Silence suddenly fell the moment their eyes met.That silence meant something—something both of them understood at the same instant.It was the calm before the storm...
(No. 4) charged at (Vail) once more.(Vail), already anticipating it, drew his sword and delivered a vertical strike—but (No. 4) had anchored his chain. He pulled it taut and retreated swiftly...
Pain surged through (Vail); the wound was worsening.Another knife was thrown. (Vail) dodged it, yet he noticed—his movements were slowing...
He rushed forward regardless...
(No. 4) laughed and stood still...
When the distance between them narrowed to a breath, (Vail) collapsed to the ground...
Laughter erupted—mad, triumphant...
"Oh—right," (No. 4) said mockingly."I forgot to mention… the blade that cut you was poisoned. A toxin crafted by that wretch (Nero). It inflicts unbearable pain and suppresses your strength and movement. In other words—you could never defeat me. Even if you were stronger than I am… which you are not."
Hatred filled (No. 4)'s face—along with absolute certainty.He knew he was the strongest here.
But he had forgotten something vital...
(Vail)'s will.His resolve.His desire to see (Raym) rise and become something greater.
Not for himself—but for someone else...
Against all odds, (Vail) stood again. His face was pale, yet his eyes burned with hope and strength...
With difficulty, he spoke—his voice calm, almost gentle:
"You rely on cheap tricks to win… heh. I knew it—you're weak.I was an obstacle in your ugly path, wasn't I???I'd wager every person you faced left their mark on that scarred face of yours. You hide behind tricks… and foolish subordinates.!!!"
The words struck (No. 4) like lightning...
(Vail) continued:
"But I'm nothing like them.I came to reclaim someone—and I will, no matter the cost.Come on, map-face. Show me your real strength."
That was enough.
(No. 4) lost his composure entirely.
He charged blindly, rage consuming his vision—nothing existed but (Vail).
(Vail) was ready...
He leapt upward, leaving his defense exposed.
(No. 4) reacted instantly, hurling another knife—but (Vail) had already latched his own chain into the wall. He pulled himself back, using the recoil to gain explosive speed.
He lunged.
A piercing strike tore into (No. 4).
Staggering, (No. 4) was struck again—twice—by (Vail)'s blade.
Then, as he faltered, (Vail) activated his technique once more:
Nine Arts of Flame — First Art: The Spinning Blaze.
A distorted stream of fire surged forth, striking (No. 4) and scorching him deeply.
(Vail) finally halted.
(No. 4) was on the verge of collapse.
Yet—
He laughed.
Shock crossed (Vail)'s face.
"What…??? What kind of madman are you??? You're laughing after that? You're a masochist!?!"
The laughter continued.
(No. 4) grabbed one of his fallen men—barely breathing—and lifted him.
In an instant—
The man died.
His body withered, shriveled dry...!!!
(No. 4) had drained his life...!!!
And just like that—his own body regenerated, unscathed...
Horror spread across every face...
Especially (Vail)'s...
And as if fate delighted in cruelty—
(Gork) rose once more...
His focus locked onto a single target.
(Raym)...
He charged...
(Vail) was restrained by (No. 4), powerless to intervene...
But in that instant—
(Zack) surged forward...
"Oh? The big guy's still standing?" he said grimly. "Then I'll handle him.."
He struck—wounding (Gork) with a precise technique—then dragged (Raym) to safety.
"You've done enough, bright one," (Zack) said with a confident smile."Now it's our turn."
He leapt high, spear in hand.
Violet light erupted—auras spiraling around him...
Void Element...
He descended with everything he had.
The strike landed—
Or so he thought.
(Gork) had taken it deliberately to the chest.
It didn't even pierce his outer skin.
(Zack) was hurled away as (Gork) charged again.
The scene returned to (Vail) and (No. 4)...
(Vail) had reached his limit...
(No. 4) prepared his next strike, laughing wildly.
"Let's start the countdown," he sneered."Pick any number you like—but know this: when it reaches zero… you die."
(Vail) answered calmly—and began counting.
"Three."
(No. 4) blinked. "Oh? In a hurry to die??"
"Two… one… zero.!!!"
Suddenly—
(No. 4) collapsed...
"What—?! What is this?! It feels like a mountain is crushing me!!!"
Realization struck him in terror.
"That bastard… he was hiding another element!!?"
(No. 4) tried to stand...
He couldn't...
(Vail) had poured everything he had left into one final technique:
Nine Arts of Flame — Fifth Art: The Miniature Sun.
A condensed sphere of fire formed—its heat unbearable.
The entire chamber began to burn.
(Vail)'s eyes blazed.
(No. 4)'s face twisted in fear...
"He's… just like him… (Nero)??! Is that you!?! I didn't mean to—"
(Vail) prepared to unleash it—
But without warning—
A massive fireball struck him from behind.
(Vail) was sent crashing down.
Shock froze everyone.
(No. 4) seized the moment, launching (Vail) away...
(Zack) fell as well.
(No. 4) smiled.
But inside—
He was afraid...
He slammed a bell...Guards began flooding the chamber.
"Kill them all!" he screamed. "Leave no one alive!!!"
One hesitated. "But sir… that boy—"
(No. 4) stared at him.
No words.
The guard swallowed hard. "Y-Yes, sir…"
Then—
(Raym) stood..???.
Injured. Shaking.
He raised his sword before them all.
"No one… will harm them… while I still stand."
He lifted his blade.
"Come!!… all of you..."