Panic echoed through the streets of Radiance. Civilians rushed chaotically through the winding alleys, hearts pounding in frantic rhythm. The tremors from each fierce blow exchanged between the adventurers and Roman shook the ground beneath their feet. Families clutched one another, their wide, fearful eyes searching desperately for safety. Children cried out, their sobs drowned in the chaos of the stampede. “Quickly, this way!” shouted a knight, his voice loud and commanding amidst the chaos. Armored soldiers formed defensive lines, ushering terrified residents away from the crumbling structures and explosive bursts of spiritual energy. “Head to the southern gates! Move swiftly but stay calm!” The citizens streamed past them, guided by these brave knights who stood firm despite their own fear. The once vibrant streets were now scenes of ruin, shop windows shattered, market stalls toppled, and smoke billowing from the aftermath of Roman’s wrath. Amidst the destruction stood Roman, dark aura pulsating violently around him. His eyes burned with a mad, obsessive desire for recognition. Without hesitation, he rushed forward at Kaito, Akira, and Hiroto, his speed unfathomable to the naked eye. Roman soared skyward, ascending high above the warriors. Time seemed to pause as he hovered momentarily, a twisted smirk stretching across his lips. Then, descending swiftly, Roman aimed his strike at the group “Hiroto!” Kaito shouted urgently. “Got it!” Hiroto braced himself, density intensifying throughout his muscles, his arm solidifying like tempered steel. Roman’s feet collided brutally against Hiroto’s raised arm, sending out an explosive shockwave. Air burst outward, throwing debris in all directions. Hiroto gritted his teeth, veins bulging as he threw Roman aside with sheer force, immediately following with a crushing blow to Roman’s jaw, fist heavy as stone. Roman flew backward, crashing against the cobblestones. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining the ground scarlet. Slowly, Roman chuckled, darkly amused rather than deterred. “I’ll kill every last one of you,” he sneered, his body trembling with rage and exhilaration. “I’ll force this entire damned world to acknowledge my greatness!” Kaito’s eyes widened in disbelief as Roman’s corrupted aura intensified dramatically. “Impossible… He wasn’t even fighting at full power yet?!” Suddenly, Roman vanished, dashing toward Emi with blinding speed. Kaito surged after him desperately, a streak of lightning, but even his unmatched superspeed fell short. Roman’s punch met Emi’s slender frame viciously, sending the fragile elf hurtling through the air. She crashed brutally into a distant building, leaving a trail of rubble in her wake. “No!” Kaito roared in frustration, fists clenched tight, seething with self-directed anger. How could he have allowed Roman past? Akira snapped sharply at him, jolting Kaito from despair. “Focus! We can’t afford to lose concentration!” Kaito nodded grimly, forcing calmness back into his heart. Roman lunged again, the two engaging in a series of furious, lightning-fast blows. Each collision created dazzling sparks of spiritual energy, illuminating the battlefield with chaotic bursts of power. Nearby, Shunjiro watched helplessly, fists shaking at his side, teeth clenched. His stomach twisted with fear and inadequacy. “Am I truly this weak…?” he whispered bitterly. “No, one day… I promise I’ll match their strength.” A surge of corrupted energy from Roman interrupted his thoughts, violently repelling everyone nearby. Roman’s chilling gaze fixed itself upon Shunjiro, targeting him mercilessly next. Shunjiro froze in terror, seeing imminent death approach rapidly- only for a spear of pure ice to pierce Roman’s side. Yuuna’s timely attack allowed Shunjiro survival at the cost of a brutal blow, knocking him backward but leaving him alive. “Shunjiro!” Hiroto yelled urgently. “Check on Emi, quickly!” Stumbling, determination surged through Shunjiro once more. He rose, staggering toward Emi’s fallen position, praying desperately for her safety. Roman growled irritably, shaking blood from his wounded flank. “With the weaklings out of the way, let’s really begin.” He lunged toward Kojiro but found himself intercepted swiftly by Akira, her blade of radiant light clashing fiercely against his corrupted fist. Roman effortlessly hurled her aside before engaging Kojiro’s bladed limbs. Sparks showered around them, the screech of metal against spiritual energy piercingly loud. Kojiro fought valiantly, but exhaustion wore him down. He hastily retreated, trading positions with Satoshi, whose crystal blade danced fluidly in desperate defense. Ice spears from Yuuna joined the fray, yet Roman’s speed rendered every attack nearly futile. “Too slow!” Roman mocked, chipping Satoshi’s blade. Kaito swiftly intervened, re-engaging Roman. “I’m your opponent now, Roman!” Kaito declared fiercely, spiritual energy crackling around him. Meanwhile, Akira’s eyes narrowed, catching sight of three shadowy figures perched atop the kingdom’s walls. “Crimson Lotus,” she ordered decisively, “handle those newcomers.” Satoshi nodded solemnly. “Consider it done.” Akira steeled herself, turning her focus entirely toward Roman alongside Hiroto and Kaito. “Let’s end this.” Roman faced them confidently, fists raised defiantly. “Then come at me!” A brief stillness lingered, shattered instantly as Roman rocketed toward them. Hiroto met his charge first, fists like steel pillars crashing downwards. Roman evaded narrowly, retaliating viciously. Akira joined seamlessly, blade flashing with searing brilliance, forcing Roman back step by step. Kaito blurred into existence beside Roman, unleashing rapid strikes infused with explosive spiritual energy. Roman parried most blows, though Kaito’s speed allowed occasional deep cuts. Blood splattered Roman’s garments, yet his maddening grin only widened. “You’re fast, Kaito, but predictable!” Roman taunted, countering with swift precision. Each strike echoed loudly, overwhelming Kaito’s defenses and knocking him sprawling away. Hiroto barreled forward, density enhanced to maximum, delivering crushing blows powerful enough to crack stone. Roman staggered briefly before smirking maliciously, retaliating with brutal efficiency, repeatedly landing precise blows onto Hiroto’s chest and abdomen, sending him skidding backward, coughing harshly. “Is that all you’ve got?” Roman sneered mockingly. Suddenly, a luminous arc swung toward his neck, Akira’s blade. Roman ducked instinctively, narrowly avoiding fatal injury, though the sword grazed his cheek, burning flesh painfully. “Persistent insect!” Roman snarled furiously, gripping Akira’s wrist and flinging her violently into nearby rubble. She rose swiftly, determined and resilient despite injuries. The three warriors regrouped, breathing heavily yet unyielding. They knew defeat spelled catastrophe for Radiance. “Keep your formations tight,” Kaito ordered, analyzing Roman carefully. “Combine attacks simultaneously, leave no gaps!” Together, they surged forth, a perfect symphony of coordinated strikes: Akira’s blade sliced, Hiroto’s density punches pummeled, Kaito’s lightning-fast slashes overwhelmed. Yet Roman’s strength remained indomitable, his corrupted aura expanding fiercely, matching every blow with devastating counters. Gradually, exhaustion seeped deeper into their bones, muscles screaming in protest. Roman sensed their weakening resolve, capitalizing brutally, breaking through their coordination, landing fierce, debilitating strikes. “You fought valiantly,” Roman mocked cruelly, standing tall amidst ruin and rubble, panting but clearly dominant. “But your futile struggles end here!” Akira glanced quickly toward her companions, sweat and blood mixed upon their battered forms. Yet within their eyes burned unquenchable determination. Kaito smiled defiantly, gripping his katana resolutely. “As long as Radiance remains, we won’t yield!” Roman chuckled darkly, corrupted aura swelling ominously. “Then prove it with your dying breaths!” As the battle raged fiercely, each warrior clung desperately to resolve, hearts united by courage and duty. Though victory seemed distant, they vowed silently to fight until their bodies collapsed. For the kingdom, for their people, for those they swore to protect, no sacrifice was too great.