Chapter 18: The Demon’s Fang

The ground still trembled beneath their feet.

Haruto and Airi stood frozen, staring at the massive rupture carving through the earth.

Smoke coiled into the sky, the long, cratered path still smoldering.

Something had struck — but nothing was there yet.

Haruto's voice was low, sharp.

"That wasn't just an attack," he said.

"That was a message."

Airi clutched his sleeve tightly.

"A warning..." she whispered.

"But from who?"

The wind picked up — unnatural and cold.

The trees around them groaned under the unseen pressure.

Haruto's watch pulsed against his wrist.

"I've never felt pressure like this," he muttered.

"Not even when Reiji attacked."

Airi's ring flickered erratically — not the steady, comforting glow they were used to.

"My ring..." she whispered.

"It's trembling."

Then — footsteps echoed across the broken earth.

Not normal footsteps.

Each step cracked the ground like splintering bone.

Deliberate. Heavy.

From the swirling smoke, a deep, growling voice echoed:

"Watchbearer.

Ringmaiden."

Haruto shifted instantly, shielding Airi behind him.

"Who's there?!" he shouted.

"Show yourself!"

Silence answered.

Then — the smoke parted slightly.

Two glowing crimson eyes stared out from the darkness — unmoving, unblinking.

"You bear the gifts of Light," the voice rumbled.

"But you walk as mortals.

Unworthy.

Unawakened.

Unforgiven."

Airi's whisper trembled in the charged air.

"That voice... it's not human," she said.

Suddenly — the figure moved.

A blur.

Then—

BOOM!

A massive figure landed in front of them.

The ground cracked under his weight.

He was towering — monstrous.

Horned.

Cracked like stone, with glowing red veins pulsing beneath his skin.

His very breath scorched the air around them.

"I am Barzok," he growled.

"First of the Demon Fangs.

Born of chaos.

Bred to destroy Light."

He lifted his colossal foot — and SLAMMED it down.

The shockwave shattered nearby light poles.

The very sky seemed to flicker, time itself warping at the edges.

Haruto's jaw tightened.

"...You're with the Dark God," he said grimly.

Barzok's jagged teeth twisted into a wicked grin.

"I am his blade," he said.

"And you...

You are insects with pretty toys."

Without warning — Barzok charged.

Haruto reacted instinctively.

Click — Time froze.

But—

Barzok kept moving.

Effortlessly.

Like the frozen world around him didn't exist.

Haruto's eyes widened in horror.

"He's not frozen—" he gasped.

"He's... ignoring time?!"

Barzok grinned viciously.

He slammed his fist at Haruto.

Haruto barely dodged, pulling Airi with him as the concrete where they had stood crumbled into dust.

Skidding backward, Haruto raised his fists, golden light flickering weakly around him.

Barzok strolled forward casually.

"Relax," he said, almost amused.

"I'm not here to end it.

Not yet."

He stretched his arms lazily, loud pops echoing from his joints.

"I'm just watching.

Studying."

His eyes glinted cruelly.

"This is your power?

How lame."

Then — in a flash — he was right in front of Haruto.

Haruto barely had time to register it.

Barzok's massive hand swung —

CRACK!

The backhand sent Haruto flying like a ragdoll, crashing into a concrete wall.

The impact split the wall apart.

Blood trailed down Haruto's chin as he struggled to breathe.

He pushed himself up, body shaking.

But he stood.

Stood in front of Airi again.

"You're not touching her," Haruto said through gritted teeth.

"You lay a single finger on Airi...

I'll shred you into pieces."

Barzok tilted his head mockingly.

Then laughed — a deep, cruel laugh that shook the air.

"That's cute," he sneered.

"You're already broken... and still barking threats?"

He turned casually — ignoring Haruto — and walked straight toward Airi.

Haruto yelled.

"I said STOP—!"

But Barzok didn't even look back.

"And I said," Barzok said coldly,

"You won't be able to do anything to save her."

He reached Airi.

Her eyes widened — helpless.

Haruto lunged forward —

Too late.

Barzok slammed his open palm against Airi's chest.

Airi gasped.

Her body glowed —

Then went completely limp.

She collapsed to the ground.

Unconscious.

Haruto's scream tore through the sky.

"AIRI—!!!"

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TO BE CONTINUED…