Erebos

Hollow Zero, Minerva District. The closer they came to the truth, the more dangerous it became.

The three-person team had set out from Scott Outpost and swept through everything in their path. Only as they were about to enter the depths of Hollow Zero did they finally come under attack.

Two Ethereals they had never seen before ambushed them. First, they "took care of" Griseo. Then they forced Hoshimi Miyabi and Ithaqua into a desperate fight.

Tremors beneath the ground drew near and faded, like two unseen currents weaving through the rubble and ruins.

Hoshimi Miyabi and Ithaqua stood back to back, both covered in wounds.

The two Rek'Sai showed remarkable combat intelligence. After each attack, they quickly burrowed underground and circled around, never lingering to fight. Dark-purple ripples of Ether Energy kept spreading across the ground; the moment Hoshimi Miyabi or Ithaqua moved, their positions would be exposed.

"Lady Hoshimi Miyabi, if this drags on, we're in serious danger!"

Ithaqua kept his voice low as he scanned the ground and reached his conclusion. He was an assassin by nature; a head-on fight was hardly his best option.

Especially when they knew so little about their enemies.

"These Ethereals are fighting with intelligence far beyond the known threshold. We need to create an opening ourselves!"

Hoshimi Miyabi's gaze sharpened as she channeled Ether Energy. Frost gathered along the Demon Blade in delicate patterns, then shattered and drifted toward the ground under Tailless's power.

"These Ethereals are highly intelligent. We'll only get one chance. Make it count!"

"Understood, Lady Hoshimi Miyabi!"

Hoshimi Miyabi leaped into the air and swung her blade downward. Frostfall descended with the slash, swallowing the ground below in an instant like a river of stars pouring from the sky.

Bang!

At the same time, the ground buckled