage undiminished.

Ryoko pushed herself to her feet, her ice sword materializing again in her hand.

"So you survived? Not this time!"

She took a step forward, her tone resolute.

"Wait!!"

Ryuu's voice rang out as flames erupted around him, lighting up the darkened forest. He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ryoko.

"I will fight with you!"

Ryoko glanced at him, her expression softening into a faint smile.

"We too!"

Masumi and the others stepped forward, determination gleaming in their eyes.

Ryoko gripped her sword tightly as they all faced the remaining demons together.

"Alright then," Ryuu said, fire burning in his gaze. "Let's ignite this battle!"

Together, they charged toward the horde, their resolve unshakable.....