The atmosphere immediately grew serious; heavy air surrounded them. Zappardi and Rico flinched upon hearing the statement. He asked for a moment to think. Twenty seconds passed, and both were still at a loss for an answer. Phrillo then began to press them for a reply, or else they would face conflict with Team Dracer. Considering their team's significantly smaller strength compared to Phrillo's team, Rico finally answered, "We cannot do that. We are indebted to Argelus."
"Are you sure about this?" Dr. Darius asked. His gaze was heavy, and with a threatening tone, he said, "Do you want to make our team your enemy?"
Zappardi and Rico reacted by taking a few steps back. "We believe this conflict should be resolved peacefully." Dr. Darius adjusted his glasses. He then said, "Your request is denied. You may leave now."
Zappardi and Rico fell silent, hearing that. They had no choice but to evacuate from that place. Rico also understood Dr. Darius's motive. Some rumors were spreading, one of which was about Dr. Darius's true strength as the co-leader of Dracer, touted as one of the strongest forces in this game world. Just hearing it sent shivers down one's spine. Undeterred, they walked on. Fighting Team Dracer with their current strength was utterly foolish. Phrillo was no less terrifying, known as the executioner who consistently participated in various executions. Every time a team was defeated by Dracer, their condition was always deplorable, covered in blood. The three of them embraced each other amidst this chaos, intending to leave first. Forget the mission; all members were not in prime condition. Nearby, Rico saw on the map that there was a police station 2 km away, where they could get more detailed information about this place. On this journey, Rico felt something strange; his brain seemed to be working harder than usual to comprehend potential situations, but he dismissed it as ordinary fatigue.
Twenty minutes later, the road appeared damaged and scorched. Perhaps a large-scale game had occurred here. Rico opined that this happened recently, maybe six days ago. They finally arrived at their destination: broken windowpanes, collapsed doors, shattered iron fences. Perhaps the battle took place right here. As they went deeper inside, the cell doors had been breached; only one prisoner was visible, who even seemed relaxed, stretching his legs. He wore a dark brown hood, merely relaxing, but his presence disturbed Rico. Rico's brain couldn't process what was happening, nor could Zappardi, who had already flown into a rage upon seeing that person. He smashed the cell door to pieces, then cornered the person against the wall. Rico was about to punch him, but simultaneously, he vanished and then reappeared inside the glass. It looked like Zappardi himself. Zappardi was annoyed.
"Crack!"
He brutally shattered the glass. However, the person then kicked Zappardi, sending him sprawling. Zappardi found himself being trampled by a Merthyl-like figure; he could do nothing for now. Only Merthyl remained, having endured immense pain.
"Alright, I'll try to fight," Merthyl said seriously.
The person stood silently frozen before finally revealing a terrifying smile.
"Merthyl, huh?" the person said.
"I am Trickster, whom you despise."
"But isn't it normal for them to despise you?"
"What are you talking about?" Merthyl said, panting.
When Merthyl looked again, she saw her own reflection appear in the glass with a strange smirk. Merthyl shrieked, instantly bringing Rico back to his senses.
Trickster then said, "Do you know why only you are left?"
Rico, now alert, pushed Merthyl, making her stumble.
"Why? If you want to bow down, then bow down; nothing will change."
Rico narrowed his eyes; the wind immediately howled out. He then pulled a pistol from his pocket, quickly crossed his arms, and fired it randomly. Trickster appeared behind him. He anticipated with a shot, then turned to attack from behind, appearing like a shadow and striking Trickster, but it wasn't enough. Trickster pulled out a card, throwing it directly at Rico. Rico caught the card. Trickster then vanished from there, accompanied by the emergence of a new presence.
The glint from its four eyes dazzled Rico; he could even see it despite hiding in the shadows. He just stood still, then shook his head. Rico woke Merthyl, then carried Zappardi's now powerless body. The two of them forced themselves to drag his body along.
Elsewhere, a neatly dressed man in a red suit seemed to have finished something. He carried several living bodies. He reported to his superior that some of them were wearing black and white striped clothes, and there was one distinct individual who wore neat clothes, with murky red eyes and long, flowing, shiny black hair. The man mentioned that he had the same characteristics as Argelus's henchman. But they weren't sure if such a weak person was someone who enjoyed dismembering his enemies. His appearance was completely far from terrifying and sadistic; in fact, he looked pathetic. Even when captured, he didn't resist at all, but because he was very suspicious, the two decided to keep this person. The man then went underground, to a dusty place that looked like a disease-ridden lair—an unkempt place with minimal lighting and faded wall paint. This room was a secret room that no one should know about. The man then closed the room door, then conversed while drinking coffee.
Back in a critical situation, Rico set up a tent. "It's so difficult to take care of these two troublesome people," he mumbled as he prepared drinking water. Zappardi woke up and looked out of the tent, seeing Merthyl daydreaming outside. However, Merthyl's daydream was instantly broken by a small disturbance from Zappardi. Zappardi said he didn't know anything after that, but if Merthyl had any problems, she could just tell them both. Merthyl only laughed after hearing that, then Rico called both of them to prepare food. Rico then took out his workbench, making some extra equipment—just simple tools like cutting knives, etc. Rico thought for a moment that if they had continued the fight at that time, Team Zapper might have been completely finished. When both of them had fallen asleep, Rico was still busy hammering metal. He thought of creating something after hearing Trickster's statement; perhaps this was indeed necessary.