The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

"[FUSE!!!]"

Raye roared from the bottom of his lungs after blocking the Glittermaw Ape's hammer fist.

And as soon as he did—

-Here I go!

Fwoosh~

Zephyrus' entire body disintegrated into countless tiny orb-like particles!

WHOOSH—

All the orbs immediately surged toward Raye. And as soon as they reached him—

FWIP—

They began merging with the elegant white armor covering his body!

Though, just then—

-GAAAARL—!!!

FWISH—!

The Verdant Maul suddenly appeared from Raye's left side, summoning a razor-sharp vine lashing toward him! It was trying to stop Raye before he could complete whatever he was planning!

'I can't dodge it...!'

Raye cursed in his mind, still pinned under the Glittermaw Ape's crushing weight.

Luckily for him—

-MEEP!!

Pyro, who had been standing by, noticed the Verdant Maul's move—and reacted immediately!

SWAAAAAAAAAASHH—!!!

He launched a massive fireball toward Raye without hesitation. Pyro knew that Raye and Zephyrus wouldn't get hurt by his flames.

But the evil Treant—Verdant Maul—

SWAAAAAAAAAA—!!!

Its summoned vine got caught in the raging fire! The flames quickly spread from the vine back to the Verdant Maul's main body, setting it ablaze!

-GRAAAAAAWL—?!!

The Verdant Maul let out a distorted roar as its wooden body was mercilessly burned!

But Pyro didn't stop there.

-MEEEEP—!!

SWAAAAAAAASHH—!!!

He unleashed another fireball, this time directed at the Chromaworm, who was planning to sneak closer to Raye!

-KIEEEEEE—?!

SWISH—

The Chromaworm twisted its massive body and dodged the fireball, avoiding a direct hit.

But that was enough!

Pyro made it go back and he gave Raye time!

'Thanks, Pyro.'

Raye thought, sweating under the Glittermaw Ape's enormous fist—but smiling nonetheless.

And seconds after that—

FWOOOSH~!!

FWOP—

Zephyrus successfully fused with Raye's white armor!

SWOOOOOOOOOOOSH—!!!

-GRAAH?!

A violent gust of wind exploded out from Raye's body!

The powerful blast blew away the Glittermaw Ape's massive fist and sent it stumbling backward!

Dirt and debris flew everywhere, kicking up a thick dust cloud.

And as the dust slowly settled—

Fwip-

"..."

They saw him.

Raye, still standing exactly where he was.

But he looked different now.

Whooosh~

The armor that covered him gleamed with a brilliant, ethereal white—light-looking, yet overflowing with intimidating power. Its surface had intricate flowing patterns that shimmered faintly, like rivers of silver running across his body.

And from his back—

FWOOOSH—

A pair of magnificent wings, made entirely of pure, raging winds, stretched outward!

They beat the air with a quiet but overwhelming pressure, making the ground at his feet crack a little!

The elegant white armor gave him the appearance of a sovereign knight—untouchable, domineering, and free!

And in his right hand—

Fwip—

There was [Nyx], the black blade, burning violently with wild flames.

The blade's deep darkness contrasted sharply against the holy brilliance of his armor, making the entire figure look even more surreal, like a calamity wrapped in divinity.

FWOOOOOOOSH~!!!

The wind howled around Raye.

SWAAAAAAHHHH—!! 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The flames danced at his side.

And Raye—

"..."

Swish—

He raised [Nyx] up and pointed at the three mini bosses.

The battle wasn't over.

It was just beginning.

*****

(Raye's POV)

Looking at my armor—

"..."

I was...

Honestly amazed by the appearance of my armor.

'This is cool as fuck...'

I thought, my heart racing a little.

This fusion—

It was something Zephyrus and I came up with before.

But... I hadn't actually tested it out until now.

Still—

I didn't let any of that show on my face.

"..."

I kept my eyes locked onto the three monsters in front of me.

The Glittermaw Ape.

The Chromaworm.

The Verdant Maul.

The three of them grew tense, wary of me, their bodies stiffening slightly.

They could sense it.

The power surrounding me now—

It was dangerous.

It was different.

They didn't attack immediately.

Instead, they stood there, observing me cautiously.

And seeing that—

"Heh..."

A small smirk tugged at my lips.

'Guess I should try this power out.'

I thought.

And without wasting another second—

BOOM!!

I kicked off the ground with all my strength!

FWOOOOOSH—!!!

The wings of wind behind my back blasted downward, propelling me into the air like a bullet!

SWISH—

I glided forward, slicing through the air with terrifying speed!

-...?!

The Glittermaw Ape reacted first—

-GRAAAHHH!!!

FWOOSH—

It roared and swung its massive fist toward me!

But—

S W O O S H—!!

I easily twisted my body midair, letting the attack narrowly pass beneath me.

And without even giving it time to recover—

"[Bang!]"

PSH—!!

I fired a searing ray of fire from my left hand straight into its shoulder!

BOOM!!

-GAH?!

The Glittermaw Ape stumbled backward, smoke rising from its burned flesh.

But I didn't stop—

FWOOSH!!

I used the winds again to dive down toward the Chromaworm!

-KIEEEE—!

FWISH—

The massive centipede screeched and tried to whip me with its rainbow tail.

CLANG—!!

Sparks flew as I slashed at it with [Nyx], parrying the blow!

And then—

SWISH—PHUCK!!

I counterattacked, slicing one of its glowing plates and leaving a deep burning wound on its side!

-KIEEEEEK!!!

The Chromaworm shrieked, retreating slightly, its scales shifting colors rapidly in panic.

"Not done yet...!"

FWOOM—!!!

I pushed off the ground again and shot toward the Verdant Maul.

-GAAAAWL!

WHIP—

The giant Treant tried summoning sharp vines to stop me, but—

SWISH SWISH—!!!

I cut through them like paper with flaming [Nyx].

And with one final burst of speed—

BOOM!!

I shot right at its main trunk and slammed my fist into it, enhanced by gale-force winds!

BAM!!

-GRWWWWRRRGH!!!

The Verdant Maul staggered backward, pieces of bark and cursed flowers flying everywhere.

Tap—

"Fuuuu..."

Panting slightly, I floated above the ground, the winds swirling violently around me.

-...!

-...?!

-...

The three mini bosses glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

"..."

I smiled under my armor.

'Yeah... This power's gonna work just fine.'

Swish—

I thought as I flew backward, away from the three monsters.

"..."

I just stared at them from afar. And opening my mouth—

"Pyro, get ready to support me."

I muttered that.

And from behind me—

-MEEEP!!

Fwish—

Pyro appeared, more than ready to fight.