Rin slowly walked deeper into the base, his eyes wandering from one side of the corridor to the other.
The place was enormous.
Behind thick glass walls were countless laboratories, each filled with scientists busy at work.
Some were studying strange liquids sealed inside transparent containers.
Others were examining weapons laid out across metal tables.
A few more were working on pieces of armor, adjusting them with different tools while recording data on nearby screens.
Rin looked around with quiet curiosity.
"...Okay."
He gave a small nod.
"Still looks nice here—"
He suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"...Oh my God."
His eyes widened as he stared through another glass window.
Inside the laboratory were animals lying on operating tables.
Some were connected to machines.
Others had been altered beyond recognition.
He spotted the severed head of a lion.
Next to it was the head of a horse.
Rin's expression immediately turned into one of disgust.
"...Now that's messed up."
Without another word, he turned his head away and quickly walked past the laboratory, not wanting to look at it any longer.
Outside the underground base, Saito and the others gathered behind a large rock, keeping their voices low.
The heavily guarded fortress stood silently in the distance.
Saito folded his arms, his eyes fixed on the entrance.
"...What should we do?"
He let out a slow breath.
"If those guys who attacked Dan Village see Rin..."
"They'll recognize him."
"Our whole plan will be exposed."
Lily nodded in agreement.
"He's right."
"The moment they recognize Rin, everything falls apart."
The communicator suddenly crackled.
Bomb's voice came through.
"So what should we do?"
Everyone fell silent.
After a few moments, Kaito finally spoke.
"We need to drag them out."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"...That's how."
Fanny frowned.
"But if we do that..."
"The alarm will go off."
She glanced toward the base.
"And this place will turn into one big battlefield."
Kaito nodded.
"I know."
"But that's exactly why we still have time."
He looked toward the entrance where Rin had disappeared.
"As long as Rin is inside..."
"He can keep walking around until he finds Alya and Yin."
"We just have to keep their attention outside."
Saito thought about it for a few seconds.
Then he slowly nodded.
"...Good idea."
The group fell silent once again as they stared at the massive underground base, knowing that once they made their move...
There would be no turning back.
Kaito looked at Saito.
"And you need to get inside."
Saito blinked.
"...Me?"
Kaito nodded.
"Even if we drag them outside, there'll probably still be stronger scientists inside the base."
He glanced toward the entrance.
"Rin can't fight them alone."
Saito understood immediately.
He gave a firm nod.
"...I got it."
Before anyone else could speak, Lily stepped forward.
"I'm coming with you."
Saito looked at her for a moment before nodding.
"Alright."
Kaito turned his attention to the others.
"While you two are inside..."
"Me, Bomb, and Fanny will create the distraction."
He let out a quiet breath as he looked at the heavily fortified base.
"...I just hope it works."
Saito tightened his grip on his weapon and nodded.
"It has to."
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
Each of them knew their role.
Now all that was left...
...was to put the plan into action.
At the entrance of the underground base, the automated machine guns continued scanning every corner without pause.
Everything was quiet.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through one of the machine guns, sending metal fragments flying in every direction.
Smoke filled the air.
When it finally began to clear, a figure was sitting casually on top of the wreckage.
Bomb.
He rested one arm on his knee and grinned at the stunned scientists.
"Hey there, you pricks."
He spread his arms.
"Come and get me."
One of the scientists immediately pointed at him.
"It's the Blue Scarf crew!"
"Open fire!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A rain of bullets flew toward Bomb.
He laughed and jumped aside, rolling across the ground before landing on his feet.
"Too slow!"
As he ran, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small marble.
With a flick of his thumb, he tossed it onto the ground.
The marble rolled to a stop.
One of the scientists stared at it.
"...A marble?"
Bomb stopped and turned around with a wide grin.
"Oh yeah."
"It's a marble."
The scientists looked at one another in confusion.
Bomb slowly brought his hands together.
Clap.
"Explode."
BOOM!!
The tiny marble erupted into a violent explosion.
The blast threw scientists in every direction as dust, debris, and broken concrete filled the battlefield.
Screams echoed through the area while alarms began ringing across the entire base.
Bomb couldn't help but laugh.
"Now that's more like it!"
Kaito watched the explosions erupt around the entrance of the base.
The sound of gunfire echoed across the battlefield.
He pressed the communication device on his collar.
"That's the signal, Saito."
A moment later, Saito's voice came through.
"Got it."
Saito and Lily immediately moved behind the base, staying close to the walls to avoid being seen.
With most of the guards rushing toward the front entrance, the rear was nearly deserted.
"This is our chance."
The two slipped inside through the back entrance without making a sound.
As soon as they entered, Saito looked around at the endless corridors stretching in every direction.
"...Wow."
"This place is huge."
He looked toward the staircase ahead.
"Let's go."
Without slowing down, Saito and Lily hurried upstairs.
Outside, the battle had already begun.
A scientist rushed toward Bomb and swung his sword.
Clang!
Bomb leaned back just enough for the blade to miss his face.
"My turn."
He drove his fist straight into the scientist's face.
Crunch!
The scientist crashed onto the ground.
Bomb quickly snatched the rifle from the fallen scientist before turning it toward the others.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Several scientists were forced into cover as Bomb returned fire.
Just then—
A shadow shot across the sky.
Fanny.
She leaped high into the air, a grin spreading across her face.
"Time to show you..."
"...the Beast Kind's power!"
She raised her fist above her head before diving toward the ground.
Boom!!
Her punch slammed into the earth.
The ground burst apart, sending a powerful shockwave through the battlefield.
Scientists were thrown into the air as pieces of rock and dirt scattered everywhere.
One unlucky scientist came crashing down directly on top of Bomb.
"Oof!"
Bomb groaned.
"...Get off me!"
He shoved the scientist away with a punch, sending him rolling across the ground.
Bomb climbed back to his feet, brushing the dust from his clothes.
"Seriously..."
"Can't you people fall somewhere else?"
The remaining scientists charged at Fanny from every direction.
"There she is!"
"Don't let her escape!"
Fanny smirked.
"Come on, then."
The first scientist swung his sword.
Fanny sidestepped and drove a kick into his ribs.
Thud!
He was sent rolling across the ground.
A second scientist rushed in.
Fanny grabbed him by the collar before he could react.
"Too slow."
With a powerful swing, she hurled him high into the air.
"Aaaaah!"
The scientist disappeared into the smoke before crashing back down with a loud thump.
Another scientist stepped forward with a grin.
"Come here, fox!"
He lunged and wrapped both arms around Fanny, trying to pin her in place.
"Got you!"
Fanny didn't struggle.
Instead, she smiled.
"...Wrong move."
Before the scientist realized what she meant—
Bang!
Her knee shot upward, striking him between the legs.
The scientist's eyes bulged.
"GAAAH!"
His grip instantly loosened.
Fanny twisted around and drove a punch straight into his face.
Crunch!
The scientist was launched backward before skidding across the ground unconscious.
Fanny dusted off her gloves and looked at the remaining scientists.
"Who's next?"