Kami no gyakuten:The yamato hero-Chapter 18: #Joe

Sho and Kyoko stood frozen as the sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the cave. The dim glow of the Azure Crystal cast long, eerie shadows on the damp stone walls, making the atmosphere even more unsettling. From the darkness, a man emerged, his unsettling grin never faltering. His presence sent a chill down their spines, but what truly disturbed them was the fact that he had no heartbeat.

Sho and Kyoko instinctively tensed, their bodies on high alert. The man was tall and lean, his skin pale and lifeless, almost as if he were a walking corpse. A strange symbol resembling '#' was carved into his forehead, standing out like a mark of some twisted allegiance.

"You two survived, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with amusement. It was as if he were genuinely impressed yet completely indifferent at the same time.

Sho clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination. "Who are you?"

The man tilted his head slightly, his grin widening. "I am Elite Servant Joe."

Kyoko stiffened at the title. "Elite Servant?" she repeated, glancing at Sho.

Sho's mind raced. "Then the people who attacked us near the entrance... they were your troops, weren't they?"

Joe chuckled darkly. "Clever boy. Yes, they were." His gaze flickered to the Azure Crystal behind them, and his grin faded slightly. "I've been watching you both. You're quite persistent... but let's not waste time. I want that crystal."

Sho narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

Joe let out a sigh, shaking his head in disappointment. "Because," he said, taking a slow step forward, "I can't touch it." His tone turned almost casual, like he was discussing something trivial. "Something about it rejects me. Annoying, really. But you two... you're different. You can help me get that crystal."

Sho could already see where this was going. "And if we refuse?"

Joe's smile returned, but this time, it felt even more sinister. "Then you die."

Sho didn't even hesitate. "Not a chance."

Joe sighed, his face twisting in mock regret. "Tsk. How disappointing."

Then, without warning, the air around them changed. A crushing pressure descended upon the cave, thick and overwhelming. It was the same aura they had felt earlier—but this time, it was unbearable.

Kyoko gasped, gripping her chest. "T-This power... it's..."

Sho's knees almost buckled as a cold sweat formed on his brow. It was like an unseen force was pressing down on them, suffocating them, invading their very souls. His heart pounded, but his body refused to move. He had faced strong enemies before, but this... this was different.

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Joe stood still, watching them with an amused expression, completely unfazed. "Scary, isn't it?" he said softly. "That feeling of absolute power crushing you? That's what true strength is." He took another step forward, the pressure increasing.

Sho gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. "Damn it... move..." he muttered to himself, trying to push through the overwhelming force.

Joe's voice dropped to a whisper, and his grin stretched wider. "You're going to join your friend soon."

Sho's eyes widened. His heart sank at the mention of Daigo. The memory of him being swallowed by the river flashed in his mind. His friend... was he still alive? No. Sho shook the thought from his head. He couldn't think like that. Daigo wasn't weak. He would survive. He had to survive.

Kyoko, still struggling against the pressure, managed to glance at Sho. She could see the fire in his eyes, the determination refusing to fade. Despite the fear crushing them, he wasn't going to give up.

Joe observed them, his eerie smile never wavering. "Oh? Still standing? Impressive. But let's see how long that lasts."

Suddenly, the crushing aura shifted. It was no longer just pressing down on them—it was pulling them in. The cave seemed to twist and warp, the walls appearing to close in, the air growing heavier by the second.

Sho's breathing became ragged. His legs trembled, but he forced himself to stand his ground.

Kyoko, fighting to keep her composure, whispered, "Sho... what do we do?"

Sho exhaled sharply, steeling himself. "We fight."

Joe's smile widened in excitement. "Now that's the spirit."

The battle was about to begin.