The atmosphere changed instantly, as if a storm itself had descended upon Mokushin. Dark clouds gathered above the city, and the wind howled through the burning streets. Ash drifted through the air like black snow.
Hector raised his arm.
A blinding blast erupted from his suit.
Junyu twisted through the air with a cartwheel, barely avoiding the explosion. The blast tore apart the stone behind him. He landed, sprinted forward, and punched Hector directly in the face.
CLANG!
His fist stuck to the armor.
Magnetic force.
Hector smirked and overheated the suit. A burst of energy exploded outward, throwing Junyu across the street. His body slammed into the ground, stones cracking beneath him.
Pain shot through his muscles.
But Junyu rose immediately.
He refused to accept that as a loss.
Hector flew high above the city and launched another blast.
Junyu lifted two fingers and caught the attack. The energy trembled against his hand before he deflected it into the sky.
Then he looked up.
Hector was gone.
A fist crashed into Junyu's ribs from behind.
The impact echoed across the plaza.
Junyu staggered, but his expression never changed. His body was already exhausted from the bombing, the march, and the battle through the zones, yet he kept fighting for the people below him.
For his people.
For his kingdom.
Slowly, his aura darkened.
"Enough."
Red lightning erupted around him as he entered KING OF DEMONS.
The entire city shook.
Windows shattered.
Flames bent away from him.
Even the players who worshipped him took a step back in fear.
Hector charged again and threw another punch.
Junyu stopped it with one hand.
With the other, he struck Hector in the chest, sending him crashing through a wall.
Hector roared and unleashed a storm of NIT blasts.
One after another.
One after another.
Junyu walked through them.
The explosions covered him in fire and smoke, but when the smoke cleared, he was still standing.
Serious.
Terrifying.
Hector grinned desperately.
"You call yourself a king? Then let's see how well you save your people!"
He turned and fired toward the crowd.
The players froze.
The blast raced toward them.
Junyu appeared above them in an instant and flicked the attack aside. The energy curved away and exploded harmlessly in the sky.
He stood atop a broken statue, his horns glowing crimson.
His voice thundered across Mokushin.
"You will pay for that."
"Nobody hurts my people."
Junyu launched himself forward like a falling comet.
BOOM!
His kick shattered Hector's helmet.
Fragments scattered across the plaza.
For the first time, Hector's face was exposed.
For the first time, fear appeared in his eyes.
Yet he still attacked.
He punched Junyu in the chin with all the power remaining in his suit.
Nothing happened.
Instead, a sickening crack echoed through the air.
Hector screamed as the right arm of his suit shattered from the impact against Junyu.
Junyu seized him by the throat.
His fingers tightened slowly.
Hector clawed at Junyu's hand, gasping for air. His vision darkened.
Then Junyu released him.
Hector collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Junyu looked down at the fallen king.
The wind died.
The storm above Mokushin began to fade.
Only then did Junyu's body finally give out.
His vision blurred, and he fell to one knee. The heat within him had become unbearable.
The players rushed forward and caught him before he hit the ground.
As they carried him, Junyu whispered weakly,
"What should be done with him?"
The crowd answered together,
"Imprison him. Let him live and face the consequences of his sins."
Junyu closed his eyes.
"As the people decide."
Hector was taken away in chains.
Throughout the night, fires were extinguished, streets were cleared, and the great gates of Mokushin were opened for the first time in years.
The city was free.
Junyu woke the next morning beneath a thin blanket. Rain tapped gently against the roof.
The old woman sat beside him.
"How are you, son?"
Junyu smiled faintly.
"I'm alright, Grandma. But I think it's time for me to leave. My crew is waiting for its captain."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Go, my king. Mokushin will remember you. And if you ever need us, we will come."
Junyu packed his worn belongings and stepped outside.
Children waved to him.
Former players bowed.
The old woman pressed a small charm into his hand.
"For protection," she whispered.
Junyu looked back one final time at the city he had saved.
Sunlight broke through the clouds and touched the streets of Mokushin.
He smiled softly.
Then Lacod Junyu, the captain of the Devil Horns, turned toward the road and began walking back to his friends.