???: I'll solve any problem for you, master.
???: Would you like me to break your creditor's neck? Or seduce a politician? I will obey your every command.
???: As ... As long as ...
She lowers her head again, clenching her hands tightly.
???: As long as you allow me to have a little bit of fresh.
She appears calm yet frail and needy.
The believer approaches her slowly. As she sees him, a look of joy comes over her face.
Cellar Guardian: roars Kill ... Kill them ...
???: That's it? Oh, I see. I've done countless jobs like this.
???: But could you be more specific? Who are "them"?
Cellar Guardian: Them ...!
Before the burly believer can speak, a sudden elbow knocks him to the ground, kicking up a swirl of dust.
Cellar Guardian: Urgh!
J: You alright, lady?
He reaches out but is met with a frustrated sound of rejection.
???: ...
She lifts her chin, gazing up sharply at the newcomer.
???: What do you think you're doing? Our conversation was finally getting somewhere.
Cellar Guardian: roars Them. Kill them!
The voice pierces her ears, his words putting an awaited stamp on their contract.
???: As you wish, master.
She lifts her hands in a passionless machine-like motion.
J: What?!
The Bowie knife slides against her crimson spike, producing a shrieking clamor.
His blade shatters in an instant—pieces splintering and slicing across his cheek.
J: ?!
His work reduced to nothing in an effortless moment.
???: Hmm? I thought one blow would do it.
???: There's no need to struggle. I am a merciful hunter. When I penetrate your skull with this needle, you'll die quickly. You'll hardly suffer.
???: Or would you rather I use a more ancient method? I could extract your spine and store it in a jar of formalin.
In the distance, the roaring of another motorcycle covers their voices.
Hollick: J! She insisted on coming! She wouldn't take no for an answer!
Matilda: Of course! This is Matilda's order! What are you still doing here? We have captured all the peddlers and believers in the lair. Everyone's waiting for you!
Matilda: Did you catch the Apostle? He's crucial to our investigation.
???: ...
J: Move!
Hollick: ?!
Matilda: Umbra Umbo!
J: Phew. You freaked me out, Frenchie. For a second there, I thought I'd have to rush you to the hospital.
Matilda: Hmph! My arcane skill exam scores are second to none! Of course I can deal with such a simple trick!
Yet J blocks her eager attempt.
J: No. Matilda, Hollick, I need you to go and get all the arcanists who can still fight.
He leans forward, his gaze never shifting from the peculiar girl.
She looks out wearily at the crowd growing in front of her.
???: I'm just trying to carry out my master's order. Don't waste my time.
???: Hmm?
A hand grasps her wrist.
Cellar Guardian: roars Use ... this.
Cellar Guardian: Kill them.
Thick, swirling smoke rises from the familiar incense burner.
Red mist sprawls out around it.
???: Oh, this will be useful. Thank you for your help. Now then.
Matilda: The smell! It's the Mandrake incense Ms. Mercuria used! With this density, we'll be unconscious within a minute!
She raises her hand to her face, trying to cover her nose.
Matilda: Cover your mouth and nose! Try and stay awake!
However, J makes no effort to shield himself.
His abdomen is painted in crimson red, and his every movement is bought with intense pain.
Hollick: J, are you okay?
J: I'm fine. It's nothing.
J: Good thing is the pain's kept me awake, and I can still move my arms.
In little time, the mist has enveloped the entire forest.
Eternity hurries along, but stops after sensing something unusual behind her.
Eternity: chuckles Looks like an exciting show. I wish I could sit down and watch.
Eternity: Enjoy it, Miss!
The mysterious girl leaps through the mist unnoticed, like a jungle cat.
Matilda: Crap! The incense is invading our consciousness. That woman ... She's disappeared.
Matilda: Prepare your weapons, boys.
Matilda: Wait, J, what's wrong with your knife?!
J: ...
He discards the remaining fragments of his Bowie knife.
J: Fine. I'll use what I have.
He kneels.
J: Ugh. This sucks, Dad.
J: My forging's not even close to your level.
He removes the shaft he's long kept strapped to his back and places it on the ground.
He inhales deeply as he closes his eyes.
Tang Ji: In that moment, your father was ... Well, his arms were charred. There was nothing we could do.
Tang Ji: He was dying, but he wouldn't let the sword go.
Tang Ji: What I didn't know was that it wasn't he who was holding on to the sword, but the sword that was holding on to him.
Tang Ji: The next day, the sword was gone.
Tang Ji: And I saw you holding it in your arms, fast asleep in your bed.
Tang Ji: Stay away from it, kid. You may not have chosen it.
Tang Ji: ...
Tang Ji: But it has chosen you.
J: deep breath Sorry, Mr. Tang.
At last, he opens his eyes.
Layer by layer, like bandages being slowly unwrapped from a wound, the blade is revealed.
It shines like crystal in the glimmering moonlight.
J: Long time no see, buddy.
COMBAT
J: coughs Ugh. Hollick!
Blood is flowing steadily from him now, soaking his waist.
The two battered figures stand around helplessly.
Meanwhile, stubborn Hollick lies prone, gripping her tightly.
J: Let go. Just stay where you are!
J: Hide yourself!
The red mist has nearly drained the last of J's strength.
The branch pierces his calf, pinning him to the ground.
???: Just listen to him, will you? This is starting to become bothersome.
She crouches down, looking at the fat man at her feet.
Despite his mangled shoulder, he throws his full weight into her to keep hold of her foot.
Hollick: No, no, no. I have to do this.
Hollick: J ... coughs Tell Becket that I didn't, I didn't run away or cause any trouble this time.
Hollick: I'm more useful than he thinks. Right, boss?
Hollick: He'll never make fun of me again. Hahaha.
Exhausting his last bit of strength, Hollick throws the object he is holding into the air.
*swoosh*
A sickly-sweet taste fills Hollick's throat.
Hollick: Urgh!
J: Damn it! Damn it!!
A sharp spike has pierced through his throat, and his oil-stained hands fall limp.
Hollick: Fire ...
J: ...!
A new idea flashes through his mind.
He grasps his sword and brings it down with force—
The blade punctures the canister, and immediately, flames erupt around it.
The canister has burst open, spewing licks of flame everywhere.
In the dry woods, the fires quickly spread into an inferno.
The blazing fire scours over trees and underbrush.
The red mist mingles with dark gray smoke, forming a deep haze.
Matilda: Are you going to ...?!
J: coughs Ugh. Hollick ...
J: It's the only way. Someone's gotta see the smoke.