Chapter 28 — Heroes Meet Villains

The massive entrance slowly closed behind them. The seven Next Generation Bravers instinctively turned around as the black tentacles that had opened moments earlier sealed the doorway shut once more. There was no retreat.

For several seconds, none of them moved. The sound of the entrance sealing behind them echoed throughout the enormous mall before gradually fading into silence.

The shopping mall was eerily quiet. Ryuen calmly walked forward with both hands inside his pockets, while the seven mechanized Bravers followed closely behind. Every wall, every pillar, even the ceiling was covered by thick, living black tentacles that slowly pulsed as if the entire building itself were alive. Not a single civilian could be seen. Not a single Witch. Only silence.

One of the Next Generation Bravers whispered,

"...Where is everyone?"

No one answered. Then—the silence shattered.

Hundreds of tiny black creatures burst from every corridor. The goblins screamed as they charged toward the group from every direction. Some crawled across the floor while others climbed along the walls and ceiling, surrounding Ryuen and the Next Generation Bravers from nearly every possible angle. Their glowing white eyes filled the darkness like hundreds of tiny lights. Ryuen didn't even bother looking at them. Instead, he smiled.

"You. Take care of them."

"Yes, sir!"

The seven soldiers immediately stepped forward. Mechanical panels unfolded across both forearms as their armored gauntlets transformed into heavy energy cannons. The weapons hummed loudly as brilliant light gathered inside each barrel.

WHHHHHMMMMMMM!!

Ryuen remained perfectly still.

Seven brilliant beams erupted simultaneously.

BOOOOOOOOM!!

A crimson beam. A blue beam. A green beam. A golden beam. A white beam. A pink beam. A violet beam. Each blast tore through the charging goblins, and entire rows of creatures vanished instantly. The soldiers continued firing.

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

Energy beams crossed the shopping mall in every direction. Within seconds, the endless swarm disappeared, leaving only drifting black particles behind. The remaining particles floated silently through the air like black ash, slowly disappearing before they could reach the floor. None of the seven soldiers lowered their weapons, expecting another attack at any moment.

Then...

THUMP...

THUMP...

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THUMP...

The entire shopping mall trembled as a gigantic shadow slowly emerged from the darkness. A massive black troll stepped forward, its enormous body nearly touching the ceiling, muscles bulging beneath glossy black skin as its glowing white eyes stared directly at the intruders. Several members of the Next Generation Bravers instinctively stepped backward.

"...It's huge..."

Ryuen merely chuckled.

"...Transform."

Purple light exploded around him. His clothes vanished as the sleek violet armor of the Purple Braver materialized around his body.

The troll roared.

ROOOOOAAARRRR!!

Its enormous arm descended toward him. Ryuen calmly raised one hand and casually slashed through the air with two fingers.

SHHHKKK!!

For a brief instant, nothing happened. Then—five glowing lines appeared across the troll's body. The enormous creature separated into five perfectly clean pieces, its body dissolving into countless black particles before the pieces even touched the floor.

After the troll vanished, silence returned. However, shortly afterward, a faint sound could be heard...

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Slow, enthusiastic applause echoed through the mall. Ryuen looked upward.

At the top of the central escalator sat a girl with long crimson twin ponytails, narrow, delighted crimson eyes, an impossibly wide smile, and a black sailor-style uniform with a dark red collar and ribbon, a black pleated skirt, and knee-high socks—it was Greed.

Standing beside her was a girl with long, messy black hair streaked with dark pink, one glowing crimson eye beneath her bangs, and an irritated expression, wearing a black hoodie with pink trim over a black crop top, a pink plaid necktie and matching skirt, a black choker, torn stockings, and dark boots—it was Wrath.

Greed laughed brightly.

"Hehehe! What a wonderful performance! It felt just like watching one of those old television hero shows!"

She looked toward the girl beside her.

"Wasn't it exciting, Darling♥?"

Wrath didn't answer. She simply continued staring at Ryuen, her expression never changing.

Ryuen smiled politely.

"Thank you for the warm welcome."

His eyes slowly swept across the empty shopping mall.

"...Where are the hostages?"

Greed tilted her head.

"The hostages?"

She giggled.

"Oh! You already met them."

Sliding effortlessly down the escalator railing, Greed landed gracefully on the first floor. Wrath jumped down beside her without a word.

Greed happily spread both arms.

"Those adorable little goblins you just destroyed... were the hostages."

The seven Next Generation Bravers froze. Several of them instinctively looked toward the places where the goblins had disappeared only moments earlier. Their weapons slowly lowered as the meaning of Greed's words sank in. Ryuen's expression didn't change.

Greed blinked.

"Hehehe... You don't seem bothered."

Ryuen shrugged.

"Why would I be? They weren't human anymore. Killing them was an act of mercy."

Greed covered her mouth while laughing.

"Oh... I always disliked that part of your personality."

She leaned slightly forward.

"But now... I find it absolutely delightful."

Ryuen narrowed his eyes.

"...You speak as though you know me."

Greed nodded enthusiastically.

"I do."

Something about her answer unsettled him. He couldn't explain why. Then his gaze shifted toward Wrath. Something about her silhouette, her posture, felt strangely familiar.

Before he could think further—Wrath stepped forward and slowly cracked her knuckles.

"...Enough talking. Let's skip to the part where we kill these bastards."

Greed clasped both hands together and frowned in exaggerated irritation.

"Aww... Darling♥, you're as impatient as always."

She began twirling happily around Wrath with exaggerated feminine movements.

"And I love that side of you so much♥."

Ryuen laughed confidently.

"Don't die too quickly."

He pointed toward himself.

"This is my debut as the world's greatest hero. I intend to enjoy every second of it."

Behind him, the seven Next Generation Bravers lowered into combat stances as energy hummed inside their mechanized armor. Across from them, Greed continued smiling while Wrath clenched her fists. The air inside the shopping mall grew heavy.

Purple Stellar Energy flickered around Ryuen's armored fingers as he stared directly at the two Witches before him.

The battle was about to begin.