"What is that...?" Whether it was Fujiwara, still in the Kingdom's capital, or Hunter and Kong Zhiwang, who had just left the city in the opposite direction, it could be said that every native of the capital and every citizen of the Sakura Nation stared in awe at the crimson fire that painted the sky.
However, unlike the grim expressions of Fujiwara, Hunter, and Kong Zhiwang, the vast majority of Sakura Nation citizens, after their initial shock, felt not fear but an inexplicable excitement.
"What's happening?!"
"Whoa! That's so cool!"
"Isn't that the same direction as the meteor that fell earlier?"
It was truly a remarkable nation. In other places, people caught in the chaos of a Dimensional Rift and transported to a completely unfamiliar Otherworld would likely feel lost and bewildered.
Yet among the 1.5 million citizens of the Sakura Nation, excluding the very elderly, the vast majority felt thrilled and exhilarated, as if they had become the protagonists of their own Otherworld adventure.
This excitement, however, was fleeting. Soon, when they struggled even to find a simple meal, their perspective would undoubtedly change.
The perspective shifted back to Firefly. After delivering that final, devastating punch, she immediately deactivated her Secondary Combustion State. This wasn't due to exhaustion or depleted energy reserves; it was simply because the battle was already over.
Mad Lion lay flat on his back on the scorched earth. A distinct black fist-shaped imprint marked his chest, and his skin, save for the fist-shaped mark, had turned a vivid crimson, resembling a thoroughly cooked shrimp.
Yet even in this state, Mad Lion clung to life. His chest rose and fell rhythmically as he gasped for breath.
"Huff... huff..." His expression remained unchanged, though his breathing was noticeably weaker. Mad Lion twisted his neck slightly to glance at SAM, who stood motionless nearby, and chuckled. "Ha! Just as I suspected! That exchange of blows just now proves it—you and I are kindred spirits!"
"I lost this round. You're truly strong—exceptionally strong." As he spoke, Mad Lion surprisingly propped himself up and sat up. "Say, brother, didn't those European Union guys say you're not one of theirs? How about joining White Eagle?"
"White Eagle is currently holding its eighth member selection tournament. If you participated, taking first place would be a piece of cake. How about joining me and becoming one of the White Eagle Eight?"
Firefly blinked in surprise. Wait, is the White Eagle Eight selection process really this casual? Can just any outsider waltz in, win the tournament, and become a member?
A moment later, Mad Lion seemed to realize the issue himself. "Hold on, non-White Eagles aren't supposed to participate in this tournament, are they? Never mind, it's not a big deal. If you come, I'll beat up anyone who tries to stop you!"
To be honest, Firefly was tempted for a moment. After all, this was a chance to become a leader of one of the world's superpowers! Who hasn't dreamed of ruling or governing a nation? But then she reconsidered. For her, the identity of a White Eagle Eight member would be more of a constraint than a benefit.
While the title of a national leader might sound impressive, the responsibilities would be overwhelming. Simply put, she wouldn't refuse the perks, but she definitely wasn't interested in shouldering White Eagle's burdens.
"I have no interest in that," SAM's cold voice cut through the air.
"Is that so?" Mad Lion didn't press the matter. "Well, if you ever need my help with anything, brother, just say the word! I'll be there in a flash!"
Wait a minute, what's with this guy? When did we suddenly become "brothers"?! Firefly inwardly facepalmed. But upon reflection, for a simple-minded brute like Mad Lion, a thoroughly satisfying, bone-jarring brawl might just be his way of forging friendships.
She hadn't resorted to any underhanded tactics; she'd won fair and square, through sheer strength and skill, earning his respect the hard way.
In other words, Firefly had accepted this challenge to "farm points" and somehow ended up with an unexpected "brother" among the White Eagle Eight?
Hmm, well, this isn't exactly a bad thing, right? At least when I return to the real world, my connection with Mad Lion might allow me to move freely within White Eagle territory.
Suddenly, a thought struck her. SAM's mechanical voice cut through the air: "Do you have any information about this Dimensional Rift?"
Firefly had returned to the Capital to continue her intelligence gathering, so she casually asked Mad Lion a few questions. To her surprise, he actually began to explain.
He told her about the Magic Power Tide that occurred every hundred years in this world, the Four Heavenly Kings of Demonic Beasts, and the four Otherworld Heroes.
Most importantly, he revealed the rules governing the birth of the Demon Lord.
"Anyway," Mad Lion said, "your goal is definitely to clear this Dimensional Rift, right? How about we team up to find one of those Four Heavenly Kings?"
SAM's mechanical voice interjected, "How do you plan to find them?"
"No idea," Mad Lion replied with a shrug. "We'll just wander around. We're bound to run into one eventually."
SAM fell silent.
Well, it was my mistake to expect anything from you, Firefly thought with a sigh. She had already tried aimless wandering, with predictably zero results.
"Actually, let's put the Heavenly King hunt on hold for now," Mad Lion continued, slowly rising to his feet. He clutched his side and grimaced. "Ah, my back! That hit you landed was brutal. I thought my spine was about to snap!"
No, no, no! You actually took that attack head-on and recovered so quickly that you're already back on your feet? That's utterly ridiculous!
Still, Mad Lion was right; he really did need to find some new clothes. All he had left was a tattered pair of shorts clinging to his body, and with his current hairstyle, he looked no better than a roadside beggar.
"I have other matters to attend to," Firefly said without further explanation. She then piloted SAM into the air and swiftly departed, though her real reason was simply that she didn't want to team up with this simple-minded fool.
After taking off, the question of where to go next loomed large. Firefly's original plan had been to return to the Capital to gather intelligence. Now that she had obtained the necessary information from Mad Lion, the priority was finding the so-called Four Heavenly Kings.