The moment the messenger moved forward, the battlefield shifted again, not just in intensity but in unpredictability, because unlike the Hunter, this enemy didn’t rely purely on speed or calculated reaction—she controlled the entire environment, turning every movement into part of a larger design. Arata Kurozawa stepped in to meet her, his focus sharper than ever, his body already adjusting to the fluctuating nature of her presence. His strike came fast, angled differently from before, timed not just for impact but for the moment her form stabilized, and this time the hit connected harder, forcing a visible distortion through her body. It wasn’t full damage, but it was progress. That alone confirmed what Miyu had said—timing was everything.

Yuna didn’t wait even a second. She moved in immediately, her bat swinging with a wide arc aimed to pressure rather than strike cleanly, forcing the messenger to shift her form defensively. "Don’t give her time to think," Yuna said, her grin sharp but her eyes completely serious now. Reina adjusted her position behind them, firing in irregular intervals, deliberately breaking her rhythm to prevent the messenger from predicting her shots. Kaede fired from above, her precision still deadly even against a partially intangible target, aiming not where the messenger was, but where she would stabilize next. Miyu continued analyzing in real-time, her voice fast but controlled. "...Stability window is short but consistent. She phases every few seconds. We need to chain attacks during that gap." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Airi stayed close, watching everything, her breathing steady despite the chaos. She had learned. Not just how to move—but when. The messenger shifted again, her body flickering as she stepped sideways, avoiding Arata’s follow-up strike with unnatural smoothness. "...You adapt quickly," she said softly, her tone almost approving. That didn’t sit well with Yuna. "...Yeah? Then adapt to this," she snapped, stepping forward with more force, her strike landing partially, enough to disrupt the messenger’s position again.

But before they could press further—The ground behind them shook, Not lightly, Not subtly.

A heavy vibration, deep and unnatural, spreading through the broken street like something massive was moving beneath it.

Miyu reacted first. "...New signature," she said sharply.

Kaede’s voice followed instantly from above. "...Large. Very large."

Reina turned slightly, her aim shifting toward the source. "Another one?"

Yuna clicked her tongue. "...Of course there is."

The ground cracked, Then broke.

And from beneath the collapsed concrete, something rose.

Massive, But not like the Colossus, This one was different.

Its body wasn’t just large—it was layered, thick with uneven growths of hardened flesh, like armor built over time. Its arms were oversized, dragging slightly as it moved, its fingers digging into the ground with every step. Its head was smaller in proportion, but its mouth stretched unnaturally wide, filled with jagged teeth that didn’t match any natural structure. Its eyes—Were focused.

Not empty, Not mindless, Aware.

"...That’s new," Yuna muttered.

Miyu’s voice came immediately. "...Classification unknown. Heavy-type mutation. Likely high durability."

Kaede added quietly, "...And it’s watching us."

The messenger stepped back slightly, her smile returning as she looked at the massive creature. "...Ah," she said. "Perfect timing."

That confirmed it, This wasn’t random, It was coordinated, Arata’s eyes narrowed.

Two threats, Different types, Both controlled.

"We split," Reina said instantly.

Miyu nodded. "...One team holds the large unit. One engages her."

Yuna grinned slightly. "...I’ll take the big one."

Airi blinked. "...Wait, alone—"

"Not alone," Arata said.

He stepped toward the massive infected.

Yuna smirked. "...Yeah, that works."

Reina adjusted her aim. "I’ll support from range." Miyu added, "...I’ll coordinate both sides." Kaede remained above, her voice calm. "...I cover all angles."

That left—Airi, And the messenger, The realization hit instantly.

The messenger’s eyes shifted toward Airi.

"...So you stay," she said softly, Airi tightened her grip, "...I’m not running," she replied.

Yuna glanced back for a second. "...Don’t die," she said.

Airi nodded. "...Same to you."Then everything split.

Arata and Yuna moved toward the massive infected, its heavy steps already shaking the ground as it advanced. The creature swung one of its oversized arms down with crushing force, aiming directly at Arata. He dodged at the last second, the impact shattering the ground where he had stood. "...Yeah, that hits hard," Yuna muttered, jumping in from the side and striking its leg. The impact barely moved it.

"...Tough," she added.

Reina fired immediately, her shots hitting its upper body, but the bullets didn’t penetrate deeply. "...High resistance," she confirmed.

Miyu responded instantly. "...Target joints. Structural weakness."

Arata moved again, this time aiming for its knee joint, his strike landing with more effect than expected, causing the creature to shift its weight slightly. That was something.

Meanwhile—Airi faced the messenger, Alone.

Not completely alone, But without the others close enough to assist immediately.

The messenger stepped forward slowly, her form flickering slightly. "...You stayed," she said.

Airi didn’t step back.

"...I’m not weak anymore," she said, The messenger tilted her head.

"...We’ll see."

She moved, Fast, Faster than before.

Airi reacted instinctively, stepping back just enough to avoid direct contact, her rod swinging forward to disrupt the movement. It passed partially through, but enough to slow the messenger’s advance.

Above, Kaede fired.

The shot aligned perfectly with Airi’s movement, hitting the messenger during a brief stabilization moment, causing a sharper distortion.

"...Good timing," Kaede said.

Airi exhaled slightly.

"...I’m trying," she replied.

Back on the other side, the massive infected roared, swinging both arms now in a wide arc, forcing Arata and Yuna to separate to avoid being crushed. Yuna landed and smirked. "...Okay, this one’s fun," she said. Arata didn’t respond. He moved again, targeting the same joint, applying pressure where it had already weakened.

The creature reacted, Faster than expected.

Its arm swung back—Too fast.

Arata dodged.

But the shockwave from the impact behind him—Shifted the ground, Airi lost her footing.

Just for a second, And that second—Was enough, She slipped , Forward.

Directly toward—Arata.

Before she could stop herself—She collided into him, Hard.

Both of them lost balance And fell, Airi landed on top of him.

For a moment—Everything paused.

Her face—Close, Too close.

Their eyes met, Silence.

Then—Yuna’s voice, "...Seriously?"

Airi’s face flushed instantly. "...I—I didn’t mean—!"

Arata didn’t react much, But he didn’t push her away immediately either.

Kaede’s voice came calmly from above. "...Poor timing."

Yuna crossed her arms briefly, her expression shifting between irritation and disbelief. "...Yeah, no kidding."

Airi scrambled quickly, moving off him, her face still red. "...Sorry!" she said.

Arata stood up immediately, as if nothing had happened. "Focus," he said.

Simple, But—Yuna noticed, The half-second delay, The way Airi had looked at him, The way he hadn’t reacted harshly.

"...Tch," she muttered under her breath, The moment ended, Because the fight didn’t wait.

The massive infected attacked again, The messenger moved again Everything resumed.

But something had changed, Not just the battle , But between them.

And Kaede—Watched it all, Silently, Carefully.

Analyzing not just the enemies—But them.

Because in this world—Emotions were just another variable, And sometimes—The most dangerous one.