Time seemed to drag on, each fraction of a second stretching agonizingly. Louis watched as the energy blade tore through the air toward him—fast, precise, inescapable. His body refused to react, as if trapped in a nightmare where death was inevitable, cold, and merciless.

  Then, in an almost imperceptible instant, Fynt's strike passed mere centimeters from his body, leaving a destructive trail in its wake. The bar trembled violently before its structure began to collapse, walls crumbling piece by piece amid dust and debris.

  Fynt looked at his own hands, flexing his fingers while furrowing his brow in irritation.

  — Tch... I still can’t control this properly... — he scoffed, tensing his muscles before turning on his heels. His eyes gleamed with a dark determination. — But it doesn’t matter. I’m going after Mak… and you won’t stop me.

  Without waiting for a response, he dashed out of the place, moving at an alarming speed.

  — Louis!

  Lilith grasped his arms, trying to help him up as everything around them crumbled. Her hands trembled, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to remain calm. Louis, on the other hand, remained paralyzed, his breathing uneven and his hand clutching his chest, still in shock.

  — Louis! — she called again, holding his hands firmly.

  Slowly, he began to regain his senses, but the bar was already in ruins, forcing them to run for shelter before everything collapsed completely.

  When the dust finally settled, Louis stood up amid the wreckage, pulling Lilith with him. He looked at her, guilt written all over his face, his fists clenched.

  — Lilith... I... I'm sorry... — he murmured, averting his gaze.

  She smiled softly, squeezing his hand in a reassuring gesture.

  — That doesn’t matter now, Louis… We need to save Mak and stop Fynt.

  — But how?! — Louis exclaimed, desperation evident in his voice. — He’s become an Inverse! We don’t stand a chance against him, and the Paths aren’t here!

  — I know that! — Lilith shouted, her voice shaking. — But… we can’t just stand by and watch everyone die…

  Louis observed her determined expression, but it was her slightly trembling hand that truly caught his attention.

  — You’re right... — he sighed, placing his hand on his head. — I really was an idiot...

  He looked at Lilith, determined.

  — Let’s save Mak! — he said, raising his hand.

  Lilith nodded and quickly followed the direction Fynt had gone. Louis, however, noticed a faint light coming from the now-collapsed bar counter. He slowly cleared the debris and found a dark katana, with a plaque beside it warning to remove it only in case of emergency. However, the rest of the inscription was erased due to the wreckage.

  Louis carefully gripped the sword, expecting the worst, but nothing happened. He secured it at his waist and hurried after Lilith.

  — "I hope this will be enough..." — he sighed, placing his hand on his chest as he ran.

  — Don’t you think it’s taking too long, Mak?

  Adloph was staring at him, arms crossed, pacing back and forth. Mak stood up, sweat dripping from his forehead.

  — I’m doing my best, sir... but it’s a bit harder without my tools...

  He was carefully analyzing the gates but found no severe damage. It seemed like they had been naturally removed. Mak then stood up and placed a hand on his chin.

  — "That’s strange... It doesn’t look like it was forcibly removed, and also..."

  He looked down, noticing black stains on the ground—the same ones that had been on the gates—slowly disappearing.

  — "Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing..." — he sighed, placing his hands on his waist. — "I just hope Louis and Lilith found my tools..."

  As he turned, Mak felt something coming toward him at high speed, mere centimeters away from striking him. However, Adloph barely managed to deflect the attack, redirecting it a few meters away from them.

  — ...Are you okay, Mak...?

  — Yes... but your arm...

  Adloph looked at his left arm, where a deep, severe cut had begun to bleed. If he hadn’t redirected the attack, he would have died on the spot. He tore part of his clothing and tied it around his arm.

  — I’ll be fine...

  — You managed to defend just in time...

  Adloph raised his blade, pointing it forward at Fynt, who was slowly walking toward them. Fynt stopped, looking at Mak with a smirk.

  — Fynt...? — Mak's eyes widened, incredulous at his new appearance.

  — What have you done...? — Adloph stared at him, his voice serious.

  Fynt began advancing, his hand radiating immense energy. Adloph stood up, positioning himself in front of Mak, sweat dripping down his forehead.

  — Get out of here, Mak. Go as far as you can... He’s not the same anymore...

  Mak hesitated but eventually nodded and started to retreat.

  — You won’t get past this point, Fynt...

  Fynt smirked, directing his hand toward Adloph. With a swift motion, a slashing wave was launched at him at high speed, cutting through the wind and leaving a massive trail on the ground. Adloph managed to deflect it upward, but he was caught off guard by another strike coming at him just centimeters away.

  — Knight Reaction!

  Adloph's eyes glowed, and with a quick movement, he barely dodged the attack. He was panting, the pain in his wounded arm beginning to spread through his body.

  — You truly are skilled, Adloph, worthy of an ex-rank A knight... — Fynt said, eyeing him with a grin.

  — That’s in the past, Fynt. Now, I’m just a watchman...

  Adloph raised his blade, his determination growing. Fynt, on the other hand, chuckled, raising his hand.

  — You’ll be perfect for testing this Inverse power...

  Adloph took his stance, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes, lifting his blade forward. Fynt unleashed a powerful energy slash at high speed, cutting through the air. Adloph dodged it thanks to his Knight Reaction and started sprinting toward him.

  He leaped, spinning midair, his blade beginning to glow.

  — Knight Impact!

  He came down with full force, aiming directly at Fynt. However, his opponent raised his hand, concentrating an even more intense energy, and counterattacked. Their forces collided, generating a devastating explosion that obliterated everything around them.

  Panic quickly overtook Systella. Houses crumbled under the impact of the attacks, and the city plunged into chaos.

  Louis and Lilith ran through the streets, following the trail of destruction, until they accidentally bumped into Mak.

  — Mak!

  Relieved, Louis and Lilith hugged him.

  — I'm so glad you're okay… But this is a disaster! We need to evacuate Systella immediately! Fynt is not himself!

  Before they could act, a loud crash echoed near them. Adloph lay among the wreckage of a house, his left arm torn off, a deep gash in his abdomen. Fynt emerged in the sky, watching them with sharp eyes.

  — Hello again, Mak…

  He descended smoothly, walking toward the group.

  — Why, Fynt...? Why are you doing this?! — Mak shouted, unable to believe it.

  Fynt smiled coldly.

  — Isn't it obvious? To kill you… The same way you destroyed my life.

  Mak's eyes widened in confusion.

  — What are you talking about? What did I do wrong?!

  Fynt clenched his fists, his aura growing even more oppressive.

  — What did you do wrong?! You completely ruined my life, and you still ask?!

  Without hesitation, he raised his hand and unleashed a devastating slash toward them. The attack tore through the air, fast and deadly. Before it could strike, something intervened. Adloph, despite his severe injuries, blocked the attack, redirecting it against Fynt.

  — How are you still alive?! — Fynt growled, irritated.

  Adloph raised his blade, determination burning in his eyes.

  — A knight does not retreat. Does not give up. He stands firm until death!

  His voice echoed like a roar. Fynt felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of imminent danger.

  — Incredible, Sir Adloph! — Louis said, impressed.

  Adloph turned his gaze to Mak.

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  — Go. Now. I can no longer feel my body…

  Mak hesitated but nodded. He grabbed Louis and Lilith’s hands and ran. Fynt grew enraged and raised his hand, ready to attack.

  — You won’t escape!

  However, he was forced to retreat as he felt the overwhelming aura radiating from Adloph’s body. Sweat dripped down his forehead.

  — I really didn’t want to hurt an old friend of an acquaintance, but you left me no choice…

  Adloph’s blade glowed intensely, illuminating the entire area. Fynt launched successive slashes, but all were repelled by the crushing force emanating from him. Suddenly, Adloph blurred forward, appearing behind Fynt.

  — Ultimate Knight Judgment!

  The blade sliced through his neck, a brilliant light blinding everything around them.

  — "Looks like my retirement has come…"

  A devastating explosion swept through the area.

  Mak, Louis, and Lilith ran nonstop, panting.

  — I think it’s safe here… — Lilith said, collapsing to her knees, exhausted.

  Mak held his head, lost in thought.

  — “Why is Fynt doing this? First, he was just angry… Now he wants to kill me?!”

  Suddenly, his eyes widened.

  — Oh no… Mary!

  He dashed toward his house, with Louis and Lilith right behind him. Upon arrival, he flung the door open, his heart racing.

  — Mary!

  She was sitting at the table, reading a book. Startled, she looked up.

  — Mak? What’s wrong?

  Without answering, he ran to her and hugged her, relieved.

  — Thank goodness you're okay…

  Mary, confused, sighed and stroked his hair.

  — As you can see, I’m fine… Now tell me what’s going on.

  — No time. We need to evacuate Systella!

  A sudden slash tore through the ceiling. Fynt hovered in the air, grinning sinisterly.

  — I knew I’d find you here…

  Mak and Louis stepped in front of Mary, nervous.

  — H-how are you still alive?! I thought Adloph had defeated you! — Mak stammered.

  Fynt laughed.

  — Ah, about that… He almost did.

  At the moment of the fatal blow, Fynt had repositioned his head and sliced Adloph in half.

  — Being an Inverse has its advantages… But I’ll admit, he was strong.

  He raised his hand, emanating dark energy.

  — I will end your life… Starting with the one you love most!

  He unleashed a devastating attack. Louis managed to save Mary at the last second but was caught off guard by a rain of lethal slashes. They ran desperately, trying to hide among the ruins.

  — He’s too strong… We can’t defeat him… — Mak murmured, hopeless.

  Fynt lifted his hand and launched another attack. Louis and the others managed to escape, but Lilith was exposed.

  — Lilith!

  Without thinking, Louis threw himself in front of her, raising his katana. The impact sent him flying, injuring his hand.

  Fynt prepared for another strike, aiming at Mak and Mary. Louis struggled to stand, gripping his katana as blood dripped.

  — “…I have to protect them…”

  He rose, ignoring the pain, and ran. But at the last second, a slash appeared inches from him.

  — You’re just getting in my way, boy.

  Everything seemed lost. The final blow was about to strike when…

  — "Left."

  His body reacted on its own, dodging at the last moment. Fynt was incredulous.

  — How…?!

  Louis looked at his hand and noticed a black mark forming. Fynt, furious, launched even faster slashes.

  — "Right. Total reaction."

  Louis dodged once more and parried the attack with his katana. Fynt's eyes widened.

  — How are you doing this?!

  Lilith watched, impressed.

  — Incredible...

  Fynt roared in anger and lunged forward with a fierce sequence of slashes, his aura overflowing.

  Louis continued to dodge and deflect every strike with precision, guided by the voice echoing in his mind at every step. His movements were fast, precise. He finally reached Fynt, and in an instant, his blade tore through the enemy's shoulder, staining the air with blood.

  Fynt immediately retreated, clutching his wounded arm as his flesh began to regenerate. His rage boiled. Louis, panting, stared at him intently.

  — "This... I just need to keep advan—"

  Suddenly, a metallic taste filled his mouth. Blood trickled down his lips, and in an instant, his knees gave out. He coughed violently, his vision blurring. The mark on his arm began to fade slowly, his strength draining along with it.

  Fynt didn’t hesitate. He raised his hand, gathering a dense, chaotic energy. Multiple slashes began to form around him, tearing through the air and obliterating everything in their path. Houses crumbled, bodies were torn apart, blood mercilessly stained the ground. Chaos reigned.

  Louis tried to stand, but his body wouldn't respond. His gaze met Lilith’s—her teary eyes, her trembling voice desperately calling out to him. He wanted to answer, but he couldn’t.

  Fynt smiled, preparing an even greater strike. He aimed his blade at a large building nearby and, with a single motion, brought it crashing down. The massive structure began to collapse directly onto Louis.

  — "...I'm sorry..."

  That was his last thought before closing his eyes.

  But in the next moment, something forcefully shoved him away. He hit the ground hard, his eyes widening as he saw who was standing before him.

  — Mak?!

  Mak gave a faint smile, nodding his head. His eyes slowly began to close.

  — It was good while it lasted, Louis...

  Then, the rubble fell. A deafening crash echoed, dust and debris covering everything. When the smoke cleared, Louis remained kneeling, in shock. All that was left of Mak were his hands, motionless beneath the stones, as blood began to spread.

  — Mak!

  Mary’s scream tore through the air. Tears streamed down her face, but Louis remained frozen, unable to process what he was seeing. His chest ached, a suffocating, crushing pain. He refused to believe it.

  Fynt laughed loudly, satisfied with the destruction. But then—

  — "You failed, Louis..."

  A cold voice echoed in his mind. A dense darkness began to cloud his vision, shadows emerging around him, pulling him into an endless abyss. The world became dull, distorted.

  And then, before him, a figure appeared. It observed him for a moment before turning away.

  — "You've done enough..."

  Fynt felt a chill run down his spine. His body tensed, and instinctively, he stepped back. His eyes widened as he looked at Louis again.

  — "What was that I just felt?!"

  He braced himself, feeling, for the first time, real fear growing within him.

  Louis slowly rose and turned to face him. His expression was dark, and then, a white mask with black stripes began to form over his face. Fynt stared, analyzing every detail carefully.

  — ...Interes—

  His head was severed before he could finish the sentence. It spun in the air as blood splattered in all directions. Suddenly, his eyes opened. He gasped and clutched his neck.

  — "W-what just happened?! I felt my head get cut off...!"

  Fynt was in disbelief. Still, he charged again, delivering a flurry of rapid slashes. But before he realized it, his arms were instantly torn off. He screamed in agony, only to see his head separated from his body once again. Again, his eyes opened, and he was still there, unharmed.

  — "W-what...?!"

  Louis began walking toward him. Fynt backed away, unleashing relentless slashes, but Louis deflected them all with absurd precision. Fear started to consume his mind.

  — Stay away from me!

  He took flight and unleashed even more powerful strikes. However, Louis dodged each one with fluid movements, causing massive destruction all around. With a single strike, he raised his katana and severed Fynt’s foot, sending him crashing to the ground in agony.

  — "Agh! Why am I not regenerating?!"

  His gaze fell on the katana Louis wielded, and his expression twisted into pure fury.

  — "That blade... it's draining my energy?!"

  Fynt raised his hands to attack, but they were severed with absurd speed. A piercing scream escaped his throat as blood gushed out.

  — Star Magic: Seven Constellations Slash.

  The sky darkened. Suddenly, multiple slashes rained down from the heavens. Fynt tried to defend himself, but his body was shredded by the relentless flurry of strikes. It didn’t take long for his body to begin disintegrating.

  Louis stood still, staring into the void.

  — L-Louis...? — Lilith called to him, approaching cautiously.

  A slash grazed past her, startling her. She fell to the ground, recoiling in fear. Louis advanced, ready to strike again.

  — Louis, this isn't you! Wake up!

  Without responding, he struck again. Lilith barely dodged, but a deep cut slashed her left shoulder.

  — Agh!

  Louis stopped in front of her, ready to finish her off. But suddenly, something struck the back of his head. The sound of a frying pan cracking his mask echoed. He collapsed, unconscious.

  — ...Mary...

  Mary placed Louis on her back and helped Lilith to her feet.

  — Come on, let's get out of here...

  A short time later, they were near the spring. Systella was in chaos. Destroyed houses, bodies scattered on the ground. Louis slowly opened his eyes, feeling a light touch on his hand.

  — Louis...

  Lilith was gently holding his hand. He looked at her arm and saw a bandage.

  — What happened...? — he asked, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his body.

  — He needs to rest...

  Mary placed a hand on Lilith’s shoulder, trying to comfort her. Lilith’s face saddened as she noticed Mary’s expression. She carried immense pain, her eyes shining with restrained tears.

  — Hmm... fascinating...

  From afar, a hooded man observed the scene before vanishing into the shadows.

  Hours later, Louis, still struggling to walk, was supported by Lilith. Together, they made their way back to their base.

  Mary, on the other hand, returned to her destroyed home. She walked through the rubble until she found a wrapped cloth. Carefully, she unfolded it, revealing a crystalline, radiant flower. A letter fell to the ground.

  Mary picked up the letter and began to read:

  "Er... Mary... Hey. Well... I'm not good at writing letters, but I hope you understand me. Okay... I bet you've already seen the gift I prepared for you! This is a super rare flower that only blooms once every ten years in the mines of Systella, so I went after it for you... And... I lied about the scar that time. The real reason I have this scar is because of my search for this flower, hehe... I wanted to give it to you on your birthday, six months from now... But if you're reading this letter, it means I didn’t make it back in time. Sorry for being an idiot sometimes, hehe...

  With love, Mak."

  — Mak...

  Mary cried silently, placing a hand over her chest, standing there among the ruins.

  After a long journey, Louis and Lilith finally arrived at the headquarters of the Paths. Everyone was gathered around the table. Erick and Rose rushed over when they saw their condition.

  — Lilith! Who did this to you?! — Rose asked, her voice trembling with concern.

  As everyone checked their wounds, Cosmo stared at Louis. Something about him had changed. A new aura emanated from his body. He smirked slightly and turned away, walking into the base.

  — Good job, Louis... — he murmured, closing the door behind him.