"Fuck!"

  Enzo yelled as he and Maximillian were thrown back by a single punch. Kit, having taken Sero from Cassandra and Gwyndolyn, immediately teleported them outside, where the rest of the alliance was waiting.

  Meanwhile, Dune knelt next to Madison and helped her to her feet as Gregor's body began to glow with a purple aura. The other Janitors, sensing their leader's strength, regrouped and braced themselves for what came next.

  "Everyone, this may very well be the strongest opponent we've faced," Gregor announced gravely, his aura flaring with purple light. "But this is why I formed the Janitors. To take care of jobs no others would do."

  And with that, Gregor invoked his King's Will Skill, telepathically sending Crom Cruach flying upwards through the ceiling basement and out into the open sky. The banished god roared in fury as the Janitors followed, a grim determination in each and every one of them.

  Waiting outside was the rest of the alliance, Dante with the guild heads and Elizabeth with the A.R.E.S. division. The sight of Gregor rushing out from the basement with a grim look on his face was all it took for the group to realize the gravity of the situation. They rarely saw such an expression on the Conqueror's face, and the last time they saw it was when the world threatened to go into war.

  "All hands on deck! Ranged Ascendants, focus fire on the being I sent into the sky! Close-combat Ascendants, reinforce yourselves!" Gregor's voice boomed across the ruined hospital. "Support Ascendants, secure and lock down the location. Nothing gets in or out of here!"

  The alliance sprang into action like a well-oiled machine. Crom Cruach, who had recovered mid-air in the sky, simply cackled as he fended off attacks with a black barrier that surrounded him. The barrier was thick and almost impenetrable, but it wasn't perfect, allowing some spells and blasts to strike his eroding body.

  Despite the damage, it seemed like the banished god didn't feel the pain, firing several black and green bolts of corrupted energy down upon the alliance. The stronger of the Ascendants tried their best to shield the others with various barriers and spells, but some bolts slipped through, leaving craters in their wake as they disintegrated those unfortunate enough to be caught in them.

  Enzo and Maximillian spat out curses as they flew through the air, landing on either side of Gregor with two booms.

  "Gregor... this guy might be a little tough to deal with," Maximillian scowled as he picked himself off the ground with a groan. The Metallicize armor that covered his body had cracks, threatening to fall apart.

  "I can't believe it, but I agree with him, Boss," Enzo coughed out a mouthful of dust as he took his position alongside Gregor. His body was bruised and battered, but the Demonic Judge showed no signs of slowing down due to his Relentless passive. "Apep was one thing, but a banished god?"

  "Hey, all we need to do is hold out ‘til the host body breaks down!" Madison shouted over the chaos, her eyes glowing with determination as she cast healing spells on the injured Janitors. "I analyzed it earlier and we've got 'bout five minutes tops before it's completely useless!"

  Cassandra, Gwyndolyn, and Dune joined them, their faces uncharacteristically grim. The Merchant King nodded to Enzo and Maximillian. "You boys remember that week where Madison had to constantly juice us in the war overseas?"

  Both men flinched at the memory. "Yeah, we remember," Enzo grunted, cracking his knuckles. "And we remember how much that sucked. You're not seriously saying that-"

  Everyone stiffened as Dune took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of eyes that were literally made of pure gold. Even Gregor bowed his head at the gesture, understanding what it meant.

  "Oh, fuck." Enzo slumped his shoulders. "It's really that bad, isn't it?"

  "Seeing as how Duke has taken off his sunglasses, I don't need to state this obvious," Gregor spoke, conjuring his colossal sword. "That being is on par, if not more powerful, than the army and their commander we faced overseas long ago. So, my Janitors, on my lead."

  The air was thick with fear and grim determination, as the alliance members took their positions. The roar of the banished god echoed through the night, sending shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned fighters. The Janitors formed a tight semi-circle around Gregor, their eyes focused on the monstrous being.

  "As much as it pains me to admit, even I cannot assure our chances of defeating that monster. That being said, our goal is to minimize the damage it can do while we wait for the host body to disintegrate," the Conqueror said, his gaze never leaving the creature in the sky. "I do not blame any of you if you wish to leave. I fear this is easily the most powerful foe we've faced yet."

  "I don't know about the others, Boss, but I'm with you till the very end," Enzo said, an unhinged fire in his eyes as he summoned his Jury axe.

  "Ditto, sir. I've already taken off my sunglasses, so you know I'm serious," Dune quipped, a hint of a smile playing on his lips despite the dire situation.

  The other Janitors voiced their agreements, readying their skills in preparation for the battle ahead. Gregor gave a faint smile before he barked out his orders.

  "Maximillian, Cassandra, use your metal and glass abilities to form a barrier around the banished god to prevent his attacks from doing more harm! Gwyndolyn, coordinate our attacks using your Steady Tempo passive! Duke, gather your strength and guard Madison while she provides healing and support. Enzo, with me!" Gregor's voice boomed through the night air as the other alliance members fell into place around the Janitors.

  "Shit, the other guild heads aren't here," Dante swore as he rushed up next to Gregor. "They got held up by some of the monsters that got through in the other Zones. Only J'takk and Meredith are with me, so we'll have to rely on you guys to be the frontline."

  "That is our duty after all," Gregor said calmly, his eyes never leaving the monstrous form of Crom Cruach. "We are the Janitors. We handle the messes that no one else can."

  Maximillian let out a roar as he bent the metal in the area to his will, the air crackling with kinetic energy. The metal twisted and grew, forming an enormous dome around Crom Cruach. The god's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand to dispel the barricade, but it was too late. Cassandra had already stepped in, her body a whirlwind of glass shards, each one a potential weapon. The dome grew denser, a cage of steel and shards, trapping him in a prison of their making.

  The banished god simply laughed, beginning to fire off bolts of corrupted energy that clashed and exploded against the metal and glass barrier. The ground around them trembled with the force of each impact. The dome held, but it was clear that it wouldn't last forever.

  Even as the dome began to crack, Dante had rounded up the alliance, organizing more barriers and protective spells to cover the area. The A.R.E.S. division stood ready, their mechanical suits whirring with power as they aimed their weapons at the sky. Madison, now protected by Duke's golden aura, chanted her spells rapidly, her eyes flicking between her fellow Janitors and the barrier that was barely holding.

  "Ready?!" Gregor shouted to Gwyndolyn, who nodded as she snapped her fingers rhythmically.

  "Now!" she yelled, and the Janitors and their allies unleashed a coordinated assault on Crom Cruach, their attacks moving in time with her steady beat.

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  Gregor and Enzo were at the forefront, purple and red auras crackling as the dome fell apart. The two men, driven by their oaths and the weight of their responsibilities, charged towards the banished god. The power behind their swings was immeasurable, a fiery strength that even Crom Cruach seemed to feel as he braced for their impact.

  The Conqueror's massive sword and the Demonic Judge's Jury axe crashed upon the evil god's form, the sound echoing through the night like a thunderous crescendo. Each hit sent shockwaves through the area, the very ground cracking under the pressure. Yet Crom Cruach remained unscathed, his twisted smile never wavering as he continued to laugh.

  "One minute left! Dune, you're up!" Madison cried out, locking eyes with Gwyndolyn. The Serenade kept snapping her fingers, timing the moment before she signaled for Duke to join in.

  Dune took off in a sprint, power radiating in every step as he wordlessly charged at Crom Cruach. It was a different vibe compared to when the Merchant King helped Enzo and Maximillian fight against Apep, seeing as he wasn't laughing.

  The alliance watched with bated breath as the three Janitors collided with the banished god. Dune's punches had the force of an earthquake, yet they barely phased Crom Cruach. The creature's malicious aura grew denser, his eyes burning with a green flame.

  Gwyndolyn shouted again, which prompted Dune to cast Interest on Enzo. With a final growl, the Demonic Judge casted a combined Revenge and Retribution, his axe connecting with the evil god's side. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave that shattered the remaining windows of the nearby buildings and sent cars flying through the air like ragdolls. Even Gregor and Dune had to stumble back, the tremors from the impact threatening to knock them off their feet.

  Before the dust even settled, everyone saw Enzo flying out from the debris, blasted away from the collision with Crom Cruach. His body was a mess, skidding across the ground and conveniently stopping at Madison's feet.

  "Don't suppose... you could stitch me up... painlessly...?" Enzo managed to croak out as he coughed up a mouthful of dirt. Madison knelt beside him, her eyes a mix of anger and worry.

  "Sweetheart, I'm about to make you a livin' zombie if you charge in again," Madison snapped, her eyes flashing with a mix of irritation and concern. She placed her hand on Enzo's chest, her golden aura seeping into his torn body, repairing the damages one by one.

  "How unfortunate. This body is much more frail than I expected," Crom Cruach's voice echoed through the destruction, the smoke clearing to reveal his rapidly deteriorating human form. "Despite that, no Ascendant was able to stand against me. Completely and utterly disappointing."

  The banished god's body was partially dissolving into a pool of black ooze, but his malicious smile remained as he looked down upon the Janitors. He raised his only good hand into the air, gathering an unfathomable amount of wicked energy. "Perhaps I'll leave you all with a parting gift."

  "Hold fast!" Gregor bellowed, his voice carrying the weight of command as he saw the god's power building up. The Janitors and their allies braced themselves, each preparing for the inevitable onslaught.

  "You guys need help?"

  A figure dashed forward with blinding speed, catching them all off guard. The newcomer stopped in front of the evil god, revealing themselves to be a young man with blonde hair. He had an apron on and a bandana around his head, giving the impression of a chef rather than a warrior. Yet, the aura around him was anything but mundane.

  He drew a simple sword from his side and calmly swung it down. Then again. And again. Each time, the blade sliced through the air as if it were made of paper, leaving a trail of blue light in its wake. The room grew colder and the air grew heavier with each swing.

  Crom Cruach's attack dissipated in the face of the newcomer's sword, the very essence of his malicious power being cleaved away by the relentless strikes. The young man's eyes were calm and collected, as if simply cutting up a piece of meat in a kitchen rather than facing a banished god.

  Gregor didn't miss a beat, jumping into action alongside the mysterious blonde. "Thank the heavens for your timing!" he bellowed, his sword flashing with renewed vigor. The young chef looked over his shoulder, flashing a smile.

  "Good to see you too, Gregor," the chef said, his eyes never leaving Crom Cruach. "Sorry it took a while. I was over in the fifth zone."

  "The fuck?!" Madison shouted, unable to believe the sudden turn of events. "Who the hell is this guy?"

  "Madison, my dear, please refrain from using crude language," Gregor admonished, though his eyes remained on the battle. Or what was left, as the young man quickly decimated the remnants of the evil god's withering body.

  Crom Cruach let out a final hiss of irritation before he vanished into black explosive smoke, leaving a silence across the battlefield after the blast. The other Janitors and alliance members stared in shock at the display of power and speed from the newcomer.

  The blonde-haired man looked over at Madison, his blue eyes piercing through the chaos. He flashed a charming smile that made her feel like she was melting into a puddle of butter on a hot sidewalk. "I'm Gale. Nice to meet you guys."

  "Wait, Gale? As in, the goddamned third strongest S-rank in the world?" Enzo painfully managed to sit up, his eyes wide with shock.

  "Indeed, Enzo. This man is a Master Swordsman," Gregor said with a nod of respect. "Though he is also known by his enemies as the Steel Reaper."

  Gale waved a dismissive hand. "I don't really care about ranks or titles, I'm just glad I was able to get here on time."

  "How did you know to come?" Madison asked, still in awe of what she had just witnessed.

  "Guessing the Silverbloods are on the way here?" Maximillian suddenly appeared with a growl, staggering towards Gale with a glare as he rudely pushed past the Deathwalker. "Who else besides you?"

  "Oh, Max? Been a while man, how have you been?" Gale greeted nonchalantly, not even bothering to look at him. His gaze remained on the spot where Crom Cruach had disappeared.

  "You know damn well how I've- ugh, never mind," Maximillian said, waving off Gale's question. "You're not the one I'm pissed off at, anyway. Who else besides you is coming?"

  "I dunno. I was already on the way because I heard there was a restock of the rare fish I wanted to prepare. Then Gregor sent a message to me- well, through the Silverbloods, and it got to me so I rushed here. I'm not even a part of them anymore," Gale replied, turning away from the ashes of the banished god. "Think I left a week after you did all those months ago."

  Maximillian's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering but curiosity winning out. "So you haven't kept in contact with them?"

  "Nope. Got bored of the politics," Gale said with a casual shrug, sheathing his sword. "Plus, they don't enjoy my sushi. Can't say I miss 'em."

  The Iron Tyrant's shoulders relaxed slightly, but not entirely. "Well, whether they like your sushi or not, we're all in this mess together now," he grunted, surveying the damage around them. "At least they're not here yet. I'm not prepared to see any of those bastards again."

  With that, he limped away, leaving Gale standing in the middle of the battle-scarred street. Madison watched him for a moment, still not fully believing what had just happened. Then, she turned to Gregor, her expression a mix of disbelief and irritation. "Seriously? You had Gale on speed dial and didn't bother mentioning it?"

  "My dear, Gale is a wanderer. I wasn't entirely sure myself if the message I sent to the Silverbloods would reach him," Gregor looked over to Madison with a hint of apology in his eyes. "But it seems like fortune has shone upon us."

  Gwyndolyn, Cassandra, and Duke joined them, all equally astonished by Gale's appearance. The Merchant King especially looked impressed, though it seemed more over something else rather than his display of power.

  "Sir, that was some blade you have there, might I say," Duke said, eyeing Gale's sword with a greedy gleam. "What say you trade that in for some of my finest wares?"

  "Uh... no, thank you," Gale replied with a polite smile, gripping his sword tighter. "This sword is very special to me."

  "Janitors, please, let us focus. I will debrief Gale on what transpired here. Break and support the alliance with helping the survivors," Gregor said firmly, his gaze sweeping over the group.

  As the others dispersed, Gregor turned to Gale. "We have a brief respite, but we must be prepared for more battles to come. I'm not quite sure what exactly happened, but for the most part it seems as though our friend Sero happened to stumble upon a rogue Ascendant affiliated with Culling. That same Ascendant who was possessed by a fragment of a banished god."

  "Banished god, huh? That's new to me. But then again, I've been out of the loop," Gale said, his eyes scanning the area as if he was expecting something more to happen. "So, what's the deal with this Sero guy?"

  "Ah. He's an exceptional young man. His class is the Scholar, which is far more unique than other unique classes known so far. It's quite powerful, enabling him to copy and use the skills of other Ascendants," Gregor said with a hint of pride. "He's also a bit... unorthodox. But I believe he's the one we need in these times."

  "Cool. So, where is he?" Gale inquired, his curiosity piqued.

  "The last I saw of him, Kit took him away, most likely for emergency aid and healing," Gregor replied, his gaze following the direction where Kit and Sero had disappeared. "I have faith he's doing just fine now. After all the hardships he faced, I can't imagine even a fragment of a banished god would be enough to keep him down."

  Gale nodded thoughtfully, his eyes still on the retreating figures of the Janitors. "So, we've got a new weight class of supernatural beings and a bunch of rogue Ascendants to deal with. And apparently, the Silverbloods are on their way," he murmured, the weight of the unspoken question hanging in the air.

  "Maximillian has assured me that he will not stir up any trouble once they arrive," Gregor said, though the tension in his voice suggested otherwise. "But we should prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best."