Time passed. Half an hour dragged on like an eternity.

  Takemichi was covered in wounds, breathing heavily. Before him, the ghoul general remained practically unharmed, his regeneration making him an unstoppable force.

  "It's no use, human. I will always regenerate. In return, you will only get more and more injured!" the general mocked, with a sadistic smile on his face.

  Takemichi stared at him with contempt, even with blood dripping from deep cuts.

  "Be quiet for a minute," he replied, panting.

  The ghoul general let out a sinister laugh.

  "You're still arrogant, even though you know you no longer have a chance!"

  Takemichi, ignoring the provocation, closed his eyes. He seemed to be concentrating on something internal, his breathing becoming slower and more controlled.

  "My body... Why isn't it being affected by the limit break? It's strange, but... light!" — he thought, feeling a change in his condition.

  The general watched impatiently.

  “Are you surrendering, human?” he exclaimed, taking a step forward.

  Takemichi remained still, his eyes still closed.

  “No answer, huh? Fine... I’ll play along!” said the ghoul, crossing his arms as he waited.

  Within Takemichi’s consciousness, the scene was filled with deep darkness. He saw the figure of his own ghoul, his black wings spread and shining with a dark glow.

  “So... We’re a little screwed out there, aren’t we? You’re feeling it too, right?” said Takemichi, staring at the creature before him.

  The ghoul simply spread his wings, and the darkness around him moved like a living wave. In an instant, he disappeared, leaving Takemichi confused.

  “What’s going on?” he thought, as the darkness around him seemed to dissipate.

  Back in reality, Takemichi opened his eyes, feeling a new energy run through his body.

  “Are you done, human?” exclaimed the ghoul general, noticing Takemichi’s movement.

  The captain smiled slightly, gripping the handles of his axes tightly.

  “It seems so.”

  He stood firmly. Despite his injuries, there was something different about his posture: an unshakable confidence.

  “My body is injured, but it feels so light...!” thought Takemichi, adjusting his breathing.

  The ghoul general let out a low, amused laugh.

  “This is your last chance. You have amused me, so rejoice, human! None of the other humans will be killed today.”

  Takemichi narrowed his eyes, his voice filled with determination.

  "I haven't lost yet. So why are you bragging?"

  "Very well, human. Show me what you're made of!" the general roared.

  Takemichi twirled the axes in his hands, his aura beginning to glow brightly.

  "I'll show you... And when it's over, there'll be nothing left of you!"

  The ghoul general advanced again, his tentacles moving with deadly speed and precision. This time, however, something different happened.

  Takemichi disappeared from the general's sight for an instant, only to reappear behind him.

  "My eyes followed... But my body was too slow. What's this change, human?" the general exclaimed in surprise.

  Then the general's tentacles and legs fell to the ground, cut off by Takemichi's axes in a precise and devastating attack.

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  "It seems that not even your own race is cooperating." Let's fight now, but this time, it's to kill each other! — Takemichi said, his voice full of disdain.

  The ghoul general let out a hoarse laugh.

  “Interesting!” — he replied, beginning to regenerate his limbs quickly, while a black aura surrounded his body.

  Suddenly, among the cell phones thrown on the floor, one began to ring again. Joana, alert, looked at it immediately.

  “It's mine!” — she thought, apprehensive.

  She bent down slightly to look at the screen, but hesitated to touch the device. From the call, Fernanda's voice echoed through the small speaker:

  “Mini Ghoul arrives in half an hour. Alpha Zero, approximately four hours.”

  Then the ringing stopped, and an automated female voice informed:

  “You have a new message. Tap to listen.”

  The leaders exchanged confused looks, trying to interpret what that meant.

  “Are they really going to send Mini Ghoul?” — they thought, trying to hide their excitement and fear.

  One of the nearby ghouls narrowed his eyes when he heard the sound of his cell phone.

  “Human devices are noisy!” he complained, his voice full of contempt.

  Joana approached her companions, whispering:

  “The captain needs to hold on. Maybe, with the Mini Ghoul, we can fight back!”

  Yan frowned, his expression full of concern.

  “Four hours for the other one to arrive is a long time!” he whispered back.

  — But it's the best reinforcement we could ask for right now. — Lena replied, her voice firm and hopeful.

  Joana took a deep breath, assessing the situation before continuing:

  — If the Mini Ghoul attacks, these guys here might react against the civilians. We'll act as soon as he arrives. We'll do our best to focus the attention of these ghouls on us, and then we'll pull them away from the people.

  The leaders nodded silently, agreeing with the strategy, but their expressions showed the tension of the responsibility they carried.

  One of the ghouls, with a cruel smile on his face, interrupted the whispers:

  — Stupid humans, we can hear you! You better not try anything. We can kill you easily!

  Joana looked at the leaders again and gave a small wave. They returned the gesture, staying focused.

  Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Takemichi seemed to have adapted to the general's movements. His eyes now followed each action of the ghoul with precision.

  The battle had become an intense duel of attacks and counterattacks. Each blow from the general was parried or avoided, and each attack from Takemichi became sharper and more accurate.

  The sound of Takemichi's axes cutting through the air mixed with the echo of the ghoul's tentacles hitting the ground and the surrounding walls. The earth shook under their footsteps, and the impact of each exchange made the tension in the city rise even more.

  Even with his body injured, Takemichi was determined to continue.

  "My body is at its limit...." he thought, advancing forcefully against the ghoul general.

  The general, in turn, seemed more amused than irritated.

  "Well done, human! Keep it up! Remind me why you are called such stubborn survivors!" he roared, as his tentacles launched themselves like black spears towards Takemichi.

  With a precise turn, Takemichi dodged and counterattacked, his blades cutting off one of the tentacles that was advancing with force.

  The battle continued, with each second increasing the tension among the humans who were watching from afar, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements that could be the only chance of turning the tide.

  The confrontation continued fiercely. Takemichi, even injured, managed to gather all his remaining strength and, in a quick and devastating move, cut the ghoul general into several pieces. The humans watching from afar felt a wave of hope and relief.

  "He did it!" whispered one of the soldiers, his fists clenched in emotion.

  — The captain is incredible! — exclaimed one of the children, his eyes shining with hope.

  But suddenly, a sinister laugh echoed across the battlefield. At first soft, then gaining intensity, until it turned into frantic and inhuman laughter. The ghouls surrounding the area laughed loudly, shamelessly mocking the humans.

  The general, still rapidly regenerating his body, stood up. His cold and mocking gaze turned to the humans, and in an instant, everyone stood still.

  Then, the sight that no one wanted to witness revealed itself: Takemichi was pierced by one of the general's tentacles. The tentacle pierced his torso, lifting him into the air as if he were a trophy. Takemichi's axes fell to the ground, the metallic sound echoing like a funeral bell.

  “This is the end, human.” — the general's voice sounded triumphant and cruel. “I will fulfill my part of the bargain and we will leave.”

  The humans froze, the hope they had felt seconds before now crushed by a brutal reality.

  “Close your eyes!” Takemichi shouted, his voice weak but still filled with authority.

  Slayer ran in front of the children, blocking their view with his body.

  “Look at uncle here!” he said, his voice shaking as he tried to hide the despair behind his mask. “Everything will be fine, look at me!”

  The other members of the fifth squad quickly joined in, forming a human barrier to shield the children from the horrific scene.

  The ghoul general opened his mouth, full of sharp, gleaming teeth.

  “Goodbye, human. That was fun!” he said, his voice filled with contempt and satisfaction.

  — "I'm sorry, Mira... Rem... And everyone who believed in me. I apologize, but this is my limit..." — he thought, his breathing becoming weaker and weaker.

  The ghoul advanced and, with a voracious movement, devoured Takemichi's head. His body fell to the ground, lifeless.

  Silence took over the room. The adults present were paralyzed, their expressions taken over by shock and terror. Not a word was said. They just watched, unable to react to what had just happened.

  Then, in the distance, the sound of helicopter blades began to be heard, increasing the tension in the place.

  — "The Mini Ghoul is coming!" — thought the leaders, but, instead of hope, the sound brought overwhelming fear.

  — "If the Mini Ghoul attacks, he could put us all in danger... and lead to the death of more people!" — thought Joana, her lips trembling as she tried to hide her panic.

  The surrounding ghouls raised their heads, alert to the approaching sound, but the general only smiled, savoring every part of the captain's body.

  The sound of the helicopter ceased in the distance of Mineforde. The ghouls turned their attention to the general.