"Master, Kiana has been located."
"Good. Well done. Then we begin."
After replying to the Mimic Tear, the Tarnished turned and looked at the Spirit Ashes gathered behind him—along with Hu Tao.
"You all remember the assignments I gave earlier, right?"
Before coming here, he had already laid out the battle plan inside the hotel room.
The Spirit Ashes with the strongest combat capabilities had been stationed at key positions, preparing for a coordinated, multi-directional assault.
He had no clear understanding of the reincarnation squad's strength.
And when intelligence was lacking, caution was mandatory.
That was a habit forged through countless campaigns across the Lands Between.
If you didn't know your enemy, you prepared for the worst.
As a result, aside from Rita and Fu Hua—who had been positioned outside for ambush—nearly every Spirit Ash he could summon had been deployed.
The process had drained him several times over.
What a group of exhausting little demons.
"I—I will do my best, Master!"
Floating in midair, the Spirit Jellyfish spoke in a timid voice.
"Hehe, leave it to this Director."
Hu Tao showed not the slightest trace of nervousness. To her, impending battle felt no different from daily routine.
At her side, Therolina gave a small nod.
"Alright. Then let's begin."
The Tarnished produced the Erdtree Seal and slowly knelt.
"Incantation: Golden Vow."
As he raised the seal, brilliant golden light enveloped him.
"Blessing of the Erdtree. Lord's Heal. Lord's Divine Fortification. Law of Causality…"
Layer upon layer of enhancements settled over him.
Watching the live broadcast, the chat group members collectively observed a moment of silence for the Mystic Eyes Squad.
The Oldest King: "Hahaha! I didn't expect the newcomer to be this cautious. How interesting!"
On his throne atop the divine tower, Gilgamesh was handling affairs while browsing the chat. The corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably.
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Your Majesty, has something amusing occurred?"
Below him, a veiled woman asked in confusion.
"Something like that… Siduri. I've encountered someone quite interesting."
Though he didn't know the Tarnished's true strength, the summoned beings and the current cascade of magical enhancements suggested—
This man was far from weak.
Siduri stared in bewilderment.
The king hadn't left the throne room. How had he "encountered" anyone?
Aizen: "No. In the absence of intelligence, this is the safest course of action."
Forever Seventeen: "Ara, very cautious indeed. Let's observe three seconds of silence for those unfortunate reincarnators. (smile)"
Fujiwara Chika: "Three seconds of silence. (smile)"
NorthNorthNorth: "+1"
Hu Tao: "Oh dear. I just hope they don't die too miserably…"
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the Tarnished completed his final preparations.
"Incantation: Assassin's Approach. Order's Blade."
As the final spell concluded, Marika's Hammer in his right hand became wrapped in golden radiance.
"Now—begin."
Inside the bedroom.
"Immortal… my Immortal… I'm coming."
Number Two stepped out of the bathroom, a small dagger in hand.
But the moment he looked up—
"…Where are they?! Where's my Immortal?! Where's my Bug?!"
The bed was empty.
Both girls were gone.
He began searching frantically, overturning furniture like a madman.
Just as he reached for the wardrobe—
A crimson blade shot through the crack in the door.
—Thrust.
He stared blankly at the blade protruding from his chest.
Warm blood slid down its length.
There was no need to confirm.
His heart had been pierced clean through.
He didn't even have time to scream.
The light vanished from his eyes.
He collapsed with a dull thud.
Once certain he was dead, the wardrobe door creaked open.
Inside stood the Mimic Tear, transformed into the Tarnished himself—wearing Valkyrie armor, gaze cold as winter.
Strangely, the replicated chest armor appeared… slightly more pronounced than the original's.
"Um… is he dead?"
Kiana asked cautiously from behind.
She had fought Honkai beasts. She had witnessed battlefield horrors.
But killing a human—
That was different.
"Number Two? Why's it so quiet?"
The green brute pushed the bedroom door open—
And immediately saw the corpse and the armored figure.
"Who the hell are you?!"
The Mimic Tear didn't answer.
It lunged.
—Bang.
"Number Three?!"
In the living room, Number One leapt to his feet as the green brute came flying back, crashing through the wall.
"Number One… enemy attack…"
Number Three slumped against the wall, a deep gash across his chest, bone visible beneath the torn flesh.
A strange green liquid seeped from the wound.
If he hadn't leapt back at the last second, he would have been cleaved in two.
"Tch. You're really this weak? Defeated by a mere Valkyrie? If this is your level, perhaps I should reconsider this partnership."
Welt II remained seated, still unaware of the full situation. He assumed the real Fu Hua had awakened.
Number One ignored the taunt.
His attention fixed on the bedroom—
Boom.
The front door exploded inward.
Wood splintered.
A wave of dark green fluid surged into the living room.
"What is this disgusting stuff?!"
Unlike Number One, who instinctively leapt aside, Welt II took the brunt of the corrosive tide.
His face twisted.
That coat had been his favorite.
But within seconds—
Smoke rose from his clothes.
"Ah! It burns! What is this?!"
The viscous liquid rapidly corroded fabric and flesh alike.
In mere moments, Welt II was consumed.
He fell silent.
Dead.
Number One's pulse quickened.
Welt II eliminated.
Number Three severely wounded.
What was happening?
According to his intel, only Otto and the S-rank Valkyries posed real threats.
Where had this come from?
Then—
Glass shattered behind him.
A spear-like arrow pierced through the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Damn it!"
He rolled desperately.
The projectile blasted through the wall, leaving a crater large enough for a human head.
Kneeling on the floor, Number One stared at the gaping hole in disbelief.
"That was an arrow?!"
Was this even the same world?
"You still dare dodge?"
A voice sounded behind him.
The Tarnished had appeared silently at his back.
Crimson lightning gathered in his palm, condensing into twin spears.
In Number One's shrinking pupils, they grew larger and larger—
The lightning struck.
And in the same breath, the Tarnished raised Marika's Hammer and leapt.
"Die!"
Golden radiance collided with scarlet thunder.
The explosion bloomed like fireworks, lighting up the night sky in brilliant red and gold.