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(Note: This chapter is a tad bit long than usual, please enjoy it!)
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The Starlight Recoil Clan now stood six strong. Each member forged by flame, bond, and battle.
"Wind Demon" Sushi Slice, the Clan Leader, known for her mastery in precision blade arts and unparalleled calligraphy, now fully attuned to using her Myth Spirit: Kamaitachi, a wind elemental yokai that whirled and danced with her strikes.
"Star Shooter" Hoshigari, the Clan Tactician, ever-observant and deadly with pistols and hand-cannons, continued to lead the squad's positioning (when it comes to it), intel management, and strategic engagement, and lately he has been practicing and perfecting the use of his Exo Ability: Overclock & his Myth Spirit: Hermes.
"Shield Queen" Makidon, their iron defense and raging offense. With her new custom battleaxe [Lightning-Hack], imbued with wind and lightning arcana, she had finally mastered not just endurance, but battlefield control—her shield techniques now elevated with two powerful Ultima-Skills, [Greatshield Tank Ultima-Skill: Spirit Rise Rally] & [Greatshield Tank Ultima-Skill: Enraging Mad Taunt]
"Mech Knight" Yukinox, quiet yet blazing with potential, had completed her own legendary Mecha Core: [Magus-Battalia], granting her long-range Arcana cannons and casting capabilities, letting her act as the team's artillery mage while mounted.
"Red Doctor" Suki-yummy, the upbeat healer with a flair for fashionable resilience. Donning freeze-resistant gear, he now wielded the [Feathering Tome] gifted by Hoshigari, allowing for mid-air support spells. He leveled up to 50, awakened his Myth Spirit: Eir, and learned the sleek, stylish [Cleric Skill: Scalpel Series...], making healing look like a martial art.
"Battle Bear" Ursalott, the raw unstoppable juggernaut of the clan. He had switched his form into Polar Bear Type, rendering him resistant to the frigid threats of the North. With the gifted [Shatter Dusters (Epic)], his blows could now shatter guards and stagger foes. Most importantly, he'd claimed his [Brawler Ultima-Skill: Wild Gun Fist], a devastating rocketing punch that mimicked bullet-like impact.
Their clan had prepared. Trained. Bonded.
And today...
The journey to Snowcrest Vale would begin.
...
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-[Hidden Oni Kingdom of Yomotsuhana (Starlight Recoil Clan Building)]-
The six proud members of Starlight Recoil gathered in the wide lobby of their Clan Building.
Noctatsu sat perched silently upon Hoshigari's shoulder, passively scanning the others with glowing slit-like eyes while twirling his ninjato between his fingers.
Makidon cracked her knuckles and rolled her shoulders with a thunderous pop, armor humming faintly with static.
"Alright, we're all ready to tackle this mountain climber quest!" she grinned, teeth flashing as a crackle of lightning arced along her Lightning-Hack battleaxe.
Yukinox gave a quiet nod while inspecting the edge of her blade. With practiced grace, she sheathed her weapon, standing tall despite her usual soft demeanor. "Yup," Yukinox muttered with calm intensity. "This'll be our second Unique Boss. Let's make it legendary."
Hoshigari, standing center, was already adjusting gear with fluid precision. He swapped his usual Spotter Goggles for the Fox Holo-Mask of Unrecognition, it hissed as it sealed against his face.
[Face Equipment (Swapped) – Fox Holo-Mask of Unrecognition]
The moment it clicked into place, he placed his hands on his hips, his stance calm but ready.
"Alright, squad," he said, "Are ya'll ready to head out?"
Sushi Slice calmly pulled down her Oni Mask, its elegant white lacquered surface accented with deep silver, green, and crimson, letting it settle over her face.
Makidon grinned with predatory excitement and did a strong palm-fist gesture. "Born ready. Let's stomp this icy mountain into a crater."
"Not what we're supposed to do, but alright." Hoshigari replied back comically.
Noctatsu bowed once atop Hoshigari's shoulder before vanishing into shimmering pixels, dematerializing back into Hoshigari's inventory.
Yukinox, silent and serene, swept her own Cloak of Concealing around herself.
Suki-yummy, adjusting his long white-trimmed lab coat, flicked his fingers with flair and twirled his silver-handled Healer Staff, runes flickering across it as wind magic softly pulsed from the Feathering Tome gifted by Hoshigari.
Ursalott, massive and imposing even in casual posture, rolled his shoulders with a deep grunt. His Shatter Dusters clicked into place around his fists, ic steam misting from them.
The party stood united—fully geared, fully buffed, and fully committed.
Hoshigari turned towards Bea, the elegant maid Oni NPC.
"Bea," he said, voice even and steady, "To the town of Efranza, please."
Bea nodded politely and raised her hand to the Torii Gate at the side of the lobby. her eyes glowed blue slightly, as ancient runes spiraling across its surface as it opened with a thunderous hum and a cyclone of radiant warp energy.
"May the winds carry you to your fate," she spoke with a ceremonial tone, bowing.
Beside her, her clones, Ultyr and Sylva, and the ever-spunky Elodie, joined in unison.
"Stay safe!" the four chimed together, their voices echoing with warmth.
The gate surged. The light expanded into a spiraling vortex.
With unified precision, the six stepped into the warp gate. Their silhouettes shimmered, pixelated, and vanished beyond the portal...
...
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-[Lake Town Efranza]-
As the swirling blue warp light of the Torii Gate slowly dissipated, the six members of the Starlight Recoil Clan emerged onto the cobbled stone floor of a secluded alleyway within the lakeside town of Efranza. The moment their boots touched down, the ambient hum of floating boats and the laughter of children filled their ears.
Hoshigari was the first to step forward. He leaned his body slightly out from the alley's shadow and scanned the surroundings. Wooden docks floated gently along the lake's edge, suspended by low-floating grav-pontoons. Vendors hollered out daily sales, while NPCs and other players milled about, immersed in their own stories and goals.
"Looks clear," Hoshigari said, tapping open his Digi-Map with a two-finger gesture. A glowing holographic path unfurled from Efranza, stretching across the terrain toward the distant icy peaks.
He turned around to face the rest of the group. "From here, we head northeast. Straight shot through the Cyber Ruins of Neolix, then the Muddy Murkol Swamp, and a long walk through the frostplate fields before we hit the foot of Snowcrest Vale. Y'all ready?"
"Indeed," Sushi Slice replied confidently with a nod.
Makidon rolled her shoulders. "Been ready, Boss. Let's ride."
"Another zone, another day," Yukinox said with a slight grin, inspecting the shimmer of her longsword before sheathed it with a satisfying click.
"Eeeeee, I'm hyped!" Suki-yummy added, practically vibrating with excitement.
Ursalott nodded, rolling his burly shoulders.
As they stepped out into the main street, the liveliness of Efranza greeted them—Players bartered at pop-up stalls, while NPC children raced around, kites trailing in their wake. Music drifted in from a tavern across the water, mingling with the gentle lapping of the lake.
Crossing a bridge to the main platform, Hoshigari looked to Suki-yummy and Ursalott.
"Hey, do you two have mounts? We'll arrive there quicker that way."
Suki-yummy grinned. "Ursa here's got a [Pure-Arcanic Bear {Trinket Mount} (Epic)]—isn't that right, big guy?"
Ursalott simply gave a thumbs-up.
Hoshigari raised an eyebrow. "Of course he does… Figures. Alright then. Let's mount up."
He snapped his fingers. A flurry of blue particles erupted beside him as a futuristic grav-motorcycle materialized from his inventory with a hiss and hum.
[Mount Summoned: Nebula Stride]
A sleek machine forged with violet chrome and glowing nebula trails beneath the chassis, the Nebula Stride purred softly.
"Yo, Maki, hop on."
Makidon didn't hesitate. "Heh! Let's roll, Boss!" She mounted the back of the bike, wrapping an arm around Hoshigari's waist while grinning ear to ear.
Yukinox followed suit, snapping her fingers to summon:
[Mount Summoned: Aqua Fang]
A lithe and powerful aquatic lupine mount with shimmering scales and light-blue mist trailing from its paws. Sushi Slice vaulted lightly onto the seat behind Yukinox.
Ursalott then summoned his massive ursine steed:
[Mount Summoned: Pure-Arcanic Bear]
A radiant polar bear with ethereal light flowing through its fur like constellations. Suki-yummy hopped on behind him, adjusting his staff across his lap.
With a confident smirk, Hoshigari revved the Nebula Stride. "Alright. Maki, hold tight. We're kicking this into high gear."
Makidon pumped her fist. "Heck yeah!"
In a flash, the Nebula Stride surged forward with a roaring arcane pulse, yellow, red, and purple light trailing behind like a streak of the nebula. Aqua Fang and the Pure-Arcanic Bear launched forward next, kicking up sprays of water mist and arcane winds.
Makidon's voice was heard shouting through the wind: "AGH! BOSS! YOUR CLOAK IS SMACKING ME IN THE FACE!"
"BLAME THE CLOAK, NOT ME!" Hoshigari shouted over his shoulder.
"YOU'RE THE ONE WEARING IT!!"
Their comedic exchange echoed and faded into the wind as the squad bolted through the path and plains...
...
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-[Lake Town Efranza (A couple of minutes ago...)]-
A shift in perspective. The camera pans over the floating wooden streets of Efranza. Lanterns bob gently in the breeze, the canals shimmer with light, and NPC children laugh and run through the alleys. From this lively atmosphere, we see two familiar figures casually enjoying a moment of peace—Yukihikari and Feihong 601D3N.
Feihong is mid-bite into a stick of dango, walking beside Yukihikari. The two are relaxed, carefree.
"Yo, Yuki, wanna know a funny thing that happened to me yesterday?" Fei asked, still chewing on her snack.
"Hmm?" Yukihikari replied, raising an eyebrow as she chewed her own dango.
Fei smirked. "I think I met Hoshigari."
Yuki blinked. "Huh... you did, eh?" She took another bite and casually tossed her dango stick to the side.
"Yeah, I actually fought with him," Fei said with a mouthful.
Yuki's eyes narrowed. "Fought him?"
"Fought with him," Fei corrected with emphasis.
"Ohhh." Yuki glanced at her menu nonchalantly.
Feihong took her final bite and flicked her stick away like a throwing knife. "Yeah, we actually took on some Bloody Veil members and even a rare encounter boss. He was wearing this weird-lookin' holographic fox mask and a black... cloak..."
Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of a familiar group just ahead: Hoshigari and his crew, already mounted and riding off into the distance.
Yukihikari turned casually to Feihong. She gestured with her chin. "Like that one?"
Fei slowly, dramatically turned her head to look in the same direction. The comedic realization hit her hard. "WHY THE HECK ARE YOU SO CALM!?"
Yuki tilted her head with innocent confusion. "Hmm?"
Fei groaned. "Ugh, anyways, should we follow them?"
Yuki placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"You don't have a mount yet, right?" Feihong asked, pointing directly at her.
"Oh, no, I do, but uhh... it's not exactly fast or anything," Yuki said with a sheepish grin. She thought about her Material Golem Mount, deciding to keep it a secret for now.
Fei smirked. "Alright, we'll just take my [Night Cheetah {Mount Trinket} (Rare)] and catch up with them."
Yuki blinked, tilting her head slightly. "You sure you wanna follow them?"
Feihong nodded, waving dismissively. "Yeah! Like... why would a huge party like that be exploring unless something big was going down? I'm curious."
"What if it's just for exploration?" Yuki mused aloud—only to pause. Something caught her sharp eyes.
Down the street, another group of six mounted figures appeared, clad in deep red cloaks. Silent. Ominous. Following far directly behind Hoshigari's party.
Fei scowled. "Tch. Bloody Veil again. They're tailing Hoshigari."
Yuki's eyes narrowed as she placed one hand on her hip. "I guess we have to help them out now."
Fei nodded with resolve. "Yeah, let's move!"
She snapped her fingers.
[Mount Summoned: Night Cheetah]
A sleek black feline creature roared into existence, its glowing yellow markings flashing to life.
Feihong jumped onto the mount, and Yukihikari swiftly got on behind her. The moment they were steady—
VROOM!
They tore down the grassy ground, the speed of the Night Cheetah leaving a blur in its wake as the screen faded to motion blur and the beat of heavy drums rose.
...
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-[Cyber Ruins of Neolix]-
The perspective view pans over a wide, grassy plain, the golden-green blades swaying in synchrony under the gleam of an artificial sun hovering in the game's skybox. Their mounts—glowing, mystic, mechanical beasts—thunder across the plains at speed. Hoshigari's party rides with purpose, their destination: the Cyber Ruins of Neolix.
And then—a halt.
As they approach the arched, jagged tech-ruins that mark the boundary of the zone, a pop-up flashes before them in large digital letters:
[MOUNT RESTRICTED ZONE]
The mounts skidded to a stop, paws and hooves crackling neon light against the synthetic soil.
"Well... that ruins the plan to get there quicker..." Hoshigari muttered with a sigh.
"Ah! I see what you did there~!" Suki-yummy chirped, a playful grin on his face.
"Huh?" Hoshigari blinked, confused. His pun had been unintentional.
Makidon groaned as she swung off Hoshigari's mount, Nebula Stride. "Dang... that is... no fun at all!"
Sushi Slice dismounted from Yukinox's mount with a light hop. "I guess we'll have to walk our way there."
One by one, they dismounted. With synchronized gestures, the mount owning party members snapped their fingers, causing their mounts to dematerialize into their respective inventories with a shimmer of code.
[Mount Recalled: Nebula Stride]
[Mount Recalled: Aqua Fang]
[Mount Recalled: Pure-Arcanic Bear]
Weapons now drawn, they entered the glitched techno ruins. Their HUDs blinked with a red warning:
[Caution: Virus Type Enemies are common in this zone!]
Hoshigari tilted his head slightly. "Virus Type Enemies?"
Sushi Slice nodded, adjusting her glasses. "Indeed. They're a nightmare to deal with. But Fixers can debuff and weaken them using their [Anti-Hammer Skill]. If you land a hit with it, their vulnerability status changes—their color shifts from red to white, and they now take normal damage."
"Yeah," Suki-yummy added with a sigh, crossing his arms. "But we'd need a Fixer class with us for that."
Yukinox turned to face him with a confused look. "But we do have one."
"Huh?" Suki-yummy stopped walking.
Makidon and Yukinox simultaneously thumbed toward Hoshigari.
As Hoshigari passively threw up both hands in a double thumbs up.
"Eh!? Hoshigari-kun's a Fixer sub-class?!" Suki-yummy exclaimed.
"Yup!" Hoshigari, Yukinox, Makidon, and Sushi Slice replied in perfect unison.
Suki-yummy scratched his head, blinking. "That explains the guardbreak punch and the automatic revive skill from the duel before... Dang, that actually helps us a bunch."
"Indeed!" Sushi Slice chimed.
As they ventured deeper, the ruins expanded into a sprawling labyrinth of shattered circuitry, humming towers, fallen holographic monoliths, and glowing data pillars. The ambiance carried with it a subtle humming tone—the corrupted heartbeats of a digital battlefield long decayed.
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Then, shimmering in the fog ahead, multiple figures emerged and surrounded.
Enemies Identified: Glitchrachnid, Virus Stalker. Bugged Bones.
Groups of three different Virus-Type monsters formed ahead and around them, twitching and warping erratically with static-laced movements, their audio glitching with screeches of corrupted code.
"Looks like we finally got some company," Hoshigari muttered, stepping forward.
He snapped his fingers.
Fixer Skill: Anti-Hammer!
A translucent, digital gavel-like hammer a synthesis of code and light—materialized in his right hand. In his left, he drew his [Damnation Mauser], spinning it around his finger with flair.
Behind him, Ursalott cracked his knuckles—his massive digital bear claws pulsing with Arcana circuits.
Makidon grinned, drawing her True-Aegis greatshield from her back. It slammed into the synthetic ground with a resonant clang. Her axe followed.
Yukinox unsheathed her longsword, the [Astral Render], in a sweeping, dancer-like flourish. It shimmered like a blade forged from the stars.
Sushi Slice drew her twin katanas—Solace Edge and Marrow Fang—with a swift X-slash in the air, her stance low, focused.
Suki-yummy spun his staff with both hands, slamming it into the ground before opening his floating spell tome. Glyphs hovered in the air beside him.
With a silent blink of code, Noctatsu, spawned out from his inventory—landing on his shoulder with a soft ninja croak. He drew his ninjato, licking its blade.
"Aight... let's burst!"
Hoshigari and his team dispersed into the battlefield, every step echoed against metallic rubble. The interface buzzed lightly in their ears, alerting them of surrounding threats. And then, they moved.
Hoshigari pivoted, with surgical speed, he slammed his Anti-Hammer Skill down across a Virus Stalker's face. Sparks exploded from the contact point, a red glow shifting violently to white—status: Vulnerable.
Without hesitation, he drew his Damnation Mauser with his left, fired twice into the exposed gut—bang, bang—and ended it with a precise headshot.
[+150 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+30 Creds]
Makidon, seeing an opportunity, charged with a savage roar. Her True-Aegis shield gleamed as she bashed a Bugged Bones mid-lunge. The skeletal virus enemy bounced violently back—right into Hoshigari's path.
"Let's make this efficient," Hoshigari quipped.
CRACK! The Anti-Hammer landed again, rendering the Bugged Bones vulnerable. Makidon didn't wait. Her axe came down in a meteor arc, cleaving the viral shell with seismic force.
Meanwhile, Yukinox was a vision of swift brutality. Her Astral Render longsword cleaved a Bugged Bones cleanly. Before the pieces could hit the ground, she flipped forward, her boot crashing down in a flawless axe kick onto a pouncing Glitchrachnid, slamming it down to the ground. Her blade drove through its core.
"Star-Forced Piercer!"
Her Astral Render surged with light, impaling a Virus Stalker. Without pause, she yanked the blade and followed with:
"Falling Star Strike!"
A radiant downward overhead arc ended the stalker mid-glide.
Ursalott was a brute force engine. His fist shattered a Bugged Bones with one punch. Sensing motion behind, he spun with a wild kick, catching another enemy mid-lunge. A Virus Stalker flanked, but Ursalott launched forward.
"Brawler Skill: Heavy Right Hook!"
WHAM! The hit crunched into the stalker's midsection. Then—danger above.
A Glitchrachnid pounced. Ursalott twisted, caught it mid-air with one hand and flung it up like a ragdoll. As it descended, he planted his feet firm and his straight punch hit like a missile. The Glitchrachnid burst into fragmented data.
Sushi Slice glided into action, blades drawn. Her dual katanas gleamed as she executed:
"Samurai Skill: Swift Wind Cross!"
A Virus Stalker recoiled from the X-slash pattern. But behind her—another enemy lunged.
"Heads up!" Hoshigari shouted, his Anti-Hammer striking true again.
The Virus Stalker staggered, status flickering to white. Sushi didn't even look. She twirled—
"Samurai Skill: Wind Break - Decapitating Slash!"
In a clean arc, the head detached, the body crumbled.
Above them, Noctatsu perched atop a cracked cyber spire, eyes narrowed. From his hands flew:
"Triple Aqua Shurikens!" He fired multiple off down around him
They spun downward like digital buzzsaws, picking off advancing enemies. One Glitchrachnid climbed to his position—he slipped aside, its claws scraping air. Noctatsu's tongue lashed forward:
"Tongue Whip!"
The bug shrieked as Noctatsu reeled it in, drove his ninjato through its core, then puffed:
"Poison Smoke Blow."
Toxic fog filled its vision. A follow-up spinning kick blasted it off the ledge.
At the battlefield's heart, Suki-yummy rotated calmly, staff in one hand, tome floating beside him. Healers were rarely idle—he wasn't an exception. Light surged as he cast heals toward Sushi, then Yukinox.
Suddenly, a Glitchrachnid aimed for his back.
SMACK! A backhand, his backhand sent it flying.
"Not on my shift."
He lifted his staff, slamming the butt to the ground.
"Blaze Pillar!"
The ground beneath the bug lit up. A column of roaring fire swallowed it.
Hoshigari wasn't done. He smashed another Bugged Bones with his hammer—
CRACK!
Status: Vulnerable
He flipped Damnation Mauser into reverse grip—CRACK!—pistol-whipped the virus's face.
[+150 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+30 Creds]
Then he spotted a Virus Stalker flanking. He struck with the hammer again, weaved backward as it swiped, then responded with a boot to its chest and fired four rapid shots.
[+150 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+30 Creds]
Another tried to flank.
"Not today."
He jumped back and slammed the hammer forward, square into its face—sending it sprawling. When it struggled to rise—
THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! The Mauser emptied, digital nails shredding the stalker.
[+150 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+30 Creds]
[Credits: 1,994,776,680]
Silence. For now.
Hoshigari reloaded smoothly. His Anti-Hammer dematerializing in his hand with a flicker.
His hands on his hips, chest heaving with pride, he exhaled and grinned.
"Great work, team!"
The others regrouped, a buzz of data evaporating around them.
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As then the distant crack of steel, sharp cries, and the dull echo of magic blasts rang out.
All 6 flared up from the distant sounds.
They then exchanged glances.
Without needing to say a word, they veered toward the disturbance, slipping behind a ruined wall coated with creeping moss and neon lights, half-eaten by time.
They peered over.
And there—two parties were clashing amid the wreckage of an old coliseum-like arena.
Yukinox squinted. "Isn't that Ms. 3rd?"
"And Lady 4th," Hoshigari added with a sharp breath.
Makidon leaned forward, teeth gritting. "And—Ugh! Those red cloak bastards!"
Sushi Slice tilted her head. "You mean the Bloody Veil?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, them!" Makidon rolled her eyes.
Yukinox stifled a laugh, "And it looks like it doesn't seem... pfft!... Little dragon... heheh! Is there."
"Yeah, probably not this time. But why are they even here?" Hoshigari questioned seriously.
"Maybe they followed us?" Sushi Slice guessed.
Suki-Yummy's face scrunched. "Should we even interfere or help them out? Cuz I ain't so sure if we should..."
Hoshigari crossed his arms. "We should just leave them be and leave quickly, so they won't follo—"
DING.
-[You Have Encountered The Rare Encounter Monster - Wandering Vira-Knight]-
Time slowed.
Everyone's expression blanked for a brief second.
"Wandering... Vira... Kni—" they all echoed in confused unison—
And then the shadow.
Massive. Looming. Shimmering with glitched outlines and an aura of corrupted static, its body distorted with jagged polygons that rippled in and out of rendering. They comedically and comically turned behind them, a 12-foot figure emerged, jet black armor, it's form outlined with deep crimson, and pixels bleeding off its hulking frame.
And in its hand—a gigantic greatsword, almost as long as 4 and a half Ursalotts.
WHIRRRRRRR—KRK! The sword twitched, vibrating and glitching like it was phasing through dimensions.
"N-NOT GOOD!" Makidon shrieked, just as the Vira-Knight raised its sword high, a red error-code glyph spiraling in the sky.
The blade came crashing down...
...
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The shattered ruins echoed with steel and chaos.
Yukihikari dashed in, her Winged Valkyrie Spear twirling with deadly grace. Her shoes slid across the debris-laced floor as she delivered a crisp Spear Striker Skill:
Snap Turtle Thrust!
The glowing tip of her spear struck hard into the leg of a Bloody Veil member, the force enough to make his knee buckle with a mechanical crunch. He dropped with a grunt, just as Yukihikari spun with practiced precision, her spear sweeping horizontally—
CRACK!
—the blunt end striking across his head, sending him clattering unconscious.
Another attacker came from the side, slashing downward with a jagged sword.
She twisted back, grabbed his wrist holding the jagged sword as she then delivered
Spear Striker Skill: Distance Palm Thrust!
Her palm met his chest. A ripple of energy discharged from her gauntlet—
THOOM!
—the Bloody Veil member went flying back into the air, hurled right into Feihong's zone.
Feihong 601D3N didn't hesitate. She flashed forward.
Dual Dagger Skill: Twin Impact!
With twin arcs of black trails, her daggers slashed twice, piercing his form before he even landed. A final jab sent him down with a data-disintegrating shimmer.
But then—
"Above you!"
A Bloody Veil member launched into the air, descending fast like a missile with a greatsword.
Both girls reacted in sync.
Yukihikari aimed high.
Draconic Lance!
A radiant energy dragon formed around her spear as she thrust upward. At the same time—
Feihong blurred in low beneath.
Single Dagger Assassin Skill: Hawken Pierce!
A quick, explosive stab. Their combined blow met mid-air—
BOOOOOM!
The aerial enemy exploded in a visual burst of white and red pixelated code.
Three more Bloody Veil members charged in unison.
But—
KRA-KOOOM!
An explosion blasted through the right-side wall. Bricks and dust erupted outward, simultaneously hitting all three of the Bloody Veil members.
Hoshigari's party came flying through.
Leading the chaotic entrance, Hoshigari himself was hurled through the rubble—
—and crashed right on top of a Bloody Veil member.
"Ugh... oh?" he blinked down.
He stood up, summoned his hand-held cannon, Viridian Coffin
He didn't even aim. He simply dropped the cannon straight down onto the stunned enemy's head. BONK. Flatlined.
"You guys alright?!" he shouted, turning.
From behind, Noctatsu emerged, pushing off fallen rubble with a grunt, slashing another piece of incoming rubble apart with his ninjato.
As he hopped back on Hoshigari's shoulder, blade ready.
"Yup!" Yukinox called out, dusting off her outfit and drawing her Astral Render Longsword, glinting with cosmic hues.
"All good here, Boss!" Makidon grunted, picking herself up.
She glanced sideways—
A grounded Bloody Veil member tried to crawl away.
Makidon simply let her massive True-Aegis Greatshield drop onto the enemy.
THUD.
She stomped on the shield, then lifted it back up.
"Handled."
"Yes!" Sushi Slice added, readjusting her oni mask. She unsheathed her Yanagiba Odachi with a sharp hiss.
"All good here!" Suki-yummy announced, adjusting his glasses and labcoat as he emerged from the debris. His Healing Staff and Feathering Tome floated into place beside him.
Then—
BOOMPH!
Ursalott burst out from below the rubble like a bearlike missile, shaking dust off his fur. He noticed a nearby Bloody Veil member trying to rise.
Ursalott grabbed him by the head and slammed him down with brutal force.
SLAM.
He turned to Hoshigari and gave a big bright thumbs-up.
Hoshigari nodded back.
"Suki!" he barked.
Suki-yummy raised his staff.
"Wide Radial Heal!"
Light-blue energy radiated in a 10-meter dome, rapidly refreshing the HP of the entire squad.
Feihong and Yukihikari waved off the dust in front of them and looked up.
"Yo, you two, catch!" Hoshigari tossed two Vita-Vials at them.
Both instinctively caught them.
"Hoshigari?!" Feihong blinked in surprise.
He smirked. "Oh... I guess you already know who I am, eh? Hello again Ms. 3rd, Lady 4th."
"Hey again, Hoshigari." Yukihikari offered a soft, genuine smile.
Feihong frowned. "You two are way too nonchalant for this situation!"
"Less yappin', more scrapin'!" Makidon roared, pointing.
Across the battlefield stood the towering boss.
The Wandering Vira-Knight.
Its corrupted knight armor sizzled with glitchfire. A tattered red cape flowed behind it, and in its gauntlet—an oversized greatsword wrapped in chains, exuding digital virus code.
The knight raised the blade.
BOOM!
It slammed it into the ground, sending out an AOE shockwave that knocked over more debris.
"Right, right!" Hoshigari grinned, lifting his cannon and activating his Anti-Hammer Skill in his left hand. A green-glow interface appeared across his arm.
"I guess we'll help you guys out?" Feihong tilted her head.
"Please do!" Sushi Slice and Suki-yummy replied in perfect sync.
"We should. I actually need some of the virus mats it drops," Yukihikari added while chugging her Vita-Vial.
She regripped her spear.
Feihong drank hers fast and rearmed her dual daggers.
The Wandering Vira-Knight let out a deep, digitized roar.
BOSS BATTLE INITIATED.
The players took battle stance as the towering corrupted knight strode forward with it's blade raised high...
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