Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 48: An Unexpected Guest

Chapter 48: An Unexpected Guest

The cave trembled violently, each *DUM* *DUM* *DUM* of its quaking walls echoing our furious battle. Debris rained down in slow cascades, dust swirling around us as sparks flew with every clash of steel.

Braun and I fought like beasts, our weapons tearing through the air, each strike bringing us closer to death—or victory.

Braun swung his Chopper relentlessly, the massive blade chained to his arm giving him the ferocity of a berserker. Each attack was like a storm, the weapon smashing into walls, shattering stone, and sending rubble flying. I moved like water, spinning, turning, evading, and deflecting his blows with my dagger. Every strike pushed me further to bring our more energy, every swing was narrowly countered.

"What happened, Mister Hero?" Braun taunted, his voice mocking me as he swung again, the chain rattling ominously. "Why so light on your feet? Is the great hero afraid to stand his ground?"

"Hmph.." I did, with not much expression.

Insantly, I slammed his Chopper down into the ground, the weapon embedding itself in the rock. Wasting no time, I dashed straight toward him, my dagger poised for a killing strike.

But Braun caught my blade—barehanded.

"Ohhh..." The surprise slipped from my lips unbidden. His smirk widened.

"Hehehehe!" he laughed, his blood-red eyes glowing with a manic light. "You really thought it’d be that easy?"

His fist flew toward me in an instant. I twisted, blocking the punch, deflecting it to the side before narrowly evading another. His blows came like a barrage, each one powerful enough to crush stone. I darted to the side, hoping to gain some distance, but Braun matched me run for run.

"You can’t run from me, hero!" he roared, colliding with me mid-step. The force of our clash sent shockwaves through the air as we exchanged rapid strikes. Blades and fists blurred in a deadly dance, sparks igniting with each contact.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Hina moving. She dashed forward, a brilliant silver-white glow emanating from her form. Her sword was steady in her grip, her narrowed eyes fixed on Braun. Her determination was palpable, and she moved around us like a predator, calculating and patient.

"I need to find an opening and help Esther," she thought, her mind sharp as she waited for the perfect moment.

Braun’s laughter cut through the chaos. "Keep trying, you fools! Bwahahaha!" With a quick flick of his wrist, he hurled his chain toward Hina. The deadly links snaked through the air like a whip.

But Hina was ready. She leaped into the air, evading the attack with graceful ease, landing in a crouch as the chain smashed into the ground where she’d stood.

"Not bad, girl," Braun sneered, pulling the chain back to his side. "But you’re still nothing compared to me."

I seized the opportunity. Leaping into the air, I aimed a strike at Braun, vanishing mid-flight and reappearing behind him. He spun around instantly, slashing with his Chopper, but I was faster. I dropped low, sliding beneath his attack, and pointed my dagger toward his chin as I surged upward.

"Now!" I shouted, signaling Hina.

She darted forward, her sword poised to strike Braun from behind. Her blade gleamed as she closed the distance, her intent clear.

But Braun was ready.

"AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" he screamed, his voice raw with fury. A surge of orange aura exploded from his body, expanding outward like a tidal wave. The sheer force of it struck both Hina and me, throwing us backward with force.

We slid across the uneven ground, rubble scattering beneath our feet as we fought to regain our balance. The cave around us groaned under the pressure, cracking along the walls and ceiling.

Braun stood tall, his twisted grin still plastered across his face. His aura flared brighter, burning like a firestorm. "You’re nothing but gnats to me!" he said, his voice filled with unshakable arrogance. "I’ll crush you both, and this world will kneel before me!"

Sparks danced wildly in the air as his Chopper, chained to his massive arm, swung with devastating force.

"Getting tired already, little hero?" he sneered, his bloodshot eyes burning with manic glee. "You’re struggling just to keep up!"

Sweat dripped down my brow as I deflected another swing, the force of his weapon slamming into the wall behind me and showering the space with debris.

’I need to find a better opening to attack,’ I thought, my mind racing.

Behind him, Hina was barely holding herself together. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her chest heaving as she clutched it with trembling hands. Her face was pale, and her eyes looked distant, as though her vision was fading. She was pushing herself far past her limits, but her body was betraying her.

"Huff... huff..." she panted, her legs barely keeping her upright.

And then it happened.

In a blur, Braun vanished from my sight. His speed was unreal—like a predator descending on its prey. My heart sank as I turned to see him reappear, towering over Hina, his massive Chopper raised high above her head.

"Let me just take care of this irritating bitch first!" Braun screamed, his voice dripping with malice.

Hina’s eyes widened in shock, her body frozen in place. She wasn’t prepared to run, to fight, to do anything. Neither was I. My blood ran cold as I realized I wouldn’t make it to her in time.

Just as Braun’s Chopper began its deadly descent, a voice broke through the chaos, soft and soothing.

"Aura Glow..."

The words echoed like a melody, and the cave was bathed in a calming blue-silver light. Time seemed to slow, the violent energy of the battle dissipating into a serene stillness. The glow wrapped around us like a peaceful embrace, holding Braun in place for a single, precious second.

I didn’t hesitate. Seeing the opening, I dashed forward with all my strength, throwing myself toward Hina. I grabbed her just as the spell broke, leaping to the side and rolling out of harm’s way.

Braun’s Chopper came crashing down with a thunderous *BOOM*, the force of the impact shattering the ground where Hina had stood. The cave shook violently, cracks spreading through the walls and ceiling.

I held Hina in my arms, her breathing shallow and her face pale. She looked up at me weakly, her lips parting to say something, but no words came out.

We both froze as the sound of footsteps echoed through the cave, deliberate and unhurried.

Our heads turned toward the entrance, where the glow of the blue-silver aura still lingered faintly. A figure emerged from the shadows, each step resonating with quiet confidence.

She was a woman dressed in black, her sleek outfit hugging her figure. Her boots clicked against the stone floor as she approached, her presence commanding and unshakable. Long hair covered her face, and her eyes filled with determination.

"It’s her..." Hina whispered hoarsely.

I tightened my grip on my dagger as the realization hit me.

It was none other than Serina.