The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2384: Killing a Curse Eater

"BOOOOOM!"

"BOOM!"

"BOOOOM!"

Explosions rang across the dark city as massive blasts tore through the skyline. Buildings were cleaved apart, their upper floors collapsing as chunks of stone and steel crashed into the streets below. Smoke and debris flooded the air, blotting out what little light existed in this empty world.

Cain’s eyes were sharp as blades as he glided along the surface of a crumbling building, his feet barely touching the fractured stone. He twisted mid-motion, narrowly dodging a devastating strike from Bako, then raised his arm and shattered a net of threads released by Hako. His movements were fluid, precise, relentless.

Then his eyes narrowed.

"One hundred heartbeats."

Even as he fought the two Curse Eaters directly, Cain had been counting in his mind. That was the exact number of heartbeats it took for Sozing to recharge his overwhelming repulsive force.

As if on cue, Sozing’s eyes glowed. The human Curse Eater leapt forward, positioning himself directly in front of Cain. His hand extended, and in the next instant, the repulsive force erupted at full power.

The blast struck the Scarlet King point-blank.

A mouthful of blood emerged from the Scarlet King as he was hurled through a building, smashing through walls and support pillars before crashing into the street below. The ground shattered on impact, blood spraying across the fractured stone.

Cain clenched his teeth—but he did not hesitate.

He twisted his body mid-fall, narrowly avoiding Bako as the towering Curse Eater descended from above. Cain countered instantly, landing a ferocious left punch straight into Bako’s chest.

The blow buried itself in the chest of the Curse Eater, and that was just the start. The next second, Zero-State Energy detonated on contact, blasting Bako backward.

Yet before the chain reaction could fully unfold, the Curse Eater’s internal matrix shifted. The energy was neutralized mid-expansion, dispersed before it could tear him apart.

Cain’s eyes sharpened, but he was not surprised.

Adaptation was Bako’s defining ability, making it very hard to hurt the Curse Eater.

Without losing a second, Cain flashed sideways, narrowly evading threads raining down from above. He rebounded off one building, then another, his figure streaking through the dark city like a living comet. His presence flickered across rooftops and shattered walls as he searched for an opening.

The three Curse Eaters regrouped immediately.

They spread their awareness in all directions, tightening their stances. Sozing remained positioned between the two, clearly the one requiring the most protection. Unlike Bako and Hako, he lacked the ability for rapid regeneration.

That did not mean the others were safe.

Every strike Cain landed inflicted overwhelming damage—searing flesh and soul alike. Their energy reserves were already running dangerously low.

"BOOM."

"BOOM."

"BOOM."

Explosions echoed faster and faster as the Scarlet King became little more than a blur to the trio. His movement fractured the air itself, pressure waves rippling outward with every step.

Then he struck.

Cain surged toward Sozing’s back, his open hand glowing with radiant violet-golden energy, primed to unleash a devastating sundering blow. Bako and Hako reacted instantly—but they were not fast enough to stop the Scarlet King.

Sozing did not panic.

A small smile appeared on his face as he opened his hand and released the repulsive force once more, blasting backward with everything he had.

The next instant—

The Scarlet King’s figure was torn apart.

Shock rippled through the Curse Eaters’ minds.

"A clone."

Before they could recover, the real Cain appeared directly in front of Hako.

The clown-like Curse Eater reacted instinctively, weaving his threads into a cocoon around his body. Cain’s left hand pierced straight through it, burying itself deep into Hako’s chest.

A massive cannon of Zero-State Force detonated from within.

The explosion obliterated Hako’s interior, tearing him apart from the inside. A massive cavity formed in his chest, nearly destroying his body entirely.

A wide smile spread across Cain’s face—

—just as Bako’s massive fist slammed into him.

The blow sent Cain flying into the distance, crashing through multiple buildings before finally stopping. Purple flames surged across his body, rapidly healing his wounds as he rose into the air once more.

Cain gazed calmly at the trio.

Sozing and Bako had already positioned themselves around Hako, shielding him as the clown Curse Eater struggled to heal. But it was clear something was wrong.

The damage was too severe.

Hako’s regeneration faltered. His body twitched weakly, failing to restore his shattered form. The light in his eyes dimmed rapidly.

Cain’s expression turned cold and resolute.

"One down," he said quietly. "Two to go."

Sozing and Bako clenched their fists.

But it was Hako who reacted most fiercely.

The Curse Eater’s eyes blazed with conviction as his entire body erupted into spiritual energy. His physical form dissolved completely, transforming into a phantom-like existence that surged toward Sozing.

In the next instant, Hako appeared before him, his threads sinking into Sozing’s body—not to harm him, but to bind to his limbs and muscles like a puppetmaster.

Power surged.

Sozing glanced briefly at the phantom with a small smile, then turned his gaze back to Cain, ruthless killing intent radiating from his eyes. He and Bako charged forward together.

Cain’s scarlet-bright eyes flared in response, his battle will roaring to life.

He flashed forward.

Cain and Sozing’s fists collided.

A massive shockwave erupted, warping the air and causing surrounding buildings to groan as windows shattered and walls collapsed. The Scarlet King felt an immense surge in Sozing’s physical power—the result of Hako’s puppeteering ability amplifying his body.

Sozing twisted his frame with shocking speed and precision, delivering a kick toward Cain’s face.

Cain blocked it—but his eyes widened.

A radiant glow like the light of a hundred suns began to surge behind him.

Bako’s massive arm had transformed.

Every grotesque protrusion across it glowed brilliantly as they channeled all the energy Bako had gathered so far. The power condensed rapidly, forming a massive cannon aimed directly at the Scarlet King.

And it was about to fire.