"Zero participation. Boring."
"Next time I'll still mark it as 'very simple'."
Stelle yawned while retracting her baseball bat, feeling redundant. Who could've imagined Anming would one-shot the enemy?
Meanwhile, Anming exited his Blood Rage state, staring bewildered at the half-dead Doomsday Beast. Am I really this strong? Or is this newbie boss just weak? He hadn't even used his Wordsmith ability yet.
Approaching the charred carcass, Anming marveled at its tenacity. "Survived orbital bombardment? Respect."
He crouched and tapped the beast's head with his blade. Taking a deep breath, golden pupils ignited like twin suns:
"Don't perish!"
The Doomsday Beast's fading pupils refocused with primal fury. Golden light enveloped its wings as it roared back to life, power surging beyond its previous state.
"Phase... two?" Stelle blinked.
March 7th glared at Anming. "Is this your pet?!"
"What? No!"
The reborn beast dove like a meteor. Anming prepared to strike, but it veered suddenly toward March.
"Look out!"
Stelle tackled March aside, taking the golden beam through her chest.
"Stelle!" March's eyes welled up. They'd just met, yet this girl sacrificed herself.
Anming watched calmly. Necessary step for her Path awakening.
As predicted, stardust swirled around Stelle's resurrected form. "Rules... are meant to be broken!"
Anming's second strike bisected the Doomsday Beast. March rounded on him, cheeks puffed:
"Hey! Did you plan this?!"
"Baseless slander." Anming hid behind Herta and Asta.
"Want praise?" Herta monotone. "Adequate performance."
Asta's eyes sparkled. Talented writer and fighter? Must double his pay.
Sheathing Nightless, Anming glanced at surviving surveillance drones. Through their lenses, he sensed familiar scrutiny.
Observation Room
"Your boyfriend's decent," Silver Wolf commented, bubblegum snapping. "That slash hit 0.3 Emanator level."
"Of course! He's the strongest!" Firefly's cheeks flushed pink as she nose-pressed against the screen.
"...Didn't deny 'boyfriend'."
"He's my beloved." Firefly raised her ring finger, diamond glinting. "We exchanged vows."
Kafka placed hands on Silver Wolf's shoulders. "Escort her."
"Ugh, fine." The hacker groaned. Better than cleaning up space station ashes.
Firefly emerged wearing a tailored waistcoat accentuating her curves, gloves concealing the glowing ring. She touched her mirror reflection, smiling tenderly.
"Let's go."
The firefly finally spread her wings toward the light.