Chapter 34: Mind Collapse, Susanoo Awakens

Ryuu stared at Ellie, her once-bright eyes now dull and lifeless.

Pathetic.

She hadn't even lasted a full day.

Her mind had completely shattered under Tsukuyomi's endless torment.

Was this really the strength of a so-called magician?

"Hmph." Ryuu sneered. "Guess it's about time."

Haruto's stomach tightened.

"Time for what?"

Ryuu ignored him and began to count down.

"Five… Four… Three… Two… One…"

THUD.

Ellie's body collapsed.

"Ellie!"

Sayuri rushed to her side, hands glowing with healing magic.

"Recovery!"

A soft aqua light enveloped Ellie's body—

Yet…

She didn't move.

No matter how many times Sayuri cast her spells—

Ellie remained unconscious.

"Ellie! Wake up!" Sayuri's voice cracked.

Her hands trembled as she tried again.

Still, no response.

Kowa fell to his knees, shaking Ellie's body in desperation.

Yet, she remained motionless.

Then—

He checked her breathing.

A chill ran through his veins.

She wasn't breathing.

"…No…"

Tears welled in Kowa's eyes.

A howl of grief erupted from his throat—

"ELLIE!!"

Haruto turned to the Goddess, his last hope.

"Lady Goddess, please… is there any way to save her?!"

Kowa looked up as well, clinging to the same hope.

But the Goddess simply smiled.

"Nope."

"…What?"

"Dead is dead. Even the Heavens can't undo death."

Haruto's world crumbled.

Kowa's hands shook with rage.

"YOU… YOU BASTARD! RYUU, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER?!"

Ryuu smirked.

"You already know, don't you?"

He spread his arms dramatically.

"I just gave you a taste of your own medicine."

Haruto's eyes widened.

"No… You mean—"

"That's right." Ryuu chuckled.

"You thought you were sly, huh? Trying to use Ellie's mental magic on me?"

Haruto's blood ran cold.

Ryuu had seen through it all.

And in the end—

Ellie had paid the price.

"Ding! You have slain a Hero's Mage. Reward: +2000 Demon King Points."

The system's confirmation was the final nail in the coffin.

Ellie was gone.

Ryuu let out a mocking laugh.

And at that moment—

Kowa snapped.

A feral roar erupted from his throat.

His orc bloodline surged—

Transforming him into a beast driven purely by instinct.

With unimaginable speed, he lunged straight at Ryuu.

But—

SHWOOOM.

A massive, skeletal arm emerged from Ryuu's body.

Susanoo.

The giant, ethereal hand grabbed Kowa mid-air—

And squeezed.

"AGHHHHH!"

Kowa's bones cracked.

He thrashed wildly, trying to break free—

But Susanoo's grip was absolute.

Ryuu tilted his head.

"How's the view from up there, Kowa?"

"LET ME GO, YOU MONSTER!"

"Monster?" Ryuu chuckled. "Funny, coming from someone who just lost control."

Then—

BOOM.

A bolt of lightning descended from the sky.

Haruto had activated—

"Thunder God's Judgment!"

A massive pillar of lightning crashed down onto Ryuu, engulfing him in blinding light.

A thunderous explosion shook the battlefield.

Smoke and dust filled the air.

For a moment—

There was silence.

Haruto gripped his sword tightly, panting.

"Did… did I get him?"

But then—

A voice whispered behind him.

"Looking for me?"

Haruto froze.

SHNK!

A blade pierced toward his back.

Haruto barely managed to jump away in time.

He landed, gasping.

"Impossible… I saw it hit you!"

Ryuu twirled his Rebellion Blade lazily.

"Oh? You mean that little trick?"

His Mangekyō Sharingan spun.

"Did you really think you hit me?"

Haruto's eyes widened.

An illusion?

"No… no way…!"

Meanwhile—

Kowa was still trapped in Susanoo's grip.

And now, his body was smoking.

Burnt black from the lightning.

"Kowa!!" Haruto screamed.

Sayuri rushed over, tears streaming down her face.

"Hold on, Kowa! I-I'll heal you!"

She activated "Aqua Blessing."

But Ryuu snapped his fingers.

The Elven Elders unleashed a barrage of magic missiles.

Sayuri barely managed to erect a barrier in time.

"Damn it!" Haruto gritted his teeth.

He had to stop this.

Now.

"Lady Galadriel, help me!"

The Elf Queen calmly stepped forward.

She raised her hand.

The ancient trees responded to her call—

Forming a massive wooden barrier between the battle.

Haruto knew—

She was stalling them.

"Haruto!" Sayuri cried. "Kowa's getting worse!"

Haruto's mind raced.

He was losing.

No—

He had already lost.

Desperate, he turned back to Ryuu.

"YOU COWARD!" Haruto roared.

"FIGHT ME ONE-ON-ONE!"

Ryuu blinked.

Then—

He laughed.

"One-on-one?"

His grin was mocking.

"Sorry, Haruto."

"But I don't fight fair."

He gestured to the Elven Elders.

"Continue."

Another wave of magic missiles rained down.

Haruto barely managed to dodge—

But he knew—

He wouldn't last much longer.

Ryuu simply watched.

Enjoying every second.

His Mangekyō spun ominously.

"You should save your energy, Haruto."

A cruel smirk crossed his lips.

"Because I have a very special gift for you."

Haruto's blood ran cold.

"Just make sure you don't die yet."

Ryuu's voice was pure malice.

"I want you alive when you receive it."

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