Estridth (Kael):(Thought) He's on the rooftop. I won't let him escape.
He unleashes a barrage against the wall and moments later, massive overgrown tree roots erupted along the edges of the rooftop, sealing off every possible escape route.
From the ground below, Diego (Estridth) could see the roots spreading across the roof. She immediately realized what it meant.
They had cornered him.
Estridth (Kael) and Kael (Diego) pushed the door open and stepped onto the rooftop — but no one was there.
Estridth (Kael): It's impossible for him to escape. He must be hiding somewhere. Diego, check your flank.
Kael (Diego): On it.
The tension grew suffocating. This was no longer a chase — it had become a close-quarters hunt.
While Kael scanned his side of the rooftop, a faint, dying voice suddenly called out to him.
"Kael…"
He turned around.
What he saw froze his blood.
Diego had aged horribly fast. His body looked shriveled and lifeless, as though decades had passed in mere seconds. His skin sagged, his posture collapsed, and his eyes looked dull and hollow.
Dr. Victor: Aging and death… the natural course every human must face. Some have tried to escape it… but it always ends in failure.
Estridth(Kael) slowly lifted his head.
Above them, Dr. Victor stood balanced upon a thin cable, his posture perfectly steady, as if gravity itself obeyed him.
Dr. Victor: Why did you search for me when you could have simply walked away? You could have left me alone… and carried on with your duties like proper heroes.
Estridth (Kael): You should be the one preparing to face justice. Despite being a doctor, you take human lives for your own benefit!
Dr. Victor calmly stepped down from the cable, landing lightly on the rooftop.
Dr. Victor: Hm? You sound like a child. Or… are you a child? Now, you've certainly caught my attention… and my interest.
Victor suddenly charged toward Estridth (Kael), attempting to reach out and touch him.
Estridth (Kael) prepared to counter the attack, but a sudden thought struck him — it might be a trap.
He immediately withdrew and moved toward Kael (Diego) instead.
Queen Bee's physical strength and speed far exceeded his own. Knowing this, Kael realized he wasn't at a complete disadvantage in this confrontation.
However, Kael (Diego) would not last long in his current condition.
Estridth (Kael) knew that.
Without hesitation, he decided to use the last of their remaining water.
But the moment he pulled the bottle from his pocket, his heart sank.
Estridth (Kael): It can't be… our remaining water… it's gone.
He inspected the bottle more closely.
Bullet holes.
Estridth (Kael):(thought) I see… when he fired that pistol earlier, the bullet must have pierced through my jacket and struck the bottle. How could I have been so careless…?
Sensing Estridth's (Kael's) momentary hesitation, Victor immediately rushed forward.
But before he could close the distance, a blue-tipped arrow suddenly fell from the sky and struck the rooftop, splitting into multiple directions upon impact.
The arrows scattered across the area, creating a wide zone of disruption.
Diego (Estridth) had switched to her scattering arrow technique, deliberately creating an opening for Estridth (Kael).
She understood perfectly how Victor's ability worked.
Just like Estridth (Kael) did.
The arrowheads scattered in multiple directions—some toward Victor, others even toward Estridth (Kael). He immediately shielded Kael (Diego) from the incoming fragments. Once the arrows embedded themselves into his body, Estridth (Kael) transformed them into parts of his own flesh, effectively neutralizing the damage.
When the remaining fragments landed near Victor, Estridth (Kael) transformed them into scorpions.
Victor swiftly crushed them, but in the process his ID card slipped from his pocket and slid across the rooftop, stopping near Estridth (Kael). With that single glance, Estridth (Kael) was able to identify his name.
At the same time, Kael breathed life into the empty bottle. It began to transform into a plant, its vines rapidly growing while Estridth (Kael) engaged Victor head-on.
Estridth (Kael) avoided moving too quickly, as his skin had already begun to dry.
However, his life-creation ability granted him a crucial advantage.
He transformed small sections of the rooftop into roots, setting traps that could cause Victor to stumble. At the same time, he altered his jacket into thorny vines to defend himself against Victor's attacks.
By the time the bottle's transformation was complete, Estridth (Kael) reverted his jacket to normal and rushed back toward Diego.
He cracked open the large spherical fruit that had grown from the bottle.
A watermelon.
Estridth (Kael) knew that over ninety percent of a watermelon consists of water. He could have grown tomatoes instead, but they would contain only a small fraction of the water he needed.
After splitting the fruit open, he poured the water over Kael (Diego).
Color quickly returned to Kael's (Diego's) body as the aging effect was temporarily nullified.
Estridth (Kael) allowed himself a brief moment of relief—
—but it lasted only a second.
Victor suddenly closed the distance and drove his knee directly into Estridth's (Kael's) face, before kicking Kael (Diego) down just as he had regained consciousness.
Dr. Victor: I've grown tired of your schemes… and your stubbornness.
He grabbed Estridth (Kael) and dragged him toward the edge of the rooftop.
Estridth (Kael) struggled to resist, but Dr. Victor kept him directly in front of him and launched a relentless barrage of attacks.
Estridth (Kael) had no choice but to block and defend himself, unable to mount any meaningful counter.
Dr. Victor: You can die with your ideals… and fall like all the others I've dealt with!
With a powerful strike, Victor delivered a devastating punch that sent Estridth (Kael) flying off the edge of the building.
But then—
Time suddenly stopped.
Diego (Estridth) raised her bow and took aim.
Diego (Estridth): Alright, Kael. That position will do. After this shot… I won't be able to help you anymore. The rest is up to you.
She released a single arrow.
When time resumed, the consequence was immediate.
Her arms rapidly withered.
That brief movement, executed within a fraction of a second, pushed the aging effect to its maximum intensity, causing her arms to shrivel almost instantly.
The arrow pierced through Estridth's (Kael's) hand.
But it served its purpose.
Using the arrow as a conduit, Estridth (Kael) created a massive tree root that extended outward and anchored itself to the edge of the building.
Estridth (Kael): Merci, Estridth. I will definitely finish our mission.
With that, Kael charged straight toward Victor.
Dr. Victor: You idiot! My ability also works through contact.
Victor touched the root that Estridth (Kael) was using. The moment his hand made contact, the root began to decay rapidly. It snapped apart, and Estridth (Kael) started falling.
But before he could drop completely, Estridth (Kael) kicked a fragment of the broken root upward.
Dr. Victor: You lost! Enjoy your trip to hell! Hahaha…!
Then something small and hard shot toward Victor's back at tremendous speed.
The impact forced him to cancel the effects of his ability.
Estridth (Kael): Bien! Good thing Diego caught on to my idea. When I kicked that piece of wood, I transformed it back into the arrow's tip. Then Diego erased the air and space between it and Victor, making it move like a bullet.
Estridth (Kael) grabbed onto the edge of the building and pulled himself back up.
When he climbed onto the rooftop, he saw Victor lying motionless on the ground while Kael (Diego) stood upright, seemingly recovered.
Kael (Diego): Y-you did it!
Estridth (Kael): Wait. It's too early to celebrate. I might be paranoid, but… his name was Dr. Victor, right? You're pretending to be dead, aren't you? If you move, I will finish you. To be honest, I have a fractured jaw, a fractured femur, three shattered ribs, and a dislocated shoulder. But my codename is Obli—no… QueenBee. Though my range is short, I can reach you in no time. What are you going to do? I'm starting to move up now.
Estridth (Kael) slowly began climbing upward.
Suddenly, Victor stood up.
Dr. Victor: Stop right there! I've got your friend as a hostage!
At that moment, Kael (Diego) felt something wrap around his legs. When he looked down, he realized it was Victor's severed left arm gripping him.
Almost instantly, Kael (Diego) began aging at an insane speed and collapsed.
Dr. Victor: While you were yapping all that nonsense, I severed my arm and led you right into my trap. Now, don't move, because I'm going to kill you. And if you do move, I'll kill your friend. You've lost! Hahaha—augh!
Victor suddenly felt something crack near his chest. In that instant, he realized something was moving inside his body.
Estridth (Kael): It's true. I kept yapping. I talked just to buy time—enough time for the arrow fragment inside your body to transform… into a mantis shrimp.
They can punch extremely hard underwater—hard enough to generate force equivalent to a .22-caliber bullet—enough to shatter your ribcage like glass.
Dr. Victor: But… you said… you'd spare me… if I didn't… m-move…
Estridth (Kael): Oh please. Did you really think you'd be that lucky? A piece of trash like you?
The insult ignited Victor's fury. His wounded pride drove him forward in one last desperate charge.
But Estridth (Kael) stood unmoved.
The moment Victor entered his reach, Estridth (Kael) exploded into motion.
His fists blurred into a storm.
The first punch slammed into Victor's abdomen, compressing the air from his lungs so violently that his body folded inward like paper.
The second strike crashed into his ribs, sending a shock through his entire frame as several bones cracked under the pressure.
Another blow snapped his head sideways, blood spraying from his mouth as his vision spun.
Then another.
And another.
Estridth's (Kael's) fists rained down like a relentless hailstorm, each strike landing faster than the last. Victor's body jerked violently with every impact—his ribs buckling, his muscles tearing, his bones groaning under the brutal force.
The barrage grew faster and heavier, like a machine gun of flesh and bone.
Victor's body was driven backward step by step, every punch hammering deeper into him until his knees finally buckled.
The final blow crashed into his chest with crushing force.
Victor was hurled to the ground, his body skidding across the surface before coming to a lifeless stop.
Without wasting time, Estridth (Kael) secured the restraining band around Victor's wrist. The moment it locked in place, the abnormal aging effect ceased, and everyone's condition began returning to normal.
Diego (Estridth): You guys are always full of crazy ideas. I've got to admit though… you did more than I expected.
Estridth (Kael): Nah… it was our teamwork.
Kael (Diego): Have you guys realized something?
Estridth (Kael): Like what?
All: Stomachs growl.
Diego (Estridth): Well… there's an exotic restaurant nearby. How about it?
Estridth (Kael): Sounds good to me. Let's go then.
Back at Zerathos' lair, a woman knelt before him.
Woman: I did what you asked. Now please… release my brother.
Zerathos glanced at Susan. She nodded silently.
Zerathos: Rest assured, I am a man of my word. Phoenix, fetch her brother.
One of the female Dark Knight, undeniably a Superior Dark Knight, Phoenix formed the same cyan-colored hexagonal sigil in her palm. A moment later, a small boy appeared beside the woman, pulled forward by the glowing sign.
The siblings immediately embraced, reuniting in warm relief. The sister gently checked her brother, making sure he was unharmed.
Zerathos: You know… you would make a valuable asset if you joined us. We could provide everything you and your brother need.
Woman: That is… a very generous offer. But I must humbly decline. I only wish to live peacefully with my brother.
Zerathos: I see… I understand. But—
He slowly stood and began walking toward them.
Zerathos: —I cannot allow you to know this place… can I?
He placed a finger on the woman's forehead. Instantly, she collapsed to the ground.
He did the same to the little boy. Turning to Phoenix, he calmly instructed her to transport them back to their own city.
Susan gasped at what she had just witnessed.
Susan: Did you… kill them?
Zerathos: What? No, no, no. I have my own morals, Susan. I merely erased their memories of this place and put them to sleep. I'm not a monster, Susan. I need everyone in my legion… to build the perfect world.
Susan: No… it's just that… I'm glad they're okay.
Susan wandered through the lair for a moment before suddenly encountering Adam standing at a corner. She tried to pass him, but—
Adam: Wouldn't it be unfortunate if the Boss found out about your daughter? He'd be heartbroken after hearing all those lies about you being single.
Susan: Wouldn't it also be unfortunate if the Boss learned that you abandoned your allies and fled the fight?
Adam: You don't tell him anything.
Susan: Then shut your fucking mouth.
Unfortunately, Zerathos overheard their conversation from a distance.
Zerathos: (thought) And here I thought I knew everything about her. Fascinating. Now, I want to see this 'daughter' of hers.
The restaurant workers woke Kael and the others, telling them they had fallen asleep.
When they were fully awake, they realized they had returned to their own bodies.
Estridth: Finally! I've got my own body back!
Kael: I was seriously worried we'd have to stay like that forever.
Relieved and hungry, they ate their fill. Once satisfied, they prepared to leave.
Estridth had to return home to look after her son, as she had been away for far too long. Kael understood, and they exchanged their goodbyes before parting ways.
As they walked, Kael noticed Diego frowning quietly for some time.
Kael: What's the matter, Diego? Something bothering you?
Diego: It's nothing, man. Really… it's nothing.
Kael: Come on. You can tell me. We're friends.
Diego sighed.
Diego: I missed her, man… I missed Charlie.
Kael smiled reassuringly.
Kael: Don't worry, dude. It won't be long now.