Chichibu Hills Region, Japan
Wusshhhh~
The winter wind blows fiercely, carrying drifting snowflakes that slowly blanket the frozen ground of Chichibu.
KREKKKK!
The creaking sound of Diana's crushed car echoes painfully from the depths of the ravine, resonating among the dark trees.
"Gerhhh…"
At the edge of the cliff, a three-meter-tall Urqell stands upright. Its massive body is covered in bulging muscle fibers, looking terrifying under the moonlight. The creature remains still, its cold gaze fixed on the wrecked car sinking deeper into the darkness.
The monster raises its wrist, pressing a communicator device to send a confirmation report of the target's death. But just before it can turn its body–
"Oi... Ugly!"
A familiar mocking voice echoes from behind. The Urqell turns calmly, its gaze filled with satisfaction, as if it has been waiting for this clash between predators.
There, Diana floats low across the road. Near her, Rika and Riko remain safe, enclosed within a dense Sunya-Graha barrier. The faces of the two children appear calm, without a single wound or bruise, despite having just plunged into the ravine.
***
Meanwhile, far ahead along the roads of Chichibu.
"I SAID STOP!" Zulo roared in fury, his hoarse voice pressing Hiji to slam on the ambulance brakes.
"U… Uncle Hiji, we have to help Diana!" Kaito stammered, his entire body trembling as his worry reached its peak.
"And Rika and Riko are there too!" Sanna added, her voice breaking as she struggled to hold back tears on the verge of bursting.
"No," Hiji replied shortly. His face remained flat, as if untouched by the drama behind him.
"Y… you bastard! Let me out!" Zulo snapped. He tried to climb past the cabin barrier, forcing his way toward the driver's seat with explosive emotion.
"Fool… stop," Hiji said coldly.
"If you're too much of a coward to help them, then let me get out!" Zulo glared sharply at Hiji, his hand reaching to seize the steering wheel by force.
"Stop acting like an idiot… Do you think that girl is as weak as you imagine? Right now, Jōgan is the one in danger, and he's the one we must save." Hiji said with absolute certainty.
"B… but Diana and the others?" Kaito asked, tears now streaming heavily down his cheeks.
"They'll survive. Never underestimate a soldier of the Maja Kingdom." Hiji said. His gaze remained locked straight ahead on the road, ignoring all protests for the sake of a greater mission.
Hiji pressed the gas pedal deeper. His expression turned intensely serious.
"All of you, hold on!" he ordered firmly, glancing sharply toward the hillside at the edge of the road through the mirror.
On the hills above, a massive monster resembling a Yeti came into view. The creature leapt wildly from one mound of earth to another, chasing the ambulance at an impossible speed.
"What is that? Another Urqell?" Zulo asked, now seated in the passenger seat beside the driver.
"Yes. A Qarr Urqell," Hiji answered briefly.
Brugh~Brugh~Brugh…
The pounding footsteps of the Qarr Urqell struck the ground, sending vibrations that reached deep into the cabin.
"Q… Qarr Urqell? What kind is that now? Hic…" Kaito asked hoarsely, tears still pooling in his eyes.
"A Beta Urqell… the subordinate of an Alpha Urqell," Hiji replied, calm and focused as he controlled the wheel.
"Qurr Urqell, Qarr Urqell, Beta, Alpha… whatever! Why are there so many types?!" Zulo snapped, his expression tangled between frustration and tension.
KREEEEKK~GRAK!
The sound of a massive chunk of rock being torn from its roots rang out painfully. The Qarr Urqell lifted the enormous boulder, its muscles creaking under the strain.
WUSSHHHH!
The rock shot through the air, slicing across the snow toward the ambulance that was being pushed to its limit.
"Bastard…!" Zulo roared in fury. His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, seeing death hurtling straight toward them.
"Hahhh… We're dead! We're really dead!" Kaito screamed hysterically through sobs. Both his hands clutched tightly to the sides of the stretcher, struggling together with Sanna to keep Jōgan from being thrown as the vehicle shook violently.
NGIIIIIIIII~!
Hiji yanked the steering wheel with an extreme motion. The ambulance tires screeched as the body of the vehicle swerved sharply.
BOOMMM!
The massive rock slammed into the asphalt just inches from the rear bumper, sending an explosion of gravel raining against the windows. But the monster did not stop.
WUSHH~WUSHH~WUSHH!
The Qarr Urqell kept throwing relentlessly. The rocks streaked through the air like falling meteors.
"Can't you just stop, you damn bastard?!" Zulo shouted, his voice filled with emotion and fear as he watched the rain of rocks crashing toward the ambulance.
NGIIIIIIIII~KREEKKK!
Hiji remained calm, his face as cold as ice behind the wheel. He controlled the gas and brake pedals with precision, dodging each attack.
BOMM~BRAGH~DOMM!
The impacts of the rocks destroyed everything around them, the asphalt cracking apart, guardrails bending, even the hillside collapsing under the massive weight.
Brugh~Brugh~Brugh…
With rapid leaps, the Qarr Urqell closed the distance. Its gigantic shadow now loomed over the rear window of the ambulance. The monster was right behind them.
"Old man! It's behind us! What do we do?!" Zulo urged, his voice hoarse with panic.
"There's a secret weapon in my bag," Hiji replied calmly without taking his eyes off the road. He gestured with his chin toward the black sling bag on the passenger seat.
Swiftly, Zulo reached into the bag and…!
"W-what is this…?! Old man, are you kidding me?! This is Rika's toy, huh?!" Zulo shouted, his face filled with irritation. In his hand, he held a small, bright pink pistol. He shot a sharp glare at Hiji beside him, demanding an explanation.
"Fool… Never judge a thing... by its cover." Hiji replied flatly.
"Tch… Whatever!" Zulo gritted his teeth, having no other choice.
Zulo slid open the side window, letting the wind and snow lash against his face. He aimed the "toy" pistol straight at the chest of the Qarr Urqell, which was already preparing to strike. With rising hesitation, he pulled the trigger.
Click.
DUARRR~NGINGG!
Not an ordinary bullet. A massive burst of energy erupted from the muzzle of the tiny pistol, followed by a high-frequency hum that pierced the ears. A blinding pink light shot forward, cutting through the pull of gravity.
BRUAKKKKK!
The blast struck the Qarr Urqell's shoulder with force powerful enough to bring down a building. The monster was thrown back, its massive body sent flying far away, tumbling across the asphalt like a helpless crumpled ball.
"Ohh… That's awesome…" Kaito and Zulo said almost at the same time. Their eyes gleamed as they witnessed the effect of the shot from their respective positions.
Hiji wasted no time. He pressed the gas pedal down again, pushing through the wind and snow that now fell even heavier, blanketing the road in a thick white veil.
"Yeahh…!" Kaito cheered, raising his fist into the air, celebrating their success.
"Honorable Uncle… let me keep this, yeah?" Zulo asked, offering the pink pistol with both hands in a respectful gesture, hoping Hiji would allow him to keep the weapon.
"In your dreams," Hiji replied shortly, cold and without the slightest room for argument.
"Ha… thank goodness we're free, and Jōgan is fine as wel–" Before Sanna could finish her relieved sentence, the atmosphere shifted in an instant.
"Chi…!" Hiji clicked his tongue.
In an instan, Hiji slammed the brakes with all his strength, the tires screaming wildly. By reflex, he formed a half-triangle symbol with his index finger and thumb.
"Barrier Vese–"
BOOMMMHH~KRAKKK…!
Before the protective veil could fully form, the Qarr Urqell landed with a devastating impact right in front of the ambulance. The force of its massive body shattered the asphalt, creating a violent shockwave that lifted the rear of the vehicle into the air.