The hidden chamber felt like the eye of a storm.
Five bottles rested on the stone pedestal, glowing softly as if breathing. Their light painted long shadows across Shinchan and his friends' faces. None of them spoke for a long moment.
Kazama finally broke the silence."This power lasts only one hour. That's all."
Nene nodded."Then there's no question. Ai-chan comes first."
Masao's hands trembled slightly."But this place is like a maze… If we search together, we'll be slow."
Bo-chan spoke in his usual calm tone."…And if we separate, we might lose each other."
Shinchan reached into a broken crate nearby and pulled out three battered devices."Walkie-talkies. Still working."
They all looked at him.
"We split," Shinchan said. "Three groups."
Nene inhaled deeply."Masao, you're with me."
Kazama placed a hand on Bo-chan's shoulder."We'll take the right side."
Shinchan didn't hesitate."I'll go straight ahead."
Nene turned sharply."Alone? No way."
Shinchan met her eyes. There was no humor in his face."She's here because of me. If Umbra finds me, let him."
No one argued after that.
They nodded, once.
And then they moved.
The Villa's Teeth
The villa swallowed them whole.
The corridors twisted unnaturally, walls shifting, floors breathing like living stone. Blue crystal lamps floated in the air, beautiful and wrong at the same time.
Kazama and Bo-chan were the first to face danger.
A stone beast tore itself free from the wall, roaring as its arms hardened into blades. Kazama dodged just in time, shouting orders while Bo-chan slammed his fist into the creature's knee, cracking it apart with surprising force.
"Left—now!" Kazama yelled.
The beast collapsed in pieces, shaking the floor.
Elsewhere, Nene and Masao were surrounded by crawling shadow creatures. They hissed and lunged.
Masao froze for half a second.
Then he remembered.
I'm not useless.
He charged, grabbing one creature and slamming it into the ground, over and over, until it dissolved into smoke.
Nene stared for a moment—then smiled fiercely."Don't slow down now!"
They ran.
Shinchan's Path
Shinchan moved alone.
Every corridor tested him.
A beast of armor and chains attacked first. Shinchan rolled beneath its swing, grabbed a fallen spear, and drove it through the monster's chest.
Another creature—this one made of mist—tried to choke him. He held his breath, ran straight through it, and didn't stop until his lungs burned.
By the time he reached the end of the hall, his clothes were torn, his breath heavy.
Then he saw it.
A door taller than any before.
Carved symbols pulsed faintly. Guards stood in perfect formation—silent, armed, watching.
This is it.
Shinchan slowed his steps, every movement careful. He moved on tiptoe, pressing himself against the shadows.
One step.
Two—
A hand grabbed him from behind.
"Found you."
Shinchan was lifted off the ground as alarms began to hum.
More guards turned, weapons glowing.
His mind raced.
Then he remembered.
The powder.
His fingers slipped into his pocket.One chance.
The guard tightened his grip.
Shinchan tore the pouch open and slammed it into the guard's face.
Light exploded.
A violent shockwave burst through the corridor.
Guards screamed as they collapsed, one by one, their bodies hitting the floor like falling statues.
Silence returned.
Shinchan dropped to his knees, gasping.
"…That almost ended badly."
He pushed the door open.
The Reunion
Ai-chan was there.
Her eyes widened. Tears fell before she could speak.
"Shinchan…"
For a moment, the world stopped.
He stepped forward, holding her shoulders firmly."I'm here. But we don't have time."
She nodded, trembling.
He lifted the walkie-talkie."I found her."
Relief burst through the static.
"Where?" Kazama asked.
"West corridor. Exit side."
"We're coming," Nene said.
"No," Shinchan replied."Not yet. Stay ready. Saving her is the priority."
He ended the call.
Then—
Slow footsteps echoed behind them.
The air grew heavy. Cold.
A shadow stretched across the floor.
Lord Umbra stepped forward, calm, composed.
His voice was quiet—but absolute.
"So… you reached her."
Shinchan moved in front of Ai-chan without thinking.
Umbra smiled faintly."You're trapped, Shinchan."
The doors slammed shut.
Darkness breathed.
And somewhere deep within the villa, the clock began to tick.