Kairiki

Level 33: Actually Didn't Expect That

[Hydro's body surged with energy, a strange mix of power and gloom overwhelming him. His cursed transformation was in full effect, his posture hunched with claws ready for battle. His once-maroon hair glistened with dark energy as he took a deep breath, absorbing the moment.]

HYDRO: [voice deepened, wild-eyed] I'm brimming with power! I feel so good! I'm... a bit depressed...

[He sighed, shaking his head slightly as if trying to shake off the gloom. His mind, torn between his newfound strength and the darkness looming within him, battled for control. He glanced at the chaos unfolding around him-the streets littered with debris, zombies groaning as they stumbled around in aimless hunger.]

HYDRO: [frustrated, muttering] This is bull...

[A massive, furry zombie lumbered across the street, catching Hydro's attention. The enormous creature stomped toward Hydro, its grotesque form towering above the special grade hunter. But Hydro was out of patience, and before the creature could take another step, Hydro's eyes flashed with malevolent energy.]

[With a swift, fluid movement, Hydro raised his hand and unleashed his Cursed Technique Reversal: Red. A brilliant crimson orb of energy exploded from his hand, obliterating the zombie in an instant, along with several nearby buildings. The shockwave rippled through the air, shattering windows and sending debris flying. The scene was pure chaos.]

[Juliet, standing a few feet away, was stunned. She watched as Hydro went overboard, his power far exceeding what they'd seen before.]

JULIET: [nervous, whispering to herself] He's snapped... He's really snapped.

[The sheer force of the attack left everyone in awe. Alicia, the Cheerleaders, and the Shadow Soldiers stood frozen, unable to process the raw destruction they had just witnessed. Even Zeke, who had been warned of Hydro's limitless potential, couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.]

[Hydro's unique eyes, glowing with power, manipulated the space around him at an atomic level, granting him precise control over cursed energy. His aura flared, swirling around him like a storm. He locked eyes with Zeke, a wild grin spreading across his face.]

HYDRO: [calm but dangerous, grinning] Let's start off by breaking your bones. Literally.

[In a blink, Hydro closed the distance between them. His fist collided with Zeke's chest, sending him crashing through the walls of a nearby building. The impact was deafening, the sound of concrete and metal crumbling under the force of Hydro's strike. Zeke barely had time to recover before Hydro was on him again, his movements a blur of speed and precision.]

[Zeke, knowing he couldn't keep up with Hydro's relentless assault, quickly formulated a plan. With less than twelve minutes until his quota ran out, Zeke knew he had to keep Hydro distracted. He used the Rope, a cursed item he carried, to rip a large cooling unit off the roof of a building. He hurled it at Hydro, hoping to buy himself some time.]

[Hydro, unfazed, raised his hand and easily crushed the unit with his Nonnegative technique, reducing it to rubble. But the distraction had worked-Zeke used the moment to get behind Hydro, striking quickly with a powerful punch. He followed up with a series of swift, spinning motions, his whip cutting through the air with deadly precision.]

[Hydro dodged with graceful speed, avoiding the attacks by mere inches. He backed off momentarily to gain distance, his sharp eyes locked on Zeke. Then, in a burst of energy, he rushed forward, blitzing Zeke with a rapid combination of punches aimed at his gut and head.]