The moon hung beautifully on the horizon.
Stars adorned the night, which slowly faded, swallowed by black clouds.
All media reported the weather — a storm would strike tonight.
Both students and ordinary citizens prepared themselves — yet, for those who fought, it was nothing.
In the darkness of the night.
In a building wrapped with wires crawling across its gray body.
Gunshots echoed, the smell of gunpowder drifting from the rifle barrels.
Two youths who should've been living bright, peaceful days were now fighting — for their lives, and for their friend.
They now controlled the room — three shooters from the Helmet Gang tied up, unconscious.
Aiko signaled Krisna to move on — following her request, they advanced, slowly opening the door before rushing inside.
Silent. Still… rows of wooden crates lined the room while the lights flickered, barely alive.
They searched room after room on the first floor: a building abandoned in spirit, no one in sight.
"Stay alert, Aiko," Krisna whispered. Aiko nodded.
They continued sweeping the first floor.
Boom — a violent blast shook the building as if an earthquake struck. Concrete fragments rained down — Aiko and Krisna hurried up toward the second floor.
As they climbed, gunfire echoed above them.
In Krisna's mind: "Sounds like it's coming from the third floor."
———
Be careful
———
Lis appeared beside Krisna as he climbed the steps.
Krisna nodded slightly — and when they reached the second floor, the sight froze him in his tracks; Aiko's hands trembled.
Bodies of Helmet Gang members lay sprawled — blood flowing from their shattered helmets — the shells broken as if blown apart.
Krisna's eyes widened while Aiko covered her mouth, dropping her rifle.
The metallic stench of blood and gunpowder filled the floor. Krisna felt nausea rising.
His mind raced to recall what kind of weapon could do something this brutal.
Then he remembered the Halo Destroying Bomb: an explosive capable of killing or destroying a student's Halo. But that bomb was deemed a failure — mentioned only once in Blue Archive's lore.
"Aiko, are you alright?" He reached out, helping her stand.
Her knees weak, Aiko whispered, "Y-yeah… let's keep moving. We have to save Qia quickly."
Aiko glanced at Krisna. His expression had hardened.
The stairs to the third floor loomed before them. Their hearts drummed, sweat forming on their brows…
Krisna turned slightly, looking at Aiko's face glowing like the moon. She gripped her Saiga-12 short shotgun — tactical gear hugging her form.
Aiko tilted her head. "W-what is it?"
A small smile cracked Krisna's tension. "Just… getting ready."
He moved up the stairs — leaving Aiko puzzled for a heartbeat before she rushed after him, walking by his side.
They reached the third floor slowly. But a faint voice from above halted their steps…
They stepped carefully, avoiding sound. At the hallway intersection, Krisna poked his head out to check.
He saw her.
A girl standing over a Helmet Gang member crawling weakly beneath her.
Meanwhile, Qia lay unconscious in the corner.
"Wh-who… are you?" the crawling girl gasped, grabbing the girl's left leg.
Annoyed, the mysterious girl kicked her aside, leaving her limp.
Then she drew a Pistole 08 (P08 Luger) and aimed it at the helmet geng girl's head.
Her finger began pulling the trigger—
Krisna didn't wait.
Before the bullet could fly—
Krisna hurled his spear to distract the girl. But…
She dodged, stepping away from the Helmet Gang girl — then turned toward the one who dared interrupt her.
Thunder cracked — the silhouette of the girl before Krisna revealed no openings.
Her Halo glowed a burning red in the shadows.
Her mask bore a carved symbol — and her Luger aimed directly at Krisna.
Their eyes met.
Bang, bang — bullets screamed toward him. Krisna shielded himself, waiting for the right moment.
Aiko hid behind the wall until her eyes caught sight of Qia lying on the floor.
In Krisna's mind: "Only eight rounds…"
The shooting stopped. Seeing the chance, Krisna charged.
The girl reacted fast, reloading in an instant.
But Krisna was faster — with a single burst of movement, he delivered a jab straight into her torso.
She flew back, body slamming into the wall.
Krisna grabbed his spear again, eyes shifting to the Helmet Gang member sprawled out.
Aiko rushed to Qia. "Qia! Thank goodness…" At last, she could breathe.
The girl stood up again. From behind her mask, deep crimson irises glared at Krisna.
Krisna spun his spear. "Who are you!?" He leveled the tip toward her.
But she said nothing — only staring directly at him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thunder roared again. Rain began falling.
The girl and Krisna faced each other, while Aiko moved Qia to safety.
Krisna exhaled. "Who are you?"
———
Be careful, Krisna.
She… feels strange…
———
Lis appeared beside him.
"Alright."
They stared each other down, waiting for the first move…
Thunder rattled the sky.
The girl stepped first: trigger pulled, bullet flying.
In Krisna's mind: "Time to test it."
Krisna whispered, "Skill: Slippery."
———
Active.
Able to evade swiftly.
———
Krisna dashed forward, dodging every bullet effortlessly.
The girl's eyes widened — Krisna was already right in front of her. With a sweeping strike of his spear, Krisna aimed to finish it.
But the girl caught it —
Then ducked and struck him with a punch straight to the heart.
His saliva flew out. His eyes widened.
Agonizing pain shot through him — Krisna collapsed instantly onto the cold floor.
Curled in agony, Krisna could only watch as the girl aimed her barrel at his head, muttering, "Troublesome."
Through the pain, adrenaline surged — Krisna forced his hand to move, grabbing the smoke grenade from his waist and pulling the pin.
A cloud of smoke obscured the girl's aim — and from the side, gunfire rained down on her.
Hit by the burst, the girl staggered back.
With that opening, Krisna forced his body to move — running while carrying the Helmet Gang member.
He abandoned his spear to escape.
He grabbed Aiko's hand to drag her away, but Aiko pulled free — choosing instead to carry Qia.
Krisna felt a flicker of disappointment — but the four of them fled, running all the way back to Aiko's house.