Chapter 20: Split Ways
The skull-faced monstrosity lunged, its roots lashing out like serpents, each one tipped with jagged thorns dripping venom. Menma didn't flinch.
*Demon Power: 10%.*
The dark aura coiled around him, tendrils of shadow licking at his limbs. His sword hummed, the runes along its length burning crimson as if thirsting for blood.
The creature's gaping maw—half human skull, half pulsating plant flesh—let out a guttural laugh, a sound like bones snapping under pressure.
Menma moved.
His blade carved through the air, severing the first vine before it could strike.
The second lashed at his side, but he twisted mid-air, letting it graze his ribs before countering with a downward slash. The steel bit deep into the creature's core, green ichor spraying in an arc.
The abomination shrieked, its flower-head convulsing. It staggered back, roots writhing as if in agony. Menma didn't give it time to recover.
"Teleportation Sword – Final Step."
In a blur, he vanished—reappearing behind the beast. His sword flashed once, twice, before he landed lightly on the cobblestones.
For a moment, the creature stood frozen. Then, with a wet, tearing sound, its body split apart, collapsing into a heap of twitching vines.