CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 10.20 : DEVY VS JOGO & RUDI VS POLICE

The tension of the confrontation escalated sharply with the sudden and formidable arrival of Devy and Yura. A chilling aura permeated the entire room, a dense, suffocating atmosphere that seemed to press relentlessly against the chests of everyone present.

The unique and highly specialized powers that Devy possessed were now fully poised, ready to clash with the terrifying and overwhelming abilities wielded by Rudi and Jogo. The very air seemed to tremble under the weight of such formidable potential energy, crackling with anticipation and the unspoken threat of imminent violence.

Several rescue teams had already moved with careful precision toward Johan and Rina. Their movements were swift yet calculated, shadows darting across the flickering light of the café, disrupted by the malfunctioning electrical installations. They maneuvered with practiced fluidity, efficiently evacuating the two wounded individuals. Armin, Zaza, and Karen also withdrew from the scene after Yura reassured them, leaving Yura behind to stay inside and accompany Devy.

Jogo observed the approaching groups with a cold gaze but chose to allow the evacuation, hoping silently that Rina remained unharmed. Yet, an unexpected development sent waves of shock through him and Rudi—Al, their intended target, had vanished.

Rudi and Jogo exchanged glances, their eyes locking in silent disbelief. Neither of them had observed Al being swept away with the rescuers. The intensity in their eyes radiated anxiety and panic, a subtle but unmistakable acknowledgment of the loss of control over the immediate situation. Where had the boy gone? If he had disappeared and they were captured in the process, tonight would not only end in failure but would spiral into a catastrophe for them both.

Devy, sensing the unease radiating from both adversaries, assumed a defensive stance. Her knees bent slightly, both hands raised forward as a faint, ethereal bluish light shimmered at her fingertips, an ominous prelude to the imminent clash.

The special police task force also braced themselves. The presence of Yura and Devy became a beacon of potential advantage against the formidable threats of Rudi and Jogo. Yet, uncertainty lingered among some members; they were unsure whether Devy could be trusted, or if her presence represented an even more dangerous threat.

However, one commanding officer stepped forward with resolute authority, issuing clear and uncompromising orders to prepare and encircle anyone within the area.

"The area is secure. Encircle and apprehend them. If they resist, do not hesitate to use aggressive force and eliminate them immediately," declared the task force commander, Prabowo, his tone heavy and assertive, carrying the weight of uncompromising authority.

Almost all of the officers responded with instant readiness. Rifles were raised in unison, laser sights trembling in the smoky air thickened by the earlier explosions. A few hesitated, conflicted by the uncertain allegiances of Devy and Yura, unsure if they were allies or merely innocents caught in a deadly crossfire.

Yet orders were orders. They positioned themselves meticulously in a semicircular formation, stepping lightly with heightened combat readiness. The sound of boots striking the cracked marble floor reverberated rhythmically, forming a chilling cadence that drew inexorably closer to the four figures within the room.

Yura’s sharp brows furrowed as her face flushed with anger, suppressing the surge of emotion that threatened to erupt.

"Are you insane?! Your target is supposed to be those two monsters over there!" she shouted, pointing emphatically at Rudi and Jogo.

"Oh, so this is Miss Yura. Apologies for not recognizing you sooner. But the person accompanying you must be apprehended as well," Prabowo responded casually, tinged with a hint of arrogance.

"What do you mean? We are clearly on your side. And this is how you treat—" Yura protested vehemently, but Prabowo cut her off sharply.

"She is a suspected witch," he said firmly, his deep voice echoing ominously, bringing with it the weight of ancient prejudices that seemed to thicken the very air.

"What’s wrong with a witch?!" Yura shot back, incredulous.

"Witches are a blight upon society. They should never exist in this world," Prabowo replied, his eyes narrowing with deep-seated hatred, his expression radiating a fervent, almost irrational animosity.

"A witch?"

"Is she truly a witch?"

"You’ve seen the ice emanating from her hands; what part of that is in doubt?"

"Indeed. Witches are dangerous. They must be eradicated."

Murmurs spread like venom among the café security team positioned behind them, ready to assist if the special police forces lacked manpower. Those whispers, insidious and poisonous, only served to heighten the already tense atmosphere, igniting the room with simmering hostility.

"So cooperate and hand over the woman before we are forced to take violent action, Miss Yura," Prabowo said boldly, his tone brimming with condescending assertiveness.

Yura and Devy locked eyes with those who sought to corner them, particularly Devy. Devy’s face paled slightly, her eyes glistening not with fear but with a searing, burning hatred that coursed through her chest. Her composure was visibly disturbed by the audacious statements hurled in their direction.

Al, meanwhile, remained concealed in the ceiling, employing his stealth mode. He observed the emotional disruption in Devy, his breathing controlled and steady, his gaze razor-sharp, ready to act at a moment’s notice. He knew Devy could potentially go berserk under the strain of this provocation.

Yet, Devy seemed to regain a degree of composure. It was not her patience that faltered, but rather the rising anger and frustration of another presence in the room.

"How dare you ignore us!" Rudi shouted, exasperation and frustration coursing through his tone.

Everyone’s attention momentarily diverted to the terrifying figures of Jogo and Rudi, as if they had forgotten the full scope of the looming threat.

Feeling cornered and irritated, Rudi stomped forcefully upon the floor, shattering the marble beneath his feet, his body launching forward like a darkened projectile. His target: the commanding officer at the forefront. Meanwhile, Jogo adopted a more tactical approach, charging toward Yura, attempting to seize her as leverage to breach the police encirclement.

The officers fired immediately in response to Rudi’s dangerous maneuvers. Bullets struck him, but the dark energy radiating from his body absorbed and minimized the lethal impact.

Rudi dispatched three officers effortlessly, his movements erratic yet deliberate, dodging the incoming fire. He became a blur of shadows, each step punctuated by resounding impacts against the ground.

His focus remained on the commanding officer, who stood shielded by armored personnel while others unleashed a volley of gunfire at him. Stray bullets scattered chaotically through the air, some dangerously close to Yura and Devy.

Devy saw Jogo charging as several bullets flew toward Yura. She pressed herself low, her hands pressing aganist the floor.

Advance Elemental Magic – Ice Type: Ice Wall

SWROOSSHH!!

A chilling hiss erupted, ice spreading instantaneously across the floor, forming an enormous crystalline barrier. From her hands, thick sheets of ice crawled outward, erecting a formidable barricade in front of Yura, blocking incoming fire and halting Jogo’s assault.

"Yura!" Devy shouted.

"I’m fine. Focus on finishing this, then we leave," Yura calmly instructed from within the icy fortress.

Devy nodded, relief washing over her, and lunged forward toward Jogo. Her body moved with incredible speed, two gleaming ice swords materializing in her hands, radiating cold light as they cut through the air. She slashed through the ice wall she had just formed, revealing Jogo behind it.

Jogo intercepted with his dark energy, his arms vibrating violently, the black aura forming a liquid-like shield. The collision erupted in a thunderous detonation as Devy’s ice swords shattered into glittering shards of crystal scattering through the air.

But Devy’s assault was far from simple. A bluish glow surged from her hands.

Elemental Magic – Water Type: Water Bomb

Jogo, expecting a close-quarters confrontation, had not anticipated Devy’s magical capabilities. The water bomb detonated nearly upon impact, sweeping him violently.

BWOSSHH!

A torrent of water crashed into him, sending his body slamming into the wall with a deafening impact. Debris of dust and splintered wood scattered, and his clothing tore, revealing tense muscles scorched and bruised, yet he remained capable of rising.

Meanwhile, Rudi’s hands condensed dark, viscous energy into long, metallic-like claws.

"I don’t know what this skill is called. Let’s call it Norvalien Claw," he declared excitedly as he improvised the technique.

Slash! Slash!

Two black arcs sliced the air, leaving long fissures in the floor. Police shields splintered like fragile paper, bodies thrown back, armor scratched and destroyed by the ferocious energy.

Prabowo flinched at the attack, but his composure remained, backed by the sheer numbers of his forces.

Rudi stood with satisfaction but felt a tinge of regret for revealing the name "Norvalien." Fortunately, no one had noticed, except for one observer: Al.

Al suppressed a laugh, hiding it behind a clenched fist while remaining in stealth mode. His shoulders quivered slightly, lips barely able to contain the amusement.

The skill’s name... Haha. And why wear a mask if you end up revealing your family’s name? he thought, stifling laughter.

But the humor vanished instantly. His eyes sharpened; an unsettling feeling emanated from Jogo.

Jogo stood, blood seeping from beneath his mask, dripping onto the floor, merging with his thickening black aura, swirling like demonic smoke. His body trembled as if on the brink of instability, forcing the need to conclude the confrontation swiftly before losing consciousness entirely.

"Prepare yourself. I will end this here," Jogo murmured to Rudi.

Rudi nodded, recognizing that their energies were becoming unstable. Although their objectives had not been achieved, they would at least escape, armed with the lessons of this encounter.

Devy sensed the anomaly, retreating to form a massive igloo around Yura. The ice walls closed tightly, reflecting dim but resolute bluish light. Yura understood the impending danger.

"You can do this," she whispered.

Devy, faintly hearing the encouragement, felt a surge of resolve and vigilantly monitored Jogo’s potential movements.

The police also sensed an abnormality from Jogo. Several instinctively retreated half a step, sweat forming on their temples, primal survival instincts screaming in their minds.

Black energy enveloped Jogo’s body, transforming him into a shadowy figure masked with demonic mask. His arms stretched wide, channeling all energy into his fists. Muscles tensed; fists met before his chest in a poised stance, ready to strike.

"This is dangerous," Al murmured, preparing to act. He summoned his combat attire from dimensional storage, dark shimmering fabric cascading into his hands. Before he could don it, Jogo was already set to attack.

Dark Mode – Karagara Art Technique: Anoa Monstrous Fist

The air quaked violently; the floor cracked under Jogo’s feet, walls trembling as if a minor earthquake struck.

"No time," Al whispered, moving forward without hesitation, unable even to don the dark shimmering combat attire he had just summoned from dimensional storage, the fabric still cascading loosely through his fingers as he charged into danger.

Devy’s eyes glowed icy blue, her aura piercing and unyielding, threatening all within proximity.

The police froze, fingers trembling above triggers, unwilling to fire. The atmosphere was taut, death seemingly imminent.

Then...

"You have no right to act as you please here, young one."

A deep, resounding voice echoed, its vibration shaking the air. All reflexively turned toward its source.

A hand clamped onto Jogo’s face.

"Hiiyaaahh..."

BRUGGHH!

Jogo was lifted and slammed to the floor with earth-shattering force. The floor cracked into a crater, dust billowing into the air. His dark energy dissipated instantly, nullifying his attack and incapacitating him.

No one had anticipated such a sudden and effortless defeat.

Rudi lunged forward—

But then...

Skill: Arachne’s Web

A thick, sticky white web shot forth, ensnaring him mid-air, pinning him to an intact section of the café wall.

"What is this?! Who are you?!" Rudi screamed, struggling as the web tightened with each movement.

Two silhouettes emerged, standing firmly with relaxed yet imposing posture, their aura heavy and immovable like mountains. Allies or foes, unknown—but their sheer presence radiated far greater danger than anyone had expected.

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