Kaijin Fighter: So I Have to Make Monsters, So What?

Meanwhile,underneath the plaza...

Whenever Zhen Liu used the [Godoku Gourd], it would usually be followed by two things.

The first, a massive explosion as the potent blast of mixed [Chaos] annihilated whatever was in its path due to the sheer power behind it.

Second, victory...sort of.

Actually, now that Zhen Liu thought about it, the first time he used the gourd, it only partially destroyed Grub, the human turned abomination that he fought in Spider Hell awhile back.

Then again, Grub did also have crazy regeneration abilities and was partially made of [Chaos], which would explain why the attack didn't completely kill him.

Regardless, when Zhen Liu fired off that perfect mix shot, he was hoping that the blast would utterly destroy Abbott Longhorn.

Zhen Liu was fairly certain that the old monk didn't have anything in terms of regeneration or healing abilities; and even if the man radiated Nirvana energy, Zhen Liu was fairly certain his intentions were impure enough that his attack wouldn't get outright negated.

But alas, Zhen Liu wouldn't know if this was the case or not.

Before his attack could make an impact against this monk, Lord Smoking Mirror made an unexpected move.

[Finally! I was waiting for this!]

HRK!

The man sitting on the throne was technically two beings, Lord Smoking Mirror and Rammada, his unwilling host.

For reasons Zhen Liu was unclear about, Lord Smoking Mirror decided to willingly leave Rammada's body and send his spiritual body charging towards Zhen Liu's [Godoku Cannon Blast].

Meanwhile, the physical body he left behind suddenly began to regain consciousness.

^Uh...what? Where am—WHOA!^

Needless to say, Rammada wasn't exactly having a good time once he realized what kind of situation he was in.

Then again, neither were his companions outside of the wandering ruins.

...Coincidentally...

In the town of Amber Shore, the Azure Lizards were sitting around a tavern table, enjoying a lovely luncheon, and planning their next move.

^Alright guys, I've been hearing that there is going to be a slaver ambush on this route so we're going to take a longer route and—^

Crack.

^Huh?^

CRACK!

^HOLY SHIT!^

But before their team leader could finish regaling them about their next plan of action, Rammada, the youngest of their group, suddenly exploded into a pile of glass shards without warning or notice.

In response to this sudden development, everyone and the Azure Lizards couldn't help but stare at the pile of glass in utter disbelief.

^Was...was he glass this entire time or...^

^I, uh....I think we're going to need to check the City of Mirrors later.^

^Later?^

^Now. We're going to go check, now.^

^YUP!^

...Now back to the action...

Regardless of any mortal feelings though, the now incorporeal Smoking Mirror intercepted the Godoku Gourd blast, protecting Abbott Longhorn from an attack that would've sent back into the cycle of reincarnation.

A small part of Zhen Liu hoped that when Smoking Mirror jumped in the way, that he would either get dispersed by the blast or knocked into Abbott Longhorn, but that didn't happen.

Instead, Smoking Mirror started absorbing the energy blast like a sponge to water.

Zhen Liu was used to being the guy to eat attacks, so seeing someone else do it was a little perturbing and mildly annoying.

'Wait a minute...'

Especially when Zhen Liu realized something important about this moment.

'The last time someone tried to eat my [Chaos], I popped them like a balloon because they were meant to consume aether only. Dragons and those with dragon force can mitigate my attacks because they're embodiments of natural order, and most recently, Buddhists can mitigate with [Chaos] due to their contradictory desires manifesting as Nirvana energy...then what the fuck happens when the shard of a god absorbs this stuff?'

Not wanting to answer this question, Zhen Liu prematurely stopped releasing the beam and ejected the kaijin from the bottom of the gourd.

The [Vice] and [Virtue] crystals that he had Blazejudicator create were also ejected, but crumbled into dust once they were set free. Evidently, only Kaijin were able to contribute power to the gourd without getting destroyed in the process.

[Bleh, I feel dizzy,] Blazejudicator complained.

[Same here, but you better look alive because we still have to fight,] Nepeherage informed her fiery counterpart.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

[Caretaker, I think you need to get behind us now,] Corpse Doll stated as she stepped forward and took on a fighting stance.

Echoing this sentiment, Porcelain Doll followed suit and took a similar fighting stance next to her.

[Tezcatlipoca is showing an increase in activity. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know it's going to be bad.]

[On the contrary,] Smoking Mirror retorted. [You're about to witness a return to form.]

Shortly after making this ominous declaration, Smoking Mirror began to look significantly more solid than before as he began to digest and process all of the energy he had just absorbed.

^What the fuck?^ Abbott Longhorn cursed as the amount of [Chaos] in the room grew even denser.

Before the eyes of both monk and lord, a body made of black jade began to manifest piece by piece as ghastly flames smoothed, polished and carved various details and features on it.

In Abbott Longhorn's eyes, these details were of unknown and unfathomable origin, while Zhen Liu recognized them as being Aztec in origin. Granted, it would've been much easier for him to identify if he had Logos and Pathos in his head.

Regardless, the surge in [Chaos] eventually tapered off as Zhen Liu and his Kaijin found themselves staring up at a seven foot tall man made of pitch black jade and carved to appear as if he is as wearing the skin of a huge jaguar.

Burning in the eyes of this jaguar hood, Zhen Liu could make out two burning balls of black-and-white flames, each radiating [Vice] and [Virtue].

"Phew! You have my gratitude, my amigo from another land," Tezcatlipoca said in perfect English as he rubbed his shoulders, the sound of stone rubbing against stone echoing in the chamber. "I must say, no I know why those other deities preferred to make use of [Chaos] for their bodies. It's like wearing a well-tailored suit."

"Well, I'd say you're welcome, but from what I'm sensing you're only about as strong as an Aether Emperor of the first ring," Zhen Liu pointed out as he took on a fighting stance with his hammer and bone-club drawn. "Also, how the fuck did you make yourself a body with an attack meant to kill?"

"Hahaha!" Smoking Mirror laughed. "You're not wrong. As you said, I am merely a shard of the real thing. A couple of sacrifices and a few decades of training and I'll be able to restore myself to my full glory."

As if to emphasize this idea, a pulse of energy rocked the room and the area around it.

"Also, Do I really need to spell it out for you, oh Kaijin Lord from another world? Think for a moment, what am I, the Great Trickster of the North, is known for? Every god has a domain, o what's mine?"

Thankfully, due to being a massive nerd in his past life, Zhen Liu knew exactly what kind of god that Tezcatlipoca, Smoking Mirror, was.

"Lord of the night, trickery, jaguar, sorcery and....conflict."

"Exacta!"the warrior carved from jade exclaimed while slapping his chest. "And what is going on above our heads? What have you and your friends and your enemies have been doing all over this ruined city of ours?!"

"Been having one big conflict," Zhen Liu reluctantly answered. "But I thought you needed a ritual."

"Heh. What is a bank but a temple to the gods of fortune and wealth? What is a blacksmith's forge but a choir to the gods of craftsmanship? And what is a war, but an elevate ritual to the gods of war?"

"Sophist mother—"

"But yes, I still needed a catalyst to reach this point," Smoking Mirror said while rubbing his fingers together. "Which you so generously provided."

As soon as these words of gratitude left Smoking Mirror's mouth, the atmosphere of the room became energetic once more.

"However, it appears that you provided a little too much energy for this body of mine. And as much as I would love to hold on to it and slowly use it to improve my form over time, I just know hanging on to over the long term would be hazardous to my newly acquired health. As such, I'm going to have it give it back."

Tezcatlipoca proceeded to point two fingers in Zhen Liu's direction.

"I believe you called this move, [Godoku Cannon]!"

BOOM!

From the tips of fingers, Smoking Mirror fired off a beam of energy that was a clear copy of the one that Zhen Liu just fired moments ago.

Needless to say, Zhen Liu was anything but happy about seeing his own attack being used against him.

"OH, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"