The moment the brief pause between Arata and Airi ended, the battlefield snapped back into motion with even greater intensity, as if the world itself refused to allow even a second of distraction in a place like this. The massive infected roared again, its voice deeper now, almost irritated, as if it had recognized that its initial overwhelming presence was no longer enough to dominate the fight. Arata moved first, stepping back into position without hesitation, his focus returning instantly to the creature’s movements, but something had shifted subtly—not in his stance, but in the awareness of everyone around him. Yuna noticed it immediately, even if she didn’t say it out loud. The way Airi had looked at him. The way he hadn’t reacted coldly. The way the moment had existed at all. It lingered, even as she swung her bat forward again, striking the massive infected’s weakened joint with controlled force.

"...Focus," Yuna muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else, as if pushing something aside.

The impact landed, but the creature adjusted faster this time, its body shifting weight before the strike could fully connect. Its massive arm swung sideways in retaliation, forcing Yuna to jump back quickly, barely avoiding the crushing force that shattered part of the ground beside her. "Yeah, yeah, you’re learning too," she said with a sharp grin, though her eyes were more serious now than playful. Arata moved immediately after, targeting the same joint again, his strike landing deeper this time, causing a visible crack-like split in the hardened flesh covering the creature’s knee. That was the first real sign of damage.

Reina fired from behind, her shots now focused exclusively on the weakened area, each bullet chipping away at the thick layer protecting it. "It’s working," she said calmly. Miyu responded instantly, her voice sharp with calculation. "...Sustained pressure on structural weakness is effective. Continue." Kaede adjusted her angle above, her rifle steady as she tracked both the massive infected and the messenger simultaneously, refusing to lose sight of either threat. "...The smaller one is accelerating," she warned.

On the other side, the messenger moved faster now, her form flickering more frequently, her attacks no longer testing but targeting with clearer intent. Airi reacted with everything she had learned so far, not trying to overpower but to disrupt, stepping in and out of range, forcing the messenger to adjust repeatedly. Her movements weren’t perfect, but they were no longer hesitant. She swung her rod again, not aiming to hit directly but to interfere with timing, creating small openings for Kaede’s shots from above.

"...You’re improving," the messenger said softly, her tone still calm, almost curious.

Airi frowned slightly. "...I’m not doing this for your approval," she replied.

The messenger’s smile didn’t fade. "...Of course not."

Then she moved again, faster than before, her hand reaching forward with a sudden, precise strike aimed directly at Airi’s shoulder. Airi barely managed to shift her body in time, the attack grazing past her instead of landing cleanly, but the speed alone forced her back a step. Her heart raced, but she didn’t freeze. Not this time.

Above, Kaede fired again, the bullet striking during a brief stabilization moment, causing the messenger’s form to distort more sharply than before. "...Don’t let her control distance," Kaede said.

"I’m trying," Airi replied, her breathing uneven but controlled.

Back at the center, the massive infected roared again, its movements becoming more aggressive, more erratic, as if the damage to its leg had triggered a shift in its behavior. It slammed both arms into the ground, creating a shockwave that spread outward, forcing Arata and Yuna to separate again. Dust and debris filled the air for a moment, reducing visibility.

"...Annoying," Yuna muttered, stepping back into position as the dust settled. She glanced briefly toward Airi’s side of the fight, just for a second, then looked away again. "...Don’t get distracted," she told herself again, though her grip on the bat tightened slightly.

Arata didn’t waste time. He moved forward through the fading dust, targeting the same weakened joint again, his strike landing with enough force to deepen the crack further. The massive infected reacted instantly, its arm swinging down toward him with full force, but this time Arata didn’t dodge completely. He shifted just enough to avoid a direct hit while maintaining position, absorbing part of the impact through controlled movement rather than retreating entirely.

"...He’s holding it in place," Miyu said, her eyes widening slightly with realization.

Reina adjusted immediately. "Then we finish the joint."

Yuna grinned again, her earlier tension shifting back into sharp focus. "...Yeah, now that’s a plan," she said as she rushed in again, her bat striking the damaged area with full force. The impact echoed loudly, the crack spreading further across the hardened surface. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The massive infected staggered, Not fully, But enough.

"...Again," Miyu said.

Reina fired, Kaede fired, Yuna struck again, Arata followed.

The pressure stacked, Layered, Relentless.

On the other side, the messenger’s movements became sharper as well, her attacks more direct, less exploratory. She stepped in suddenly, her hand reaching out again, this time faster than before, aiming directly for Airi’s arm. Airi tried to react, but the speed difference was still too large.

The attack connected, Partially.

Airi’s body jerked slightly as the impact hit, not fully physical but enough to disrupt her balance and send a sharp sensation through her arm. She stumbled back, her grip loosening for a moment.

"...You’re still slower," the messenger said quietly.

Before she could follow up—A shot rang out.

Kaede’s bullet struck cleanly, forcing the messenger to shift back instead of pressing the attack. "...Stay standing," Kaede said.

Airi steadied herself quickly, tightening her grip again. "...I’m fine," she said, even though her arm still tingled from the impact.

Yuna heard that, Even from across the fight, Her expression shifted slightly.

"...Tch," she clicked her tongue again, more sharply this time.

Arata noticed everything, But he didn’t comment.

Because the massive infected roared again—

And its leg—Finally gave.

The cracked joint shattered under the combined pressure, its structure collapsing as the creature lost balance completely, dropping heavily onto one knee. The impact shook the ground again, but this time it wasn’t controlled—it was unstable.

"...Now!" Reina shouted.

Arata moved instantly, stepping forward with full force, his strike aimed directly at the exposed core beneath the broken structure. Yuna followed without hesitation, her bat swinging down at the same moment.

The combined impact landed.

Hard.

The massive infected let out a final, distorted roar as its body collapsed forward, its movements slowing, then stopping entirely.

Silence, For a brief moment.

Then—The system flickered.

[ HEAVY-TYPE INFECTED ELIMINATED ]

[ SYSTEM STABILITY: 87% ]

[ REWARD: CORE FRAGMENT ACQUIRED ]

Yuna exhaled sharply, resting the bat against her shoulder. "...Yeah," she said. "That one was better."

Reina lowered her weapon slightly. "But not impossible." Miyu nodded. "...Adaptation is working."

But the fight—Wasn’t over.

The messenger stood at a distance now, her form stabilizing more than before, her gaze moving between all of them.

"...You’re improving faster than expected," she said.

Arata stepped forward again.

"You’re next," he said, The messenger smiled slightly.

"...Not yet," she replied.

Then—Her form flickered, Stronger, Brighter.

And for the first time—Completely solid.

Kaede’s voice dropped slightly. "...She stabilized."

Miyu’s eyes widened. "...Full manifestation."

Yuna’s grin returned.

"...Finally," she said.

Airi stepped forward again, ignoring the pain in her arm.

This time—They wouldn’t hold back, And neither—Would she.

Because now—The real fight—Was about to begin, And this time—There would be no escape.