Someone once said that you could trust the light as much as you liked, but the light might just strangle you.
Eri's encouragement lifted her companions' spirits.
But when the first round of eliminations ended,
only Zero Returner, Eri, and Artoria remained from their Above the Upper Realm.
Just as Alex Mercer had said, everyone else was eliminated without much ability to fight back.
Inside the preparation room, the three looked at one another.
"The second round is a team battle. Every Above the Upper Realm is one team."
Zero Returner said, "Only three of us are left, but we still have a chance to win based on strength. Let's each introduce our trump cards first."
Artoria held her sword in both hands. "I used to be a Heroic Spirit, with A-rank strength and speed. I'm not anymore... This unused Excalibur is my ultimate move."
Eri raised her transformation device. "I can become light."
Strings of data flashed through Zero Returner's eyes. Discovering that both the sword and transformation device were merely made of planetary-grade materials, he abandoned the idea of cooperating with them.
"When we go onstage, use your trump cards directly. Try to be somewhat useful."
The second round began.
Zero Returner's team encountered a team mostly made up of Mutants.
Their opponents came from an Above the Upper Realm under Annihilation.
Their strongest member was Jean Grey, who cultivated the Gene System.
She had already gained an initial grasp of the Phoenix Force.
As soon as the match began,
Zero Returner, standing in the center position, was invaded mentally by Jean Grey before he could activate his rule-based weapons. He fell to the ground with a thud and died.
Artoria seized the chance to rush forward, punching every member of the Mutants' side once and clearing the