The towering Doomsday Beast loomed over the support module, its presence suffocating. Even March 7—who proudly called herself a seasoned pioneer—felt a chill run down her spine. She hadn't expected her playful shout to actually summon the beast.
Regret? Absolutely.
Ellie, ever amused, watched the beast descend with sparkling eyes. "March～ Do you have some secret power in your voice? Even the Doomsday Beast listens to you～♪"
Everyone else was too focused to respond—except Stelle, who stared at the monster with wary eyes. Something about it felt… wrong. Dangerous.
Himeko deployed her combat drone with practiced grace, carrying a sleek weapon case. "Aim for its core!" she commanded.
March readied her bow, Dan Heng gripped his spear, and Stelle tightened her hold on the bat. Ellie, meanwhile, twirled a pink crystal flower in her hand, seemingly distracted.
The battle began.
March unleashed a barrage of doll-like projectiles, aiming for the beast's core. It blocked the attack with one massive hand, then swept its arm toward Dan Heng and Stelle.
Danheng leapt, planting his spear into the ground and vaulting over the beast's arm with fluid precision. Stelle, less agile, retreated just in time.
The beast lunged at Dan Heng, jaws wide. But Dan Heng stood firm, a golden shield shimmering around him. He whispered, "Here is reality… one thought of the cave sky."
The beast bit down—only to be stopped cold by the shield.
Dan Heng countered. "The cave is in full bloom. I dream long."
His spear struck true. The beast howled in pain.
Stelle saw her chance. Her bat glowed white. "Rules are meant to be broken!"
She swung with all her strength, sending the beast reeling.
Before it could recover, Himeko's drone struck from above, slamming it into the ground. Himeko emerged, chainsaw in hand, and carved through the beast's body.
The Doomsday Beast collapsed.
Ellie hadn't moved. Her crystal flower remained intact.
March turned to her. "Sister Ellie, did you just… fish? I didn't see your attack!"
Ellie pouted dramatically. "Even a beautiful girl like me gets misunderstood～♪"
March crossed her arms. "I didn't see your arrow. Himeko, you didn't either, right?"
Himeko chuckled. "Nope. Ellie, you were slacking."
Ellie turned her back. "Hmph～ I'm angry now♪"
Danheng said nothing, watching quietly.
March, worried, reached out to comfort Ellie—only for Ellie to spin around with a grin. "I lied～ How could I be mad at you?"
"Sister Ellie!" March groaned. "Ehey～♪"
Suddenly, the space station trembled.
The Doomsday Beast, thought dead, surged with fury. It condensed its final breath into a laser—aimed directly at March.
"March! Ellie! Watch out!" Dan Heng shouted.
March shoved Ellie aside, but Ellie twisted mid-fall, trying to shield March.
"Ellie!" March screamed.
Ellie braced for impact—until a shadow darted in front of her.
Stelle.
The beast struck her squarely.
Ellie's eyes widened. "Stelle…?"
The stellaron core within Stelle pulsed violently. Energy surged, threatening to tear the space station apart. Stelle collapsed, unconscious.
Then, a figure appeared.
A middle-aged man with a cane stepped forward. With a flick, he summoned a black hole that swallowed the Doomsday Beast whole. Another gesture calmed the raging stellaron core.
He caught Stelle before she could fall, holding her gently.
"Is she alright?" he asked calmly.
At this point the crisis was over.