Emptiness, void.
Within an unknown space, a pink-haired girl stood alone, silently watching the code streaming before her.
This was the foundational layer of the Elysian Realm, the source of all its data.
"I didn't expect anyone could actually find this place." The girl, who had been observing the Flame-Chasers' actions, paused, then turned, looking with some surprise at the white-haired man behind her.
"..." Kevin held the Judgment of Shamash, silent, quietly studying the Elysia before him.
"'Why so quiet? Don't you recognize me anymore? It's me, Elysia.'" The girl smiled faintly, resembling a flawless, scattering blossom.
However, seeing this, Kevin only felt a sense of revulsion. Because he knew clearly, the monster before him was absolutely not Ely.
"Where is she?" Not even bothering to reply, Kevin's eyes were ice-cold, his tone already laced with threat.
He stared at the face identical to Ely's – smiling, yet like a puppet in a mirror, possessing only motion without any substance. A hideous, sickening monster wearing Elysia's skin.
Forcibly suppressing the urge to draw his sword, Kevin's gaze swept over her attire. He noticed, near the hem of her skirt, a familiar black and white mark.
He had seen this mark on Mei's arm, but the one on this creature looked crooked and distorted, as if she had crudely imitated it herself.
So, was this the reason the lingering aura of the mark in the corrupted areas felt familiar?
Silently noting this clue, Kevin looked towards the code behind her. But this time, before he could observe, she seemed to sense his intention and erased the program.
"Why? Why can't you all just accept me as her?" The girl lowered her head, her shadowed eyes filled with gloom. She gritted her teeth, her voice laced with resentment.
Kevin didn't speak, because the Judgment of Shamash in his hand had already given the answer.
In an instant, flames ignited within the void of data space. The violent power forced even the code to recoil.
"Unfortunately for you, in this place, you cannot defeat me. Since you've walked right into my trap, I won't hold back." The Herrscher of Corruption smiled as a flawless bow and arrow materialized in her hands.
The moment she drew the bow, a giant eyeball slowly opened behind her, and then everything dissolved into nothingness.
...
"Things are complicated now. Our strongest fighters, Elysia and Kevin, have both disappeared. If the enemy returns, it will be difficult to fight back with our current strength." Conductor Vill-V remained relatively calm, immediately beginning to analyze the situation.
"But given his personality, even if he discovered something, he shouldn't have ventured off alone, right?"
Su gloomily added his speculation, "Unless the situation was urgent, and he couldn't let the enemy detect him."
"Does that mean the enemy has already followed us into the Eternal Paradise?" Vill-V touched her chin, pondering. "To infiltrate here without anyone noticing... it seems the enemy is more than just an intruder."
"Boss Kevin is already so strong... someone even stronger than him must be terrifying," Pardofelis trembled just listening.
"That's the crux of the problem. If even Kevin can disappear without a sound, it means the enemy either far surpasses us in strength or possesses methods specifically targeting Flame-Chasers."
"You mean... attacks on the data level?"
"Correct. That's the worst-case scenario." Vill-V sighed. After all, the Elysian Realm was fundamentally a massive database, and everyone living here was a memory construct. If erased at the data level, there was basically no way to resist.
"The only solution might be to utilize our unique individual abilities for a targeted counter-attack." Finishing her thought, her gaze landed on Kosma.
"Kosma, I remember your ability is Devour, correct?"
The boy leaning beside Griseo turned and nodded silently.
"If we use the Devour ability to counter-attack the enemy's code, perhaps we can eliminate it in one fell swoop."
"But... that would be very dangerous for Ah Mo!" Before Kosma could speak, Griseo had already put down her paintbrush. Clearly, while seemingly focused on painting, she had been listening intently.
"To be precise, it's almost certain death." Conductor Vill-V offered no comfort, only stating the reality. "We still don't know the enemy's condition. The most direct method is to use the Devour ability to force a mutual clash at the code level."
Vill-V didn't elaborate further, but Kosma understood her meaning. "...So, by sacrificing just me, we can take the enemy down with us."
"That's one way to put it. However, the enemy has remained hidden for so long, suggesting extreme caution. To lure it out, we still need someone to act as bait."
"Of course, this is only the worst-case plan. We shouldn't resort to it unless absolutely necessary."
Sacrificing a comrade was indeed the worst choice, especially after the tragedy involving the Herrscher of Binding. Everyone was particularly sensitive to the word "sacrifice." For Vill-V to propose this method clearly put her under immense psychological pressure.
But every team needs someone to strategize. The Flame-Chasers were warriors, not commanders. With Elysia absent, everyone had to make difficult choices.
Kosma lowered his head, his fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly.
As the youngest besides Griseo, Kosma wasn't a seasoned battlefield veteran. Even becoming a MANTIS stemmed largely from his admiration for Kevin, the 'hero'.
Just like the name of his Signet implied, he was merely a ray of Daybreak, not the sun that illuminated the earth. He longed to be a hero, but having glimpsed the darker side of the Fire Moth, he feared his own light couldn't dispel the night, feared he couldn't truly become a hero.
Undoubtedly, his heart didn't reject sacrifice. But he had promised his former captain, Griseo's father, Ato, that he would always protect Griseo. If he died, Griseo would be left alone.
As he hesitated, a small hand gently covered his clenched fist. Kosma turned his head and saw Griseo's paint-stained palm softly enveloping his own.
"Ah Mo..."
The girl simply called his name, saying nothing more, not interfering with his choice. But looking at her delicate features, Kosma's hesitant heart suddenly found its answer.
"No problem," he agreed to Vill-V.
"Mm, no need to be so tense. Things might not be that bad. After all, Kosma still has backups. If we successfully resolve the crisis, perhaps he can be revived."
"No. The enemy has hidden for so long, meaning it knows Flame-Chasers have backups. Simple data likely won't lure it out. Only by committing all of my data..." Kosma spoke more than usual. He crouched down, kneeling before Griseo like a knight.
"Paint a picture for me... using all my colors."