Reindhardt clicked his tongue in annoyance as he watched the black muscle fibers and veins at the base of Hyonan's arm writhe violently, knitting the severed part back together in mere seconds. High-level regeneration. Something he always hated—because it meant he'd have to exert himself for more than five minutes.
"You're seriously ruining my nap schedule," Reindhardt muttered beneath his helmet, his voice heavy and mechanically distorted.
Hyonan roared again, the shockwave from its voice shattering the remaining glass along the second-floor corridor. The massive creature raised both of its fully regenerated arms, ready to crush Reindhardt into rubble.
But just before the attack could land, a sharp whistle sliced through the air.
SRAK! SRAK! SRAK!
Three violet energy arrows shot down from the rooftop of the academy's gymnasium, striking Hyonan's knee joints with deadly precision. Each impact triggered an explosive burst of energy, forcing the giant monster to drop to its knees with a thunderous crash.
"Target locked. Reindhardt, you look pathetic just standing there like a decorative statue."
A calm, cold voice came through the comm-link in Reindhardt's ear. It was Kaitlyn, the team's Marksman. From afar, atop a water tower, she stood tall, her bangs fluttering in the wind. A modified long-range rifle rested in her hands, her sharp eyes focused through a digital targeting scope behind her tactical glasses.
"Tch, you're late, Four-Eyes," Reindhardt replied, though there was a hint of relief in his tone.
"Hey, I'm not the only one who's late, you know!"
Suddenly, the ground in front of Reindhardt cracked open. A large-built teenager clad in the thickest armor imaginable dropped down from the academy's main building. He landed between Reindhardt and Hyonan, slamming a massive hexagonal shield into the ground.
BRAKK!!
It was Bima, the team's Tank.
"I'll hold off its rampage! You guys finish off the 'bleeding' part!" Bima shouted. Activating his Kinetic Barrier, he created a transparent wall that absorbed the full force of Hyonan's regenerated strike. The impact sent violent tremors through the area—but Bima didn't budge an inch.
At the same time, a shadow darted through the debris—so fast that no ordinary eye could track it.
"Left side's wide open," whispered a soft yet deadly voice.
Kenzia, the Assassin, appeared atop Hyonan's shoulder in an instant. Her slim, agile form moved like a dancer across the monster's body. With two high-frequency daggers in hand, she sliced through the tendons of Hyonan's neck in swift, silent motions. Black blood sprayed out, slowing its regeneration—the toxin injected by her blades disrupted its cellular recovery.
"Ranshia! Now!" Kenzia called, flipping backward gracefully before vanishing behind a pillar.
Ranshia, who had been assisting with evacuations, now stood beside Bima. No longer in her regular uniform, she wore her light SM armor, a short staff crackling with fire and electricity in her grasp.
"Reindhardt, get ready!" Ranshia shouted, raising her staff toward the sky.
"Combined Element: Plasma Burst!"
The previously clear sky darkened instantly. A crimson lightning bolt struck the tip of her staff, which she then directed straight at Hyonan's chest. The explosion of fire and electricity slammed into the monster, softening and weakening its hardened skin.
Reindhardt saw his chance.
This was perfect team coordination—something he always tried to avoid because it was "too troublesome." Still, he couldn't deny how effective it was.
"Alright, alright… let's finish this in one move," he muttered.
He positioned his black blade at his side, lowering his stance. Energy throughout his armor began to shift, flowing into the blade. The multicolored glow condensed into a single, blinding white light.
"Bima, clear the way!"
"Got it! Shield Bash!"
Bima slammed his shield forward, unleashing a shockwave that staggered Hyonan backward and threw it off balance.
Reindhardt moved.
His steps no longer touched the ground—he glided through the air, propelled by compressed energy. In a single breath, he was already in front of Hyonan's exposed core.
"...the wrath."
SREEEEET—BOOOOM!!!
With a single swing of his heavy blade, time seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, the massive body of Hyonan split cleanly into two.
Silence fell over the academy grounds.
Reindhardt stood at the center of a small crater. His sword shrank back into the form of a phone, while his armor dissolved into particles of light, leaving him in his slightly dusty academy uniform.
He let out a long sigh and rubbed his tired eyes.
"It's done, right? I'm going home," he muttered lazily, walking toward his bag lying in the corridor.
Kaitlyn and Kenzia dropped down from their positions, landing beside Ranshia.
"Still as lazy as ever," Kaitlyn remarked, wiping her glasses. She had been teammates with Ranshia and Reindhardt since middle school—innocent in nature, but always ready with a sarcastic jab.
Kenzia simply nodded, sheathing her daggers with calm elegance. She had known Reindhardt since childhood, always carrying herself with grace and poise.
"When are you ever going to take things seriously, Reindhardt?" Bima sighed. Despite his massive build, his heart was just as big—kind and full of spirit.
Ranshia walked up to him, her face slightly flushed.
"Hey! At least give a report to headquarters first, idiot!"
"Too much work… you do it, Ranshia. Just tell them their best Striker needs hibernation," Reindhardt replied without turning, casually waving his hand.
But inside his pocket, he tightly gripped Lyina's pendant.
His gaze lifted toward the distant sky of Neo Earth.
Hyonan are getting stronger… I have to find you soon, Lyina. Before this world truly falls apart.