The moment they stepped forward, the ground trembled.
A deep, grinding sound echoed through the corridor—like stones scraping against each other.
Then it appeared.
A giant monster stepped out of the shadows, its body built entirely of dark red bricks, stacked and fused together like a living fortress. Cracks glowed faintly between the bricks, pulsing with strange energy.
Before anyone could react, the monster ripped chunks of stone from the walls and hurled thorn-covered slabs toward them.
"MOVE!" Kazama shouted.
The thorns smashed into the floor, exploding into dust and sharp fragments.
Nene screamed as one slab flew straight toward her.
Masao's eyes widened.
Time slowed.
"NENE!"
He ran—faster than he ever had.
The slab hit.
But not her.
Masao slammed into Nene, wrapping his arms around her and rolling away just as the stone shattered where she stood.
They skidded across the floor.
Masao groaned."Ow… okay… floor still hates me."
Nene stared at him, shocked."…You saved me."
Masao blinked."I-I did?"
Another roar shook the room.
The brick monster raised both arms and slammed them down. Thorn spikes burst from the ground, ripping through stone like roots gone wild.
Shinchan barely jumped back."Okay," he muttered, brushing dust off his clothes, "this guy is definitely not here for hugs."
Kazama shouted, "It's slow—but every hit is deadly!"
Bo-chan stared calmly."…Strong walls fall… when pushed the right way."
Masao clenched his fists.
His fear was still there.
But so was something else.
Strength.
He stepped forward.
"Hey… big brick-head!" Masao yelled, voice shaking but loud."Pick on someone your own size!"
The monster turned toward him.
Bad idea.
It charged.
Masao planted his feet.His muscles tightened.
"Masao, don't—!" Nene shouted.
Too late.
The monster swung its massive arm.
Masao caught it.
The impact sent shockwaves through the hall.The floor cracked.
Masao's knees bent—but he didn't fall.
"I'm… not… running… this time!" he yelled.
With a powerful shout, he twisted his body and threw the monster over his shoulder.
The brick giant crashed into the wall, bricks flying everywhere.
Shinchan stared."…Whoa."
Kazama adjusted his glasses, stunned."He actually did it."
Nene clenched her fists."MASAO! AGAIN!"
Masao nodded, confidence rising.
The monster roared and rebuilt itself, bricks snapping back into place.
Shinchan smirked."Guess it's round two."
They attacked together.
Kazama distracted it.Bo-chan blocked falling debris with eerie calm.Nene guided them, shouting warnings.
Masao charged one final time, slamming his shoulder into the monster's chest.
CRACK.
The glowing lines shattered.
The brick giant froze—then collapsed into rubble.
Silence followed.
Masao dropped to his knees, breathing hard.
Nene rushed to him."You idiot…" she said softly, then hugged him."…but you were amazing."
Masao turned red."H-Heh… told you I was strong…"
Shinchan laughed."About time, muscle-brain!"
The Room Beyond
Behind the fallen monster, a hidden door slid open.
Inside was a vast room filled with strange light.
Weapons floated in the air.Blades glowing with magic.Staffs humming softly.Armor pieces sealed in glass.
Kazama whispered,"This is their armory…"
Then Bo-chan pointed.
"…Box."
At the center of the room sat a small, ancient chest.
Shinchan opened it.
Inside were five glowing bottles, each a different color.
And a book.
Kazama picked it up and read aloud.
"These five potions were created by the original heroes.""Only five exist in this world.""Each can be used once.""Drink it, and you may take any form you desire… for one hour."
They stared at the bottles.
Shinchan closed the box slowly.
"…One hour," he said.
The lights flickered.
Somewhere far away, something stirred.
And a single thought echoed in the air:
"Power is returning… but the fight will be furious."