Chapter Twenty-Two: Lechebas

The enormous body of Gilokas broke through the water, charging fiercely before Reshubas. The Deep Diver had transformed into Reshubas, making things easier for Gilokas; he no longer needed to play a game of chase with the group of Deep Divers—defeating the ugly creature before him would suffice.

Eliminate it!

Reshubas’s form had only just coalesced, and it was clear that the Deep Diver was not yet adept at maneuvering such a massive body; its movements were somewhat sluggish.

For Gilokas, this was a welcome advantage—strike while the enemy is weak!

The battle between giants and monsters was always a duel to the death, and in such a struggle, fairness held no meaning. Every inch of advantage must be skillfully exploited.

Just as now, before Reshubas could react, Gilokas’s flying kick landed with tremendous force on its shoulder, eliciting a roar of pain and fury.

But the fight was far from over; Gilokas landed behind it, delivering a sharp hand strike to Reshubas’s back, then seized its enormous tail, his arms surging with power.

Gilokas’s frame appeared slender rather than robust, yet the strength in his arms was formidable. Ever since Tetsuya relaxed his vigilance and resistance to the darkness, he had grown increasingly adept at wielding its energies.

Power churned between Gilokas’s arms as he stood anchored on the seabed, gripping the giant tail and, incredibly, hurling the massive Reshubas away.

A deafening crash echoed as Reshubas’s bulk slammed into the wall of the ocean trench, sending rocks tumbling down.

Gilokas’s gaze had barely settled when he sensed a disturbance in the currents—multiple beams of energy shot through the water, streaking toward him.

He dodged quickly, weaving through the barrage of beams, drawing closer to the trench. At last, his entire body plunged into the abyss, confronting his foe head-on.

Gilokas mounted Reshubas, raining powerful blows down on its back, but despite the repeated strikes, the colossal force—tens of thousands of tons—seemed to have no effect whatsoever.

“It’s just like a crab…”

Tetsuya sighed in resignation. Gilokas’s gaze fell upon Reshubas’s eyes, protruding from its shell exactly like a crab’s.

With a cold smile, Tetsuya instantly knew how to breach its defenses. Gilokas’s hand shot out, gripping Reshubas’s eye tightly. His other fist rose high and came crashing down upon it.

A sharp sound rang out, and with overwhelming force, he smashed one of Reshubas’s crab eyes to pulp, sending blood splattering in all directions.

Reshubas bellowed in rage and agony, its resistance growing ever more fierce as its massive pincers flipped Gilokas off.

As Gilokas crouched on the seabed, the one-eyed Reshubas rose, its huge pincers striking at Gilokas’s back, the snapping jaws emitting muffled clicks.

Tetsuya would not tolerate this for an instant—Gilokas stood to retaliate, but suddenly Reshubas’s crab mouth opened wide, unleashing a beam of energy from within. At such close range, the beam struck Gilokas squarely in the chest.

The impact sent Gilokas sprawling, while Reshubas let out a triumphant roar, seeming to forget the pain of its crushed eye. Its enormous pincers opened and closed, finally widening to their full extent, clamping Gilokas’s body tightly.

The pincers squeezed relentlessly, and from Gilokas’s waist, black energy began to seep outward. Tetsuya felt as though something was crushing his waist, the force growing stronger, pain radiating through his body, threatening to tear him in two.

Alarm lights flashed urgently in red, and as Gilokas looked down, his entire face was bathed in crimson beams within the darkness of the trench.

Reshubas’s arms strained, turning Gilokas to face it directly. The smaller left pincer clicked ominously, opening wide.

Tetsuya knew exactly which part that pincer aimed to seize. His waist was already trapped; if his neck were caught next, there would be no chance for reversal.

Gilokas struggled to lift his arm, bracing it against the smaller pincer, the two locked in a battle of strength.

Yet the giant pincers at his waist continued to squeeze, making it almost impossible for Tetsuya to breathe. His strength was draining fast, and Gilokas’s arm was finally knocked aside by Reshubas.

The smaller pincer clamped tightly around Gilokas’s neck, like a giant hand strangling Tetsuya. The pain was so intense his will faltered; oxygen deprivation blurred his vision.

“No… this won’t do…”

Amid the flashing red of the energy timer, Tetsuya steadied his mind and began to strategize.

Gilokas’s skin was incredibly tough; he would not fear being severed completely. But with his waist and throat restrained, he was unable to resist.

“I have to think of something…”

After a brief deliberation, Gilokas braced his foot against Reshubas’s body, using it as a fulcrum to push outward. Both his throat and waist felt bound, pain stabbing through his mind.

“This won’t work…”

Enduring agony, Tetsuya suddenly thought of another way, his gaze sharpening with resolve.

Instead of trying to break free, Gilokas hurled himself toward Reshubas, his powerful arms thrust forward, slamming into its abdomen.

“Evil Punch!”

Back in Kumamoto City, Gilokas had used this fighting skill, relying on his mighty arms to send Diga flying with a single blow.

Now, with all his strength, Gilokas’s impact forced Reshubas to retreat. The huge pincers at his waist loosened, but the ones at his neck remained tightly clenched.

As Reshubas tumbled backward, Gilokas’s body pitched forward, and as Reshubas fell, Gilokas was thrown forcefully, crashing into the seabed.

Despite the growing weakness in his body, Tetsuya managed a smile.

“Damn pincers—finally shaken them off!”