Noriko, one of the main members of the Hallory Circuit Shinigami Soldiers, had taken down her opponent with a powerful punch to the side of the neck, stunning the man with an instant impact as he fell to the ground.

She quickly grabbed his collar and looked him straight in the eyes before asking with a menacing tone:

"Where is the exit to the upper layers?"

"-hk, h-huh!?"

"Don't test my patience. I want to know where we need to go to return to the first layer from here."

Not seeing any shortcut in sight and resenting the long and arduous journey back to the second layer, the young woman posed that harsh question to him while raising her right fist.

However, her opponent was not intimated fully as to giving her the answer, as he hesitated and then spat out: "Tch, as if I'll tell someone like you!!"

"So, there is an easier exit, huh? Well, whatever. If you won't tell me…"

She reached for his index finger and glared with a mischievous smirk.

"...Then I'll just have to break all of your fingers one by one until you tell me."

"W-Wait!! Wait!! O-Okay, okay!!!"

In the midst of the chaos and fighting that continued around them, he quickly folded.

"Well, get to squawking already. Where is it?"

"A-At the base of the waterfall, where it crashes onto the pit of the Magic Pool. The magic there works just like the concentrated mana fog. It will take you straight to the first layer."

"Oh? How interesting."

Just for a second, Noriko still thought about crushing the man's finger anyway, but her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed a rising streak of red light at the corner of her eyes.

Huh?

That singular burst of light shot up, rising higher and higher, until it scattered as it blew up, lighting the area with its glow.

A flare?

As if responding immediately to its signal, the entire fleet of attackers from the Dalquestis and Killcounts paused as they looked on in complete shock, and then they all began to retreat as they screamed out amongst one another.

"KAZA IS DOWN!! KAZA IS DOWN!!!"

"RETREAT TO THE MAGIC POOL AND RETURN TO THE SECOND LAYER!!"

"EVERYONE!!! SCATTER!!!"

Noriko, Yariko, and all of the other Shinigami Soldiers could not believe their eyes.

"They're all leaving…"

"No way…you don't mean…?"

Yariko held his breath as he stood still, perplexed, but then he stared straight at the Magical Beast known as Shihon, who exchanged glances with him and quickly lost her will to continue as she slumped onto the ground.

Yariko breathed a sigh of relief and scanned the area before raising his voice to the entire group.

"Liohime has most likely gone to retrieve the Magical Beast egg as he is not here. Everyone needs to recuperate here for a few minutes. Heal each other if you can with your Magical Beasts' power, give first aid if you have to, and take a breather before we meet up with him in the center to confirm the completion of the mission."

On hearing that declaration, nobody contested his speech, as they were all worn out, injured, and severely threatened with death.

"H-Hang in there, Harvey!" yelled Bica, who rushed towards his damaged ankle, while Ophiel quickly held Leah in his arms as Shihon's vines dissipated, freeing her from the shackles of the prison-like spiky columns.

Ophiel swallowed hard and took in a deep breath, before looking into the distance.

Lio….Jolene….

***

Liohime had been barely dodging the two guard's powerful punches and kicks for only a few seconds, but he could tell that he was going to be cornered very soon as his body was not able to move as perfectly as his mind wanted it to.

Then, a pulverizing tackle came, and his searing pain that rocketed through his body only increased even more, before it multiplied as he was slammed into a nearby wall.

He could tell that bones were broken by now within him, but he just could not specifically tell where. Everything was numb, but everything hurt at the same time. He did not wish for death, but it was as if it was the better and more peaceful option.

With only a fraction of power left in him, he could not dodge the next attack in time, and he gritted his teeth while using both arms to shield his face, waiting for the inevitable…

…And then the streak of red light had appeared, taking the two guards aback in horror.

They both froze, and they stared as they recognized the signal that they had been instilled with while working for their leader for years.

For the first time ever, Kaza was down, and dying.

Everyone needed to retreat instantly.

"You're kidding me," one of the guards muttered. "We gotta go and save Kaza, now!! Take her back to the healers in the second layer!! Every second counts!!"

He quickly darted forward, but looked back to find the other guard clenching his fist as he hesitantly remained, glaring at Liohime.

I-If we leave this guy here-

"DAMN IT, COME ON!!! WE CAN'T FUNCTION WITH KAZA DYING!!!"

He was quickly pulled back and escorted out forcefully, leaving Liohime unable to speak as he was left alone….with Kinen in its shell, the Magical Beast egg that they had been fighting to survive for.

He hobbled over to the small, oval-like object that lay on the short pillar, and without hesitation, grabbed it and double tapped his wrist watch.

With the screen scanning it, the egg slowly dissipated into the watch itself, confirming the teleportation's success, and Liohime collapsed onto his knees.

"We did it…Jolene," he muttered, before crawling back to where he had last seen her.

They did it.

After all the hardships, they could enjoy the rewards.

They could rest up.

They could celebrate together.

At least, that's what Liohime thought…

Until his widened gaze was cast forward, and he peered at the stooping, bleeding figure.

".....Huh?"

Jolene Aurora stared back at him weakly, with blood running down from the edges of her lips, and a sword impaled into her lower stomach.

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