As Joseph and his team arrived at Kure Planet City, the air buzzed with tension. Warriors moved in disciplined formations, their synchronized footsteps echoing through the streets, while others worked tirelessly to evacuate civilians. At the forefront stood their leader, Hatsune Ikumi—the renowned huntress and esteemed mayor—delivering a rousing speech to her warriors, her voice unwavering as she instilled courage in their hearts.

  From a distance, she spotted Joseph and his team approaching. Even as she continued addressing her forces, she acknowledged their presence with a subtle gesture, signaling for them to join her. She already knew who they were and why they had come.

  When they reached her, Hatsune expressed her gratitude for their swift arrival before briefing them on the battle plan. With the city now fully evacuated, an eerie silence fell over the once-bustling streets, the only sounds remaining those of warriors taking their positions, awaiting the inevitable. Hatsune stood at the heart of the city, weapon in hand, her aura radiating raw power as she prepared for the onslaught.

  Moments later, the sky split open. A portal materialized in midair, pulsating with dark energy before disgorging the first wave of monstrous attackers. Without hesitation, Hatsune launched into action, cutting through the grotesque creatures with unparalleled speed and precision. Her warriors remained at the ready, awaiting her signal.

  Then, the battlefield trembled as something far larger began to emerge—a leviathan-like monstrosity, its massive form stretching through the portal. Wasting no time, Hatsune propelled herself into the air, her sword glowing as her energy fused into the blade. With a single devastating strike, she cleaved the creature in two before it could fully manifest, its agonized roar echoing through the city as its lifeless body crashed to the ground with a resounding thud.

  Before the dust could settle, another wave erupted from the portal—a swarm of nightmarish beasts, their screeches piercing the air as they scattered in all directions. Without hesitation, Hatsune gave the signal, and her warriors surged forward, slashing, blasting, and tearing through the creatures in a fierce clash of steel and energy.

  Then, the atmosphere shifted.

  A monstrous presence emerged from the portal, dwarfing the leviathan that had come before. This was no ordinary beast—this was an elite demi-monster, far larger and more fearsome. It burst into the sky with a deafening roar, its massive wings generating powerful gusts as it hovered, its piercing eyes scanning the battlefield before locking onto Hatsune.

  For a moment, they stared each other down, a silent clash of willpower. Then, with an earth-shaking bellow, the creature charged.

  Hatsune met its attack head-on, launching herself skyward with deadly precision. She evaded its grasp, striking with her blade—only to find that her weapon barely scratched its thick hide, the impact leaving nothing but a shallow mark. She twisted midair, regaining her balance as the beast turned to strike again.

  Their battle ignited the sky, each exchange shaking the air with raw power. On the ground, Joseph and his team fought alongside the warriors, cutting down the relentless tide of minions as the war for Kure Planet City raged on.

  ***

  The battle between Hatsune Ikumi and the elite demi-monster tore through the sky like a celestial storm. Their strikes sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield, each collision distorting the very fabric of reality. Hatsune’s blade, infused with her cosmic energy, clashed against the creature’s monstrous claws, sending out blinding flashes of light that illuminated the war-torn city.

  The demi-monster roared, its voice an ear-shattering tremor that shook the atmosphere. Its body radiated an aura of pure destruction, warping space around it as black fissures crackled through the sky. It lashed out with monstrous speed, raking its claws through the air, narrowly missing Hatsune as she twisted midair to evade. She countered with a flurry of strikes, her blade dancing like a comet, carving deep into the beast’s flesh. Yet, the creature endured, regenerating almost instantly as it retaliated with a burst of concentrated cosmic energy.

  The blast struck Hatsune full force, sending her hurtling across the battlefield like a falling star. She crashed into a crumbling skyscraper, the impact splitting the structure apart before she emerged from the debris, blood trailing from her lip. With a defiant glare, she wiped it away and launched herself forward again.

  Both combatants unleashed their full cosmic power. The sky darkened as swirling storms of energy converged above them, the sheer force of their battle bending reality itself. Each strike was cataclysmic—pulses of energy carved massive rifts into the land below, distorting gravity and turning the battlefield into a warping, chaotic realm. Warriors on the ground could barely stand as the sheer force of their duel threatened to pull them into the abyss.

  Hatsune gritted her teeth, pushing through the agony of her battered body. This monster was relentless, its durability rivaling the strongest foes she had ever faced. But she had fought too long, survived too much to be defeated here. She waited—calculating its next move. When the beast lunged forward, jaws wide to consume her whole, she channeled every ounce of her cosmic energy into her blade.

  With a burst of unimaginable speed, she struck.

  Her sword carved through the monster’s core, severing its energy flow in a single decisive slash. The creature let out a final, anguished roar before its colossal body collapsed, disintegrating into cosmic dust. As its particles faded into the void, silence fell upon the battlefield.

  The warriors on the ground, still locked in combat, fought with renewed vigor. With Joseph and his team leading the charge, they tore through the remaining minions. Blades clashed, energy blasts erupted, and one by one, the monstrous horde was eradicated.

  Victory.

  Hatsune exhaled, lowering her sword as she surveyed the battlefield. The warriors cheered, exhausted but triumphant. But then—

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  The air grew unnaturally heavy.

  A second portal, far larger than all, materialized above them. The atmosphere trembled as an unimaginable force poured through. Then it emerged.

  A higher demi-monster—one of demi-god level.

  The sight of it alone paralyzed the battlefield. It was unlike anything they had ever encountered. Towering beyond comprehension, its presence stretched across dimensions, its form shifting between physical and ethereal. Its aura was a force beyond hyperversal comprehension, distorting the very essence of existence. Merely standing beneath it, the warriors felt as though they were being crushed beneath an infinite weight.

  The moment it moved, reality itself shattered.

  The world twisted, reshaped by its mere presence. The ground became liquid, the sky rippled like a fragmented mirror. Space contorted around them, and time itself seemed to lose meaning. The warriors—Joseph and his team included—launched their attacks, but every strike was nullified as if their very existence meant nothing before this monstrosity.

  Hatsune, still battle-worn, pushed forward, unleashing her cosmic power to its fullest. But no matter how much she fought, her attacks phased through it—reality warping had no effect, cosmic energy was useless. It was beyond comprehension.

  Then, it grew.

  Its form expanded, merging with the fabric of the universe itself. The battlefield was no longer just a city—it was the cosmos, bending to its will. Above them, its mouth opened wide, stretching across the void. It was preparing to devour the planet.

  Terror set in as the warriors realized the truth.

  They couldn’t stop this.

  Hatsune gritted her teeth, glaring at the being with defiance. She had faced death before. She had defied the impossible. But this—this was beyond anything she had ever encountered.

  Then, as the monster's jaws descended, the end seemingly inevitable—

  A blinding streak of energy cut through the void.

  A cosmic sword, crackling with an unfathomable force, tore through the beast’s monstrous mouth at incomprehensible speed. The sheer power of its impact silenced the universe for a moment.

  Then—

  The demi-monster convulsed violently. A shattering roar echoed across dimensions as its entire form erupted into cosmic particles. The remnants of its being rained down like harmless stardust, illuminating the battlefield in ethereal beauty.

  Silence.

  Then, they all turned—every warrior, every fighter, every soul present. Their gazes locked onto the figure standing in the aftermath, their savior.

  The cosmic sword, still humming with untamed energy, returned to its wielder’s grasp.

  Rieko Kanako.

  A huntress whose very presence radiated hyperversal might. Her aura spanned across existence, commanding awe and reverence. She stood with an air of unshakable composure, her power rippling through the cosmos like an eternal storm.

  With a mere gesture, she undid the destruction caused by the battle. The city was restored, the dead risen, the wounded healed. Time itself seemed to acknowledge her command as all was made whole once more.

  She turned to the warriors, her gaze unwavering. Then, with a voice as calm as it was resolute, she spoke.

  “I apologize for my late arrival.”

  She stepped forward, her cosmic energy settling around her like a celestial mantle. “I have been fighting that monster for years. It was a higher demi-monster—one whose aura spanned hyperversal levels. During our battle, it was pulled into a portal, which I tracked here.” She exhaled, glancing at the sky where the rift had once been. “It is finally over.”

  The battlefield, once filled with despair, was now silent. The warriors, including Joseph and his team, could only stare in stunned reverence. Hatsune, though exhausted, met Rieko’s gaze with silent respect.

  They had faced annihilation.

  And yet, against all odds, they had survived.

  Rieko turned to Joseph and his team, her gaze unwavering yet composed. “Your mission here is complete,” she stated, her voice carrying the weight of finality. “It’s time to head to Akakawa, the Red River Kingdom.”

  Joseph nodded in understanding. The battle had been fierce, but their purpose here had been fulfilled. Before he could depart, Hatsune approached him, her expression softened from its usual battle-hardened intensity.

  “Thank you for your aid,” she said, offering a rare, sincere smile.

  Joseph returned the gesture with a nod. “We fight for the same cause. I’m sure our paths will cross again.”

  With that, Rieko extended her aura, enveloping Joseph and his team in a radiant sphere of energy. With a single command, they vanished from the battlefield, transported across space and dimensions to their next destination.

  Arrival in Akakawa, the Red River Kingdom. The moment they materialized, Joseph was awed by the breathtaking grandeur of the kingdom before them. The Red River Kingdom—Akakawa—was a marvel of civilization, a perfect blend of nature’s splendor and advanced technology. The kingdom stretched across the horizon, its skyline filled with magnificent towers adorned with intricate gold and crimson designs, reflecting the perpetual sunset that bathed the land in a warm, ethereal glow.

  Floating drones hovered seamlessly above the streets, their sleek metallic forms pulsating with soft blue light as they carried out their programmed tasks. Android and robotic guards stood at their posts with unwavering vigilance, scanning their surroundings with mechanical precision. The streets were alive with activity, filled with people dressed in elegant attire—robes embroidered with intricate golden patterns, some adorned with digital enhancements that shimmered as they moved.

  Flying crafts, shaped like sleek metallic birds, soared above, carrying large display flyers that projected mesmerizing holographic visuals. Some displayed vibrant advertisements, while others showcased royal announcements, their messages delivered in soothing yet authoritative tones. Joseph’s gaze locked onto a particular projection—an enormous, ethereal image of the kingdom’s royal crest, followed by a message directly from the king himself.

  Everything was in perfect harmony—an exquisite balance of culture, and hyper-advanced technology.

  Joseph’s team, observing his wide-eyed expression, exchanged knowing glances. His excitement was almost palpable.

  One of his teammates, Mari, smirked. “Judging by your face, I’m guessing this is your first time here?”

  Joseph chuckled, shaking his head. “Not exactly,” he admitted. “I caught a glimpse of this place once during my adventure in Fujimori, the Wisteria Forest Kingdom, while aiding neighboring regions.”

  His team looked at him curiously, urging him to continue.

  “During a battle there, I encountered the Treasure of Dimension—an artifact of immense power. It opened a rift, pulling me momentarily into this realm. I barely had time to comprehend what I was seeing before I was sent back.”

  He then gestured toward a particular sight—the Land of Flowing Crimson Rivers, a breathtaking expanse where the water glowed like molten rubies under the sky’s eternal twilight.

  “That was my landmark,” he continued. “The moment I saw it again, I knew exactly where we were.”

  As they moved forward, the awe-inspiring scenery gradually transitioned into an imposing structure—the grand palace of Masumi, the heart of Akakawa.

  Audience with the Royal Family of Masumi

  The palace was a fortress of both elegance and power. Its towering spires shimmered with enchanted light, and its architecture was an intricate fusion of celestial and technological craftsmanship. The entrance alone was a marvel—massive golden gates inscribed with ancient runes, guarded by elite warriors clad in cybernetic armor.

  Inside, the halls stretched endlessly, adorned with banners of the royal family, glowing crystalline chandeliers, and golden statues of past rulers standing proudly along the walls. Every corridor was patrolled by high-ranking palace guards, their presence a testament to the kingdom’s unwavering security.