Something's changing from the canon. Though it's not really as game changing like the death of Ethan Winters or something. But Miranda isn't there. She's underground with Mia Winters. For Kiriya, this moment is too risky because the enemy is too close to one of the targets.
Should Kiriya do it now and speedrun? Or should he wait until Ethan gets everything?
'This will be a good opportunity to test my own strength against intelligence being. I have to do it,' Kiriya thought.
"... It's time," said Kiriya as he saw Ethan overflow with emotion, holding a flask that contained his daughter's arms.
"What happened?" Mei didn't understand why Ethan was angry after being given a yellow flask. She couldn't clearly hear their voices from afar. And even though they weren't affected by the wind directly—thanks to Kiriya—that didn't mean others weren't affected.
"That's part of what Ethan is looking for," Kiriya replied calmly, but seeing it directly made him feel a bit disgusted. Even if he knew it would be restored later, that feeling of revulsion still lingered.
Mei looked at Kiriya, asking for an explanation.
"That's a part of Ethan's daughter's body."
Mei's eyes widened in horror; she turned toward the container in Ethan's hand. Her stomach churned. She furrowed her brows. Her mouth tried to speak. Her voice trembled. "Does… does that mean…?!"
A chaotic, horrifying scenario began to fill Mei's head. It was a part of an innocent baby. Dismembered and handed to her parents.
They had failed.
However, Kiriya shook his head. "No, she's still alive. She can still be saved if we gather all her body parts."
"How…?!" Mei turned sharply toward Kiriya.
"I told you, the situation is complicated," Kiriya replied. "Their target is Ethan's daughter. She need to be 'sacrificed' for the resurrection of the enemy's daughter. The reason the enemy dismembered Ethan's daughter was—" Mei's expression became uneasy, "—to test the regenerative power possessed by Ethan's daughter. It's also a way to check compatibility between the enemy's daughter's mind and Ethan's daughter's body."
"So actually, Ethan's daughter is still alive, but currently in a vegetative state. You could say it's something like that."
Mei sighed, slightly relieved to hear Kiriya's explanation. Seeing Kiriya's confident expression, Mei felt that this wasn't fake information. She could only choose to believe or not to believe—that was Mei's position right now.
Now, Mei remembered something. Something Kiriya hadn't explained yet. "Then, what did you mean by 'it's time,' Kiriya-san?"
Hearing that question, Kiriya grinned. "What else? Of course, to end this tragedy."
It was time to end all of this. Kiriya was already satisfied enough with the progress so far. He has seen the change. "Will you come with me or wait here, Mei?"
That question—and 'will you help…?', Mei felt the same way toward both. She hadn't believed she could do anything for them before, which was why she refused. But now, Mei felt more confident in herself.
"I'm coming with you!"
"Good decision, Mei!"
Kiriya smiled and carried Mei into the air. Until they could see almost the entire village with their eyes. Everything looked so small.
"Mei, we'll save someone first. I'll rely on your power later," said Kiriya, shifting the bespectacled girl's attention.
"I understand."
She couldn't wait to use her ability to help. However, Mei was now curious about the person Kiriya was going to save.
Kiriya flew with Mei at high speed through the air toward a house before blasting it apart, revealing a giant cave underground.
"This…."
"The enemy's base. Be cautious, we'll be facing the main enemy here. Even though I said I could end everything quickly, that's only if I kill them in one strike."
In direct combat, Kiriya could never be confident. However, this was the reason he was doing all of this.
"I'll fight the enemy's leader, Mei. While I'm doing that, you must secure the target with my invisibility magic. I'll give you the signal when you need to move."
Mei nodded. "Alright, Kiriya-san."
"Then, let's go."
Kiriya and Mei descended from the sky, going down into the cave below. The path was steep and difficult, but they managed to reach a wide open area with an exposed sky.
The path was blocked by massive fungal tendrils.
"How dare you enter my laboratory, I'll make you learn the consequences." The echoing voice of a woman resounded.
It was Miranda. Kiriya stayed silent, observing cautiously. His magic had already been activated for a while, but Miranda's presence forced him to sharpen his focus even more.
He could kill Miranda. He could do it in a single strike right now. His magic was more than enough to annihilate this small village along with Miranda inside it. However, that wasn't his goal.
He need experience.
So Kiriya strengthened his body, stepping forward toward Miranda like someone ready to die.
"Foolish child…." Miranda muttered. She launched countless black fungal tendrils toward Kiriya. It would be a disaster if Kiriya didn't use his magic technique—Mana Blade.
A technique that utilized precise and rapid control of magical energy, creating a thin solid object that was not only strong but could also cut like a sword.
'Think of something more abstract… heat.'
By adding an attribute, Kiriya could make his sword stronger and more dangerous.
And this time, by adding the heat attribute, Kiriya not only cut but also burned the attacking mold tendrils Miranda sent his way.
'A sword with Fire Aspect enchantment. Nice.' Kiriya can't help but grin.
Miranda furrowed her brows, her expression turning wary and intrigued. "Whatever trick you're using, it'll never be enough!"
A fungal pathway formed toward Kiriya, and spikes rose, bursting forth. However, that wouldn't stop Kiriya. He did the same as he had done to the previous tentacle attacks.
Cutting before they could touch.
But Miranda didn't stop there. Darkness began to creep, covering the area, making Kiriya think of Mei's condition—not too far different from his own.
'Looks like this is enough… I can always fight Miranda again in the system's training ground.'
Without raising his hand, magic materialized before him, hovering, before shooting toward Miranda at the speed of light.
Kiriya used light and heat—a giant laser—to burn Miranda into ash. No, even the ash is not there. She's evaporating to air by his surprise attack.
However, Kiriya's attack caused a massive hole with molten red rock stretching several meters ahead, hitting part of the mold's core in front.
"Huh…." Kiriya exhaled in relief. He didn't need to let Mei go through the kind of danger she wasn't meant to face just to give him time to fight Miranda.
Although Kiriya succeeded, it wasn't without consequence. The cave shook violently. "Kiriya-san!" Mei called out, indicating that an earthquake and landslide might occur.
"Let's go in! We have to find Mia Winters!" Kiriya shouted.
Kiriya and Mei went deeper inside. Only a few minutes. Just a few minutes passed while Miranda would begin to regenerate as they searched for Ethan's wife.
When they entered Miranda's laboratory, Kiriya ignored everything and went straight for the prison. He cut through the cell bars with a regular Mana Blade.
Kiriya grabbed Mei's right hand tightly, who was behind her, before pivoting on his left leg and spinning, swinging his arm to slash all the tendrils that tried to bind Mei from behind.
Mei's eyes widened. "Focus!" Kiriya shouted. "Protect her!"