The underground storage room trembled violently as Arata and the Apex Mutation collided again. Broken shelves shattered around them while sparks exploded from damaged electrical wires hanging from the ceiling. Steam still filled portions of the room, making visibility unstable as shadows moved through the white haze like ghosts fighting inside hell itself. Akari gripped the shotgun tightly while breathing heavily near the wall behind them. Pain burned through her ribs every time she moved, but her eyes never left Arata for even a second.

The mutation roared furiously before swinging its remaining claw toward him again. Arata ducked beneath the attack instantly before driving his blade upward across the creature’s chest. Black blood exploded through the steam while the mutation staggered backward violently. But instead of weakening, the monster’s body twitched unnaturally again. Flesh moved across exposed muscle while broken bones slowly shifted beneath its skin.

Akari’s expression darkened immediately. "...It’s regenerating again."The system flickered before Arata instantly.

[Warning: Apex Mutation Evolution Stabilizing]

[Current Threat Level Increasing]

"...Of course it is," Arata muttered quietly.

The mutation suddenly disappeared into the steam, Both froze instantly.

Silence filled the room afterward except for the sound of leaking pipes and crackling electricity.

Akari slowly raised the shotgun higher while narrowing her violet eyes carefully through the steam around them. "I officially hate enemies that disappear dramatically."

Arata quietly stepped closer toward her without taking his eyes off the fog surrounding them. "Stay alert."

"That advice would’ve helped before the apocalypse."

A low growl suddenly echoed behind them.

Too close, Arata moved instantly.

He grabbed Akari’s waist before pulling her backward moments before the mutation burst through the steam directly where she stood. Its massive claw ripped through the wall violently while concrete exploded across the room.

Akari crashed against Arata’s chest during the sudden movement while his arm remained tightly around her waist for balance.

For one brief second—Neither moved.Their faces stayed dangerously close while steam surrounded them silently.Akari’s heart skipped painfully.

Again.

And honestly—She was getting tired of that happening.Then suddenly the mutation roared again, Reality returned instantly.

Akari quickly pulled away while aiming the shotgun forward again. "This thing seriously ruins every moment."

"You say that like there was a moment." Arata said.

"...Shut up." Akari said.

The mutation charged again before she finished speaking.

BOOM!!

Akari fired the shotgun directly into its chest this time. The blast staggered the creature backward while black blood splattered across nearby supply crates.Arata used the opening instantly.

He sprinted forward before slashing across the mutation repeatedly with terrifying speed now. Sparks and blood exploded through the room while the creature roared furiously under the nonstop assault.Akari stared silently for one brief second.Because he really was changing.Not emotionally, In combat.

Earlier he fought carefully, Now—He looked ruthless.

The mutation suddenly grabbed a steel shelf before throwing it directly toward Arata violently, Too fast.

Before he could dodge fully, the heavy shelf smashed against his side hard enough to send him crashing across the floor.

"ARATA!"

The mutation immediately rushed toward him again.Akari moved without thinking.

She sprinted forward before swinging the baseball bat directly against the creature’s damaged eye with every ounce of strength left inside her body.

CRACK!!

The mutation screamed furiously while stumbling sideways, Akari didn’t stop. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Again.

And again.

And again.

The bat slammed repeatedly into the creature’s skull while rage burned across her expression. "STOP. HURTING. HIM."

Even the mutation looked confused briefly.

Arata stared at her silently afterward while slowly standing again.

Because honestly—Watching Akari lose composure over him felt strangely dangerous to his mental stability.

The mutation roared before backhanding Akari violently across the room.

She crashed hard against the wall instantly while dropping the bat nearby.Pain exploded through her injured ribs again.

"Akari!"

The creature charged toward her immediately afterward, Too fast, Too close.Akari forced herself upright desperately while trying to grab the shotgun again.

Then suddenly—The air inside the room changed.The system exploded violently before Arata’s vision.

[New Skill Awakening Complete]

[Skill Acquired: Instinct Acceleration]

[Combat Speed Greatly Increased During Emotional Stress]

Arata disappeared.That was the only way Akari could describe it.One second he stood across the room.

The next—He appeared directly in front of the mutation instantly.

BOOOOOOM!!

His blade collided against the creature’s body with enough force to send the massive monster flying across the storage room violently. Concrete shattered beneath the impact while black blood exploded everywhere.

The mutation crashed through multiple supply shelves before smashing against the far wall.

Silence followed.Akari stared at Arata speechlessly.

"...What the hell was that?"

Arata looked equally confused honestly."...I’m not completely sure."

The mutation slowly stood again afterward while roaring furiously.

But this time—Its remaining eye showed hesitation.

Fear.For the first time since meeting the creature—It feared him slightly.

Akari slowly smiled afterward despite the pain. "...Okay that was insanely attractive."

Arata slowly turned toward her, "...What?"

Akari immediately realized she spoke aloud.

"...Nothing."

"You definitely said something."

"I absolutely didn’t."

"You called something attractive."

"That was the shotgun blast."

"...You’re terrible at lying."

Akari grabbed the baseball bat aggressively afterward. "Focus on the giant nightmare monster!"

The mutation roared again before charging toward them both simultaneously, Arata moved instantly, Faster than before.

His movements blurred through the room while his blade flashed repeatedly across the creature’s body. The mutation attacked wildly, destroying walls and shelves constantly, but Arata dodged almost everything now.

Akari quickly joined the fight again from the side while firing the shotgun repeatedly whenever openings appeared.

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

Black blood exploded from the creature’s body continuously now.The mutation became unstable.Its movements slowed slightly.Its regeneration weakened.Arata immediately noticed."We can kill it now."

Akari smirked despite exhaustion. "That’s the hottest thing you’ve said tonight."

"...You need therapy."

"Probably."

The mutation suddenly slammed both claws into the ground violently.

BOOOOOOOM!! The entire storage room shook instantly while the ceiling above them cracked loudly.Dust rained downward everywhere, Then Akari’s eyes widened slightly.

"...That’s bad."

The ceiling started collapsing.

Huge chunks of concrete crashed downward across the room while steam pipes exploded violently.The mutation roared furiously during the chaos before attacking Arata again.

Their clash shook the collapsing room continuously while debris fell around them everywhere.Akari quickly dodged another falling beam before shouting, "ARATA! THE CEILING!"

"I KNOW!"

A massive concrete section suddenly collapsed directly above Akari, Too fast.

She looked upward instinctively, Then froze.

She wouldn’t dodge this one in time, Suddenly—Arata appeared beside her instantly before wrapping one arm around her waist and throwing both of them sideways moments before the concrete smashed downward violently where she stood.

BOOOOOOOOM!!

The impact shook the entire underground structure, Akari crashed directly against Arata again while dust surrounded them both heavily.

This time—Neither moved away immediately.

Her breathing felt uneven now, Not from fear.

Arata’s arm still remained around her waist protectively while his face stayed dangerously close again, Akari’s heart pounded painfully inside her chest, And honestly—She was starting to hate how much she liked this.

The moment stretched silently between them while the underground room continued collapsing around them.

Then suddenly—A loud explosion echoed from above, Followed by familiar shouting.

"ARATAAA!!" and it was Yuna.

Akari blinked slightly, Then another explosion shook the ceiling.Gunfire followed immediately afterward.The mutation roared furiously in response.

Arata’s eyes narrowed slightly. "...They found us."

The ceiling above suddenly exploded open violently.Light flooded downward through the dust while several armed figures appeared above the destroyed opening.

Yuna stood at the front holding an assault rifle while looking absolutely furious.

Beside her stood Reina, Kaede, and Airi.

Akari immediately noticed something.All three girls looked directly at her first.

Not at Arata but at Her and The atmosphere instantly became weird, Very weird.

Yuna’s eyes slowly moved toward Arata’s arm around Akari’s waist.

Silence followed, Complete silence.

Then—"...Interesting," Yuna said calmly.

That calmness terrified everyone immediately.

Even the mutation looked uncomfortable.

Akari slowly glanced toward Arata afterward.

"...I think your girlfriend wants to kill me."Akari said

"She’s not my girlfriend." Arata replied.

"THAT’S WHAT YOU RESPONDED TO?!" Yuna shouted instantly from above.

Reina sighed deeply nearby. "We risked our lives coming underground for these idiots."

Kaede quietly nodded. "Agreed."

Meanwhile Airi stared silently toward Arata’s injuries while looking genuinely worried.Akari noticed that immediately.

And strangely—A small uncomfortable feeling appeared inside her chest again, Jealousy, The realization shocked her instantly.

Wait, Why was she jealous?

The mutation roared furiously again before charging toward them suddenly.

Everyone snapped back into combat immediately.

Gunfire exploded from above while Reina jumped directly into the underground room wielding dual combat blades. Kaede fired arrows from the opening overhead while Yuna unloaded bullets nonstop into the mutation’s body.

The room erupted into total chaos again.Akari grabbed her baseball bat tightly before standing beside Arata once more.

Yuna noticed that too, And somehow—Her expression became even more dangerous afterward.