Akio was standing inside the bloody cage. His eyes were full of anger. He held his sword tightly, and lightning sparks were running wildly through his body. He stared at Terrakula like she was everything he hated. She used her teammate without caring, treated him like a shield, and then threw him away like he was nothing.
"Chaaaak!!"
In one second, Akio disappeared from his spot. He moved as fast as lightning. In just a moment, he was in front of Terrakula, eyes sharp, sword raised to strike her with all his power.
"BOOM!!!"
Terrakula's body flew backward from the strong hit, but she didn't fall. She twisted in the air and landed smoothly.
Terrakula (wiping blood off her lips, smiling cruelly): "Wow, such nice anger… I like this kind of emotion."
Akio (shouting in rage): "Shut up!!"
He jumped at her again and moved in every direction super fast!
"Chaaak! Chaaaak!! BOOM!!"
Terrakula used her blood as a shield to block his attacks, but that made her lose blood every second. Still, she wasn't dumb…
"Chaaaak!!"
Terrakula sent out thin blood threads. When Akio tried to attack again, the threads wrapped around his wrist and neck!
Akio (eyes wide): "What?!!"
He had no time to escape! She pulled him toward her in less than a second!
Terrakula (smiling with hunger): "Time to taste you!"
Before Akio could do anything, Terrakula bit his neck with her fangs!!
"Tsssshhhhh!!!"
Akio felt a shock all over his body. But something was strange.
Terrakula (eyes wide): "W-what…?!"
Her eyes opened wide in surprise. Her body started shaking. She couldn't believe the taste! Akio's blood was delicious! No—it was more than delicious! It was the best blood she ever tasted! She felt a strong energy running through her body, like every drop of his blood was filled with amazing power!
Terrakula (in shock): "This… this is unbelievable…!"
Her brain couldn't understand it. Why did his blood taste this good?! She didn't want to stop. She wanted more! She wanted to drink every last drop!!
Terrakula (eyes glowing like crazy, licking her lips): "Your blood… it's so delicious! I've never tasted anything like it in my life!!"
She looked like she was in a trance. She couldn't control herself. She held Akio tighter and bit even deeper!
Akio (in pain, grinding his teeth): "Damn it!!"
Akira was watching in shock. He couldn't stand still anymore! He clenched his claws and rushed toward Terrakula like a madman!
Akira (shouting): "Get your fangs off him, you—!!"
"Chaaaak!!"
As Akira got closer, blood threads shot out of Terrakula's body and wrapped around him completely! They squeezed his muscles so hard, his blood stopped flowing in some parts! It felt like his body was tearing from the inside. He couldn't move… not even breathe properly!
Terrakula (still biting Akio, smiling): "Not now, Akira… You can't interrupt while I enjoy such a tasty meal."
Akira started to show signs of blood loss! His fingers turned slightly blue, his legs were shaking, and he felt weaker every second.
But suddenly…
"Nooo…!!"
A new voice echoed in the room—it was Nyoro! Even though his body was full of wounds, he was trying to stand!
Nyoro (breathing heavily, placing a hand on the ground): "Leave… Akira…"
His legs were shaking, and he could barely move, but still… he forced himself to get up. He looked at Terrakula with eyes full of pain and anger.
Nyoro (his voice rough, but emotional): "You're using them… just like you used me…"
Terrakula (smirking, hands on her hips): "So what? You were useless after you passed out, so I used your body to protect myself. Isn't that normal?"
Her words were easy to say, but to Nyoro… it felt like a knife in his chest. He didn't expect better from her, but it still hurt.
Akira (trying to move, eyes narrowing): "Damn it… don't move, you idiot! You're in no shape to fight!"
But Nyoro didn't listen. He started walking slowly, even though every step felt like hell. He raised his shaking hand toward Terrakula, even though he could barely stand.
Nyoro (voice low but firm): "I won't let you hurt anyone else!"
Terrakula (pausing, then speaking softly): "Oh? And you think you can stop me? You can't even stand straight."
Suddenly, a fiery flash filled the room!!
"BOOOOM!!!!"
Something cut through some of the blood cage's threads! Terrakula quickly looked toward the fire—and the biggest shock—it was Ken! A moment ago, he was outside the cage. Now, in a blink, he was inside it!
Ken (tilting his head slightly): "You know, I was listening to your fight this whole time from outside. I was getting bored since I couldn't see anything through all the barriers. I wasn't planning to join in, but then you got really gross."
"Cough… cough…!"
Nyoro was coughing hard. His eyes could barely focus, but he still tried to stand again.
Akira (choking, his eyes darkening): "N-Nyoro!!"
Terrakula, still holding Akio by the neck, finally pulled her mouth away when she saw Ken enter.
Terrakula (licking her blood-covered lips slowly, smiling with evil):
"Oh… so the little prince finally joins the party."
But Ken didn't care about her words. He walked calmly until he stood in front of Nyoro.
"BOOOOOOM!!!!"
Ken punched Nyoro in the face with full force, making his head snap back hard!
"Gkh!!"
Nyoro fell to the ground, unconscious! The room went completely silent for a moment… even Terrakula froze, staring at Ken with wide eyes. She didn't expect him to do that so easily.
Akio (trying to breathe after being freed):
"W-What…?!"
Even Akira, despite his condition, could barely understand what just happened.
But Ken calmly wiped the blood off his fist like it was nothing.
Ken (tilting his head coldly):
"That piece of junk has served its purpose, right, Terrakula?"
Terrakula (slowly smiling, putting a hand on her waist):
"Hah… interesting…"
She took a deep breath, then started laughing.
Terrakula (soft laugh turning into crazy giggles):
"Hahaha… oh my god… I didn't expect this… You… you're just like him…"
Ken didn't answer, but he raised an eyebrow slightly, like he was silently asking her what she meant.
Terrakula (walking slowly toward him, eyes shining with madness):
"The cruelty… the coldness… even your cold face. You remind me of one person only…"
She smirked and came closer until her face was just centimeters from his.
She whispered in a scary voice:
Terrakula:
"You're a mini version of Seeros."
Ken's eyes widened at her words. He was silent for a moment.
Ken (quiet voice, but scary):
"What… did you say?"
Terrakula (staring into his gray eyes):
"No one here can deny it… That deadly charisma, dark handsomeness, cold heart… You should be his son, not his nephew!"
Ken stared at her with a frozen look. His gray eyes narrowed slowly, her words cutting into him like knives. His eyebrows lowered… and his expression changed—now it was darker, full of deadly energy.
Ken (low voice, full of hidden rage):
"Shut up. Don't compare me to that bastard ever again!"
But Terrakula didn't stop. She got even closer, enjoying the anger in his eyes.
Terrakula (mocking smile):
"What's wrong? You didn't like the truth? Oh, new generation Seeros?"
Ken (darker tone, his eyes burning):
"I said shut up!!"
Terrakula:
"Hahaha!! No, I won't be quiet! I've never seen such a clear resemblance! Everything about you screams 'his true heir'—his cold gaze, his thirst for blood and killing, you're like a better version of him!"
Suddenly… before she could finish, Ken's fire sword was stabbed right through her chest!
Terrakula's eyes widened in shock! She didn't even see him move. She didn't understand how he got that close so fast—but now… she felt the pain.
"Gkh…!"
Blood poured from her mouth as she stared at the flaming sword in her chest.
The heat was unbearable. The fire was burning her from the inside. But even with that… she didn't fall.
Ken (quiet voice, filled with killing rage):
"I… am nothing like him. And I never will be!!"
Terrakula (weak voice, still mocking):
"… Hehe… then why are you angry? If I was wrong… why are you burning inside?"
Ken didn't answer. He pushed the sword deeper into her, making more blood pour onto his clothes.
But suddenly—
"Cough… cough…!"
Ken stepped back and pulled the sword out of her body.
Then he looked at Akira—his condition was getting worse!
The blood threads wrapped around him were squeezing his muscles more and more.
His fingers were completely blue now, and he was about to collapse!
Akio (worried, trying to stand):
"Akira!! Damn it, we have to save him!"
Fire suddenly burst around Ken's feet and body!
In a flash, he sent the flames flying toward the blood threads around Akira!
"Tsssssssssssshhhhhhh!!!"
The threads began to burn!
After a few moments—Akira was free!
He collapsed to the ground, breathing hard, but at least he could move again.
Akira (weak voice, but grateful):
"Ken, damn you… I didn't want you to get involved. Akio and I could've taken her down ourselves!"
Ken:
"You were about to die, you idiot."
Terrakula was still standing, blood flowing from her chest wound where Ken stabbed her.
She placed a hand on the wound and looked at them.
Terrakula (weak voice, still smiling):
"Oh… you kids are really annoying…"
Akio (grinning, raising his sword):
"Well, I guess we've reached the final stage now, right, gross vampire lady?"
Terrakula (twisted smile):
"Hah? … You little ones… You haven't even seen… my true side."
Suddenly…!
"CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!"
A huge wave of blood energy exploded from her body!
The walls shook, and the blood on the floor started moving like part of her body!
It turned into sharp arms that rushed toward all three of them at once!
Akio (smiling with excitement as he jumps):
"Oh, now this is getting fun!"
Ken (raising his sword and charging it with fire):
"Finish her quickly. Don't give her time to recover her blood!"
Akio moved through the bloody arms like lightning—his body just flashes of electricity!
His sword sliced through the arms before they could even form!
Ken burned everything that came near him—every drop of blood that tried to reach him evaporated instantly!
Akira used his strength to smash the arms coming at him and broke them before they could touch him!
"BOOOOOOOM!!!!"
The three of them attacked her at the same time, but Terrakula was still fighting with everything she had. Blood was dripping from her mouth, but she kept resisting.
Akio (quickly whispering):
"Wait… something's off!"
Akira (angrily):
"What are you talking about?!"
Akio (eyes sparkling with cleverness):
"She's not reabsorbing her blood like before!"
Ken (narrowing his eyes, then understanding immediately):
"Yeah… she's used more than she can handle."
Terrakula was breathing hard. Her hands were shaking, and her red eyes were getting darker…
She had lost too much blood. Her body was slowing down.
Ken (quietly, but full of confidence):
"It's time to finish this."
Then… all three of them moved at once!
Akio appeared behind her and slashed with his lightning-charged sword, making her body spasm!
Ken struck from the front, stabbing her left side with his flaming sword!
Akira used the chance and punched her straight in her bleeding side!
"BOOOOOOOM!!!!"
Terrakula took all three hits at the same time!!
Her whole body shook. For the first time, her eyes were full of shock—with no smile at all.
She froze for a moment, staring at the three in front of her. Her body was trembling, blood pouring from the stab Ken made, from Akio's electric strike that paralyzed her, and from Akira's brutal punch to the open wound.
Terrakula (weak whisper, her voice breaking):
"This… can't be…"
Her knees gave out… and she dropped to the floor, holding Ken's wound on her side.
"Gkh…!"
Blood poured from her mouth, but she didn't look angry.
Instead… she let out a weak laugh, still filled with sarcasm—even in defeat.
Terrakula (coughing blood, eyes full of exhaustion):
"You guys… really are bastards… you know that?"
None of them answered.
They just stood there, watching her weakened body barely able to move.
Terrakula (smirking as she slowly lifted her head to look at Ken):
"And you… fire boy… you know something? You're the most fun I've ever had in my long life."
Then slowly, she turned to Akio.
Terrakula (broken voice, still mocking):
"And you… lightning boy… your blood… it was amazing. Incredible. Nothing like I've ever tasted… Such a shame… if you were mine, I would've kept you close forever…"
She chuckled softly, and her eyes started to lose their light. Her body couldn't handle the bleeding anymore.
Terrakula (faint whisper, barely audible):
"But sadly… you're not mine… and now… it's time for me to go to hell…"
Her body collapsed on the ground, motionless—but she was still smiling.
Akio (exhales, then smirks tiredly):
"Haaah… it's over… right?"
Akio walked forward calmly and stood over Terrakula's bleeding body.
He reached down and picked up Sanguinis, the sword lying on the ground.
It was still glowing, but its usual shine had faded with her defeat.
Akio (quietly, eyes glowing):
"This sword belongs to me now."
He grabbed the sword firmly, then looked down at Terrakula for a moment…
And without hesitation, he stabbed it straight into her chest again!
"CHAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!"
The sword pierced her body once more—in the same spot as before.
But this time… the sword started glowing in a deeper, bloodier red.
Akira (tired, crossing his arms):
"Well… that wasn't necessary.
But she deserved it."
Akio (grinning lightly, watching the sword pulse):
"Yaaah, this thing's alive… I can feel it drinking everything!"
The sword's color kept getting darker. It felt heavier in Akio's hand…
Like its true power was waking up.
Ken looked at it for a few seconds, then turned away.
Ken (low voice):
"Don't let it control you."
Akio (teasing grin):
"Hah? Are you worried about me, Ken? I didn't know you cared so much!"
Ken ignored him, staring at Terrakula's body.
Ken:
"We should get out of here."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it calmly.
He put it in his mouth and took a deep breath.
His gray eyes stared at Terrakula's body without emotion.
Ken (quietly, blowing smoke slowly):
"This place got boring."
He turned to leave—but suddenly—
"THUD!!"
A body hit the ground behind him!
He quickly turned around and saw Akio had collapsed!
Ken (raising an eyebrow coldly):
"Looks like he gave in to his injuries."
But the shock didn't stop there—two seconds later—
"PLOP!"
Akira fell too, landing next to Akio!!
Ken (pausing, staring at both with a frozen face):
"You too?!
Well, I guess it makes sense. That idiot was choking two minutes ago."
He stood there for a moment, looking at the four bodies on the floor:
Akio, Akira, Nyoro, and Terrakula.
All of them were completely exhausted, bleeding, barely breathing, unable to move.
Ken (sighing, running a hand through his hair):
"Ugh… damn you all."
He looked at them again, let out a heavy sigh, and started picking them up one by one.
He lifted Akira over his shoulder, then grabbed Nyoro by the clothes like a worn-out bag.
Ken (grumbling, barely holding them up):
"This is so stupid…"
He limped slightly under the weight, then raised his hand to press the magical pendant around his neck—he was about to call Koto for help.
But before he could—
BANG!
The door burst open, and fast footsteps echoed—Koto appeared at the entrance!
Koto (eyes wide, shocked):
"What… happened here?!"
She froze for a second, taking in the chaos…
The blood on the floor, the shattered cage, Terrakula's stabbed body, Akio, Akira, and Nyoro unconscious—
And finally, Ken standing in the middle of it all, carrying three beaten bodies like he had just walked out of hell.
Ken (raising an eyebrow):
"Huh? But… I didn't call you yet."
Koto (running over, grabbing her medical bag):
"No time to explain. I need to treat them now!"
She threw her bag down and started checking Akio and Akira,
Then turned to Nyoro, who was still unconscious, covered in deep cuts and bruises.
Koto (pressing her forehead, frustrated):
"Oh god… you're all just a pile of broken bones and torn flesh!
I can't believe you're still alive!!"
Ken didn't say anything.
Koto quickly got to work, pulling out medical tools and starting to clean Akira's deep wounds first.
He was unconscious, but still breathing—barely.
His body was covered in scratches, stab marks, and dried blood threads still stuck to his skin.
Koto (sighing):
"It looks like this boy went through a lot of injuries."
She turned to Akio, who, even though unconscious, was still tightly gripping the Sanguinis sword. She raised an eyebrow and tried to move it slowly—but it was much heavier than it looked.
Koto (surprised):
"Huh?!"
But she didn't have time to worry about that now. She focused on stopping the bleeding from his many wounds and quickly wrapped bandages with expert speed—her hands moved like they had a mind of their own.
As for Nyoro, his condition was worse than all the others, but he was still alive—barely breathing. His body was trembling slightly, his face pale.
Koto placed her fingers on his neck and felt a very faint pulse.
Koto (pressing his chest, trying to stop the bleeding):
"Damn it… this kid is in the worst shape! If I don't stop the bleeding now, he'll die in minutes! What kind of fight did he go through?! What kind of monster did this to him?!"
But there was no time for questions—she had to act fast! She pulled out surgical thread and a needle and began stitching the deep wounds on his chest.
But even if she stopped the bleeding, Nyoro had already lost too much blood.
Ken watched silently. A strange tightness filled his chest as he saw Nyoro like this.
He didn't show it on his face… but deep inside, he felt disturbed.
He hadn't meant to kill him… but he had left him like this. Then Terrakula trampled him and Ken punched him again.
He couldn't just stand by anymore.
Ken (suddenly moving, sitting next to Koto, speaking seriously):
"What do you need? I'll help."
Koto (briefly surprised, but kept stitching as she spoke quickly):
"Hold this bandage and press here! We need to stop the bleeding on his left side—any more blood loss and he's dead!"
Ken pressed down where she pointed, feeling the warmth of blood under his fingers—but he didn't care.
He had to do something.
Koto (nervously focusing):
"Even if we stop the bleeding… he's lost too much. He needs a blood transfusion immediately, or he'll die from oxygen loss in his organs!"
Ken (calm but firm):
"Use my blood."
Koto (pausing, shocked):
"What?!"
Ken (sharp eyes, not joking):
"I said use my blood and save him. My blood type is O-negative. I can donate to anyone."
Koto (frowning, shaking her head):
"No, that's impossible! You're a smoker—your blood is full of nicotine and toxins. I can't risk giving him your blood!"
Ken (exhaling in frustration, raising his voice):
"I don't care!! Just take it!!"
Koto (staring at him, then groaning as she presses her forehead):
"Damn it! You think it's that easy?! I'm the doctor here, and I'm telling you your blood isn't safe!"
Ken (yelling, but with a voice full of guilt):
"He'll die without blood, right?! I don't care if mine is bad—at least he'll have a chance to live!!"
Koto hadn't expected to see Ken so determined.
Something in his voice was different—like he blamed himself.
But even so, she knew emotions couldn't replace medicine.
Koto (calmer but firm):
"Ken… I appreciate you trying to help, but I can't risk it. We'll find another way…"
Ken didn't wait. He turned and rushed out of the hall!
His body was moving on instinct. He wasn't thinking—he just needed to do something.
He burst out of the palace, the cold air hitting his face.
Outside, a group of people froze when they saw him.
They had been waiting, maybe for Terrakula's next orders to resume the ceremony…
But when Ken appeared before them, they felt like death itself had come for them!
"It's… it's HIM!!!"
They trembled and stepped back—but Ken didn't give them a chance to run.
"CHAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!"
Ken's sword ignited with fire.
His gray eyes shined with a deadly glow.
Ken (low voice, full of threat):
"If anyone tries to run… I'll burn them alive."
He wasn't joking.
Everyone knew it—after what they saw at the party, they wouldn't dare move.
Ken (raising his sword slightly, eyes scanning their terrified faces):
"Now… listen carefully.
Who here has O-negative blood type?"
Silence.
People looked at each other in fear.
They knew staying quiet would only mean a horrible death.
Finally… after a long pause, one man stepped forward, shaking all over.
He couldn't even look Ken in the eye.
Man (trembling, soft voice):
"I-I… I have that blood type…"
Ken stared at him for a moment, then slowly walked up.
He pointed his sword at the man's chest, making him swallow hard.
Ken (quiet but scary):
"Then you're coming with me."
The man tried to stay steady, but Ken's pressure was overwhelming.
He had no chance to escape.
Ken dragged the man through the halls.
His breath was shallow, his body trembling.
As soon as they reached the hall again, Ken threw him forward!
"BOOOOM!!!"
The man hit the ground and rolled a little, then looked up, gasping in fear.
Koto (eyes wide, watching):
"Ken! What are you doing?!"
Ken (ignoring her, pointing at the man):
"Use him."
Koto stared at Ken, then at the terrified man.
She didn't need an explanation, but she wanted to hear Ken say it himself.
Koto (crossing her arms):
"Are you serious?! And who even is this?!"
Ken (coldly, stepping closer):
"I don't know Nyoro's blood type.
O-negative is the safest to give anyone. That's why I brought him."
Koto (pressing her forehead in frustration):
"Do you even know what you're doing?! Blood transfusion isn't just taking blood and putting it in someone! There are other things we have to check!"
Ken (staring at her, raising an eyebrow):
"You're the doctor, right? Then do your job."
Koto took a deep breath, then looked at the trembling man.
Man (begging voice):
"I-I don't want to die… please…"
Ken (cutting him off, sharply):
"You won't die, idiot. But if you don't do this, someone else will.
So you have no choice but to cooperate."
His words were harsh and cold—but they were true.
The man didn't want to do this…
But he couldn't risk his life by refusing Ken.
He swallowed hard and gave a weak nod.
Man (quietly):
"O-Okay…"
Koto (pulling out her medical tools quickly):
"Fine then. Don't waste my time any longer!"
She began setting up the equipment for the blood transfusion.
Ken stood beside her silently, watching the process.
His face was blank… but deep inside, he felt something he didn't want to admit.
Guilt.
But he wouldn't let that stop him.
He had one goal in mind: to save Nyoro's life.
No matter the cost.
To be continued…