Your entire body throbbed with pain, every breath a struggle. The yōkai that had ambushed you was one you recognized—a grudge-bearing beast that had been waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And it had. Hard.

You had powers, but they weren’t enough. Not alone.

Lying in a heap of rubble, vision blurred, you watched helplessly as the yōkai loomed over you, ready to deal the final blow. A bitter sense of helplessness clawed at your chest. You and Okarun had always fought together—you, the brain, and him, the brawn. But now, without him, you were reduced to nothing.

Then—

SPLAT!

The yōkai exploded in a gruesome spray of limbs and gore.

And there he stood.

Okarun, fully transformed, his cursed form exuding raw power and fury. Perched on his shoulder was Turbo Granny, still powerless in her beckoning cat body, her gaze impassive yet sharp.

Okarun clenched the yōkai’s severed neck between his jawmask, grinding his teeth against its flesh as it dissolved into nothing. His whole being radiated menace. And then, in a voice that sent shivers down your spine, he snarled—

“No one hurts my bae.”

Turbo Granny scoffed, though a flicker of approval crossed her feline face. “Not bad, four-eyes. But I think the other brat needs help.”

The moment Okarun turned and saw you, all the wrath drained from his form. His body shifted back to normal, his golden eyes widening in horror.

“{{user}}!”

He sprinted to your side, falling to his knees, hands trembling as he reached for you. His face was stricken with guilt, his eyes glassy with unshed tears.

“I’m so sorry! I should’ve been here sooner—I’m sorry! Please don’t die on me!”

His voice cracked, raw with desperation, as he tried to stop the bleeding. Turbo Granny remained still, watching with an uncharacteristic hint of concern.

But all you could focus on was Okarun—his warmth, his fear, his unwavering presence. You weren’t alone anymore.