The group moved through Tokyo Colony 2 in a loose formation.
Hakari led with Kirara beside him, casually guiding them through shifting terrain and cursed activity zones like he'd done it a hundred times before.
Yuta stayed alert at midline.
Ryu walked like he was bored but clearly wasn't missing anything.
Uro kept altitude slightly above them, eyes scanning constantly.
Takeru walked at the center—quiet, focused, thinking ahead instead of around.
Then he stopped.
"…We accelerate tracking."
Hakari glanced back.
"…You got a lead?"
Takeru raised a hand slightly.
Above them—
the sky warped.
A massive shadow unfolded.
Nue.
Its wings stretched wide, crackling faintly with cursed lightning.
Ryu tilted his head up.
"…That thing again?"
Yuta nodded slightly.
"…Megumi's shikigami."
Takeru corrected calmly.
"…Reproduced instance."
Nue hovered overhead, awaiting command.
Takeru pointed forward.
"…Locate Hajime Kashimo."
A beat.
Then Nue released a sharp electrical pulse—
and shot upward into the sky at impossible speed.
Kirara watched it disappear.
"…Search-type deployment. Efficient."
Hakari grinned.
"…We've got aerial recon now. Nice."
Ryu cracked his neck.
"…Lightning guy better be worth this."
Uro floated slightly higher.
"…He has to be strong if everyone is chasing him."
Yuta exhaled.
"…He is."
Takeru didn't respond immediately.
Instead—
he lowered his hand.
"…Ground advancement continues."
Hakari blinked.
"…You're still walking?"
Takeru nodded.
"…Yes."
Ryu smirked.
"…Of course you are."
They continued forward.
Step by step.
Through shifting cursed terrain.
Then—
the air changed.
A pressure spike.
Heavy.
Instinctual.
Kirara immediately narrowed her eyes.
"…Something's approaching."
Yuta's hand moved slightly toward his blade.
"…Fast."
Ryu grinned again.
"…Finally."
Uro turned slightly.
"…That's not Kashimo…"
Takeru paused.
Then spoke calmly.
"…No."
A beat.
The ground behind them cracked.
Something massive landed.
Dust exploded outward.
And in the settling silence—
a presence that didn't feel like any of them stood within range.
Ryu exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
A grin.
"…This is gonna be fun."
Hakari laughed.
"…We didn't even find him yet and we're already getting fights."
Yuta stepped forward slightly.
"…Stay ready."
Takeru looked ahead.
Calm.
Focused.
"…Confirmed."
Above them—
Nue's signal had already gone silent.
Meaning—
whatever came next—
was either unrelated…
or already too close.