K's body hit the ground.
Cleanly severed.
The slash from Reaper's blade had been so fast that, for a moment, K remained standing.
Then his body separated.
The upper half slid from the lower.
Blood spread slowly across the shattered ground.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Ren froze.
Akira stared.
For a moment, nobody even breathed.
No one had even seen the blade move.
Reaper stood there, his weapon already lowered.
He looked down at K's corpse.
His voice was cold.
"Don't talk to Ren that way."
The words came after the kill.
Like a warning delivered too late.
The wind moved through the ruined buildings.
No one spoke.
Then—
"Everyone fall back."
The voice was calm.
But firm.
Erion stepped forward.
His AM Boots activated, blue energy humming beneath his feet.
Beside him, Rico rolled his shoulders as the mechanical plates of his AM Gloves locked into combat mode.
Akira immediately shook his head.
"Wait—"
Erion didn't look back.
"Rookie squad."
His voice hardened.
"Akira. Ren. Kaito. Misokke twins."
"Retreat to the boats."
"Team Seven, you will go with them."
"Yes, sir," Ryou replied calmly.
Ren stared at Reaper.
"But—"
"That is not a request," Rico said.
His gloves sparked faintly with energy.
"That man is not your opponent."
Reaper didn't react.
He simply kept looking at K's corpse.
Akira clenched his fists.
"But he just killed him like it was nothing!"
Erion finally turned slightly.
"That's exactly why you're leaving."
Kaito adjusted his glasses.
"The best option is to split up. Some of us should return to boat and report. Others stay here and assist."
Rico shook his head.
"No."
"All of you will retreat and return with reinforcements."
He looked at the rookies seriously.
"If you stay, you'll only get in our way."
Erion gave a faint smile.
"Don't worry."
"We've trained for this."
His boots hummed louder.
"Return to base. Report everything."
"Do not come back until reinforcements arrive."
Rico cracked his neck.
"We'll hold him here."
Ren didn't move.
Reaper slowly lifted his head.
His eyes passed over the rookies.
Then settled on Erion.
And Rico.
"…Strong."
Rico grinned.
"Thanks, buddy. Appreciate the compliment."
Erion's boots ignited.
"Move."
One of the Misokke twins grabbed Ren's arm.
"Let's go!"
The group finally began retreating toward the shoreline.
Behind them—
The air grew heavy.
Because now—
The real fight was about to begin.
Reaper moved first.
Not fast.
Just a single step forward.
Erion vanished.
BOOM.
His AM Boots launched him forward like artillery.
The ground shattered beneath him.
Reaper's blade flashed.
CLANG.
Erion blocked the strike using the propulsion of his boots, redirecting the force sideways.
Shockwaves tore through the battlefield.
Rico was already moving.
"Opening!"
His AM Gloves surged with amplified power.
He stepped into Reaper's blind spot.
Then—
CRASH.
The punch detonated against Reaper's guard.
The impact sent a shockwave through the ruins.
But Reaper didn't move.
Not even an inch.
He simply looked at Rico.
"…Good."
Then his blade moved again.
Erion intercepted instantly.
"Rico!"
"I know!"
The two elites shifted positions perfectly.
But even with both of them attacking—
Reaper stood unmoved.
The rookie and senior squads finally reached the shoreline.
The sounds of battle echoed across the water.
Akira turned back.
"Those explosions…"
Kaito adjusted his glasses.
"…This is bad."
"But we should follow orders."
Ren stared at the distant skyline.
Then someone stopped walking.
Ryou stood still.
Watching the battlefield.
Misaki sighed.
"Yeah… this is really bad."
Kaito stepped in front of them.
"Don't even think about it."
Fumika spoke quietly.
"Erion is fighting."
Kaito frowned.
"Yes."
"That's exactly why we're leaving."
Recon shook his head.
"No."
Flank cracked his knuckles.
"That's exactly why we're going back."
Kaito grabbed Ryou's arm.
"You'll die!"
Ryou looked at him calmly.
"Maybe."
Then he said quietly—
"But we're not abandoning our mentor."
Akira froze.
"I'll join you."
Misaki smirked.
"No."
"You follow orders."
Fumika nodded.
"We can handle this."
Ryou stepped past Akira.
"We're going back."
Then he looked at Kaito.
"Kaito… don't let Akira follow us."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"…Just don't die."
Ryou smiled.
"We'll come back safe."