cosmic outbreak

Chapter 11: The Awakening of Kuroshin

The battlefield was in chaos. Sparks of electricity crackled in the air as Daiki, now under enemy control, moved at lightning speed. Kuroshin hurled his spear, only for Daiki to dodge effortlessly and counter with a powerful thunder-infused punch. The force sent Kuroshin skidding across the ground, dark energy flickering from his fingertips.

Emi lunged forward, attempting to extract the chip controlling Daiki, but he struck her down, slamming her into the ground. "You won't take it," Daiki growled, his voice distorted by the chip's influence.

Takeshi, seeing an opening, raised his arms. The air grew heavy, the ground trembling beneath him. "Tsunami Surge!" he roared, and an enormous wave crashed down on Daiki, momentarily rendering him unconscious.

"This is our chance!" Kiyoshi shouted. He dashed forward and delivered a devastating punch to Daiki's stomach, sending him flying. At that moment, Akito activated his invincibility ability, reaching for Daiki's chip. Just as his fingers brushed against it—

A shadow moved.

Xander, the master of illusions, appeared out of nowhere, landing a brutal punch on Akito. "Did you really think it would be that easy?" he sneered.

On the other side of the battlefield, Kaito was locked in combat with Xander. Wind whips coiled around him as he lashed out, striking Xander repeatedly. "Windstorm Bind!" Kaito summoned a cyclone, trapping the illusionist inside.

Aoi, using the moment, absorbed the surrounding sound into his palms. "Sonic Strike!" He released a deafening blast, sending Xander staggering backward.

Takeshi followed up immediately. "Tsunami Break!" Another wave of water surged forward, but Xander erected a wall of illusions, dodging the attack effortlessly. Then, he let out an ear-piercing scream, his body twisting and shifting—he was transforming. His skin turned black, his eyes glowed red, and his muscles bulged unnaturally.

A monster.

Meanwhile, Hikaru faced Zorlak, the fire-wielding alien. He fired an Ether Blast, but Zorlak swiped it aside with a wave of his hand. A pulse of heat erupted from his body, scorching the battlefield. "You can't even get close to me," he taunted. "I am a walking sun!"

Hikaru gritted his teeth. "We need Ryo! He's the only one who can counter this heat!"

Ryo hesitated but then clenched his fists. "Fine. Ice Slash!" A blade of ice cut through the fiery battlefield, colliding with Zorlak's flames. Steam erupted around them.

Taking advantage of the opening, Toma hurled a fireball at Zorlak. "Let's see how you like your own element!"

Asahi charged in, forming a massive metal fist. "Metal Crusher!" He swung it, landing a devastating blow on Zorlak's chest.

Then, Tatsuya stepped forward, his eyes glowing crimson. He reached out, sinking his fingers into Zorlak's skin. "Blood Wrath!"

Zorlak gasped as his energy drained. "You… you're dangerous," he muttered, struggling to break free.

Enraged, Zorlak unleashed a massive explosion of fire, engulfing everyone in flames—even his own allies, Daiki and Xander. Hikaru tried to counter with an Ether Blast, but Zorlak's fire engulfed his hand, burning him badly.

Hikaru screamed in pain.

Then, out of nowhere, a foot connected with Zorlak's face.

Zorlak stumbled back, stunned. "Who—?!"

A deep voice rumbled through the battlefield. "Looks like you forgot about me."

Muscle stood there, his body radiating raw power.

Hikaru, still clutching his burned hand, smirked. "Oh yeah… we kinda forgot about you."

Muscle's face darkened. "Shut the hell up."

Then, he attacked.

Zorlak had no time to react as Muscle's fists rained down like meteors. A punch to the gut. A knee to the face. A devastating uppercut. Zorlak staggered, disoriented.

"Zero Knuckle!"

Muscle's final punch landed square on Zorlak's eye, bursting it. The fire alien howled in agony, collapsing to the ground.

On the other side of the battlefield, Kuroshin was struggling against Xander. The illusionist was too fast, too unpredictable. Kuroshin gritted his teeth, frustration mounting.

Then—something changed.

A dark aura began to swirl around Kuroshin. His breathing slowed. His mind cleared.

Power erupted from within him.

Dark energy wrapped around his arms, crackling with raw intensity. His entire body radiated an overwhelming presence.

Everyone turned.

Kuroshin had awakened.