The roar of the crowd was deafening.

Ayu sat on the edge of her seat, her small fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Her father stood in the center of the ring, his towering frame illuminated by the harsh overhead lights. The sweat glistened on his skin, muscles taut and coiled like a predator ready to strike. He looked invincible. To Ayu, he was invincible.

She barely blinked as the fight began. Her father moved with the grace of a tiger, his footwork sharp and deliberate.

Every kick, every jab, was precise. Ayu's heart raced in her chest, pounding against her ribs like a war drum. She felt alive, as if she were in the ring with him, trading blows and testing her mettle.

Her spirit soared with every strike he landed, every deft dodge that left his opponent swinging at empty air.

But then it happened. A brutal roundhouse kick from the opponent smashed into her father's side, and he staggered, clutching his ribs.

Ayu's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, everything slowed. The noise of the crowd faded into a dull hum, and all she could see was her father's grimace of pain.

Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to cry. She never cried. Not Ayu. Daddy's strong, she told herself, biting her lip so hard it hurt.

Her father stumbled, but he didn't fall. He straightened, his expression hardening into something fierce, something unbreakable.

The crowd erupted again, their cheers swelling as he raised his fists, signaling he wasn't done. Ayu's chest swelled with pride and determination, mirroring his resolve. She wasn't scared anymore. She leaned forward, her eyes blazing, silently willing him to rise above the pain.

The fight turned into a spectacle.

Her father began a relentless assault, his strikes faster and more brutal than before. His low kicks cracked like thunder, his punches and elbows connecting with precision and power. The opponent faltered, unable to match the sheer will radiating from her father. Ayu's heart leapt with every blow he landed, her excitement building until it felt like she might explode.

When the final, decisive blow came—a devastating jumping knee strike to the opponent's chin—the man crumpled to the mat.

Ayu shot to her feet, fists in the air, screaming louder than the rest of the crowd. Her father stood tall, his chest heaving, victorious.

She wanted to run into the ring, to throw her arms around him and tell him how amazing he was. But she didn't. Ayu didn't do hugs or sappy stuff. Instead, she crossed her arms, grinned fiercely, and waited for him to look her way.

When he did, her heart skipped a beat.

The face she expected wasn't there.

It wasn't her father staring back at her—it was…

"Ay—"

"Ayu!"

Huh?

Her eyes shot open, and she sat up abruptly, her chest heaving. Chiara's concerned face hovered over her.

"You were really in a deep sleep. Nightmares?" Chiara asked.

Ayu felt a bit off and shook her head. "No, just a dream," she paused, glancing around. "Everyone ready?"

"Yeah… well, kind of. Lukas went for a morning bath; he should be back soon," Chiara replied. "We're heading to the Molten Crest again. Let's see if we can pick up the pace and finish the zone by tomorrow at the latest."

Ayu nodded and got to her feet. She grabbed her water container and splashed some on her face, letting the cool sensation wash away the remnants of sleepiness.

She then took a deep breath and stared at the metallic gauntlets lying next to her backpack.

"Do you think the new strategy is enough?" Ayu suddenly asked, her voice low, her gaze fixed on the gauntlets in her hands.

"Well, splitting into pairs and alternating dives into the Molten Crest seems like the best we can do for now. Our stage progress gain went up by an average of 52% according to the data from last night and—"

"But is it enough?" Ayu interrupted, her eyes locking onto Chiara, sharp and unyielding.

Chiara stopped mid-sentence, her mouth slightly open, caught off guard by Ayu's intensity. That look in her eyes was piercing. "What do you mean by enough?"

"We're still safe, Chiara," Ayu said, her tone firm but laden with frustration. "We're rebuilding the camp. We have each other to guard our backs. I believed the change you talked about yesterday was going to be more than this. You said we'd be putting our lives on the line, but… I don't feel it, Chiara. We're using calculated approaches, repeatable strategies to fight the Blaze-Screechers."

Chiara hesitated, her confidence faltering as she looked down. "It's the fastest way, Ayu. Anything else will delay us."

"And what about going alone?" Ayu pressed.

Chiara blinked, startled. "Alone? Facing them alone? Ayu, that's—"

"Dangerous? Because we're too weak?" Ayu cut her off, her voice gaining an edge. "Chiara, we have the gauntlets now. We've gained higher stage progress. We were gifted this strength after being humiliated, after looking pathetic. I know you mean well… but I'm not a soldier," she paused, her tone growing heavier. "I'm a warrior. He's a warrior. And you saw the difference. Fighting alone will push us further, make us rely on no one but ourselves. It's just us and the monsters in the ring, and only one walks out alive."

Chiara sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Ayu, we… we can't take those lizards alone. Maybe if we gain more stage progress first, and—"

"Chiara. What did he say back then?" Ayu's voice dropped, sharp and deliberate.

Hm? Chiara froze, her eyes widening.

"He wasn't subtle about it. That wave he sent… the one that made you change your mind and attack…" Ayu pressed, her voice steady but forceful. "What did he say?"

Chiara's lips tightened into a thin line. "It doesn't matter."

"It does," Ayu insisted, stepping closer, her piercing gaze boring into Chiara. "He said something, and whatever it was, it made you act. So what was it?"

"I said it doesn't matter!" Chiara snapped, her voice rising. "Ayu, what's the point? Whatever he said doesn't change the fact that we need each other now more than ever. I acted for the group. For all of us."

"For the group?" Ayu echoed bitterly. "For unity? What good is 'the group' when one man stood against all of us and won? What did strength in numbers do then, Chiara? Nothing."

Chiara's face paled, her shoulders stiffening. "That was different. He had higher stage progress and the gauntlets. We weren't prepared. But that's why we're rebuilding now, learning from our mistakes. Together, we're stronger. That's how we'll survive—through unity."

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Ayu shook her head, her expression hardening. "Unity didn't stop him. Unity didn't protect Siddharth. It didn't stop Hughes. And it sure as hell won't stop me from wanting to fight alone."

Chiara's hand shot out, gripping Ayu's arm firmly. "And if you leave now? What happens when you're surrounded, with no one to watch your back? When you're outnumbered, outmatched? You're stronger here, with us. Please, Ayu. Don't throw that away."

Ayu's mask dangled loosely in her other hand. She stared at Chiara for a long moment, her voice softening but losing none of its edge. "And if I stay? What happens then? Another pathetic display of 'unity' while someone like Alonso laughs at us? No, Chiara. I need to prove I can stand on my own. That I can be more than what you or anyone else thinks I am."

"Ayu, I—" Chiara hesitated, her grip tightening as if holding on could anchor Ayu to her. "You're like a sister to me. I… I can't lose you."

Ayu pulled her arm free with a sharp, deliberate motion, her movements resolute. "This is my path, Chiara. Not yours."

"Ayu, please!" Chiara's voice cracked, desperation spilling out despite her effort to hold it back.

Ayu paused, her gaze steady, unwavering. "Chiara… I'd rather die as a warrior than live as a coward."

Chiara froze, her hands trembling at her sides. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.

Ayu adjusted her gauntlets and slipped on her mask, her backpack securely fastened. She didn't look back as she walked away.

Chiara watched her go, the weight of the moment crushing her.

Why was she… so weak?

Stage 1 - 5.461%

This is gonna take a while.

I jump into the water with a splash, letting the cool liquid wash the gore off my body. The sensation is immediate, the blood and filth peeling away, leaving only the faint metallic tang of the creature's ichor in the water.

I dive deeper, my movements steady and controlled, watching the gigantic body slowly sink into the depths of the lake.

Its tentacles drift lazily in the current, trailing ribbons of dark blood that swirl and dissolve into the murk. The size of it is staggering. Even in death, it seems alive—ominous, as though it could lurch back to life at any moment.

Truth be told, the sight sends a shiver down my spine. I've always had this thing about underwater dangers. As a kid, I'd believed in krakens and leviathans, monsters that lurked in the depths, unseen but always waiting. The thought of them terrified me then—and now, staring at this massive corpse, I can't help but feel those childhood fears creeping back.

And yet, here I am. I've slain a creature that any old pirate crew on Earth would've called a kraken without a second thought. That steadies me, grounding the unease with a small ember of pride.

Underwater, everything feels different. The sounds of the surface are muffled, replaced by the rhythmic thrum of my heartbeat in my ears. The water presses against my body, heavy but comforting in its embrace. The light from above scatters in shimmering patterns, fading as I go deeper, chasing the sinking form of the beast.

Its massive bulk is fading from view now, swallowed by the shadows of the lake's depths. The blood trails have almost disappeared, and soon, there's nothing but darkness where the creature once was.

I exhale slowly, watching the bubbles rise lazily toward the surface.

My body feels strong, steady. I can hold my breath for much longer than I could before—at least ten minutes, if I stay calm. Overdrive changes that, though. Using it eats into my time, shortening it to just a few minutes before I'd need to resurface.

But right now, I don't need Overdrive. Just the silence, the water, the darkness.

I float for a moment longer, then begin my ascent, leaving the depths behind. It's time to continue the hunt.

I propel myself upward, trying to synchronize my arm movements with the waves I send to the gauntlets. After a full day of practice, I notice some improvement, but it'll take more than that if I want to get anywhere close to 100%.

As I break the surface, I magnetize the sword and glide to the nearby shore.

I'm completely soaked, but I've been wet for hours now. Nothing I can do about it.

I glance at the sun. Still some daylight left—enough time for a couple more hunts. Maybe seven more to make it 25.

I start rushing along the shore. Unfortunately, the only way to find these bastards is by letting them attack you first. They cloak themselves from EM senses and remain almost perfectly still until the ambush. On top of that, they're rarely close to each other, making the hunt a matter of patience, time, and luck.

I sigh and keep going.

I stare at the night sky. It's beautiful from here—like everything in this final zone. The stars shine brighter, clearer, almost as if they're closer.

The smell of the nicely cooked octopus wafts up, and my stomach growls. It's been a while since I last had octopus. Was it at a Japanese restaurant? My mouth waters at the memory. Restaurants? Cafés?

You never know what you have until you lose it.

I glance at the fire, watching the flames flicker and dance. Thankfully, the meat of these giant creatures cooks well enough. I would've thought it'd need something special—high-intensity heat or some alien method—but it seems our alien hosts pitied us enough to make their flesh conveniently cookable once we kill them. How thoughtful.

I look again at my status screen as I patiently wait, the smell of the meal only making me hungrier.

Status Screen

Stage 1 - 5.496%

Wave control

Personal Output:

2.52 SU

Assisted Bonus (at 71% Merging Rate):

1.04 SU

Bonus from Helmet

: 35%

Total Output:

4.81 SU

Magnetization Efficiency:

78%

Overdrive

Max Output:

81%

Physical Combat (Technique)

Swordsmanship:

0.79 SU

Footwork:

0.74 SU

Wave/Body Synchronization:

69%

Notable Equipment

Sword:

Indestructible(?) Weight increases with stage progress. EM conductivity (1.0)

King Lobster Gauntlets:

Indestructible(?) Weight increases with stage progress(confirmed) EM conductivity (2.0)

Pretty good progress for a day. I should be able to finish the remaining 24 overgrown calamari by tomorrow. And then… well, that's it, right?

"Hey, Houston? Care for a chat? I'm done for the day, so consider this the night talk," I say out loud with a grin. I wait for a moment. I know he's hesitating. Freaking monk.

Then, I hear his characteristic tired sigh, and I can't help but smile.

"I was thinking—after tomorrow, that's it, right? No more stage progress to grind. Should we start the training the day after?"

"I believe so. Just keep an eye on what Chiara mentioned—the shifting landmasses. The fact that only six zones exist as of now may hint the seventh zone hasn't formed yet."

I open my eyes slightly as the realization dawns. "Oh… smart. Good catch, Houston."

"Well, while some people do nothing but swing a blade all day, others take the time to actually think things through," he replies in his usual snobbish tone.

"That's why we make such a good team, Houston. Like Sherlock and Watson… or, well, kind of."

I finally decide the meat is ready and dive in.

It's still a bit hot, but I bear with it, grabbing a big piece with my bare hands and biting in. The flavor's good enough to make the slight burns worth it.

As I chew, I glance back at the cave behind me. "You know, since I'll probably be stuck here for a while, waiting for the final zone or another boss to show up, I might as well make myself a proper home in one of these caves. Maybe even find one with a scenic view before the Climbers arrive."

"Seems like a good idea. I have reason to believe you'll have plenty of time," Houston says.

"And speaking of the others, it'd be nice to have another bout with them. Damn, last time was fun—too easy, but fun. Maybe when they reach this zone, there will be a rematch. You know, like the second fight with the boss after gearing up," I chuckle.

"That's not a bad idea. It'll fit well with your training, and Phase 2 will definitely be happy about it," Houston says, his tone a little more casual, even with a hint of mischief.

As I continue my meal, I stare at the night sky. Her face comes back to me—that look at the end… Maybe there's still a chance to make up for… well all that shit. Maybe…

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