July 22, 10:20 p.m.
For Ajiro Shinpei and the shadows, this was the starting line.
Duanmu Huai's concern was not unfounded. After learning of Duanmu Huai's existence, the slain Shadow would inevitably hope to reload by killing Ajiro Shinpei, thereby giving itself more time to deal with Duanmu Huai, this sudden and formidable enemy. As for Duanmu Huai, he naturally did not want to be rolled back again—after fighting all the way to the boss's doorstep, only for the server to roll back and kick him straight out of the dungeon, there was nothing more infuriating.
While Duanmu Huai went searching for the boss's hometown, Ajiro Shinpei and the others who remained at the school were facing a problem of their own.
They could of course hide in the school and wait for Duanmu Huai to kill the boss, but...
"I'm worried they'll resort to desperate measures."
Ajiro Shinpei's expression was grim.
"We know what they're planning, and they now know that we have a powerful ally on our side. But the problem is—there's only one of him."
"You mean they might split off more shadows to attack and replace the other people in town?"
Minakata Hizuru immediately understood what Ajiro Shinpei meant, and he nodded.
"That's right. We all know how important the festival is to them. There will be more people at the festival than at any other time, and that thing can devour everyone at once through the festival to restore its strength. But now, I'm worried she might not be able to wait until the festival..."
"Whether you feast or nibble, you're still eating..."
"Exactly. Mr. Duanmu is indeed powerful, but that's precisely why Hado is more likely to choose a roundabout approach—after all, her goal is simply to eat enough people to gain strength. If