Chapter 23. Echoes of the Shattered Beast

Peter Parker's POV

When Shin's attack connected, Peter felt a surge of relief and amazement. The explosion was immense, powerful enough to level buildings. Surely the beast was finished.

"That's amazing," he muttered, marveling at the display of power. For a moment, he felt confident they had won.

But reality often disappoints.

Through the settling dust, the beast emerged, battered but far from defeated. Its golden scales shimmered ominously as it prepared its next attack. Suddenly, the monster's glowing eyes locked onto him.

Fear unlike anything Peter had ever felt clawed at his chest.

For the first time, the thought of death didn't feel like some distant concept but a looming certainty.

His instincts screamed at him to run. To survive. But his body refused to cooperate. In his panicked state, his foot caught on a jagged rock, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

He looked up, helpless, as the beast began charging its deadly purple beam.

A kaleidoscope of emotions surged through him: fear, regret, and a deep, aching sadness. He thought of Aunt May, Gwen, and even the new friends he'd made in this strange adventure—Shin, Esdeath, and the others.

'I'm sorry, everyone. I thought I could keep up. I thought I could help. But I've only been a burden.'

The glow of the monster's attack intensified, and Peter closed his eyes, resigning himself to his fate. The roar of the charging beam filled his ears.

"The World, Stop Time!"

The chaos of the moment froze. The monster's beam hung suspended in midair like a painting.

When Peter opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the beast's line of fire. Instead, he was on solid ground several meters away, gasping for breath. He looked up to see Shin standing before him, his dark armor gleaming with an aura of raw power.

"Are you okay, Spidey?" Shin asked, his tone calm but firm. "Don't push yourself too hard. If you're scared, it's okay to back out. Go back to your world. We can handle it from here."

Peter's breath hitched. The offer to retreat was tempting, but shame quickly replaced his fear. Was he really going to run? Abandon the people fighting by his side? What would Uncle Ben think if he could see him now?

"No," Peter said, clenching his fists. "I'm not a coward. I won't leave my comrades in danger. I already promised to see this through, no matter what."

For the first time since the fight began, his voice didn't tremble.

Shin studied him for a moment before a faint smile crossed his face. "That's a nice answer, kid. Just don't get yourself killed, alright?"

Suddenly, Esdeath's voice cut through the moment.

"Well said, Spider Boy. Now, get ready. That beast isn't done yet."

Peter turned to see Esdeath stepping forward, her weapon gleaming with frost. Her confidence radiated like a beacon.

Peter nodded, determination now lighting his features.

'No more mistakes. No more running. I'll prove I belong here.'

Satria POV

Somehow, I managed to stop time—even if only for three seconds. The world stood still as I watched the events frozen in place. The thrill of battle must be enhancing my power.

He glanced at the humanoid black knight looming behind him—his stand, Dark Platinum.

[Fatalis: Good! Slowly but surely, you'll be able to extend it, You're improving fast]

As the frozen moment faded and the world resumed motion, Esdeath turned to him with a curious look.

"Did you just… stop time, Shin?" she asked, her tone sharp but intrigued.

Satria blinked. "How did you know?" He hadn't expected her to catch on so quickly.

Esdeath smirked. "Of course, I'd notice. I can do something similar too, you know."

"Wait, wait, both of you can stop time?" Peter cut in, his voice full of disbelief. "Seriously? That's insane! If people in my world had this power, it'd be absolute chaos."

The two nodded in unison.

"Alright, enough chit-chat," Satria warned, tightening his grip on his weapon. "Here it comes again!"

Shagaru Magala roared and charged, its massive jaws snapping toward them in a deadly lunge.

"Let me borrow a move from a certain pirate," Satria said with a smirk. "Hiken!"

A surge of dark flames erupted around his fist as he struck the beast squarely in the face, sending it reeling back with a pained roar.

"That hurt it," Esdeath noted. "Fire must be its weakness."

"Got it." Satria nodded. He pulled a card from his deck and inserted it into the Dragvisor.

"Sword Vent!"

A black blade materialized in his hand, but this time, he infused it with his stand's power. The sword ignited with dark flames, radiating overwhelming heat and energy.

"Let's combine Dark Platinum's power with yours, Fatalis," Satria said.

[Fatalis: Go for it, partner. Give it hell!]

Satria turned to his allies. "Back me up. I'll finish this thing."

Peter and Esdeath nodded, determination gleaming in their eyes.

Satria dashed toward Shagaru, his flaming sword trailing sparks behind him. The beast, sensing the danger, opened its maw to unleash a deadly virus breath attack.

"Dark Platinum, Stop Time!"

The world froze again. Satria sidestepped the attack, reappearing directly in front of the monster. Time resumed, and Shagaru's glowing eyes widened in shock.

The beast swiped at him with its massive claw, but before it could connect, strands of white webbing shot out and wrapped around its arm.

"Not so fast!" Peter shouted, pulling with all his strength to hold the monster in place.

Shagaru roared and tried to take flight, but its legs froze in place as ice spread up from the ground.

"Fufu, I won't let you escape." Esdeath's voice dripped with cold confidence as she held the beast in check with her powers.

The monster writhed and roared, but it was trapped.

"This is it," Satria said, raising his flaming sword high. "Goodbye, Shagaru."

With a swift, precise strike, he severed the beast's head from its body.

A geyser of blood erupted from the monster as it collapsed with a thunderous crash, its massive form going limp. Silence followed, broken only by their ragged breaths.

Peter fell to his knees, trembling slightly as the adrenaline wore off.

"That was… insane," he muttered, looking up at Satria and Esdeath. "How do you guys stay so calm through all of this?"

Esdeath smirked. "Experience. You'll learn."

Satria walked over and extended a hand to Peter. "You did good, Spidey. You've got guts."

Peter took his hand, standing up shakily but with a smile. "Thanks, man. But, uh, next time? Maybe warn me before you decide to stop time or unleash some crazy fire attacks."

Satria laughed. "No promises."

[Fatalis: A job well done, partner. But remember—this is just the beginning]

_______________

[Group Chat Messages]

Man with Gender Equality: "They won. Amazing teamwork, you guys showed us!"

Evil Spirit: "I'm impressed. Someone else can manipulate time like me here."

Pervert Sage: "Damn, that was intense! My heart's still racing!"

Emilia: "Congratulations, everyone. That was incredible."

[Mission Complete]

Rewards:

10,000 points will be shared:

5,000 for Shin + Surprise Box

3,000 for Ice Sadist + Surprise Box

2,000 for Spider-Man + Surprise Box

Participants will be returned to their worlds in 15 minutes.

_________________

Satria smirked, leaning on his weapon. "So, Spider-Boy, how does it feel to come face-to-face with death?"

Peter looked up, still shaken but managing a wry smile. "Honestly? That was… quite an experience. Makes New York seem like a playground in comparison."

Esdeath chuckled, crossing her arms as she looked at the young hero. "You showed bravery today. You didn't abandon your comrades, even when faced with danger. That's the quality of a true warrior."

Peter flushed at her praise, scratching the back of his head. "Uh… t-thank you, Big Sis Esdeath."

Esdeath observed him for a moment. Though she respected his courage, she thought to herself, He's promising, but his naive worldview might hold him back someday.

Satria glanced at the massive corpse of Shagaru Magala lying before them. "So, Esdeath, what are you planning to do with this thing? It's a pretty big trophy."

Esdeath shrugged. "The Empire would likely want its remains to create weapons, but you're the one who killed it. It's your decision."

"Hmm." Satria stroked his chin. "Could your scientists make something useful out of it?"

"Of course," Esdeath replied. "The Empire has experts who can craft remarkable items from creatures like this."

Satria grinned. "In that case, could you make me a ring from its body? Something unique and powerful. You can keep the rest for the Empire."

"A ring?" Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "Why a ring?"

"I want to surprise my beloved," Satria admitted, a playful smirk on his face.

Esdeath's lips curled into a small smile. "You're quite romantic, aren't you?"

"Of course." Satria crossed his arms proudly.

Esdeath nodded. "Consider it done. After all, by slaying this beast, you've done more than enough to earn the Empire's favor."

If I'd fought it alone, I might not have survived… she thought silently, her respect for Satria growing.

As the light began to envelop the group, signaling their return, Satria waved goodbye. "Looks like this is it. Until next time, Esdeath. Spidey."

Peter smiled brightly. "Thank you, Brother Shin, for saving me. And thank you, Big Sis Esdeath, for everything. I hope we'll meet again someday."

Esdeath offered a rare, genuine smile. "Take care, Spider-Boy. I'll be waiting for our next meeting."

•

Kuoh, Japan

Satria materialized back in his world, letting out a deep sigh. "Finally home. I didn't know Akame ga Kill had monsters like that. Guess the worlds in this group chat are full of surprises."

As he finished, he thanked the owner again and left a generous tip.

"See you next time, Shin-kun!" the owner called Satria exited.

Satria adjusted his bag as he stepped back into the bustling streets of Kuoh.

"Alright, time to head home. Who knows what chaos awaits tomorrow?" he thought with a small chuckle, making his way down the familiar road.

As he walked through the streets, he noticed someone running frantically: Issei Hyoudou.

"Huh? Why's he in such a hurry?" Satria muttered. Then it hit him. "Wait… is this that event? The one where Asia gets killed by the Fallen Angels?"

[Fatalis: Don't be reckless. You've already pushed yourself to the limit today]

Satria hesitated, watching Issei disappear into the distance. Should I get involved… or not?

"Gas! Bang Satria Anti-Recall base before mission accomplished!"

To be continued.