Joseph and his team materialized in the chaotic city of Kawasaki on Planet City, greeted by a scene of unfolding devastation. Monsters and demons rampaged through the streets, while warriors clashed with them in an intense battle. The team rushed into the fray without hesitation, but to their shock, their attacks passed through the monstrous enemies as if they were illusions.

  “What the hell is going on?” Yoshinori exclaimed, watching his blade slice through a demon without leaving a scratch.

  “This doesn’t make any sense,” Mai added, her brows furrowed in confusion.

  Their confusion deepened as they noticed the warriors and monsters seemed… digital. The entire battle unfolded like a highly advanced virtual reality game. Yet, despite its artificial nature, the destruction inflicted on the city was very real.

  As Joseph approached one of the holographic warriors, a stout dwarf clad in heavy armor, he attempted to make contact. “Hey! Can you hear me?” he called, extending a hand.

  But his hand passed through the figure like smoke. The dwarf remained focused on battling a nearby demon, oblivious to Joseph’s presence.

  Suddenly, a voice startled him. “He can’t hear you. He’s just a projection,” a woman said.

  Joseph turned to see a short but sturdy dwarf woman, her piercing gaze framed by braided hair and a battle-worn expression.

  “I’m Kumi Kyoto,” she introduced herself. “A huntress and second-in-command to Shinya Shiro, the leader of the VR warriors here. You’re trying to talk to him, right?”

  Joseph nodded. “Yeah, but it seems I’m talking to a ghost.”

  “That’s because he’s operating in the VR battle,” Kumi explained. “It’s not a game, though. Every move in the VR world affects our real world. We’ve managed to trap the monsters and demons in the virtual realm, but they’ve found ways to strike back at reality. That’s what you’re seeing now.”

  While Kumi spoke, she expertly avoided falling debris and even dispatched a monstrous foe that emerged from a nearby alley. The group watched, unable to assist since they weren’t connected to the VR.

  “We evacuated the civilians to safety before engaging this battle,” Kumi continued. “But this war has been going on for over a year, and the stakes have only gotten higher. We’re holding them off for now, but their leader—a female monster unlike any other—is the key. If we defeat her, we seal the portals and end this nightmare.”

  Joseph stepped forward, his tone serious. “We were sent by Akakawa of the Red River Kingdom to aid you. Tell us how we can join the fight.”

  Kumi gave him a quick nod, impressed by his determination. She handed him coordinates to an underground facility where their physical bodies could be connected to the VR system.

  “Follow these,” she said. “When you’re ready, meet me there. But understand, once you’re in the VR, it’s just like the real world. Your powers and aura levels will remain intact, but if you die there… you die here too.”

  The group followed Kumi’s instructions and reached the underground facility, where rows of warriors sat in advanced chairs, fully immersed in the VR battle. Technicians monitored their vitals and provided real-time support.

  Kumi disconnected from her VR link and greeted them personally. “Joseph, your team will need to suit up and take one of these chairs to join the battle. But be warned, the monsters are unlike anything you’ve faced before. If you run into the female leader, approach her with extreme caution.”

  After suiting up, Joseph and his team were strapped into the chairs and connected to the VR system. The transition was seamless, and within moments, they found themselves in the VR world.

  It was indistinguishable from reality. The air felt the same, the ground solid beneath their feet. But instead of appearing near the other warriors, they found themselves in a desolate area far from the main battle.

  As they oriented themselves, a deafening roar echoed through the air. A colossal monster appeared, its grotesque form towering over them, radiating raw power and fury.

  The group froze for a moment, assessing the situation.

  “So… who’s taking this one?” Yuki asked, already stepping back.

  Joseph smirked, cracking his knuckles. “You all just watch and learn how your leader handles things.” He shot them a wink.

  Mai rolled her eyes. “Ugh, he’s doing the referencing joke thing again.”

  Yoshinori nodded. “He really loves his ‘watch-and-learn’ speeches, doesn’t he?”

  Mari, always the voice of concern, stepped forward. “Master Joseph, are you sure? This creature looks… stronger than it seems. Perhaps I should—”

  Joseph raised a hand to stop her. “No need, Mari. I’ll handle it. This is me leading by example.”

  Mari sighed. “Just… don’t do anything reckless, okay? We don’t have time for your theatrics.”

  “Relax,” Joseph replied with a grin. “This’ll be over before you know it.”

  As the others watched from a safe distance, Joseph stepped forward to face the monstrous beast. The creature roared again, its fury shaking the ground, but Joseph stood firm, his aura flaring.

  “Let’s see what you’ve got,” he muttered, launching himself toward the creature.

  The battle began with an explosive clash, and Joseph’s team watched intently, their trust in him mixed with a hint of unease. Would their leader’s confidence be enough to overcome this new threat?

  Joseph activated his XPT energy, transforming seamlessly into his battle suit in the blink of an eye. The monstrous creature, towering and furious, swung its massive claw toward him with a speed that could shatter mountains. With a fluid grace born from countless battles, Joseph evaded the crushing blow, twisting and flipping through the air as if dancing with the wind. His body was a blur, every movement calculated, every muscle in perfect harmony.

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  In the midst of his acrobatics, his suit crafted **Blades of Chaos** in mid-flight. The gleaming, fiery weapons materialized in his hands, their chains trailing behind them like living serpents. With a precise flick of his wrist, he hurled the blades at the creature, their edges sinking deep into the monster's colossal hand. The impact was immediate—a deafening roar of agony filled the air, and dark, viscous blood spilled from the newly formed wound.

  Joseph's momentum carried him forward, his body twisting as he prepared for the next strike. But the beast, its fury stoked by pain, retaliated with a ferocious backhand. The blow landed with such force that it sent Joseph hurtling mid-air, his body stunned by the sheer power of the strike. For a moment, he was a ragdoll, helpless as the creature opened its massive mouth, ready to devour him on his descent.

  Instinctively, Joseph activated a holographic control pattern, summoning a blue, glowing "X" button beneath his feet—reminiscent of a gaming console's controller. The pattern propelled him back into the air, narrowly avoiding the creature’s snapping jaws. His feet barely grazed the button, but it was enough to launch him to safety.

  As he descended once more, the creature's hand shot out to capture him. This time, Joseph crafted another holographic structure—an analog dial that spun rapidly in the air, altering his trajectory with a smooth, deliberate motion. His form flickered momentarily, glitching between his true appearance and an almost Spider-Man-like agility. In the brief distortion, he evaded the massive hand, twisting his body mid-flight to land with pinpoint precision on the creature’s forehead.

  The beast roared in frustration, preparing to strike again, but Joseph was already ahead of it. With a primal snarl, he plunged his charged **Blades of Chaos** into the creature’s skull, the glowing blades cutting through bone and flesh as if they were made of pure fire. The weapon's crimson hue reflected the monster’s blood, which splattered in every direction as the creature howled in agony.

  But the beast wasn't finished. In a desperate attempt, it grabbed Joseph by the skull, its monstrous fingers closing around him in a vice-like grip. For a moment, Joseph felt the pressure, but with a burst of strength, he slipped from its grasp, his body twisting free like a serpent from a trap. With swift precision, he reached for the creature’s left eye, his fingers stabbing into its delicate tissue. The beast's pained shriek echoed in the distance as it staggered, its vision stolen in an instant.

  Joseph didn't wait. With a final, brutal thrust of his **Blades of Chaos**, he plunged them into the monster's thick hide, dragging himself downward through the creature’s exposed flesh. The monster’s stomach was now a gaping wound, and Joseph, covered in its blood, watched as its entrails spilled onto the ground beneath him. A final, guttural thud resonated through the air as the creature crumpled, lifeless, to the earth.

  "Joseph wins," a deep, commanding voice echoed from his suit, its tone almost mocking, like an announcer from a fighting game. The voice boomed again, making the declaration even more final.

  "Unkillable wins. Flawless victory," it bellowed, and the holographic projection of Joseph's name appeared, dripping crimson with the words "Fatality" beneath it, glowing like neon lights.

  Joseph stood amidst the carnage, bloodied, but victorious. A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. "You see, that’s how it’s done."

  Yuki stood on the sidelines, arms crossed and an eyebrow arched. "Hardly a flawless victory—the monster still managed to touch you."

  Joseph waved him off dismissively, a cocky grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Who cares? I killed it, didn’t I?"

  His team, standing in awe of his brutal efficiency, cheered for him. They were impressed—some were even in disbelief—but Joseph’s satisfaction was evident. In the end, it was all about survival, and he had once again done what he did best—dominated.

  As they navigated their way back to join the warriors of Kawasaki, Joseph and his team encountered numerous towering monsters and demons. They took turns defeating them, some proving to be minor nuisances while others posed genuine challenges. However, one particular hybrid monster pushed Joseph to his limits. Instead of dispatching it quickly, Joseph toyed with the creature, taunting it with his antics. This only served to frustrate the beast, unleashing its pent-up fury.

  The monster seized Joseph by his armored leg mid-charge, using its immense strength to gain the upper hand. Joseph’s battle, accompanied by John Paesano’s Invincible Theme, began to falter as the creature’s unrelenting assault took its toll. It swung him like a ragdoll, slamming him into walls and the ground, tossing him left and right without giving him a moment to recover. His team stood back, observing the scene with mixed reactions.

  Mari, clearly concerned, suggested, “Shouldn’t we help him? That thing’s tearing him apart.”

  The rest of the team shrugged nonchalantly, enjoying the spectacle. “We warned him not to drag the fight out,” one of them remarked with a smirk.

  Joseph’s armor began to falter under the strain, its surface cracking and flickering. His suit’s internal systems glitched, switching between tracks—from DMX’s X Gon’ Give It to Ya to The Notorious B.I.G.’s Player’s Anthem and Aimee B’s Future in My Hands. The chaotic transitions mirrored the battering he endured, and soon the music distorted into bursts of static, punctuated by snippets of weather reports and hip-hop beats. The malfunctioning systems became an auditory mess.

  “Come on! At least keep it on Eminem,” Joseph groaned through gritted teeth as the monster pummeled him further. His complaint was cut short as the creature hurled him against a wall, splitting it in half. He crashed to the ground, dazed, sparks and oil leaking from his broken armor. The monster roared and leaped into the air, descending with earth-shaking force. Dust and debris exploded around Joseph as the beast seized him by the neck.

  The team watched in stunned silence as the creature lifted Joseph, strangling him with monstrous strength. Mari was frozen in fear, while Joseph struggled to pry the creature’s massive claws from his throat. The tension reached its peak as the monster tightened its grip, ready to end him.

  Suddenly, a swift shot rang out. The impact shattered half the monster’s head, sending a spray of blood across Joseph’s face. The creature’s remaining tongue dangled grotesquely from its ruined skull as its grip on Joseph slackened. It collapsed lifeless to the ground with a heavy thud.

  Staggering to his feet, Joseph wiped the blood from his face, looking around in confusion. “Was that one of you?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

  The team shook their heads, equally baffled. “Not us,” Yuki replied.

  Joseph’s gaze darted to a hooded figure lurking in the shadows. “There!” he exclaimed, pointing toward the stranger. The team turned to look, but before they could act, the figure disappeared into the distance.

  Frustrated, Joseph muttered, “Not even a chance to say thanks.”

  They resumed their journey, navigating the VR world to meet the warriors of Kawasaki. Unbeknownst to them, they were drawing closer to the orchestrator of the monster attacks—a cunning female monster who awaited them in an open field.

  Hours later, after a brief rest, they finally came upon her. The figure stood alone, her elegant form illuminated by the moonlight. Her appearance was captivating, almost disarming, as she gazed at them with a calm confidence.

  “A female monster,” Joseph said in awe, his admiration evident. “She’s... uh... stunning.”

  “She’s also alone,” Mari noted cautiously. “Could be a trap.”

  “She might be the monster boss,” Yoshinori added, his tone wary.

  Joseph waved off their concerns, his eyes still fixed on the mysterious figure. “Oh, come on. A boss monster would be surrounded by minions, right? She’s probably a champion—or maybe just a stray. Either way, I’ve got this one.”

  As he stepped forward, his team exchanged awkward glances.

  “Joseph, stop thinking with your—” Yuki began, only to be interrupted by Mai.

  “You’re being dirty again, aren’t you?” she said with a raised eyebrow.

  Joseph shrugged off their accusations, his confidence unshaken. “Relax. I’ll go easy on her while extracting some information.” Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the female monster, leaving his team shaking their heads in exasperation.