The father locked eyes with his children—his everything. Tears welled up and burst forth, dripping to the floor.
'Father loves you all' he whispered, then rose and slammed his fist into the man's face. The ground shattered, cracks spiderwebbing across the room as everything began to collapse. And then—he was gone, swallowed by the hole.
At the front, Nade was still fighting. His heavy breathing said it all—he wouldn't hold out much longer. Just in time, Sarah and the others passed behind him. But a ghoul slipped through, then another, pouncing toward the group. Rick unleashed his guns, taking them down, but now he was out of ammo. Emilia didn't hesitate, ushering everyone toward the stairwell. Inside, Sarah cursed as she heard footsteps echo from below.
'Damn! They're coming from here too. We have to hurry!'
The family followed close behind her. Rick came next. Emilia paused at the doorway, glancing back at Nade, whose drenched face looked near collapse. Although he had his back to her, he must've sensed her concern—he spoke without turning.
'Protect Sarah, will you?' His legs buckled slightly, but his willpower screamed: Not yet. His time hadn't come. And then—he saw her. A woman stepped out among the ghouls. Long blonde hair. Tanned skin. Eyes of black and gold. A brightborn. She clicked her tongue, and the ghouls froze in fear.
'An immune one,' she murmured, hips swaying as she approached. 'You can come quietly... or I can make you. Your choice.' Nade's skin burned. The inner war with his darkborn threatened to tear him apart.
'I really got unlucky,' he muttered.
'First, I'm stuck with a stubborn-ass darkborn, and now I'm facing a Noble.'
'Oh? You know our ranks. Then you must also know how powerful a Noble is.'
'Yeah. One step below a Celestial. If I could use my darkborn's full power, you wouldn't be a problem.' She laughed.
'That arrogance... that smirk... I'll rip it off your face.'
'Then come, bitch.'
Midway Up the Stairwell
Emilia led the charge, Rick bringing up the rear. Their bodies burned, muscles screaming, but they kept going—until a ghoul smashed through the door one level up and blocked the stairs. It scanned the group and smiled.
Emilia shot. The ghoul dodged with ease.
'Good thing I took the elevator from the other side,' he grinned. 'I'm a smart man, wouldn't you say?' They froze. Even the mother spoke in disbelief. 'That ghoul… he's also an experim—'
'Don't call me an experiment! I'm a living being! And if you say that again, you'll be the first to die—and not in a pretty way, ma'am. Hahaha!'
Peng. Another bullet missed him. That's when Rick stepped past Emilia, drawing two daggers.
'Miss President,' he said calmly, 'it's been a pleasure serving you.'
'What do you mean? We can make it together! We—'
'I don't have long. I was hoping we'd find a doctor here... but the last fight left its mark.' He pulled off his shirt—wounds everywhere. Red, swollen, purple, bleeding. That man was a mess! But his voice was steady.
'I'll create an opening. Don't think. Just run. Now!' He charged. No fear. Just purpose controlling his actions. And right now, also his life.
The ghoul struck first—too fast. His hand clamped around Rick's throat. But Rick didn't flinch. He waved both arms, catching the ghoul's attention. A mistake. Because the next second, Rick kicked upward, revealing a blade in his shoe—and drove it into the ghoul's chin.
The ghoul released him. Rick slammed both daggers through the creature's hands, pinning it to the wall.
'Go!' he roared. Sarah, Emilia, and the others rushed past.
'You idiot!' Emilia cried, but Sarah didn't even flinch. Her face burned with only one thing—revenge. They stormed to the top, finally reaching the exit.
But there—waiting—was the man who previously fought the father. Barely a scratch on him.
'Welcome back,' he smiled. 'We're ready to take off.' The women stepped between him and the girls, forming one last line of defense. The man shrugged. 'Well then—the hard way.'