Author note: Finally finished! It was longer than usual because this chapter was longer than usual.

I don't have anything to say except that. Enjoy the chapter and possibly leave a impression or thought.

It only had been fifteen minutes since the battle started. At first they were shown the false hope of winning followed by harsh truth that made them feel into despair.

Before the battle even started their tanker, Hyodou was taken out. Shortly after the battle started Kevin also got hit on his arm and retired. And after being played at and deceived, one of their main attackers, Raisen was swallowed by the pillar of fire.

In this hopeless situation Yuu, Hans, and Icarus fell into despair, leaving only Feral and Selia to fight Asche.

“Now, come! O foolish yet lovely humans!”(Asche)

Asche opened her arm to welcome them with the new pillar of fire. To them it was a bother.

“Now, what should we do? She started making pillar all over the place.”(Selia)

“There’s no what. We only need to finish her quickly before our time run out!”(Feral)

Time. Yes, there was a time limit on this battle.

Surrounded by five meter wall of fire and pillars that were enough to burn human black in one hit, how high the temperature there?

Human’s body is designed to sweat or respiration so that they can control their body temperature. Normal human body temperature is 37°C while when it enter 40 it already categorize as fatal.

The specific limit is unknown but, it was without a doubt can lead to the stop of our body function.

Start with dehydration followed by hyperthermia and leaded to death. It was a harsh situation for a human to fight because by moving around their temperature also increases.

Of course this doesn’t apply to Asche who was the daughter of demon lord of fire, who had greater immunity to heat and fire.

“If you won’t come then I will go first.”(Asche)

Asche was in good mood so she waited for them but, the service was about to end.

“We got no choice. Leave your back to me, either way I can only support you because I can’t damage her using this stick.” (Selia)

Selia greatly regretted that what in her hand wasn’t a sword but a wooden stick. If it was a sword at the very least she was confident that she will be useful.

“Don’t need. What a person with wooden stick can do? Just sit there and play with that stick while I finish her.”(Feral)

Vein appeared on Selia’s forehead.

“…… I see. I will play with this stick and wait for you to be finished by her.” (Selia)

“What did you say?”(Feral)

“Got a problem?” (Selia)

Both of them glared at each other.

Right now both of their face was intimidating enough to silent normal people. Yuu and the other who were watching thought so.

Selia who was a girl didn’t afraid of Feral like the other and glared at him from the same position.

No as someone who was below him because she was a woman or above him because she was stronger but, on the same height because they were equal.

Feral who realized that bared his fang.

“Fine then, for now I will acknowledge you as an equal. Later I will teach you your place.”(Feral)

He unexpectedly acknowledged her.

“Do it if you can!” (Selia)

Selia bravely replied and they shifted their glare to Asche.

“Now then, let’s begin round 2!”(Feral)

To his word Asche smiled. Then they begin their battle.

Just like before Feral rushed to her in high speed dash, several circles appeared on his way and he increases his speed.

Like launching a fireworks one by one pillar appeared from beneath and soared through the sky.

Feral who was rushing toward her didn’t mind the rising pillar that chased him and keep increasing his speed.

“HAHAHAHAHA. THIS’S DANGEROUS! IT’S DANGEROUS DAMN IT!!!”(Feral)

Sweat already soaked his clothes from his activity and the coming pillar. However he didn’t felt any sense of danger and just enjoyed the coming pillar. If he either decrease his speed or slipped he would be burn instantly.

It was a crazy action to take in this situation and compared to the result, the risk was higher. It wasn’t an action sane person would take.

The burning weed, smell of charcoal, and the flood of sweat, all of it increase Feral’s adrenaline making him excited and laugh out loud.

The other who saw him was shocked on how reckless he was, even Yuu who knew him longer than most people was shocked by how he didn’t fear death.

Feral finally passed the landmine of pillar and reached Asche. He immediately clenched his fist and raised it.

Seeing him passed the pillar of fire Asche became more excited and let out a giggle. Seeing how she relied on long range fire magic she should be in danger when Feral got close to her. But she was the same as Feral, this danger also made her excited.

“Well done! Well done! As expected from the human I acknowledge!”(Asche)

She dodged Feral’s attack and deflected it using her arm. Waiting for the right timing, Asche kicked the ground and retreated back.

“Shut your mouth! Save that for your last breath!”(Feral)

Feral’s attack didn’t stop. He chased after her and continued his attacks.

Punch after punch was delivered to her but, there wasn’t even any sign of fatigue. If she were a normal human both of her arm should already be broken but, she was a demon. Her body was many times stronger than human.

Collective mind to balance her excitement, experience to dodged feint and discovered the real threat. She had them.

On the other hand Feral was fighting without thinking and only relied on his instinct and his fighting experience. He was being played at.

Without thinking about that he kept taking every chance so that she can’t counter him. And he finally entered her trap.

When he was chasing after her after she stepped back, there was a circle not beneath him but, in front of him.

The circle was in midair and on the right size to burn his head.

“Fufu, human sure don’t learn. It was fun Feral, now die!”(Asche)

The circle started to glow and thick pillar of fire came out from it. At that moment Selia appeared and hit both of Feral’s Knee joints making him bended his leg and barely escape from being burn in the face.

Feral immediately fixed his position by kicking toward Asche and used the momentum to roll back and stand up.

“Damn, to think she also can make it midair.”(Feral)

“So how does it feel to be saved by a wooden stick?” (Selia)

Feral complained on how she was able to do that. While Selia let out sarcasm.

“You know that you’re being annoying?”(Feral)

“Not as much as you are.” (Selia)

Once again they glared at each other.

Icarus who was slightly far away from them was amazed on how they could fight Asche and supported each other so they didn’t make a mistake. Although they were like that their cooperation was great.

It was surprising that they barely knew each other. Icarus can only bit his lips in frustration and watched them from afar.

“…… What are you doing?”(Kevin)

From beside him Kevin asked.

His arm was burned and even moving it a little sent a unbearable pain to his brain. However he endured it to wake up his friend.

“Kevin, are your arm alright?!”(Icarus)

“I’m fine. I’m fine…Though it would be impossible for me to join that fight because my stick also burned with my arm.”(Kevin)

Kevin tried to show it by moving his arm. Obviously intense pain came to him and tear automatically appeared on his eyes.

Icarus was relief that his friend was fine enough to put up a strong front.

“More importantly, what are you doing?”(Kevin)

“What do you mean?”(Icarus)

“There’s a strong enemy in front of you and you’re wasting your time here? What will Teena say if she knows about this?”(Kevin)

Icarus involuntary imagined Teena.

“She will get angry at least.”(Icarus)

“Or kick you in the face.”(Kevin)

“Possibly…”(Icarus)

Both of them let out a sigh from how real their imagination was.

“I got no choice. Off I go.”(Icarus)

“Ou, break a leg! Soon I will also help”(Kevin)

Icarus left his injured friend and went to help Feral and Selia.

However Icarus had a problem to help them. He didn’t have a high combat ability like Feral or the ability to support him at the right timing. Even if he wanted to help he doesn’t know what he should do.

He once again watched how Feral fought and Selia supported him. Feral rushed at her at incredible speed, Asche would counter him when a certain distance was made and Selia forcedly change Feral’s location by hitting him…... Isn’t Feral who took the most damage?

He watched again how they fight and finally found out what he should do.

“Die already you damn bitch!”(Feral)

“Fufu, what’s wrong? Your respond are weaker than before.”(Asche)

“Bullshit!”(Feral)

Feral punched her again with the same technique that damaged her before but, it didn’t do anything to her.

“Look like you already run out of energy.”(Asche)

Feral’s breathing was already rough and he was literally bathing in his own sweat. Although his will was still strong, his body wasn’t.

“……Status.”(Feral)

A blue panel appeared in front of him.

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Name : Feral

Title : Hero “Fighter”

____________________

Status

Strength : 45

Vitality : 60

Mentality : 90

Agility : 100

Resistance: 70

_____________________

Skill:

-Rabbit Foot

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His strength and vitality were significantly decreased and his strength only half of what it supposed to be.

“Damn it…”(Feral)

Seeing that he is reaching his limit he can’t help but said that. His sight also slowly became blurry because of the heat and it was harder to move his body.

“Are you giving up?” (Selia)

From beside him a mocking sound came.

Unlike Feral who move all the time, she was still fine. However her breathing started to get rough because of the heat. She’s slowly reaching her limit.

“No. What about you? With that rough breathing, are you about to get a heart failure?”(Feral)

“Stop joking. Seriously, both you and me are reaching our limit. How about we either finish this quickly or escape.”(Selia)

Feral thought about it while trying to catch his breath.

“Fine then, one time only. Make me an opening and it will be enough.”(Feral)

Seeing the exhausted Feral she had doubt but, in the end she had no choice but to believe in him.

“Don’t miss it.”(Selia)

“You also, don’t die.”(Feral)

With that brief exchange they separated and this time Selia was the one that rushed toward Asche.

“Now, it’s the sword girl? Or should I saw stick girl?” (Asche)

After laughing at her own joke, Asche made several circles on her way. With her speed she will undoubtedly fail to run away from it like Feral but, she had her own way.

She ran toward the deathly landmine of circles until the very limit. Before entering it she changed her trajectory by using the help of her stick and successfully tricked Asche.

Thinking that she already entered the landmines Asche triggered it and pillar of fire started to rise one by one followed the one in front of it and so on.

Wave of fire pillar appeared and disappeared leaving nothing but burn mark. Asche thought that Selia was too late and swallowed by the wave of pillar. However when the last wave disappeared Selia suddenly appeared and slashed at her using the wooden stick.

“Southern cross- style, 5th slash technique, Vela!”(Selia)

Southern cross- style, 5st slash technique, Vela. Five fast constructive slash technique that was made to immobilized the opponent. Each strike build up the speed for the next one and finish off the enemy with the maximum speed.

Although it was made to immobilize opponent it wasn’t used at modern world because of a certain reason. It unsuited with modern way of doing things.

Vela isn’t a technique that temporally immobilizes the opponent but permanently immobilize them.

When using a real sword the first slashwould cut off the opponent left arm and without losing it momentum it would next cut off the opponent right arm making it the second. And the next slash cut off their right leg and immediately changing it direction up and send off their left leg to the air.

All of that was done in less than three second. However that wasn’t the end.

The last slash was the most fatal and crucial among them all. The last slash must be done while the body still in the air, that meant it must be done in less than a second. For the last slashit was optional where they want to hit but, even with a stick if it hit the opponent heart then it would stop it or at least paralyze them.

Selia started her first slash. She hit Asche’s left shoulder, Asche barely reached to that. She continued to the second slash. She succeeded on connecting the slashes and it perfectly hit on Asche’s shoulder joint.

*Snap*

A snapping sound can be heard from both Asche’s shoulder and the stick. Southern Cross style put a lot of burden on the weapon so half-assed weapon like with will break if someone used it. Selia prayed that it will hold out until the end and continue to the third strike.

She made the third slash toward Asche’s right leg and then it broke.

“As expected it was impossible.”(Selia)

Selia knew that from the start but, when it actually happened she was disappointed.

“What a surprise. If it was a high-tier sword than that might have cut off both of my arm.” (Asche)

Asche was surprised on the speed of Selia’s attack and the dislocated shoulder on her right. So much that she didn’t counter attack her.

“Either way that was a shame.” (Asche)

Asche made a circle appeared beneath Selia. At that moment a shadow appeared from behind her.

“For both of you that is.” (Asche)

Pillars appeared not only from beneath Selia but also beneath the shadow on Asche’s back.

“AAAAAAAA!!!!”(Selia)

Unable to escape in time, Selia was burned leaving only half of her body safe. Arm and leg was taken away because of that attack. Selia was no longer able to fight properly. However she was still fortunate.

“Feral!” (Selia)

Behind Asche the pillar disappeared and leaving an unmoving big burned body.

Feral who was tried to ambush Asche on the other hand took a direct hit and all of his body was burned black like Hyodou and Raisen. His body already reached the limit.

“Human sure are foolish. Did you really think your tactic would work on me?” (Asche)

“……”(Feral)

“……What!?” (Asche)

The unmoving big burned body started to move again.

“I- Impossible!” (Asche)

Asche for the first time in this battle was fluttered.

Full body damage, low stamina, and left over burn all over his body. How he was able to move even with that dying body? Just by trying to move a finger it should send an otherworldly pain. Even Asche who was a demon wasn’t sure if she can handle it.

Asche’s attack force was weaker compare when she started the fight. That was obvious, because she already made fire pillar all over the place and she still had to maintain the wall of fire that surrounded them.

But still, it wasn’t strange if he instantly died form that attack but, surpassing everyone’s expectation he was still moving.

“Who’s the real demon here…”(Asche)

Feral gathered all of his strength and delivered the last attack.Asche immediately reached and put up her guard. Feral punched Asche and sending her to the air with broken arm.

Immediately after done with that attack, Feral lost his conscious and that big body fell into the ground.

“Damn it! That enough human, I’m ending this now!” (Asche)

Even Feral’s last attack was insufficient to finish her. Asche who became serious spread out her wings and dangerous grows appeared in her eyes.

“If only I have a sword…”(Selia)

Until the very end Selia regretted that she didn’t have a sword at her side.

“If only I…….”(Seia)

“Selia, can you hear me? Take this!”

Suddenly Selia heard a certain idiot voice and thought that she had gone crazy. However when she looked up she saw something shining in the air. Passing the wall of fire from the outside and entered inside of it from the hole above.

It was a sword. It was a sword with blue color and let out some aura from it.

She didn’t know how it came here but, she decided to accept it and reached out her hand.

“Look like there’s interference from the outside, doesn’t matter. You all will die before it reaches to you!” (Asche)

Asche was right. The wall height was five meter, her magic speed was sufficient to burn all of them before it fall here. However that was only talking about normal falling speed.

“Fllyyy!!!”(Yuu)

With the help of Yuu, Hans jumped toward the sword who was three meter above the ground. When Asche wasn’t looking they already moved and cooperated.

“Got it!”(Hans)

“I won’t let you!” (Asche)

Before finishing the other Asche decided to erase the possible threat. Beneath Hans a circle appeared and she made a pillar with the intention to burn him together with the sword.

The pillar rise and swallowed Hans but, the sword wasn’t there anymore. He already threw them toward Selia.

Selia took it and stand up. Asche immediately changed her target.

Selia who lose one of her leg can’t dodge the incoming attack but, the incoming attack didn’t come. It was thanks to Icarus.

He was next to Selia and used his stick to cut of the circle beneath her.

The circle was something similar to magic circle so, when it was interfered before it was active then the spell would fail. However it wasn’t easy, especially with a talented person like Asche.

Her circle was made quick enough to make people though a circle appeared when it was actually a line that became a circle.

Icarus noticed that and waited for the right chance to interfere.

“Curse you!” (Asche)

With the threat right in front of her, Asche tried to go away by using her wing but, she was interfered again.

“We’re not letting you go!”(Yuu)

“Even with one burned arm my weight barely changes you know!”(Kevin)

Yuu and Kevin held her down.

“Damn it! Let me go!” (Asche)

“Now, do it!”(Yuu)

With the help of Icarus, Selia managed to close in to her.

“TAKE THIISS!!!!”(Selia)

She was already unable to perform her sword skill so with one hand she raised the sword and slashed at her.

“DAAMNNN!!!!!” (Asche)

Asche who was unable to break free in time directly took the sword and the battle came to an end. It was a bitter victory for them with several sacrifices and burned body parts.