The Beast That Shouldn’t Be Awakened

Hellmode wasn't just a rule change.

It wasn't just about perma-wipes and sweat-drenched freshies.

It was a summoning bell. A vibration across the Depths that pulled at the seams of sanity. And now… it pulled something ancient.

Asen Nephidra sat on a jagged rock, nervously nibbling on a raw mushroom he mistook for a health snack. Michael Juno was hugging his knees and humming "Nautsea Shuffle" to stay calm.

That's when it happened.

A sudden breeze.

Then a stench.

A smell so potent, so foul, that not even Subaru's expired mayo arsenal came close.

"Bro…" Michael gagged. "Was that you?"

Asen looked confused, then lifted an arm and sniffed.

The air warped.

Rocks shattered.

Somewhere nearby, birds dropped dead mid-flight.

And beneath the surface of the Depths… something stirred.

The black sea began to boil. Trees wilted. A single crimson eye cracked open beneath the ground—and the world remembered the Corrupted Shadowcasted Fury Squibbo.

Far Above, on a Hellmode Tree…

Alen Drakkengard, master of aura and terror incarnate, froze.

His eyes widened.

"No…"

The water below exploded as a colossal form rose from the abyss — drenched in pure shadow, purple mist spiraling like tendrils around its gnarled claws. Its body was a horrific fusion of squid and beast, with shadowcast magic leaking from every pulsating vein.

The Corrupted Shadowcasted Fury Squibbo.

Something that had nearly wiped Alen multiple times.

It turned its gaze toward the Hellmode arena.

Directly at the scent's source: Asen.

Alen reacted instantly, grabbing both freshies like toddlers and hopping high into the nearest massive tree. Branches bent under his weight as he pressed his back against the bark, sweat pouring down his brow.

"For the second time…" he muttered. "I feel… fear."

He didn't hesitate. He teleported away.

Castle Light

A dark rift tore open above the fountain. Alen emerged in a flash of warped air and falling sweat droplets.

Reinhart raised a brow. Subaru almost choked on his emergency Megurger.

"You… look shaken," Reinhart said.

"Good." Alen stepped forward. "I need both of you. Now."

"What happened?" Subaru asked, licking his fingers.

Alen's expression was cold. "The corrupted shadowcasted fury squibbo has awakened. We have seconds. Maybe minutes."

Reinhart's eyes sharpened. Subaru stood up. "Say no more. Let's kill that squid."

But before Alen could teleport again, a shout cut through the air.

"YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME WITH THIS BEAST!!"

It was Emilia, standing behind them, panicked.

They turned. Subaru looked annoyed. Reinhart looked concerned.

Emilia pointed at Julius, who was sleep-crawling toward her, whispering about "just one more touch."

Alen sighed. "Fine. Hold on."

He snapped his fingers.

The world twisted.

Back at the Arena

The squibbo towered above the mangled trees and broken stone. Its eyes locked onto the tree where the freshies had been.

But before it could move—

BOOM.

A crack of teleportation thundered across the area.

Subaru landed first, wind swirling around him.

Reinhart appeared next, hand already on his blade.

Emilia stumbled beside them, catching her breath.

Alen landed last, cape whipping around him.

"Listen carefully," Alen began. "This thing isn't like anything you've faced. Shadowcast fangs. A fury body. Its magic lingers, and its attacks adapt. I've fought it thrice. Each time, I barely escaped. If you think—"

CRACK.

He stopped.

Because Subaru was already walking toward it.

"Wait—" Alen called.

Subaru didn't stop. The wind swirled violently around him, eyes narrowed.

As the squibbo's head fully emerged, dark tendrils flailing and shrieking—

Subaru leapt.

Straight at it.

Reinhart's hand hovered over his blade, watching silently.

Alen was speechless.

Emilia whispered, "Is he insane?"

"No," Reinhart said softly. "He's just… Subaru."