Hero For Lust

Blast confronted Groribas while King Boris positioned himself on the monster's right flank and Void took the left. Since sealing Groribas away proved impossible, there was no choice left but one: they had to end this creature's existence now.

"You three shall not disturb Lord Boros' battle against Garou."

Garou… where have I heard that name before...

Void flickered to the monster's side and slashed out silver arcs with his twin katanas. "'Dimension Slash!'"

"One mouth is all I need for you." Groribas' gaping entrance crashed down onto Void, driving the ninja deep into the planet's crust.

"Void!" Blast bellowed.

"Impossible! Void's life energy has dimmed... the creature defeated him with a single strike." King Boris gazed downward.

"Retrieve your companion and depart this place."

King Boris made the next move, dashing straight toward the alien. "You will fall here."

"Receive my 'Double Bite,' you rip off."

Blast watched in horror as King Boris' armor burst apart and his body skipped across the ground like a stone over water.

But the ripoff wasn't defeated yet. "Now you've done it!" Raw power erupted from King Boris; a comet of pure rage shooting toward the solitary Groribas once more.

"Oh. I shall accept your offer to test my techniques."

"'Purgatory Thorn Grip.'"

King Boris was caught mid-charge, then thrown aside. He hit the ground, rolled, and was already roaring back into the fray.

"'Screw Tail Thrust.'" The gaping entrance attached to Groribas' tail swung out in a wide arc, sending the 'Earth Defence Force' member ragdolling away. This time, he didn't stand back up.

How can this be? He defeated Boris... his greatest strength was his unstoppable charge.

A portal different from his 'Hyperspace Gate' materialized in the air.

An imposing figure dropped through. "I've come to help."

Relief washed over Blast when he recognized Beast Prince. The 'Earth Defence Force' member with the greatest raw physical strength.

Beast Prince released a mighty roar and charged Groribas. "Die, bug!" His steps left a trail of craters; each one a minor explosion of dust and displaced earth.

"Taste one of my personal favorites: 'Sky Strangle Sunder.'"

Groribas lunged, clamping onto Beast Prince in a paralyzing bear hug. The force arrested his companion's movement with a sound like a mountain cracking. Victim in tow, Groribas then leapt into the sky.

Five seconds later…

Blast stared in disbelief. Beast Prince's unconscious, twitching body lay battered and beaten.

"They will survive," Groribas stated plainly, his gaze drifting towards the distant horizon as if surveying some unseen battle. "I must ask: will you leave with them or persist in a meaningless conflict against me?"

RUMBLE!

Out of nowhere, a low groan started deep within the planet's mantle. Growing into a violent tremor that shook the world in mere blinks.

Blast peered upward in shock — above, the fabric of the sky fluctuated like heat haze over asphalt.

The Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields are going crazy! This is going to create a hole in the Dimensional Seal!

¤ ¤ ¤

"'Extreme Fa Jin!'" Garou pressed both hands against Boros, forcefully driving him into the ground. Giant cracks snaked outward through the earth in all directions while shockwaves rippled out, chasing the horizon.

The strength of this attack eclipsed his previous ones many times over. But one would struggle to guess that based on how his opponent casually rose once more, unfazed. Not to mention this alien's crazy regeneration.

"What a move. I will get a little more serious." Dust peeled off the cracked earth as Boros blitzed. His stride ate the ground in swift bounds, and then he was airborne, flying feet first — his body a streak of navy blue. The dropkick landed square against Garou's guard before he could brace and struck him; the impact of which sent him cartwheeling into the sky.

Wasn't I supposed to become 'Absolute Evil?'

Garou tumbled, end over end, through the damp chill of a cloud.

There has to be a way. To beat him, I need more…

More…

His descent halted with a lurch of inertia. Boros appeared from below, gripped his ankles, then tossed him earthward like a meteor.

More what? Um… More Techniques, no.

More speed, no.

More power, no.

More creativity, no.

More attacks, no.

How-How the hell am I supposed to take him down!?

Garou collided back-first into the wasteland.

"Ugh…"

Boros touched down a second after.

Garou raised his head. What the hell is he? He's like the embodiment of unfairness.

"You were strong, Garou. If I had not come across a method to increase my strength on this planet. I may have had to use my final form."

He had strength to spare?!

"Haa!" Sheer will forced Garou to his feet.

There… there's no way… there's no way I'll let myself lose to him!

In his peak Gargoyle Form, Garou—

"Allow to me to pass through for a moment."

He didn't even glimpse Boros' attack before pain bloomed and his armor exploded into fragments. Shards of black carapace scattered like broken pottery as his true form spun naked through empty air.

Damn it all. So, even after I've made it this far, it figures… I get pulverized by this unbeatable unfairness, and now it's all over…?

"'I can hear you…'"

A full-toned, otherworldly voice permeated his mind.

"'Garou—'"

…Who are you?

"'Your deepest wish is now on the verge of falling apart in futility, at the hands of a single existence who sided with a hero.'"

Huh? Shut your mouth. You wanna get killed?

"'There is only one fist that can counter "a fist that has turned against 'God'" — what do you think that is?'"

What are you trying to say? Who the hell are you, asshole? Show your face.

"'Heh heh.'"

Garou turned his head inside the endless white void; a familiar silhouette took shape from the formless light.

"'And here I am trying to help you out…'"

Old man…?

"'There is no master who would just sit back and watch as their student gets beaten.'"

Bang stretched out a helping hand.

"'Come.'"