CRASH!
Black Phaga smashed through the wall headfirst, its wings completely severed behind it. With no other choice, it leapt from the fifth floor.
After its departure, a figure slowly stepped out from the pitch-black opening. The night wind bit sharply at her, and the fox ears atop the girl's head twitched from the chill.
Hoshimi Miyabi peered down at the Black Phaga writhing like a worm at the base of the building. She watched as he quickly regained strength, then bolted eastward—toward the school.
"Yanagi, it's heading your way."
Pressing her earpiece, Hoshimi Miyabi spoke in her usual calm, cool tone.
Moments later, a gentle voice replied through the line. "Understood."
"Everyone else, converge on Yanagi's position. Wait for me to arrive."
"Yes!"
"Good."
Hearing her team's confirmations, Hoshimi Miyabi took several steps back. Frost instantly spread beneath her feet, and with a burst of energy, she launched herself forward like a projectile.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Blue-white flashes streaked through the air between buildings. Each time she leapt, Hoshimi Miyabi's body nearly brushed the wall of the opposite skyscraper before pushing off again. With every jump, her altitude dropped by one floor—within moments, she was on the ground.
But as soon as she landed, an urgent voice came through her earpiece.
"Section Chief! Black Phaga consumed an Ethereal while escaping—it's regrown its wings!"
Hoshimi Miyabi's steps froze. The chill in her eyes flickered into brief alarm. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. Black Phaga's combat strength is noticeably higher than what you described last time, Section Chief, but it's still within what I can handle. Even with its wings restored, I can keep it grounded for now."
"Good. Hold on until I get there."
Hoshimi Miyabi clenched her teeth and pushed her pace faster.
Not long after, another report came through her headset.
"Tsukishiro, I've been intercepted by two Dullahan and three Thanatos. I may not make it in time."
"How could that be?"
"I don't know. They appeared out of nowhere, almost like they were sent specifically to stop me."
"Hehe, it's fine! Sister Yanagi, I'm almost there! Will there be hamburger steak after this mission?"
"Sure, that's fine."
Tsukishiro Yanagi's voice came through slightly ragged—understandable, since keeping Black Phaga pinned down demanded an immense toll.
A human bound to the ground, trying to restrain a shadow that ruled the skies—such a battle was bound to cost dearly.
"Kehehe!"
Suddenly, Black Phaga let out a cruel laugh. His wings flared open, preparing to take flight once again.
Seeing this, Tsukishiro Yanagi drew her naginata. The blade crackled with lightning, and arcs of blue electricity coiled around her body like living serpents.
BOOM!
The ground beneath her feet split with a thunderous crack. In an instant, Tsukishiro Yanagi vanished from sight.
A moment later, she appeared mid-air, her naginata spinning in her hands. The blade danced like a brushstroke, tracing serpentine arcs that wove together into a vast, glimmering net.
Blinding blue light hissed and sizzled as a violent surge of energy burst outward, radiating raw destruction. Even the air trembled and wailed.
"Suppress!"
At her sharp command, the roaring lightning net crashed downward. Dust and smoke exploded from the impact. Before Black Phaga could rise, he was slammed violently back to the ground.
...Or so Tsukishiro Yanagi thought.
Panting, she paced through the haze, staring at the storm of lightning ahead. She instinctively tightened her grip on the naginata—but fatigue forced her hand to loosen again.
The energy drain was overwhelming.
At least three times, Black Phaga had tried to fly—and three times, Tsukishiro Yanagi had struck him down the same way.
"But... I can still... keep it pinned... until Ya... gets here..."
She was gasping for air now, barely holding herself upright.
"Yanagi! I'm here!"
A bright, energetic voice called from behind. Tsukishiro Yanagi turned and managed a tired smile. "Soukaku..."
"Hehe, didn't expect I'd be the first one here! Even before the boss—Yanagi, watch out!"
Soukaku had been quietly proud of her quick arrival, but her delight vanished in an instant. Her eyes widened in horror as she shouted the warning.
On reflex, Yanagi whipped her naginata behind her—and met the strike of a clawed blade.
But the claws didn't rebound. They endured the current surging through them and pressed forward with explosive force.
Tsukishiro Yanagi felt a violent pull drag her forward—her balance broke as she was yanked toward Black Phaga.
Before she could react, a claw engulfed in black flames shot straight toward her head.
A direct hit would kill her instantly!
CLANG!
An iron flag suddenly thrust between them, blocking the strike and forcing the claw back.
Soukaku gritted her teeth. "How dare you hurt my Sister Yanagi, I'll—"
Before she could finish, Black Phaga kicked out viciously.
Caught off guard, Soukaku barely managed to react. The powerful blow overwhelmed her defense, sending her stumbling backward several steps before she could steady herself.
But for Black Phaga, those few steps were all he needed.
He ducked beneath Yanagi's next attack, then lunged forward with both claws crossed, striking down like a feral beast.
"Soukaku, watch out!" Yanagi shouted in alarm.
Too late.
Black Phaga's claws slammed down, knocking Soukaku's iron flag aside. His wings spread wide, poised to strike her from above—
But suddenly, he turned his head, glanced back, and abandoned the attack. With a powerful beat of his wings, he shot into the sky and vanished into the night.
Behind him, Yanagi's lightning-wreathed naginata slashed upward—but it struck nothing. The thunder's glow faded into the empty air.
"It got away... damn it!"
Her knees gave out. Tsukishiro Yanagi dropped to one knee, utterly drained.
Soukaku rushed to her side, supporting her quickly. "Sister Yanagi, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just exhausted."
She shook her head, then suddenly glanced to the side. "Section Chief?"
Soukaku followed her gaze and saw Hoshimi Miyabi approaching at a run. Spotting Yanagi's condition, Miyabi immediately crouched down to inspect her.
"You're not injured, right?"
"No... But Section Chief, Black Phaga's much stronger than yesterday. We can't keep this up. We need to eliminate it soon!"
"Understood. That's enough for today. We're heading back."
"But, Section Chief—"
Yanagi tried to protest, but Miyabi raised a hand, silencing her with a calm tone. "You and Soukaku together couldn't keep it grounded. That means, aside from me, no one in Section 6 can hold Black Phaga alone anymore."
"Consider today a test run. Once we're back, we'll share intel and analyze how far its capabilities have evolved."
"Oh, right."
Miyabi turned toward the two of them. "By the way, where's Harumasa?"
Soukaku pressed her earpiece, contacting him quickly.
After a brief pause, she reported, "He says he's still fighting the Ethereal. There are more and more of them..."
"...Wait!"
Soukaku's eyes widened, disbelief flooding her face. She swallowed hard, then turned to Miyabi and Yanagi, her voice trembling.
"Harumasa says... Black Phaga surrounded him—with an entire swarm of Ethereal!"
...
The next day, at Victoria Housekeeping.
Ellen woke early, dressed, and came downstairs. The low hum of the range hood filled the quiet morning. She sat at the dining table, waiting.
Soon after, Phaga set down a bowl of freshly made ramen in front of her. He nudged her head playfully and said, "Still half-asleep?"
"Sort of... Had a nightmare. Couldn't sleep again after that... Ha~~~"
Ellen yawned, barely glancing at the food in front of her. Though she'd already swallowed a bit of drool, her appetite refused to follow.
Phaga frowned slightly. Pulling a chair beside her, he asked softly, "What kind of nightmare could scare our little Fish Snack this much?"
Ellen shot him a sidelong glance, then gently bumped her forehead against his chest in mock punishment for teasing her. She stayed there, resting against him, her voice soft and distant.
"I dreamed there were two of you... In the middle of some ruins. You were surrounded by Ethereal—and then you started fighting each other."
"You were covered in blood. Your wings... your arms... were gone."