First boss

- This is not possible. We can defeat him - Tien warns, his voice lacking confidence as he instinctively takes a step back.

Conflicted, scared, sad… His emotions overwhelm him. Chen Gon Wu was more than a mentor. A role model. An invincible exorcist with a heart of gold, capable of anything. And now, before even overcoming the grief for losing him, Tien has to fight his reanimated corpse, used as a puppet to do evil.

- Focus. It’s not your master anymore - Pietra tries to reassure him.

- Are you underestimating the power of a sly fox, little Tien? Don’t forget that this city does not dance at my pace by chance.

- Sorry, Lady Maruxiang. I-

- Oho? If you are such a coward, maybe you should call your brother while you switch your pants, dear. We will need a real man for this battle - she says in a mocking tone.

Her words may sound offensive at first; however, Maruxiang knows most of the people of Fesolgu way too well. That means she knows exactly how to light a fire under Tien. Not only to motivate him, but to make him snap as well.

- What did you say, Old Hag?!

- Did I stutter?

- Aaah! I’m gonna make you eat those words!

He jumps so high that it’s enough to reach the temple’s roof. Breaking the tiles as he lands, he swiftly delivers consecutive punches against the former leader of the exorcists, who deflects each one with ease.

- Watching a friend rush to his demise by himself is rather inelegant, don’t you think? Here, let me help you join him.

The heir graciously gesticulates with her hands, creating a platform of wind that levitates the party to the roof.

- Aid the boy as much as you can. He is our only chance against that monster. I’ll make sure none of these infuriating cockroaches interfere, so do not disappoint me - Maruxiang makes the last part sound more like a challenge, as if it were a test for them to prove their worth.

She walks away to join her subordinates against the demons trying to invade her home.

- Got it. We-

Kai was about to repeat the instructions when Tien went flying in his direction, thrown by a single punch of his enemy, and hit the group like they were bowling pins.

- I feel humiliated and the fight has just begun… - Kai groans in pain under his piled-up friends, losing his consciousness.

Giving no time for them to recover, the undead exorcist performs a triple jump, positioning himself mid-air until he is at the top of his targets. He uses his momentum to deliver a powerful kick, akin to the impact of a meteor.

Before their certain obliteration, Lirika recomposes herself and quickly casts a spell, creating five layers of magical circles to shield them from the impact. The circles managed to slow him down, but one by one they gave in, breaking into pieces.

This allowed Xien enough time to take control of the body he shares with his brother and utilize his exorcist arts to lasso his mentor’s leg with a water rope in a whipping motion. With a strong pull, he unbalances him, leaving Chen Gon Wu vulnerable.

- Bubble.

Asai’s toy lands perfectly on his left arm, triggering an orb that mercilessly pulls him in. Refusing to die a second time so easily, he uses all his will to energize his right fist, punching nothingness itself. The orb explodes, creating a shockwave that resonates throughout the entire city.

- Bubble?! - she cries out, saddened to see it being destroyed.

- Did he just… Exorcise the void? - Pietra asks for confirmation in disbelief.

- Asai still got him! - Nicholas shouts, hopeful that he has been defeated.

- Don’t let your guard down. My master can manipulate the gravitational field around him. He won’t be easily defeated. - Xien warns, still in a fighting posture.

Even with the entire left part of his torso and arm gone, the living corpse stands on his feet, ready for more.

- Oh…

Taking the little elf as an eminent threat, he dashes in phenomenal speed between the party members, getting to her in less than a second. As he was about to inflict a fatal blow on the delicate girl, Nicholas positioned himself in front of her and blocked the attack with his sword.

- Don’t you dare! - he exclaims in anger as he feels some of his bones cracking.

The others use this opening to attack him all at once. Lirika casts another spell, summoning a magic circle point-blank that roars a torrent of fire in his face. Chen Gon Wu resists the whole spell, grabs her arm, and applies a shoulder throw, slamming Lirika on the ground. Xien uses his water rope like a whip again, attempting to break his defenses while Pietra supports him with sword strikes. After dodging a few attacks, he crouches and kicks his former apprentice up, his feet leaving the roof. While he was still mid-air, he grabbed Xien by the leg and threw him at Pietra. Both went flying.

- Even without being able to use his abilities… He’s so strong… - Xien says, groaning in pain.

- What?! Are you telling me we are fighting him weakened?! - Pietra questions, surprised.

- Indeed, he isn't utilizing his exorcist abilities properly. Although he was reanimated by the demonic disease, his body still manages to resist most of its effects. We would be in far more trouble if that weren't the case.

- How will we beat him?!

Asai stares at Kai, still unconscious near Chen Gon Wu. Then, to Pietra, who is trying to get up to her feet with a bit of difficulty. At last, to the wounded Nicholas, who lies on his knees, trying to reassure her that he is fine. The void in her eyes is gradually taken by something powerful, something that even darkness itself feels afraid of. Suddenly, a thought:

“This wretched city must disappear for this.”

But.

- Like this! - Kai, who was faking being unconscious until now, strikes what’s left of his torso, cutting the exorcist in half.

Disbelief fills the atmosphere as the body rolls down the roof tiles, hitting the floor.

- Hmph! Never underestimate the strategy of a coward! - he proclaims, proud of his victory.

A few seconds of silence.

- Thank you for teaching me how to swing a sword properly, Sir Zalaxander!

An entire minute of silence.

- Okay, now I’m getting offended. Is what I did that surprising?

- Asai! - she gives him a thumbs up.

Kai is uncertain whether Asai is congratulating him or simply responding to his rhetorical question.

- I’m gonna make sure to exorcize what’s left of my master. He deserves to rest in peace - Xien jumps down from the roof.

- I’m gonna stay here a little longer. It’s just that the stars look beautiful tonight - Lirika speaks while lying down, a perfect outline of her body surrounding her.

- Lirika, it’s foggy.

- It is…?

- That was a cool move. Good job - Nicholas compliments his friend.

- Yeah, we are proud of you - so does Pietra.

- Maybe it’s because I’m not used to it, but I feel slightly mocked by your words.

- Oho? I’m impressed. Not only are you still alive, but you managed to beat such a formidable foe so fast - Maruxiang helps them back to the floor using her wind skill once again.

- I’m glad you are okay, M’lady - Kai shows his respect by bowing.

Pietra pulls him back up, annoyed by his insincere chivalry.

- Careful, young man. I already took a liking to you for saving me. Don’t make me want to break you~

- Guys, my time has come - once again, Kai locks in.

Despite understanding, Nicholas shook his head.

Pietra facepalms.

- Ufufu. You all should catch a break before we move on. Meet me inside the temple when you are ready. There is a lot we need to do.

- Of course.

She would never admit it, but Maruxiang needed some rest too. As she walked back home, she tripped, causing her fox ears to fall to the ground. They were just a simple accessory.

Time freezes in embarrassment.

- A fake…? - Kai murmurs, disappointed.

She quickly wears it back and acts like nothing happened.

- What did you say, young man?

- Faker…

- Don’t call me that!