**King charged forward alone, his sword flashing as he roared with a power that could sever worlds. Yet the monster remained unaffected by his strikes.**
"Are you the leader?"
"I am the leader, and I'll indulge in showing off my strength for my team's sake."
"Then you're the only one worthy of facing me. Show me everything you've got!"
"I've lived a thousand years without meeting anyone capable of fighting me. Don't let me down—kill me!"
"Your request will be granted swiftly, monster."
Smoke enveloped King, hiding him from his team's view.
Dinko muttered, "They say only a few can achieve this transformation. But King? He's not just rare—he's a legend, a myth that shouldn't exist."
The monster paused, sensing something unnatural. The earth trembled, the sky split, and the air grew heavy as if something beyond human comprehension was being born.
King's voice boomed:
**"Celestial Transformation: Heavenly Body!"**
In an instant, his cloak tore apart. His body expanded, his skin glowing with red and gold hues. Wings of fiery energy burst from his back, reaching toward the sky. His eyes turned into burning meteors, and his sword transformed into a spear of cosmic energy capable of cutting through time itself.
The monster took a step back.
King declared, "You asked for death. I don't like keeping requests waiting."
With unimaginable speed, King struck—a single blow that cracked the world around them.
The transformation faded.
Dinko whispered, "What you saw today... you may never witness again. The leader never uses his full power."
King returned to his human form. "Where's Grind?"
Grind lay unconscious as the team rushed to him. "Go to the castle," King ordered. "I have unfinished business with this monster."
"So," King said coldly, "you're one of the King of Monsters' subordinates."
"How did you know, human?"
"I asked you a question. Don't answer with another."
"Yes, I serve the King of Monsters. But when he disappeared, I searched everywhere for him."
"He won't be coming back. Leave this world, monster."
"It was a great fight, King."
The team waited anxiously for Grind to wake up.
Amani reassured them, "He's fine. You can see him now."
"Grind, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Is Olivia okay?"
"Yes, she's in her room."
"Did anything happen while I was out?"
"Nothing. Don't worry about it."
Grind clenched his fists. "That demon... and the King of Monsters... they're waiting to destroy us. And we'll be waiting to destroy them. The day will come when the world stands together against them. And the day after... humanity will finally be free."
His rage made the earth tremble.
"That demon... that King of Monsters... I'll make sure they die."
The next day, the Red City lay in ruins, one of many destroyed cities in the nation of Biryion. Workers cleared the rubble under strict supervision.
"What was that quake? It leveled entire cities..."
"You know the old legends say such tremors signal the Final War."
"Stop joking! That's just a myth!"
A nobleman snapped, "Enough talk! Get back to work!"
At the Blue Castle, Olivia was recovering.
"Olivia, are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine now. What about you, Grind?"
"I've fully recovered. How about we go to the market?"
"Let's go."
At the market, Grind suggested, "Let's try the famous Biryion honey-apple candy."
The sweet, made of honey and apples, was a local specialty.
Grind smiled. "The taste hasn't changed. It's delicious."
Olivia nodded. "I haven't had it since joining the team."
Grind sighed. "We've been through so much. Today feels like a reward for all we've endured. Let's go to the amusement park."
"Let's go, Grind!"
"Olivia, let's ride the roller coaster!"
"It's amazing!"
"Olivia, let's get pizza."
At the restaurant, Olivia turned serious.
"Grind, what's your real goal?"
"To destroy all enemies of humanity."
"Will you kill him?"
"I'll try to stop him."
"Words are easy, Grind."
"So you want me to kill my own friend?"
"Your friend became a monster. Do you know what the monsters do?"
"I know everything, Olivia. Let's eat and drop this subject."
"I want to tell you about my past."
"Go ahead."
"I grew up in a place no human should live—a land without light. Every night, monsters came, and I heard the screams of my village being devoured. I was from the Klein family, royal advisors to the King of Biryion. Our yellow hair marked us—monsters couldn't touch us. But then... the red gate appeared."
Her voice shook.
"It killed all the soldiers. When it reached our door, my brother fought them off. But then... a man in a black cloak appeared. He cut my brother down and took his body. My father never searched for his killer. So I left. I will find that man and kill him."
Grind met her eyes.
"Let's achieve our goals together, Olivia."