*I LIVE IN ISEKKAI* ARC 16 : DEMONS OF WRATH ARC
Chapter 75: "To Lisatyad"Michi, Appolo, and Henu reached the bustling port of Dalgodia city, exhausted but triumphant after their battle with Kurush. They spotted a small boat bobbing gently in the water, its sails fluttering in the breeze, and decided to commandeer it for their journey back to Azais city.As they set off, Michi gazed out at the endless expanse of sea, his mind still reeling from their recent battle. "I tried to bring back Thelma's spirit, but I failed," he said, his voice tinged with sadness and regret.Henu placed a comforting hand on Michi's shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding. "You can't, onii-san. Only those who meet unexpected deaths can return. Those who choose their own death can't come back."Appolo, ever the jokester, chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm back, but I miss my organs, haha! Mostly my…ahem…organs." He winked at Michi, who blushed bright red, laughing despite himself.Their boat journey to Azais city was filled with laughter, fishing encounters, and tall tales. Appolo tried to catch a giant squid, but ended up getting tangled in the tentacles. Henu had to rescue him, laughing so hard he snorted his lunch out his nose. Michi chuckled and playfully rolled his eyes, shaking his head in amusement.After a few days at sea, they arrived in Azais city, ready to start their new adventure to Lisatyad city. As they walked, they noticed five adventurers ahead of them, their gear and demeanor marking them as seasoned explorers. One, a striking young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair, approached Michi."Hello, I'm Lisdia. We're headed to Lisatyad city. Are you going there too?"Michi nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, but it's a very dangerous place. Demons and who knows what else."One of Lisdia's companions, a burly man named Mike, snorted. "So what? We'll go there and kill the demons. Don't you see we're A-rank adventurers?"Michi smiled wryly and flashed his S-rank adventurer card, the symbol glinting in the sunlight. "Demons, huh? Okay." He glanced at Appolo and Henu, who exchanged a knowing look, their faces set with determination.Lisdia's eyes widened, impressed. "Wow, you're an S-rank adventurer! Then you'll lead us, please."Michi hesitated, unsure if he wanted to take on the responsibility, but Lisdia's enthusiasm was infectious. "Meet my friends, Appolo and Henu."The two groups merged, with Lisdia introducing her crew: Mike, Tyler, Junia, and Tieu. As they journeyed on, Michi realized that this unlikely team might just be the key to success in the treacherous city of Lisatyad, where the stone of wrath awaited.Chapter 76: "Demons Of Wrath"Michi, Appolo, and Henu reached Lisatyad city with Lisdia and her team, their hearts heavy with foreboding. As they entered the city, they felt an eerie presence, like death and grimness hung in the air. The smell of rotten bodies filled their nostrils, making their stomachs churn. The streets were empty, save for the occasional scavenging bird or rat."Must be those who came before us," Mike said, his voice laced with unease. He glanced around nervously, his hand on the hilt of his sword.Michi's eyes narrowed. "Be ready for anything. We don't know what we're up against."Tieu clung to Henu's arm, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm feeling scared, Henu-san. If something happens, help me, please." She looked up at Henu with pleading eyes.Henu smiled reassuringly. "Okay, Little Tieu. I'll protect you."As they ventured deeper, they stumbled upon a dark, cavernous room. In the center, a rotten skeleton sat, its bones bleached white. Appolo glanced at Michi, who nodded."I can feel it too, the presence of the wrath stone is everywhere. It's like it's calling to us."Suddenly, a hidden door creaked open, and hands grabbed Lisdia, dragging her into the darkness. Her screams echoed through the room, followed by the sound of shattering bones.The door opened again, revealing Lisdia's broken skeleton and body parts. The group gasped in horror. Tyler's eyes widened as Lisdia's decomposing head was thrown at him. Little demons descended upon him, slashing his abdomen with knives, devouring his flesh.Michi and Appolo charged into battle, instructing Henu to protect Mike, Junia, and Tieu. Appolo shouted, "Michi, I think the stone pieces turned into these demons! We need to kill them to get the stone!"Michi nodded, fighting off the demons. "I think the holder broke the stone into pieces to destroy it completely, and the pieces turned into these demons. We need to gather them later."Mike panicked, pushing Henu aside and trying to flee. Henu tried to stop him, but Mike ran straight into the path of massive demons wielding claymores. They sliced him into pieces, Junia's screams echoing through the room.Michi and Appolo fought off the big demons, while Henu protected Junia and Tieu from smaller demons. Junia chanted support magic, but Tieu stood frozen in fear.As demons attacked Tieu, Junia pushed him aside and was mauled by the demons. Tieu watched in horror as they devoured Junia's flesh.Henu killed the demons, but only he and Tieu remained alive. Michi and Appolo returned, surveying the carnage. Michi used his powers to collect the wrath stone pieces, reassembling the stone.As they caught their breath, a creepy laugh echoed through the room, sending shivers down their spines.Chapter 77: "Sleeping Rage"Michi, Appolo, Henu, and Tieu ventured deeper into the heart of Lisatyad city, sensing an eerie presence lurking in the shadows. The air grew thick with malevolent energy, making their skin crawl. Suddenly, Tieu was immobilized by an unknown force, slammed to the floor repeatedly. The sound of Tieu's teeth breaking and bones cracking filled the air, accompanied by Tieu's blood-curdling screams.Henu rushed to Tieu's side, horror etched on his face. "Tieu, no! Oh, Tieu! This can't be happening!"Tieu's eyes rolled back, his body convulsing in agony. Michi and Appolo tried to intervene, but an invisible barrier repelled them.The voice returned, Its shadowy hooded figure emerging from the darkness. "Michi, you've caused me so much trouble, yet helped me immensely. Thanks for gathering the stones. Now, hand them over, and I'll grant you all a swift death."Michi's anger boiled over. "You're the one responsible for all this suffering! You're the monster who destroyed their lives!"Luvon Dopiz, the researcher, revealed himself, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "I planted the stones in the children. You've heard of me from Nian and Chisa, I presume? They were my favorite test subjects."Michi and his friends seethed with rage. "You're the devil incarnate!" Michi snarled.Luvon shrugged. "Irrelevant now. With all the stones present, my work is done. But that fool Lurax destroyed his wrath stone to thwart me. How…amusing."Michi's forehead stone turned gray, his scythe at the ready. "You'll pay for your atrocities, Luvon. Prepare to face your demise!"Luvon sneered. "If you can bypass my reflect powers, then try. Show me your best 'death dance,' like that neko and usagi. I'll enjoy watching you struggle."Michi charged forward, his scythe slicing through the air. Luvon summoned his deadly lions to battle Appolo and Henu.The fight raged on, Michi and Luvon exchanging blows, their powers locked in a fierce struggle. Appolo and Henu fought valiantly against the lions, their movements a blur as they dodged deadly claws and teeth.Luvon's reflect powers proved formidable, but Michi's determination and rage pushed him forward.Chapter 78: "Michi's Rage"The battle raged on, Michi and Luvon exchanging blows, their powers locked in a fierce struggle. Appolo and Henu fought valiantly against the lions, their movements a blur as they dodged deadly claws and teeth.Luvon's reflect powers proved formidable, but Michi's determination and rage pushed him forward. Michi's scythe sliced through the air, only to be deflected by Luvon's powers. Luvon retaliated with a wave of dark energy, but Michi dodged it narrowly."You're quite skilled, Michi," Luvon said, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "But you'll never defeat me. I've killed countless test subjects, including your precious Nian and Chisa."Michi's eyes widened in horror. "What did you say?"Luvon chuckled. "Oh, yes. Their deaths were most…entertaining. Nian's screams still echo in my mind, and Chisa's futile struggles were a delight to watch."Michi's blood boiled with rage. He charged at Luvon with a fierce battle cry, his scythe flashing in the dim light. Luvon laughed maniacally, his powers surging to meet Michi's attack.Appolo and Henu took advantage of the distraction to strike down the lions, their movements swift and deadly. But Luvon's powers proved too strong, and he summoned more lions to replace the fallen ones.The battle Intensified, Michi and Luvon exchanging blows, their powers locked in a fierce struggle. Michi's rage fueled his attacks, but Luvon's powers seemed endless."You'll never defeat me, Michi," Luvon sneered. "I've harnessed the power of the stones, and I'll crush you all."Michi's forehead stone glowed with fierce determination. "I'll kill you, Luvon. For Nian, Chisa, and all the others you've tortured."The fight raged on, the outcome hanging in the balance…Chapter 79: "Final Fight"The final battle raged on, Michi and Luvon exchanging blows, their powers locked in a fierce struggle. Appolo and Henu fought valiantly against the lions, their movements a blur as they dodged deadly claws and teeth.Michi's scythe sliced through the air, striking true again and again, but Luvon's powers deflected each blow. Luvon retaliated with waves of dark energy, but Michi dodged and weaved, his determination fueling his movements.Appolo and Henu fought in perfect sync, their attacks striking down lion after lion. But Luvon summoned more, the creatures seemingly endless.Michi's rage boiled over, his forehead stone glowing with fierce determination. He unleashed a devastating combo, his scythe slicing through Luvon's defenses. Luvon stumbled back, his powers wavering."Now's our chance!" Appolo shouted, striking down the last lion.Henu nodded, his fists glowing with fire. "Let's finish this!"Michi charged forward, his scythe flashing in the dim light. Luvon tried to defend himself, but Michi's attack was too strong. The scythe sliced through Luvon's chest, ending the mad researcher's reign of terror.Luvon's body crumpled to the ground, his powers fading away. The lions, leaderless, retreated into the shadows.Michi stood victorious, his chest heaving with exhaustion. Appolo and Henu approached him, their faces etched with relief."We did it," Appolo said, clapping Michi on the back.Henu nodded, his eyes shining with tears. "We avenged Nian and Chisa."Michi's gaze fell upon Luvon's lifeless body. "It's over. The nightmare is finally over."Chapter 80: "Sorrowful Depart"Michi, Appolo, and Henu stood victorious, Luvon and his lions defeated. Michi's eyes shone with determination, his heart still heavy with the loss of Tieu. "Now we have all the stones. We can finally save Airi."Henu's gaze fell upon Tieu's lifeless body, his eyes welling up with tears. "Sorry, Tieu. I couldn't protect you. I'll never forgive myself for failing you."Appolo placed a comforting hand on Henu's head, his expression softening. "Don't blame yourself, Henu. We did everything we could. We fought with all our might, and we won."Appolo's expression turned serious, his voice taking on a somber tone. "Michi, hear me out. I know this is a moment for celebration, but I don't think we've solved everything. We still don't know why the stones are here or what the main motive is to revive them. Luvon didn't reveal anything. I think he was just a pawn in a bigger game."Michi nodded thoughtfully, his mind racing with the implications. "You're right, Appolo. We can't let our guard down yet. We need to uncover the truth behind the stones and the forces driving this sinister plot."Appolo's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding over. "I'm glad we agree, Michi. But I have something important to tell you. I won't be able to help you anymore. Puppets can't live eternally, and I've been called by others. My mission was to help you gather the stones, and now it's time for me to depart."Michi and Henu's faces fell, shock and sadness etched on their features. Michi's voice trembled, his eyes welling up with tears. "I knew this day would come, Appolo. Sorry for holding you back for so long. You've been more than just a friend to me."Appolo smiled warmly, his eyes shining with tears. "No need to be sad, Michi. These moments were the best in my life. I'm grateful for our time together, for the laughter, the tears, and the adventures we shared."Michi hugged Appolo tightly, tears streaming down his face. Henu joined in, tears flowing freely as they embraced their dear friend. Appolo hugged them back, his puppet body beginning to break apart, his essence fading away.As they embraced, Appolo whispered, "I'll wait for you on the other side. Don't come soon, or I'll kick your balls, haha! This time, I can say a proper farewell. Now, bring on the new era, Michi! Make me proud!"With those final words, Appolo's puppet dissolved into white light, his smile lingering as he vanished. Michi and Henu stood alone, tears drying on their faces as they gazed up at the clear sky, the clouds gone.Michi's voice whispered on the wind. "Thanks, Appolo. Thanks for everything. We'll never forget you."