Phrolova's Resentment

A massive pillar of light surged forward. The entire Hidden Sea training ground shook, collapsed, and crumbled to ruin!

Scar and Christopher, directly in its path, trembled to their cores.

"Can we withstand it?"

"We'll die!"

Just then, at the most critical moment, space split open again. A withered hand reached out and pressed toward the lightning.

The Rover reacted instantly.

Second-Class Reiatsu, far stronger than any Fractsidus Overseer.

A more powerful leader of the Fractsidus had appeared.

Could it be the legendary leader himself?

In an instant, the lightning exploded, blasting the withered hand to pieces, but it was stopped in the end.

Light flashed, and everything before them vanished. Scar and Christopher had been rescued, Phrolova was nowhere to be seen, and the Threnodian gem had likewise disappeared.

"Mission complete. Obtained a one-use Fullbring card. When necessary, you may choose to use any Fullbring."

The familiar voice rang out in the Rover's mind. Immediately afterward, a glittering card fell into his hand.

"Righteous one..."

Klephin's voice came from afar.

The black tide receded from his body, revealing his true self.

"Do you have any last words?"

Looking at the bishop who had reached the end of his road, the Rover could not help feeling somewhat moved.

Through the cycles of the tides, he could not choose how to live, but he could choose to die with dignity and redemption in his heart.

Some people really ought to learn a thing or two from him.

"Righteous one, I ask you to save the souls of Rinascita and free them from the Threnodian's grasp. And Septimont, a place far removed from the faith, needs someone to guide it, to save it. I hope you can..."

"I understand. Do you still want to return to the church?"

Klephin's gaze was calm as he slowly shook his head.

"Just as green bamboo stands tall against a fierce hailstorm, I too shall remain here and drive out all evil. Even if my body perishes, I shall leave behind hope and redemption..."

As his words fell, the bishop turned into a statue, fulfilling his promise.

"Rover..."

Abu appeared, excitement on his face, as lovable as ever.

"You're so strong! You took care of those three in just a few moves!"

Suddenly, he broke off, and his expression grew a little dejected.

"Too bad they still took the gem. If only I were stronger, then..."

"You've got it wrong, Abu. It's not that I'm strong—it's that we're strong together, okay? Don't forget, we're partners forever!"

The Rover gave him a thumbs-up, his golden eyes shining, his expression utterly serious and sincere.

Those very eyes had haunted countless people's dreams.

Even an Echo could not help falling for them.

Solaris's succubus lived up to his reputation!

"I knew it! You're the best to me, Echo!"

Abu was instantly cheered up. He moved behind the Rover and rested both hands on his shoulders, just as he always did.

"Even though we're the best partners, if I had some fighting power, I could help you more."

Just then, the familiar voice rang out in his mind at just the right time.

"New mission: give Phrolova hope. Mission reward: an object serving as the foundation for Fullbring, capable of awakening Fullbring abilities in anything."

"Would an Echo work too?"

"Naturally!"

As soon as the voice fell silent, the Hidden Sea Trial Grounds suddenly began collapsing faster. Amid the broken walls and ruins, a bright red Other Shore Flower stood out.

Abu went over and sniffed it carefully.

"This frequency is connected to a space, and it's alive. It's very weak, but it has the rhythm of life, exactly like Phrolova!"

"The Lost Shore? She fused with it. In that case, she really is still alive."

Amid the haze, a butterfly fluttered up and circled the Rover. It was pitch-black all over and gave off the scent of the netherworld.

A Hell Butterfly!

In Bleach, it served as a guidepost for departed souls and could open a path to the Soul Society.

Now, the butterfly beat its wings and flew straight into the Other Shore Flower.

The space behind it expanded and revealed itself, becoming a broken door.

The doorway stood wide open, unobstructed, and led to the Beyond.

The Beyond was mysterious, yet it had left an entrance here. It was almost like an invitation.

"Could it be a trap?"

Abu blinked his big eyes and asked cautiously.

"Let's go in first."

Without hesitation, the Rover stepped through the doorway.

"Get out!"

The voice reached him before he saw its owner.

Fury mingled with grievance in it, almost as though she were venting. Even the Rover was caught off guard by a tremendous repulsive force and sent flying back out!

Abu's eyes widened. He was certain now: there was danger inside, where a furious woman lay in wait.

"Open the door, Phrolova. I know you're in there."

"You treacherous, despicable, shameless bastard! You ambush people, stab them in the back, and trick girls! Why should I open the door for you?"

The Rover did not give up. He braced himself against the door. Getting in had been easy just now, but at this moment, a tremendous force was pushing him back, keeping him from getting in at all.

"If you don't open the door, I'll force my way in!"

"Force your way in? Fine, come on! Force your way in! Isn't force what you're best at? And that lousy sword of yours—if you've got what it takes, use it to dig! Dig as hard as you can and break my door open!"

"It's not like it's the first time anyway. You've got experience, you're so capable, you're ruthless—come on!"

"Whoa... that's a lot of resentment!"

Frightened, Abu grabbed the hem of the Rover's clothes.

"Why don't we leave? Now that I think about it, we don't absolutely have to go through this door, do we?"

Before he had finished speaking, an unmistakable sound of heavy breathing came from behind the door, as though someone were struggling to suppress her anger.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Giving up already? And you call yourself a savior. You can't even deal with a lousy door!"

The Rover and Abu looked at each other, learning for the first time what it meant to be at a loss.

This Phrolova had been single-minded before, and now she was blocked at both ends!

"What do we do?"

"We'll use our wits. Watch me!"

The Rover cleared his throat, his tone solemn.

"Phrolova, you're in too deep. What if the path you're pursuing never existed in the first place!"

"It exists!"

The voice came through the crack in the door, the words ground out in textbook fashion. The speaker must have been clenching her fists, struggling to suppress the urge to resort to violence.

"All right, perhaps it really does exist. As it happens, I also have an extremely feasible idea. I was going to tell you about it, but since you're not interested, I'll be off!"

With that, the Rover immediately turned around and prepared to leave.

Just then, a pair of slender hands reached out from the door and seized him by the neck faster than he could react.

"Get in here!"

"Witch, let go of the Rover!"

Abu shouted and plunged in after him.

A moment later...

No one noticed that after the two entered, a deep blue butterfly, carrying a scarlet camellia in its mouth, fluttered into the Beyond.

A silent storm was brewing!

Conflict was about to begin!