Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Chapter 119 The Great Attack: Mythical Beasts

【Akaguri Neko】reveals Artemisia's memories and will, and combines with Miki, who harbors the will to protect her companions, to unleash boundless power.

Minerva quietly felt the waves of excruciating pain emanating from her body. Each pain was like an electric current, instantly spreading throughout her entire body and striking deep into her soul.

"How could this be... I don't believe it! I can't believe it—!" she screamed hysterically.

At that moment, her mind seemed to be struck by a thunderbolt, and her thoughts were instantly pulled back to that distant and unforgettable moment—the time when she first challenged Artemisia.

Back then, she was determined to become the most powerful being in the world. With her exceptional talent and relentless efforts, she continuously improved her strength, firmly believing that one day she would reach the pinnacle and look down upon all living beings.

However, fate always seems to play tricks on those who are proud and arrogant.

When facing Artemisia, Minerva used all his skills and tactics to the fullest extent.

But in the end, she was defeated, and defeated so utterly, without any chance to fight back. How could someone who was clearly weak, only thinking about being stabbed by her friend, be so much stronger than her!

Recalling this, Minerva felt a surge of anger born from deep-seated jealousy. Abandoning her renowned assassination skills, she charged at Mikie once more like a raging beast!

"Artemisia—!"

"How could I let you return so easily! I'll drive you out of that short, stout man's body, make you who you are, and then become the strongest..."

However, Mikie, who possesses world-class magician skills, has become incredibly powerful. In Minerva's eyes, she simply uses the least amount of movement and then suddenly walks behind him without being noticed. By the time he reacts, a large bloody gash has already been cut into his back.

"Ugh... Damn it... Aaaaaah!!!"

Minerva endured the pain, turned swiftly as if trying to grasp the ray of dawn, and slashed with its tail at incredible speed.

However, Mikie simply bent down and dodged them all with a nonchalant gesture. "Let's stop here... Minerva..." The lightsaber was drawn again, knocking Minerva to the ground with a single blow.

At this moment, Mikie's eyes were sharp, as if she had completely changed. She slowly walked up to Minerva and spoke in a way that was completely unlike her usual self:

"Minerva, if you retreat now and repent... I'm willing to forgive you..."

Minerva knelt on the ground, her eyes filled with resentment. "Forgiveness? I don't need your forgiveness!! All I want is you... Artemisia alone..."

“Yes, she is a villain, you can’t insult this lady, Miss Artemisia who ‘reappears’ here through that girl’s body.”

At that very moment, a mixed male and female voice rang out on the battlefield, and Miki, guided by the will of Artemisia, looked in the direction of the sound.

Her eyes widened as she saw the extremely vicious elf, the Flame Beast, had somehow appeared behind Minerva, placing his hand on her shoulder and smiling faintly.

"What are you going to do to Minerva, Flame Beast! I will never allow it, even though she once tried to harm me!" Without hesitation, "Mikie" drew her sword and pointed it at Ming, assuming a fighting stance.

"She really is a kind lady, but with such a frail body? Besides, the time this Miss Mikie can use your power is almost up."

The moment those words fell, Artemisia suddenly felt a strong wave of dizziness wash over her, as if the whole world had turned black and white.

Artemisia understood that Miki's ability to sustain her consciousness and spirit had reached its limit. She knelt down unwillingly and closed her eyes in despair.

As the smoke cleared, everyone who had been awake fell into a deep sleep, as if nothing had happened.

"I'm sorry, everyone, there's nothing for you to participate in this scene. Don't worry. When you wake up, you'll only feel that you've defeated the enemy, understood things, and finally completed the cooperation."

Ming muttered to himself, then looked down at Minerva, who was trembling all over, at his left foot, and a slight smile appeared on his lips beneath the mask.

Ming crouched down, his red and blue beastly eyes meeting Minerva's.

“What…what exactly are you going to do…” Minerva asked warily, her voice trembling slightly.

"So, before the second act begins, please let your fellow criminals who have committed countless crimes and deviated from humanity meet their end."

Ming slowly raised his hand, and a ball of black flame ignited in his palm. Minerva stared in horror, trying to move her body backward, but her body seemed to be frozen in place.

"You can't kill me! I was so close... so close to becoming Artemisia! Give me a little more time!" Minerva cried out. Ming remained unmoved, the black flames drawing ever closer to Minerva.

With that final, chilling scream, the once flat ground was now reduced to a huge, black crater.

After Ming dealt with Minerva, he raised his hand and picked up the Hollow Dragon in his palm. "Since the 'Hero' will be here in a few minutes, then the 'Phantom Beast,' being an 'Evil Dragon,' should start causing destruction, right?"

The Hollow Dragon slowly floated up, and the other three manifestation devices, except for the Red Cat which possessed the will of Artemisia, were closely connected together.

As the connection was completed, jet-black currents suddenly erupted from the dragon's body, illuminating the surrounding space like lightning in the darkness.

These black currents seemed to possess a life of their own, flowing rapidly along the dragon's body and constantly converging to weave a garment made of magical energy.

The phantom beast, its body as black as ink and exuding a mysterious aura, was now opening its blood-red maw and letting out a deafening roar.

"Roar roar roar roar—!"

Its roar seemed to pierce the clouds, causing the entire space to tremble.

Just as the phantom beast roared, Shido finally arrived at the ruined amusement park in the suburbs.

"What is this...? Wait... origami!"

Shido rushed toward Origami, staring in shock at the enormous beast, his eyes filled with horror.

"Itsukawa Shidou."

The sounds of a man and woman making love came from behind him. Shido turned around and looked at Ming warily, while Ming simply waved and walked over, as if these things had nothing to do with him.

"What on earth is going on with this [Flame Beast]?" Shido was filled with doubt and shock.