Alex's gamble had paid off. His fist, imbued with godly power, struck true.
Dug!
A blinding white light erupted from the point of impact, bathing the battlefield in its radiance. The earth shuddered as a shockwave rippled outwards, disintegrating the remaining skeletal warriors into dust.
For a moment, the world held its breath. Then, as the light slowly faded, a scene of utter devastation unfolded. The Gashdokuro, once a towering monstrosity, now stood frozen in place.
A gaping hole marred its skeletal chest, the source of the blinding light a moment ago. The crimson glow in its eyes had flickered out, replaced by a dull emptiness. The swirling vortex of dark energy above it had vanished without a trace.
A wave of relief washed over Alex, so powerful it threatened to drown him.
With a deep breath, he closed the distance between him and the Gashdokuro's imposing form. He raised the golden sage box, its smooth surface shimmering with a newfound power.
