An open area near the train station.
Belle, Hoshimi Aya, and a few others arrived here.
However, they did not see the Dead End Butcher; there were quite a few ordinary Etheralss.
"It's so open here. Is that big guy really here?"
Billy asked doubtfully while holding his dual pistols and surveying the surroundings.
"Didn't see the big guy, but there are quite a few little ones," Belle said, looking down at the crowd of Etheralss and Apekas.
"Let's take care of these first."
"After we finish them, we'll go look for him."
With that, Hoshimi Aya transformed into a streak of red light and charged down.
In the eyes of Belle and the others, a red light flashed past every single Etherals before Hoshimi Aya instantly returned to a spot not far in front of them.
Hoshimi Aya was in the motion of sheathing her blade, and the Etheralss behind her dissipated into ether energy.
"Such speed."
"She eliminated so many Etheralss in just a few seconds."
Anby exclaimed, admitting she couldn't match that speed.
"Alright, let's go down quickly too."
Belle said, walking toward the staircase leading down from another platform.
Jump down? Don't joke! It was four or five meters high!
Why jump so high for no reason? Better take the stairs nearby.
"I don't see that big guy around here either?"
Belle looked around, followed closely by Anby and Billy.
"Leave the Dead End Butcher to me later."
"You saw my strength just now."
"I am completely capable of taking it down by myself!" Hoshimi Aya said, looking toward Belle.
"... Are you sure?"
"I think it's better if you team up with us to stall that thing."
"Did you forget what Ling told you?"
Belle frowned, clearly dissatisfied with Hoshimi Aya's words.
"Fine..."
Hoshimi Aya slightly lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected.
Ling had indeed reminded her to cooperate with Belle and the others and not act impulsively.
"Deng deng, deng deng deng deng, deng deng deng deng!"
Anby suddenly started chanting rhythmically.
"Alright, let's search ahead."
Belle said, preparing to move forward to search.
Suddenly, a long spear shot down from the sky, aimed directly at Hoshimi Aya. Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya placed her hand on her sword hilt.
Clang!!
A massive sound of clashing metal rang out.
The incoming spear was flung away.
Hoshimi Aya's lips curved slightly as she returned her blade to its sheath.
"A bit impressive."
"It's coming!"
Hoshimi Aya looked toward where the spear came from. In the direction Hoshimi Aya was looking, a gigantic Bi-Hai was crouched on the rooftop.
It was the Dead End Butcher!
"Is it finally coming?"
"Everyone, get ready!"
Belle stood ready, holding her briefcase. Anby and Billy were the same.
Hoshimi Aya, however, appeared relatively relaxed. Although the current scene exerted immense pressure, Hoshimi Aya was confident she could hack the Dead End Butcher so badly that its own mother wouldn't recognize it within three strikes.
Just as the Dead End Butcher jumped down, Hoshimi Aya prepared to strike first before Belle and the others to inflict the second status effect.
Suddenly, as Hoshimi Aya placed her hand on her sword hilt, she felt a moment of dizziness, and her heartbeat seemed to slow by half a beat.
Simultaneously, the Nine-Tailed Fox floating beside Hoshimi Aya was forcibly pulled back into the demonic sword by the power within it.
Hoshimi Aya's entire body emitted black Fox Fire, and she looked very unwell.
Belle and the others also noticed something was wrong with Hoshimi Aya.
"Anby, Billy, you two hold that big guy off first!"
"I'll check on the Dumb Fox to see what's wrong!"
With that, Belle ran to Hoshimi Aya's side. But as Belle tried to touch Hoshimi Aya, the black Fox Fire emanating from her body was so intensely cold that she quickly withdrew her hand.
The black Fox Fire, although shaped like flames, was piercingly, bone-chillingly cold!
"Hey! Dumb Fox, what's wrong with you?!"
"How can I help you!"
Belle asked anxiously, looking at Hoshimi Aya.
Hoshimi Aya's current state was clearly very wrong; she looked like she was struggling intensely!
Hoshimi Aya didn't hear Belle's words. The voice of the Nine-Tailed Fox from before echoed in her ears.
Hoshimi, have you forgotten?
Only power can distinguish good from evil!
Only power can sever karma and eliminate the strong!
Come on! Don't hesitate!
Slash! Draw your sword!
Unleash the strike you are proudest of!
Let them witness your peerless blow!
"Ni... Belle!"
"Quickly take Anby and the others and leave here!"
"I can't... I can't control myself much longer!"
Hoshimi Aya clutched her head in pain; this time the feeling was much stronger than before.
"What!!"
"How could this happen!"
"Anby, Billy, let's retreat!"
"If we don't leave now, it'll be too late,"
Belle shouted back.
Upon hearing this, Anby and Billy created distance between themselves and the Dead End Butcher and returned to Belle's side.
"Boss Belle, what about Aya?"
Billy asked.
"There's no time right now!"
"If we don't go now, it will be too late. We'll retreat first to find Ling."
"And ask her if there's any way to stop the Dumb Fox."
With that, Belle ran in the direction they came from.
Anby and Billy nodded upon hearing this and followed Belle.
After confirming Belle and the others had left, Hoshimi Aya had no more worries and could no longer suppress the urge to go berserk. Her mind instantly lost control!
Gradually, a massive phantom of a Nine-Tailed Fox appeared behind Hoshimi Aya, and Hoshimi Aya's eyes turned completely pitch black, emitting a terrifying aura.
Without Anby and Billy delaying it, the Dead End Butcher shifted its target to the out-of-control Hoshimi Aya and leaped toward her, spear in hand.
As for Hoshimi Aya's condition? The Dead End Butcher wasn't human. Any creature with a little bit of intelligence should have known to turn around and run!
Instead of this heroic charge, a leap of faith!...
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