"You're durable, I'll give you that—the punch should've kept you down, yet you were still able to gather enough energy to blow me away with a gust of wind and get back up. For that, I'll give you your flowers, ANYACHI VELHEIM." Slayde says, smiling at her.
"I don't need validation from a bastard like you—my validation will come from the people of Estalcia when I bring your head." Anyachi replies, gripping her sword tighter.
"Then let's not waste any time, shall we."
"Yeah."
They both take their stances again, the air between them tightening as killing intent rises.
Meanwhile, Liah and Miura continue running toward the exit, their hands still locked together.
"You're sure we're heading the right way?" Miura asks, glancing at her while keeping pace.
"Yeah, I know this hall like the back of my hand." Liah replies, then looks down and notices their intertwined hands. Her face immediately flushes.
"Okay—but why does this hall have only one exit? That's a very stupid architectural design." Miura says, irritation creeping into his voice.
"Actually, there are two exits."
"Two? Where's the second one?"
"It's in the summoning hall. It's where THE FIVE SEATED leave through… it's inaccessible to others."
"Eh?! Why do they have their own personal exit? That's pretty unfair." Miura frowns.
"They're the backbone of the nation. At this point, they're practically royalty… that's why they have special privileges."
"Tch. I don't care if they're royalty—they should pass through our exit too. Let them know how frustrating it is." Miura says, raising his fist playfully.
"Pfft… ha." Liah lets out a small laugh.
Miura glances back at her and smiles.
"At least I can still make her laugh… I'm getting us out of here. I am." he thinks, tightening his grip slightly as they keep running.
Meanwhile, Selene continues her battle with Vicoe.
This time, Vicoe launches three times the barrage of needles toward her. Selene weaves through them, her movements precise, but her mind races.
"How many needles can he produce? He's been doing this for a while and still hasn't slowed down… I can't close the distance like this."
"She's dodging effortlessly… I'll need to change my approach." Vicoe thinks, then smirks.
"I know you're wondering how many needles I can produce."
Selene narrows her eyes.
"A million."
Her eyes widen slightly.
"But the number doesn't matter. If you keep dodging, I'll never bring you down… so I'll switch things up."
He raises his fists, assembling layers of needles around them.
"He's going for a direct approach… stacking needles to boost power, and placing specific ones at his knuckles to trigger effects on impact." Selene steadies her stance, gripping her star-shaped sword.
"Are you ready to witness ART in its purest form?" Vicoe grins and dashes forward.
He throws a right jab toward her face—Selene dodges.
A left follows instantly—she evades again and leaps into the air to counterattack.
Mid-air, her eyes catch something—
A needle embedded directly below her.
"Boom." Vicoe whispers.
"Shit!!"
The ground explodes beneath her. The blast catches her mid-air, sending her flying as she absorbs part of the impact.
"Yes!! That's the impact of my art… isn't it beautiful?!" Vicoe spreads his arms, euphoric.
As the smoke clears, Selene is seen pushing herself up, parts of her outfit scorched, her left arm bleeding and slightly burned.
"If the explosion had fully triggered before I landed… that would've been worse than this. Still hurts like hell." she thinks, clutching her arm.
"Your blood… so red, so beautiful. I want to see more." Vicoe drools.
Selene straightens, letting go of her arm and gripping her sword again.
"You're starting to piss me off, you freak!"
She bursts forward, leaping over the crater.
"Do you know how much one of these costs?!"
"Yes!! Come at me—I want to see you bleed more!!" Vicoe pulls his fist back, ready.
As Selene reaches him, instead of striking, she jumps above his head.
Vicoe pauses, confused.
"Release… Star Walker." Selene mutters.
Her sword dissolves into countless glowing stars, surrounding Vicoe.
"Your stars… beautiful… a true work of a—"
"And shine!!"
The stars erupt with blinding light.
"W-What is this?!" Vicoe shouts, momentarily blinded.
Selene capitalizes instantly. Her sword reforms in her hand mid-rush, and she slashes across his chest.
"What the—? That didn't go deep… something blocked it." she thinks, retreating.
Vicoe's vision begins to return. Instinctively, he flicks a needle at her—she dodges, but it grazes her cheek.
"One grazed me… my speed dropped because of the explosion. I used too much energy on that rush."
She pauses.
No effect.
"A dud? Then why—"
"Oh my, your art caught me off guard." Vicoe stands upright, his torn garment revealing his body.
Selene's eyes sharpen.
"No wonder…"
His entire body is layered with embedded needles, acting as armor—except for the spot she cut.
A shallow wound.
"Did you really think I wouldn't have inner protection?" Vicoe smirks.
Suddenly, Selene's body stiffens.
Her vision blurs.
Her limbs grow heavy.
"W-What's happening…?"
"You're not the only one full of surprises." Vicoe grins wider. "Looks like it's already kicking in."
Her eyes widen as realization hits.
"The needle… that grazed me—"
"I-It can't be…"
"Yes, it can." Vicoe steps forward slowly. "Your first mistake was assuming my needles only had three effects."
"W-What… th-there's m-more…?"
"One more." His grin stretches.
"A poison effect."
Selene's breathing becomes uneven, her stance weakening.
"The poison isn't fatal—but it can bring down anything it touches. Even without full penetration… two minutes is all I need."
He raises a combustion needle, aiming straight at her.
"And that's more than enough time to kill you."