Jeff watched Korgami slowly fall into the darkness of the Beast Continent. His body floated weightlessly in the dark void, and his tired violet eyes, ringed with fine dark circles, glowed faintly as if saying:
"You must protect her from everything..."
Jeff was stunned. His blue eyes couldn't believe what they saw. His heart stopped for a moment, as if time had frozen.
Suddenly, he wondered aloud:
"Was all that fighting above the Barrier... killing all the guards, torturing the Commander... just to lure me here?" Jeff muttered, his voice trembling with shock.
He remembered everything—the brutal battle, the Barrier's rapid collapse, even their own duel. It hit him: Korgami had known Jeff would rush in during the emergency, so he'd mercilessly executed his plan.
"He killed the guards, tortured the Commander... and just as he was about to finish, I intervened and saved him. But our fight critically weakened the Barrier," Jeff bit his tongue, fury evident.
"He used a technique I deliberately avoided to survive... He knew it'd cause him mental and physical damage, but he didn't care. He saw his plan through," Jeff added sharply.
A storm of rage swelled in his eyes as he continued:
"I suffered, but not like him. When I descended to the Barrier's surface, I struck him hard. Despite the pain, he smiled as if it meant nothing... That only made me angrier."
He took a step forward, shouting:
"I kicked him with full force, sending him flying into the Barrier. Light-sparks from it electrocuted his body!"
Pausing briefly, he seethed:
"When I asked why he'd done this to the guard, he taunted me: 'The Commander warned me, but I ignored him... and walked right into his trap.'"
Jeff gazed into the horizon where darkness swallowed Korgami, bitterness in his tone:
"And when he was about to land the final blow on me... someone intervened and struck him down!"
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air—Amicia's voice, charging toward him:
"JEFF!"
Amicia sprinted to Jeff, her eyes wide with terror and relief, her heart pleading he was unharmed.
As he stood there, his white cloak hung in tattered shreds from the battle's aftermath. Shadow-spikes still impaled his body from within.
Yet, he turned to Amicia. His golden hair shifted in the rain, lips parting in a bright smile, blue eyes softening as they met hers.
But in that instant, he swayed violently—collapsing backward. Amicia lunged, catching him just in time...
Her heart hammered; green eyes flooded with fear and gratitude. Tears streaked her cheeks despite the cold rain.
Seeing Jeff's battered but smiling face, an indescribable strength surged through her chest.
Jeff whispered weakly, yet warmly:
"Thank you, Amicia... Without you, I wouldn't be standing. So please... don't cry."
"Hmph! Now you say that, you fool," Amicia's voice flared with anger:
"Why didn't you let me come with you? Why leave me clueless?!"
Jeff hesitated, voice heavy with regret:
"I was protecting you... I didn't want you facing this danger."
Amicia's brows shot up furiously:
"Protecting me?! I'm the one who fights best beside you! Don't underestimate me, Jeff."
Their eyes locked—volumes of pain, anger, and unspoken trust passing between them.
Suddenly, Jeff screamed in agony—then fell unconscious.
Panicked, Amicia spotted the spikes embedded in him and reached to yank them out.
"STOP!" A stern voice cut through the air, echoing like thunder.
From a tear in the void, a figure emerged—the Shadow Hero. His gray eyes glowed with terrifying light, his presence radiating mystery and power.
Amicia froze, then whispered in awed confusion:
"Ah... Lord Shadow..."
The Shadow Hero's tone was ice:
"Are you foolish? Can't you see Jeff's unconscious and in agony? Touch those spikes, and you'll suffer worse. We don't know what dark energy these spikes hold... or what that black-cloaked man truly used."
Amicia fired back, defiance burning:
"I don't care about pain! I have to save Jeff—and I don't fear that man. If he survives and I see him again, I'll make him pay for what he did!"
The Shadow Hero sighed inwardly, muttering bitterly:
"Stubborn, reckless girl..."
Then his gray eyes flashed ominously, voice shaking the void:
"Do you truly believe you can defeat someone who slaughtered Barrier guards and tortured their Commander?"
He delivered the crushing truth:
"Those guards weren't weak—they were SS-rank. The Commander was exceptional, SS+... An overwhelming force. Yet that man's shadow alone slaughtered them."
He stepped toward Amicia, commanding:
"Step aside."
She tried resisting, but under his power's pressure, she felt like an ant—utterly powerless.
Gently laying Jeff on the wet ground, she retreated.
The Shadow Hero extended his hand. Shadows coalesced as he attempted to extract a spike—but it resisted, clinging to Jeff's body.
Unyielding, he channeled greater energy. Shadows thickened, and finally, one spike tore free—but dark tendrils lashed from it, clashing violently with his power. Winds howled.
The Shadow Hero laughed coldly:
"A mere wisp of aura dares suppress me..."
He mused, intrigued:
"What is this? This spike has its own will... Incredibly rare." His expression shifted to astonishment.
Watching his display, Amicia thought to herself:
"Is this the Shadow Hero's power? I've never seen it... but its sheer force is undeniable. Yet even he struggled against the spike... How strong is that man? Compared to me..."
Her mind raced:
"I arrived too late to witness the fight, but from what I've heard... He's monstrously strong. He fought all the guards alone, slaughtered them, tortured their Commander, and critically wounded Jeff... Too strong."
"Rumors say the Shadow Hero once fought Barboss himself and was wounded, dropping to SSS-rank. He's elusive—only appearing for major crises. He hates team missions, preferring to work alone... So he's likely no match for that man now!"
Amicia clenched her fists, eyes blazing with resolve:
"When will I reach that level of strength? I need to grow stronger... to find my brother."
Her voice saddened:
"It's been nearly a year since I last saw him... Since he was expelled from the Academy, he vanished."
She sighed, then continued firmly:
"But days ago, someone came... Yes—the same man who wounded Jeff!"
Taking a deep breath, she added:
"That time, he challenged the Four Leaders and fought multiple heroes in the Union Hall. If Storm Heroine hadn't dragged Jeff and me out that day... I might've seen his combat style up close. A pity I couldn't."
Closing her eyes briefly, she whispered hopefully:
"I wish my brother would return... I do."
As she spoke, her combat suit emitted waves of light-energy. Amicia stood transformed—clad in a white dress embroidered with green vines at its hem. Her long black hair fanned out; jade-green eyes shone like a vibrant forest.
A calm voice came from behind:
"Girl... I've removed the spikes. Now we must take him and the Commander to the Hero Hospital."
Amicia gasped: "Ah—! I'd forgotten the Commander!"
A mocking voice chimed in:
"Honestly... you new-gen heroes are all mad..."
It continued:
"I'll retrieve the Commander. Then we enter the Void-Tunnel."
Amicia asked anxiously:
"But sir—why did you throw me aside earlier?"
The Shadow Hero replied cryptically:
"I can't tell you now... Perhaps someday."
Silenced, Amicia stood. The Shadow Hero opened the Void-Tunnel, but before entering, he declared:
"I'll summon others to collect the bodies. These honorable heroes deserve a funeral."
Amicia nodded.
"Good. Let's go." The Shadow Hero entered, carrying the unconscious Commander—missing an arm, both legs, and his right eye. Amicia followed, cradling Jeff.
The Void-Tunnel sealed tightly behind them.