Dimensional Descent

Leonel couldn't put his fury into words. Even seeing Raynred's pathetic display did nothing to make him feel better.

Just months ago, he had been with these young men and women, fighting to keep their lives, growing friendships, talking about life. Yet, no amount of anger would bring them back. Nothing he did to Raynred would appease him.

Leonel was so agitated that he began to cough violently, the injuries that had yet to heal from his battle with the Puppet Master flaring up.

Soot and char covered air surged out from his mouth. His coughing became so violent that blood began to appear once again, sending his body into complete disarray.

"Leonel!"

Aina worriedly placed a palm against Leonel's chest, her expression warping.

The headpiece that had been in possession of the Puppet Master was burnt to ash by Leonel. He knew well that Aina wouldn't want to have anything to do with a treasure tainted by that thing, nor did Leonel need it. It might have been a Quasi Bronze treasure, but it simply had no ability to boost the strength of Leonel's mind which already had a Fifth Dimensional foundation.

Though it seemed as though the Puppet Master's mental strength was beyond Leonel's due to the range of its ability, this was a misconception. Leonel was well aware that the Puppet Master used a few tricks to accomplish such a feat. Plus, the current Leonel could create such treasures on a whim as long as he had the ores necessary.

This aside, Aina's birthday present more than covered for her weaknesses. It allowed her to see the true state of Leonel's body and the reality made her expression warp.

To say that Leonel was injured was an understatement. And, maybe the worst part about it all was that most of it was self inflicted.

Leonel purposely made use of his Scarlet Star Force in those final moments. Without it, it would have been impossible to burn such a powerful existence to ash.

Unfortunately, even in such a measured and controlled fashion, the use had practically turned Leonel's insides into a charred mess. Not a single one of his inner organs were spared.

If it wasn't for the insane amount of vitality the complete Metal Body provided, along with the fact Leonel's body had entered the Fourth Dimension, he probably would have formed a second pile of cremated remains beside the Puppet Master.

Leonel's body had already been in a terrible state, but he had practically pushed himself over the edge.

nature of Scarlet Star Force wasn't just a

something was wrong, especially with

His temper flared once more, but this time he wasn't foolish enough to voice it again.

up from his coughing, his

he should have been there, but it was simply impossible for him to be everywhere at once. He didn't even know the Slayer Legion was taking part in this battle. It was an irrational guilt that weighed even heavier on

the first time Leonel had felt survivor's guilt, but this time still hit him like a

as though projecting the gaze of a wounded beast. It made one feel that no matter how injured he was, he would still find a way

an endless tide. This time, it was tens of times stronger, Leonel's irises

body as though prepared

"I'll kill you."

venom, frying the nerves and fraying one's

move, Aina gripped his

murderous intent. Even at this

into empty space only for a

an inch. But, seeing that it was Aina who actually dared to attack him like this, he

Aina he knew before was completely unlike the one

Aina had descended onto

the skies,

of Aina's ax traveled through

to his knees, grasping at

"You ugly bit --!"

another arm flying, taking with it yet

forward, the sole of her feet slamming Raynred's face into the

Aina and Raynred followed it to the ground. But, unlike Aina who stood on Raynred's head, the latter had

BANG!