Tobe & Miri VS Naoto Yugaha

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Once Tobe was sent and launched by the colossal bone Naoto burst from the ground, through the roof, and into the sky, Tobe managed to cling to the top of the colossal bone without being thrown off by the impact. Rising to his feet, he winced, feeling the intense damage the impact had caused to his body. His black turtleneck sweater and parts of his pants were torn, revealing bruised and scraped skin underneath. "How many times do my clothes have to be torn, jeez!" he muttered, brushing dust off his tattered outfit.

Meanwhile, below, Naoto clicked his tongue in frustration, sensing that Tobe was still alive. However, he couldn't pursue Tobe himself, as he was now preoccupied with the other four (Miri, Jun, Yuka, and Max). He ordered the Brainless to handle Tobe.

Tobe, standing atop the colossal bone, spotted the Brainless climbing and swarming up toward him. "Well... and I thought I could finally take a break," he muttered under his breath.

With a resigned sigh, he reached into his Space Space spell, pulling out a recovery potion and a mana-restoration potion. He chugged them both in one swift motion, then stretched, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

As Tobe sprinted down the massive bone, a spark of determination flared in his eyes. Lightning cracked through the sky as he cast Fall Lightning, raining electrified devastation upon the Brainless charging in the front lines. The sizzling impacts scattered their ranks momentarily. Using the downward slope of the colossal bone, Tobe slid swiftly before slamming his palm onto the bony surface.

"Reconstruct," he muttered, his mana surging. The ground beneath him transformed, its density shifting into a flexible, bouncy material. With a push, Tobe launched himself into the air, his High Jump propelling him higher than before. From this vantage, he cast Aqua Control, conjuring volleys of pressurized water shots that shot down like liquid arrows, piercing through the Brainless hordes. The force sent them tumbling and writhing on the ground.

Tobe landed gracefully, only to face another surge of Brainless rushing toward him. He smirked, relying on his Cat-like Instincts to deftly dodge and weave through their attacks. Each counterstrike struck back with Explosion Impact, the explosive energy rippling through the enemies as they crumbled.

Without pausing, he cast Vine Whip, and thick, twisting vines erupted from his palms. The vines lashed out like serpents, slamming and scattering the Brainless in front of him. In a fluid motion, Tobe combined the vines into a massive, coiling whip. He spun it in a wide arc, clearing a circle around him as the powerful lash sent foes flying. With a final, earth-shaking slam forward, the colossal vine crushed a wave of Brainless, sending others scattering from the shockwave.

Despite his efforts, more Brainless poured in, relentless in their advance. Tobe's frustration flickered, but then his Spark flared anew—this time, a vibrant green hue. Ambition Ignition ignited within him, this time a spark of Confidence, his Spark surging to 25%, boosting his speed and strength to new heights.

"Let's end this," Tobe muttered, his voice resolute. He propelled himself forward with High Jump, aiming a powerful, green-flaring dropkick that shattered through all of the Brainless' ranks. The impact sent a cataclysmic shockwave rippling, bursting outward, and Tobe finally landed on solid ground.

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"Alright! Back on the ground," he quipped, spinning and delivering a clean kick to the head of a Brainless that dared approach. His eyes darted forward, and his heart sank. His friends lay unconscious, and Naoto stood above Miri, his scythe poised to strike.

In an instant, Tobe's Spark burned brighter. His eyes flashed green as he burst forward with explosive speed. The world seemed to slow as Tobe closed the distance, his body a green blur. With a crackling roundhouse kick, he struck Naoto's side, sending Naoto crashing into a distant wall. Dust and rubble scattered as Naoto slumped momentarily in the crater his body had created.

Tobe landed lightly and extended a hand to Miri. "Looks like I made it just in time, huh?" he said with a smirk, holding her sword, which he'd retrieved along the way. Miri blinked in surprise before smiling warmly.

"Thanks, senpai. But we're not done yet," she replied, taking his hand. Rising to her feet, she reclaimed her sword, her resolve rekindled. They turned to face Naoto, who stirred and planted himself firmly, summoning his Angel Scythe with an outstretched hand. The weapon spun through the air before landing in his grasp.

Naoto's presence darkened as he stood tall. A sinister energy began to emanate from him.

Tobe rolled his shoulders, stretching. "Round two," he said. Miri nodded, activating her buffs—Strength Up, Agility Up, and Defense Up—on both herself and Tobe. Tobe quickly retrieved a recovery potion from his Space Space spell and handed it to Miri.

"Thanks, senpai" she said, downing the potion before unfusing Bastion from her sword, readying her shield and sword. Together, they faced their foe.

"Three… two… one… go!" Tobe counted, and the duo surged forward. Naoto swung his arm forward, releasing a black shockwave that rippled toward them. The unholy energy forced them to dodge, but their momentum remained unbroken.

Miri used Shield Rush, barreling forward with her shield raised to block Naoto's projectiles. Meanwhile, Tobe's Cat-like Instincts guided him as he weaved, parried, and deflected attacks with precise movements.

Naoto's Angel Scythe became a whirlwind of death as he alternated between sending black shockwaves and slashing projectiles.

Miri closed the distance first, slamming her shield into Naoto with a Shield Bash. He staggered but retaliated with a downward scythe slash. Miri blocked the blow with her shield as Tobe leapt above them, aiming a powerful downward punch. Naoto evaded, but Tobe landed and immediately pressed forward with a flurry of green-sparking punches and kicks. Naoto blocked and countered with swift scythe strikes, their weapons and blows colliding in an electrifying exchange.

Miri joined the fray, her sword slashes and shield bashes forcing Naoto to divide his attention. Sparks flew as the three clashed, their movements blurring with speed and intensity. Miri's sword fused with her shield, Bastion once more, as she launched a rocket-powered flurry of slashes that pushed Naoto back. Each strike resonated with explosive force, creating shockwaves that echoed through the battlefield. Naoto blocked many attacks with the shaft of his scythe but found himself overwhelmed. When Miri delivered a final, powerful downward slash, the impact created a seismic shockwave, momentarily stunning Naoto.

Seizing the opportunity, Tobe ducked low and delivered a powerful gut punch that sent Naoto hurtling and flying into a wall and even resulting to Naoto to let go off his scythe. Naoto thought that he could recover from the attack, but he never expected Tobe to be already right in front of him, Tobe was relentless.

He closed the distance and unleashed a barrage of punches, each one embedding Naoto deeper into the wall. Miri caught a sudden glimmer from Naoto's Angel Scythe as it began to glow white once more. Alarmed, she shouted, "Tobe, watch out!"

Her warning came too late. Naoto's hand darted forward at mach speed, clutching Tobe's head with a vice-like grip. A sinister white glowing aura flared as Naoto cast Utter Control, pouring his mana into Tobe in a desperate attempt to seize control of his mind. Tobe's body stiffened momentarily, his movements faltering as if the spell was taking hold.

Naoto's lips curled into a triumphant smirk. "You're mine now," he whispered. But his victory was short-lived.

Before Naoto could revel in his success, Tobe's own smirk broke across his face. His eyes glinted with defiance, the green Spark of his Ambition Ignition burning even brighter.

"LIKE THAT'LL WORK!" Tobe bellowed. With a surge of raw strength, he broke free from Naoto's grasp and drove his fist squarely into Naoto's face. The force of the blow sent Naoto staggering backward back into the wall, his smirk wiped clean as blood trickled from his nose.

"MY DRIVE TO PUMMEL YOUR PRETTY FACE IS STRONGER THAN YOUR STUPID MIND TRICKS!" Tobe shouted, his fists already flying in a relentless barrage. Each strike resonated with power, forcing Naoto further back. The Angel Scythe's glow began to waver as if the weapon itself was losing its edge under the onslaught.

Naoto attempted to raise his arm once more, but Tobe was unrelenting. With a roar, he delivered a devastating uppercut, launching Naoto off his feet, as Tobe caught his arm mid-air and delivered a Judo throw slamming him down to the ground hard, "Miri, now!" he called out.

Miri was ready. Her sword shimmered as she leapt into the air, activating its rocket-powered edge. The weapon ignited, propelling her downward with explosive force. Naoto, still dazed from Tobe's assault, could only watch as Miri's blade descended like a meteor.

The ground shook as the sword connected to Naoto's body, a shockwave rippling outward. Naoto's Angel Scythe's glow finally extinguished. His body lay motionless in the crater, finally defeated.

Tobe exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from his brow. He glanced at Miri, who landed gracefully beside him. "Nice timing, Miri" he said with a grin.

"Well... You did soften him up for me," Miri replied, a playful smile crossing her face. They exchanged a high five, their bond strengthened by the really hard-fought battle.

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The exhilarating battle concluded, with the dust settling over the battered remnants of the Varfelt Kingdom's palace. Miri swiftly pulled out some rope and began tying up Naoto, ensuring the captured playboy couldn't escape. Her motions were precise but firm, her expression reflecting her resolve. Meanwhile, Tobe moved among his comrades to check on their conditions.

Jun lay face down on the cracked stone floor, his cheek pressed against the cold surface. Tobe crouched beside him, giving his shoulder a light pat. "You okay, buddy?" he asked with a wry smile. Jun weakly raised a thumbs-up, his arm trembling slightly.

"Good enough for me," Tobe chuckled, handing him a recovery potion. "Drink up. You'll feel less like death warmed over."

Jun groaned but managed a small grin as he took the potion and gulped it down.

Max, a few feet away, was writhing on the ground, one hand clutched to his stomach. "Ugh, that last punch from him nearly made me barf out my food!" he complained dramatically.

Tobe strolled over, smirking as he handed Max a potion. "Here. You'll live. Though, your pride? Maybe not so much."

"Gee, thanks," Max muttered before downing the potion in one swig.

Yuka sat leaning against the toppled form of Balboa, her breaths heavy but steady. Tobe crouched beside her, offering both a recovery potion and a mana-restoration potion. "For the MVP of the match," he teased.

Yuka gave a tired smile. "Don't let it go to your head, Tobe-senpai."

Nearby, Oculis hovered over the other wounded summons of Yuka, its soft healing glow steadily restoring vitality to the team. The soothing aura was a welcome respite after the chaos of the fight.

With Naoto securely tied up and the queen of Varfelt unconscious but stable, the group regrouped outside the palace. Max hoisted the limp form of Naoto over his shoulder with a grunt. "Man, this guy's lighter than I thought. Must be all those necromancer skills and no leg day, no gains."

Blubby, the ever-gentle being, carried the unconscious queen with a tenderness that seemed almost comical given its blobby appearance. The group gathered to discuss their next steps.

"How are we getting back to Riscone?" Miri asked, looking around at the team.

Max's eyes widened as realization struck. "Wait a second. Why didn't we just ride Scale to get here in the first place?"

The group collectively froze before comically shrugging, except for Tobe, who grinned. "See, that's where you all miss the point. Traveling is about the experience! The sights! The encounters! You don't grow by taking shortcuts."

The others exchanged skeptical glances before bursting into laughter. "Fair enough," Yuka said, shaking her head.

With that, they decided to take Scale for the return journey. The colossal wyvern soared gracefully into the sky, carrying the group back to the High Kingdom of Riscone.

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As they soared through the clouds, Naoto began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the vast blue expanse of the sky before focusing on Tobe's face. The playboy groaned in annoyance as he was greeted by Tobe's signature cocky smirk.

"Good morning, princess," Tobe teased, his tone dripping with mockery.

Naoto rolled his eyes. "Ugh… You're too loud… damn Shortspark."

"Yo! Wake up, princess," Tobe continued with a grin. "I've got some questions for you, and spoiler alert: you don't get to refuse."

Naoto sighed, looking around at the team who surrounded him, all vigilant and ready for any sign of trouble. "Fine. Not like I have a choice. We're in the sky, and I'm tied up. Go ahead. Ask away."

Tobe's playful demeanor shifted slightly as he leaned in. "Why did you take over Varfelt?"

Naoto smirked lazily. "Why not? I was bored. Bored of playing the good little adventurer. Taking quests, leveling up, getting stronger… it was all so predictable. Then I found it."

"Found what?" Miri interjected, her tone sharp.

"The Angel Scythe," Naoto said, his eyes glinting. "An ultra-rare weapon with powers that would make any adventurer drool. Light Shield, Scythe Light Slash, and the crown jewel: Utter Control."

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

"Utter Control?" Yuka echoed.

"A skill that lets you dominate the minds of others," Naoto explained nonchalantly. "With it, I started small. A girl here, a guard there. Slowly, I expanded my reach. Hostels, shops, royalty… Before long, the entire kingdom of Varfelt was under my control."

"You're a monster," Max growled.

Naoto shrugged. "Maybe. But I kept the facade of normalcy, even got praised by the king and queen for my 'dedication' to the kingdom. Ironic, isn't it?"

"And the Grey Veil?" Tobe pressed.

"Ah, those pests," Naoto sneered. "They tried to invade. I dealt with them myself, left one alive to report back. They kept sending more, and I decided to keep this up, all to rapidly grow my army. It was almost… amusing. Oh well... too bad my plans were foiled..."

Naoto's tone grew darker as he added, "I was saving the Fourth Chosen Hero and the Ancient Giant for a rainy day. Raids, invasions, conquests… The possibilities were... endless."

The group listened in grim silence as Naoto's chilling story unfolded. This was the information they needed to report back to King Danayus.

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As Scale descended upon the grand palace of the High Kingdom of Riscone, the guards rushed to inform King Danayus of their arrival. Princess Tulia met them at the gates, her warm smile a welcome sight after the harrowing ordeal.

"Welcome back," she greeted, her gaze falling on Naoto. "I see you've brought… unexpected company."

The Vast Star members exited the nearby Adventurers Guild and joined them. Lala's sharp eyes immediately caught sight of Naoto. "Ugh... why is that playboy here?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Tobe smirked. "Long story. Join us if you want the full rundown."

Chisa's attention shifted to the unconscious queen. "And who is she?"

Miri answered, "The Queen of Varfelt. Like Tobe-senpai said, it's a long story."

Sharing a glance, the Vast Star decided to join the debriefing. Together, they headed into the palace, ready to deliver their findings to the king.

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End of Chapter Stats of our Young Adventurers:

Tobe Lvl 94 - (Race Abilities: High Jump, Cat-like Instinct) (Spells: Mana String, Explosion Impact, Fall Lighting, Space Space, Aqua Control, Reconstruct, Firas Bolto, Rock Spire Shotgun, Vine Whip) (Spark - Ambition Ignition 25% Current)

Flake Lvl 47 - (Skills: Ice Creation, Icicle Rush, Frost Breath, Ice Ball Shot, Familiar Fusion)

Miri Lvl 88 - (Race Abilities: Halo Flash, False Judgement, Weightless Embodiment) (Skills: Strength Up, Defense Up, Agility Up, Slash, Pierce, Shield Block, Shield Bash, Shield Rush, Bastion Wall Shield, Bastion Weapon Integration)

Oculis Lvl 47 - (Skills: Health Drain Tendril, Soft Healing Glow, Wide Party Heal)

Yuka Lvl 74 - (Race Abilities: Creaturea Lamvia) (Skills: Contract, Summon, Half-Summon, Encouragement. Summons: Blubby Lvl 51, Scale Lvl 56, Balboa Lvl 64, Spryt Lvl 53, Gyutei Lvl 49)

Jun Lvl 79 - (Race Abilities: Danger Sense, All-Four Rush, Bleeding Bite) (Skills: Disguise, Silent Step, Smoke Bomb Drop, Snatch, Stab, Slice, Hook Pull, Needles, Healing Steal, Decoy, Theft Hook, Escape Plan)