Only nine seconds remained. The entire world was heading toward an inevitable apocalypse, triggered by a sudden, cruel coincidence.
Even the billions of gods in the Pantheon had fallen into despair. Forget humanity; even they couldn't find a way to achieve salvation within these brief nine seconds. Under such circumstances, how could they not feel utter hopelessness?
Even the Saigō brothers and the Kudō Sisters were completely stunned, waiting for the final countdown. They had fought with everything they had, but truly, they could find no countermeasure...
This was not a problem that sheer willpower could overcome. A look of extreme reluctance also crossed Kasukabe Yō's face, yet she felt utterly helpless.
Just as the End Emptiness was about to crush the era with its immense, heavy presence—
"No!" A girl broke the silence.
"No! I won't allow it!"
"I finally earned Master's expectation; I refuse to be defeated this way!"
The one who let out this unyielding roar in the face of doom was Percher, usually the quietest member of the group.
The girl knew that Su Mo had promised them a peaceful, prosperous life in another world. But she knew even better that Su Mo had now staked the fate of the Little Garden world on them.
To admit defeat now would be to betray Su Mo's trust and cause him to lose the battle for Little Garden.
Although she didn't know what fate awaited Su Mo if he lost, she knew she didn't want to witness it.
"I didn't come to this world to do this, or to disappoint Master!"
Percher clenched her fists, shouting to herself. She vaguely understood the matter of the Black Death—the source of the strange expressions Canary-sensei and the others wore when they looked at her.
She figured that in the minds of her teachers, it wouldn't be strange if someone who had suffered such misfortune wanted revenge against the Star Spirits or the Gods. But Percher truly never harbored such thoughts.
Rather than seeking revenge against the Star Spirits or the Gods, she wanted to fulfill Su Mo's expectations.
Therefore—
"I absolutely refuse to accept this ending!" Percher's eyes were red-rimmed, her gaze fiercely stubborn.
Su Mo specially summoned them for this moment? Thinking of this, Percher suddenly widened her eyes. Could it be that they were the key to countering the End Emptiness? The key to solving these two desperate problems?
"Us? Me? Can I be useful to Master? Can I help Master? What is it that only I, or Yō and I, can accomplish?"
Only six seconds remained.
Just then, Percher, who had been staring aimlessly up at the Demon Lords protecting them, suddenly froze.
"Wait!"
Her gaze suddenly fixed on the Anti-Utopia Demon Lord, the gigantic monster capable of covering an entire city, even an entire nation.
"The satellite needs a high-quality cultivation base, and the Starburst requires rapid pressure release—and the thing I can do..."
After her breath hitched for a moment, Percher stood up, her eyes shining brightly.
"I know what I have to do!"
Her sudden declaration shocked everyone. At that moment, only five seconds remained until the Starburst erupted.