The next instant.
At that moment, Kuzan's figure seemed to transform into a lone yet unyielding god of war.
Frost rapidly spread beneath his feet, and a massive ice lotus slowly bloomed beneath him. Layer upon layer of petals rotated like shields, resisting the darkness Imu had unleashed.
That darkness was like an abyss that devoured everything. Wherever it passed, even the air was sucked away, and the sunlight itself grew dim.
"Ah—ah—ah!!!"
His roar was like wild thunder tearing through the heavens. The pain and obsession within it seemed to shake the entire world.
It was not a simple shout, but the roar of conviction and sacrifice borne by his own body.
The ice lotus was steadily consumed by the darkness. With every petal corroded away, his face twisted further. Sweat and blood mingled as they ran down his brow, dripping onto the ice beneath his feet and shattering with a patter into bleeding cracks.
Jin An abruptly raised his head, his gaze sharp as a blade as he stared fixedly at that darkness.
His fists clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white.
He knew Kuzan had been the first to charge out in order to block this fatal blow.
He also knew that if they retreated even a single step now, there would be no ground left for them to stand on.
"Kuzan!"
Many people covered their mouths, their shoulders trembling and tears filling their eyes, yet they bit down hard to keep themselves from making a sound.
All the Neo Marines held their breath as well. Many clenched their fists so tightly that their nails dug into their palms, yet they felt nothing. All for that one man—the man facing the enemy alone at this moment, standing before the darkness like a lighthouse.
The darkness roared like a