Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 104: Advent – Battle with the wanted.

Grandmasters.

These are titles reserved for humanity's anomalies—geniuses who have reached the limit of their race. In the long history of the world, hardly anyone has surpassed the level 80 barrier; thus, the 70s are considered the best.

Superhumans among superhumans.

As grandmasters, they have the power to sway an entire country, nailing matters of territories and political nights. Even a king of the average country will have to bow when standing before a person of such caliber.

And at the moment, two such entities are clashing right in the heart of Astra.

''Hahahahah! Try to break my defense, justice boy!''

''Shut your filthy mouth, cultist.''

Between the neatly arranged buildings, flares of brisk, bright collisions spread.

Graham's arms are engulfed in pale flame, which rushes forward every time he brings his fists toward his enemy. Meanwhile, an ominous, dark source of energy oozes out of Valstein's white gloves as he parries his enemy's attacks.

Light clashes with darkness.

With each passing second, the streets, the walls of the buildings, the torn roofs, and the rare cars all get decimated, grazed to nothingness as a result of the two's bout. They aren't striking them; only the shockwaves generated from their clashes do.

A streak of destruction is reigning in Astra.

Grandmasters, even if they are geniuses, need considerable time to reach their peak state. As they get older, their sense of battle does not deteriorate; instead, it gets sharper. They can demonstrate impossible feats unachievable by anyone, be it their tenacity, swiftness, strength, intelligence, or... gauge the enemy just by looking at them.

'Such a monster...'

Graham slightly tenses up.

With a single glance, he can tell that the man in front of him is stronger than himself. Considering the fact that Valstein is classified as a 'half' fighter, Graham feels the serious need to revise the evaluation system.

Although the grandmaster of Astra has not been giving his all due to fear of destroying the city, he still finds it disturbing that Valstein is setting aside his offenses 'neatly,' as though dealing with an annoying bug.

''Is Ravenous Moon prepared for this?''

''Hm?''

''You heard it.'' Graham narrows his eyes, releasing his oppressing presence. ''Is Ravenous Moon prepared for the consequences?''

''Pfft—''

Unfazed, Valstein lets out a wild laugh, seemingly amused by Graham's threat. Grabbing the brim of his hat, the man shakes his head lightly.

''You are asking the wrong question.''

''...?''

''You should be asking... is humanity prepared for HIS descent?''

''!!''

As if surrounded by an infinite swarm of putrid, dense malice, Graham feels cold sweat trickling down his chin. He remembers a scene decades ago. In one of the classes that he attended, tales of the ancient evil were told.

The Demon Venerable.

An entity akin to the worst calamity itself, able to easily contaminate and possibly eradicate the world just by setting its presence on it. Graham's master, who was a grandmaster himself, spoke timidly about this existence.

''HIS presence is unstoppable. Even if all of the world's geniuses—heroes were to go against HIM, we would never achieve a total victory.''

For the young Graham, this was especially unnerving. Was Demon Venerable that terrifying to the extent that his master, renowned as one of the best swordsmen in history, would cower in fear?

From that point onward, HIS existence always bogs the grandmaster's mind. Now, more than ever.

''...Is that so,'' Graham replies.

''Oh? A rather lukewarm response.''

Of course, Graham knows it. The frequency of demon-related incidents as of late has only been increasing, which is an unmistakable signal of a terrible calamity looming.

Temporarily ceasing their bout, the two keep a certain distance, staring at each other.

''I would like to reiterate my question.'' Valstein continues. ''Do you think humanity is prepared?''

''I do.''

''Why is that? From what I can see, none of the geniuses nowadays can match with the legendary generation.''

Even if this generation of Astra Academy's freshmen is called the 'Golden Generation,' they objectively don't stand a chance against the once-blessed stars that drove away the Demon Venerable.

Still, Graham is a believer.

''I believe humanity can shine through this crisis.'' He confidently says, a gleam of hope flashing in his eyes. ''Just like how we've always done.''

clap—! clap—! clap—!

''Excellent. That's what I like about your people—you never give up hope.''

''Thanks, I suppose.''

Suddenly, the atmosphere between the two becomes strange, almost as though they are friends instead of enemies. However, the next second, both of them snap back to their hostile states.

The tension gradually and firmly rises by the seconds; a suffocating, heavy aura churns out by the moments.

BOOM—!!

—and that's when something explodes from the building beside them, sending a human-shaped object rolling on the street. The man with long black hair swiftly regains his stance, carefully observing the incoming danger from the hole that he has just been sent through.

On the man's body rests numerous wounds permeated with frostbite, causing Valstein to widen his eyes for a moment.

The next second, another person arrives.

Aurora's sword—clad in a majestic golden-white—rains down Genji's head without hesitation. The latter slammed his hands together, seizing the slim blade despite suffering from the deadly frost.

''There she is!''

''Attack!''

This time, numerous robed figures emerge from the alleyway nearby, rushing over to finish the one who is wielding ice. Even at first glance, one can tell that the lady donning the Galaxy mask is not in the best condition.

Her robe is torn in multiple places, revealing freshly made wounds across her hip, thighs, and arms. Besides, there is also a huge burn on her back, piercing through even her undergarments. Something fluffy and white teases its presence whenever she moves—a charming side that contrasts her situation.

Despite this, she constantly heals herself while fighting.

When the malicious figures approach earlier, she quickly delivers a round kick toward the kneeling Genji's face, to which he remains unfazed, continuing to cast a fire blast in front of his chest.

Faced with offense from both sides, Aurora blinks away with her sword, catching the assailants—some of them—by surprise. Even then, they don't accidentally attack each other as planned.

'Tough.'

Aurora sighs in her mind, perching on top of a building.

Even with her newly acquired skills, competing with experienced fighters who specialized in killing on top of the monster bearing the body of a deceased hero is exceedingly hard.

Yet, she has no choice but to give it her all.

'...Though, it seems I've interrupted something.'

Now that her senses have returned a bit, she can see both Graham and Valstein standing across each other, staring at her as if dumbfounded.

'Well, it's probably fine.'

With that concern wholly gone after just a second, Aurora shoots herself down again, re-engaging the fight. Her tired sword forcibly dances along the matrix of magical and martial traces in the air, squeezing between advanced spells and slicing through rotten flesh, unintentionally creating a casket of harmony.

''...How beautiful,'' Valstein mutters.

''What tenacity...!'' Graham exclaims.

Unknowing for Aurora, she has attracted enthusiastic interest from two grandmasters.