Under the chilly moonlight, even the lifeless steel towers seemed draped in a thin veil.
But that hazy light only divided the shadows into layers of varying depth, making the distant darkness all the more unnerving.
Among the shifting shadows, even the wind's howl seemed to rise from underground.
Stiyl instinctively pulled his coat tighter around himself and muttered.
"We're almost at the Core Zone now... this should do."
After entering the Blue Dream Company's territory, he had split up with Kanzaki Kaori.
In a hostage rescue like this, his physical abilities could never keep pace with Kanzaki Kaori, a Saint. Staying together would only slow her down.
Besides, considering the tremendous destructive power of the magic he specialized in, acting alone gave Stiyl more freedom to cut loose.
And so, given that they would be discovered no matter what.
They had settled on an impromptu strategy: he would create a disturbance to draw attention while Kanzaki Kaori took the opportunity to search for Index.
"O flame..."
Stiyl tossed away the cigarette butt in his hand, which still held a trace of warmth, then casually swung his arm.
The next moment, scorching flames leaped up around him, spilling out and churning before becoming a Flame Sword held in his hand.
"Now I just need to make a little noise..."
Since he had no real desire to attack the Blue Dream Company, Stiyl had not entered any towers that might contain important information.
But a disturbance of this scale would be enough to draw all the surrounding attention.
With that thought, Stiyl raised his Flame Sword and swung it as he chanted.
Blazing sword light tore through the night in a continuous volley.
However-
"Beep. Hostile intent detected. Unauthorized intruder in Area Two. Assessed as possessing level-one power. Provide immediate support."