"We did it…I think we finally did it, guys."

With only a few remaining watchtower guards at the scene, they had successfully managed to take down the mysterious Magical Beast that was able to transform.

The human form of this beast was now singed completely as its body was limp and charred while being held down by an electrical net.

With silence now entering the scene, everyone else turned their attention to those who had been hurt by the Magical Beast's rampage, and Hibono was quickly hoisted up by Adrian, Mitake and Maya.

"Shit, man, you're really hurt," muttered Adrian, who eyed Hibono's blood-stained shirt with concern. We need to get you to a medic, fast.

"I-I'll be alright."

"Like hell you will be! You took quite some damage, you know. Maya, you're good at first aid, right?"

"Of course," she answered confidently, while Mitaka slowly and cautiously walked up to the motionless beast.

"This Magical Beast….is done for, right? I don't see any form of breathing."

"Its heart might have stopped, but just like any other human, its brain might still be active for a few minutes."

"Then, we gotta make sure that it's completely down for the count. We can't jump to conclusions and think that we have won."

After declaring this, he whipped out a pistol and aimed straight at the beast's skull and paused.

Placing his index finger on the trigger gently, he inhaled deeply, and then exhaled before continuing:

"Now we've won-"

Knock knock!

Two loud knocks interrupted his speech from the wooden locked trapdoor that led to the descending stairs below, and as nobody expected visitors, all guards immediately flinched and faced that door with tension.

And underneath that door came a male vice:

"U-Um hello? It's the pizza man here. Here to make….well, a pizza delivery."

Everyone in the room exchanged confused glances.

Uh, what…?

but just as their focus was shifted…

A figure who had been launched into the large gap in the side of the tower caused by Shihon burst into the room, and the vines that protruded from his arms instantly, immobilizing everyone in the room with a quick maneuver.

Thus, the guards had been sent into a panic.

"Damn it!! I can't move!"

"Another person with magical abilities!? What the fuck is going on!?"

Liohime Kitagami had arrived, and Yariko had remained behind the door with his Hallory Circuit group members, waiting for the go-ahead if the former needed backup.

Before Liohime could mention that everything was alright, though…

You're kidding me.

He spotted the base human form of Shihon who was severely injured at the corner of his eyes, and immediately ran towards her in a panic, kicking aside the net that held her down before holding her close to his chest.

He held his breath as his emotions began to spiral out of control, noticing no pulse.

No. This can't be happening. Please be okay, please be okay.

"Shihon…what …did they do to you…? Please wake up!"

His heart race increased as his breathing quickened.

His gaze darted around the room, desperately searching for something that could help him even though he had a good feeling that there was nothing that could be done.

Finding something a few feet away from his legs, he hastily picked it up and aimed it at her chest.

"Please don't be dead. Please don't be!"

With the only attempt to bring her back being a mere taser, he had no idea how powerful it would be and if it would do anything to change the bleak situation that was in front of him.

With trembling lips, he pulled on the trigger, and-

"GUH!!"

"-hk."

The young woman with glowing, green hair convulsed slightly, and her frail eyes opened slowly.

Everything was a daze to her, but as her focus finally improved, she had finally realized that she was staring into the person that she was hoping would save her.

"Huh," her voice faintly creaked out, and a weak smile emerged as her eyes began to water, and then the tears just could not stop flowing, causing Liohime to exhale with utter relief.

"Shihon, you idiot. I was so fucking scared."

"I'm…sorry…"

"You shouldn't have left by yourself!"

Only silent sobs followed, while Liohime glared at the restrained guards who had been desperately trying to free themselves. One was about to summon his Magical Beast, but Liohime was quick, pulling out his handgun with his left arm and continuing to hold Shihon tightly with his right as her regenerative abilities were now returning.

"Don't even think about it."

And as he loudly shouted those words, the man behind the trapdoor asked:

"I-Is everything alright, Liohime!? Should we come in now?"

"Give me one more minute!"

"Okay!"

Liohime directed his focus back to Shihon, who continued to tightly hold onto his body.

"Now all of these guys know about your human form, too. Geez, what were you thinking?"

"S-Sorr-"

"Okay, okay, that's enough," he replied, stroking her hair affectionately as the wounds on her body had pretty much all been healed, although the slight tinge of pain remained. "We have a plan that covers that problem, anyway."

"Oh…okay."

"Promise me that you'll remain close to me and not go off on your own, Shihon. You have to promise me."

Her eyes widened as she noticed Liohime's stern expression.

"I-I promise."

"Good. That was a close call. You clearly need to rest, so we'll talk more later, okay."

"Okay," she said, while wiping away her tears. "Thank you…for saving me."

With an affirmative nod, Liohime recalled her into his mindspace, and then his hands dropped as his body lost almost all strength.

If he had been only a few minutes late, there was a chance that Shihon could have perished.

She forced himself to stand despite his weakness, and called out:

"You can enter now, guys."

"Nice."

With an impatient reply, Yariko emerged with a glare, eyeing the immobilized men and women who were responsible for one of his coworkers' death.

"So, who's ready to get beat up first?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.