At the same time, on the far side of Clockie Studios Theme Park—
Kallen stepped out of a crack in the dreamscape with Firefly in tow and landed behind a giant cartoon clock statue.
The moment Firefly's feet touched the ground, she turned to Kallen with an extremely complicated look.
"Miss Kallen… you just left Mr. Aventurine there like that? Weren't you two allies?"
She was genuinely baffled.
After all, judging by how quickly Aventurine had taken Kallen's side, anyone with eyes could tell he definitely had his own agenda. If not outright ulterior motives, then at the very least, something wasn't clean.
But Kallen showed not the slightest trace of guilt or remorse.
"Leaving him behind? That's not what it was," she said righteously. "That was a tactical adjustment."
"Besides, I gave him a chance to shine. How glorious is it, fighting a Lord Ravager all by yourself?"
Firefly opened her mouth, then closed it again. For a moment, she didn't even know what to say.
She'd seen unreliable contacts before.
She had never seen one this unreliable.
She's not going to stab me in the back later too, is she…?
As if sensing her lingering unease, Kallen let out a sigh.
This girl really did like worrying about other people.
"Relax. Acheron won't actually kill anyone. If she really wanted to start slaughtering people, she would've done it back in the alley. She wouldn't have waited until now."
Firefly blinked. "How do you know?"
"Because she's a good person," Kallen said as if it were obvious. "The problem with good people is that they worry too much. They're afraid of hurting innocents, afraid of making too much of a scene. In the end, they're afraid of everything."
"What about you?" Firefly pressed. "Aren't you afraid?"
Kallen tilted her head at her, the corners of her mouth curling upward.
"I'm not a good person. What would I be afraid of?"
Firefly fell silent.
Suddenly, she remembered something Kafka had once said.
In Penacony, the most dangerous people weren't the ones with clear motives.
They were the ones whose motives you could never grasp.
And right now, that definitely seemed to describe the person standing in front of her.
After all, a contact was still just a contact. As a Stellaron Hunter, the only people Firefly truly trusted were other Stellaron Hunters.
"All right, enough about that." Kallen got to her feet. "We still have something important to do."
Firefly immediately straightened. "What important thing?"
"We're going to find someone."
"…Who?"
Kallen didn't answer. She just crooked a finger at Firefly, telling her to follow.
Though puzzled, Firefly chose not to ask further.
But just then, the SAM transformation device clutched tightly in her right hand lit up all at once.
She paused.
"Hm? What's wrong?" Kallen asked.
"…Nothing. I just need a second to sort something out."
As she answered, Firefly began pressing at the light on the device, trying to force it back down.
But it didn't work.
The light kept shining.
…What was going on?
A hint of surprise stirred in Firefly's heart.
She knew more or less what an abnormal reaction from her transformation device meant.
In order to cure her entropy loss syndrome, the Lord Ravager Phantylia—after having her path altered to Propagation—had been sealed inside the device once more.
From a certain point of view, Firefly and Phantylia were now bound together in life and death.
Or rather, if Phantylia lost Firefly, she would die. Firefly, on the other hand, would simply go back to how she used to be.
But if Phantylia lost her, then she'd truly die inside that cramped little device.
Could it be she just wants some air? I mean, anyone would go crazy being locked up inside something this small.
But just as Firefly was about to put the device away and stop paying attention to it, a voice sounded in her mind.
Little girl, get away from that woman.
Firefly's fingers stiffened, tightening reflexively around the device in her hand.
Ever since her entropy loss syndrome had been cured, Phantylia had tried more than once to break free.
Fortunately—whether because Phantylia's main body was too badly damaged to resist properly, or because whoever had done the sealing had been just that skilled—Firefly had always been careful. She had never let the other woman succeed.
Phantylia had gone silent for a long time after that.
But now she had chosen to speak again.
And that could not mean anything good.
"Phantylia?" Firefly asked inwardly, trying to establish contact with the voice. "Why can you suddenly talk to me?"
That's not important. Phantylia's voice was low, as if she were trying to avoid being overheard. What matters is the woman beside you. There's something very wrong with her.
If you want to stay alive, then I suggest you listen to me from here on out. Otherwise, you'll regret it.
Without showing anything on her face, Firefly cast a glance at Kallen's back.
At the moment, Kallen was walking ahead of her, seemingly defenseless, as though she trusted this temporary companion completely.
As for Phantylia's warning?
A Lord Ravager—worse, one sealed up and in captivity—was naturally not the sort of person Firefly would trust easily.
"Why should I believe you? And how do I know this isn't just some scheme of yours?" Firefly asked in her mind. "And also, I really don't like that superior tone you're taking."
Phantylia fell silent.
Clearly, she had a very realistic understanding of her own reputation.
That silence lasted around five seconds. Yet during those five seconds, Firefly could clearly feel that the other woman was struggling through some intense internal conflict.
Then Phantylia spoke again. The arrogance was gone. What replaced it was something Firefly had never heard from her before:
humiliation.
Little girl, do you think I still have the strength to scheme against you?
How long have I been locked inside this damned thing? Count it yourself. No body. No power. I can't even get a breath of air unless you let me. What exactly do you think I'm plotting?
Firefly said nothing, but her grip on the device loosened slightly.
I just want to live, Phantylia said, her voice dropping even further, like she was confessing some unbearable shame.
No matter in what form. No matter how long I stay stuck in here. I just want to live.
"Then why are you warning me now?"
Because if you die, I die too. Phantylia paused. I'm tied to you now, understand? If you fall into a pit, I go down with you. If you get cut apart, I shatter too. If that woman sells you out—
"She hasn't sold me out."
She sold out Aventurine, Phantylia snapped. Right in front of you. Didn't even blink.
Firefly's steps stalled for a brief moment.
Honestly, she had never claimed to be a good person.
She did not like abandoning companions, but neither would she force her own standards onto others. And more importantly, Aventurine didn't really count as a companion.
"If that's all you wanted to say," Firefly replied inwardly, "then I'm going to shut you up."
I'm not the sort of person who starts doubting someone just because another person says a few words.
What if I say ten?
"A hundred wouldn't matter."
She quickened her pace and caught up to Kallen.
The difference between you and her is that, right now, she's still helping me.
Phantylia completely choked on that.
She truly had not expected this Stellaron Hunter to be so straightforward. The woman had practically been brainwashed by Kallen already.
Suddenly, Phantylia's tone grew solemn.
Open your mind. Let me show you a memory. Once you've seen it, you'll understand why I told you to be wary of that woman.
Firefly still refused. "Open my mind? So that's your real goal?"
With no options left, Phantylia decided to force the issue.
At once, Firefly felt a strange change. The device in her palm trembled faintly, as though something inside it were trying to break loose.
Then a bone-deep chill spread up from her right hand, climbing her arm and racing straight toward the depths of her consciousness.
Firefly reacted instantly. The invading spirit was seized by her awareness the moment it touched the barrier of her mind.
Phantylia didn't even get the chance to unfold the memory.
A sharp grunt sounded in Firefly's mind.
It was Phantylia's voice—but completely unlike before.
This time it held nothing but pain.
Firefly froze.
She could feel Phantylia's spirit being crushed down by her own consciousness.
"…What are you doing?"
She asked the question inwardly, a note of genuine confusion in her voice.
After all, Phantylia had tried this sort of rebellion on the very first day.
And the result had already been obvious then. She had no chance of succeeding.
Phantylia did not answer. At that moment, her presence felt weak and ragged, leaving behind only the clump of memory that Firefly could now freely examine.
Firefly tightened her grip on the device and looked up at Kallen's back.
Then she lowered her gaze to the thing warming in her palm.
"…It should be okay if I just look, right?" she told herself.
And then she opened the barrier.
The memory rushed in like a tide.
It was something from Phantylia's past. She seemed to be meeting someone.
Then Firefly saw a figure standing inside a white void.
A man—
or rather, a humanoid catastrophe.
And Firefly recognized him almost instantly.
Zephyro.
One of the Lord Ravagers.
The one aligned with Nihility.
The strongest of the Lord Ravagers.
One of the most dangerous names in the Stellaron Hunters' files.
But why was Phantylia showing her a memory of Zephyro?
Hadn't she said she wanted Firefly to be careful of Miss Kallen? Why was she suddenly showing her something related to Zephyro instead?
Then, just as confusion took hold, an odd sensation welled up in Firefly's heart.
She found herself drawn to the Zephyro before her.
As if he were trying to pull her in.
Firefly jerked herself violently out of the memory. Her palm was already slick with cold sweat.
You saw it? Phantylia's voice was as weak as a guttering candle flame, yet still carried a trace of satisfaction. Now do you understand?
Firefly didn't answer.
She looked again at Kallen walking ahead.
Kallen had stopped in front of a candy-colored arched bridge, seemingly deciding which direction to take. Her movements were casual, natural—no different from any ordinary tourist wandering through the park.
She looked nothing like Zephyro.
And yet, what Firefly had just felt in that memory was now faintly emanating from her.
The same abyssal quality.
The same inhuman essence.
Only this one was wrapped perfectly in a warm, harmless outer layer.
Phantylia took the chance to explain.
This woman isn't some noble, righteous Emanator of Preservation at all. She's the same as Zephyro—an offspring of Nihility—
But even after hearing that, Firefly still did not want to believe her.
After all, her first impression of Kallen had genuinely been very good.
And besides, there was no way Silver Wolf would choose to cooperate with someone that dangerous, right?
When it came to their operations, Elio always reviewed the script.
That meant any partner Silver Wolf brought in should have gone through Elio's eyes too.
What are you still hesitating for? Phantylia was genuinely getting desperate now.
She had never imagined that even after all this, Firefly would still refuse to trust her in the slightest.
"I need more than this."
Suddenly, Firefly came to a halt.
Just as Phantylia thought she had finally convinced her, Firefly did something that made her nearly explode.
Firefly stepped forward and grabbed Kallen by the sleeve.
"Miss Kallen, there's something I want to ask you!"
Kallen stopped and turned around.
Her eyes first fell on the hand clutching her sleeve, then rose to Firefly's face. There was a faintly amused look in them.
"What is it? You suddenly seem awfully tense."
Firefly didn't let go. She looked straight into Kallen's eyes.
"Do you know Zephyro?"
The air seemed to freeze for an instant.
Kallen's expression did not change at all.
Not even the slightest twitch of the brow.
She merely tilted her head a little, as if recalling some long-ago name.
"Zephyro… one of the Lord Ravagers. If I remember right, he's aligned with Nihility."
Her tone was flat, almost academic.
"Why do you ask?"
"Phantylia says you're the same kind."
Firefly spoke softly, but her gaze never wavered.
She wanted to catch every tiny shift in Kallen's expression.
Kallen paused for a beat, then laughed.
"Phantylia? That Lord Ravager stuffed into your transformation device? Even reduced to that miserable state, she's still trying to stir up trouble, huh?"
Firefly didn't speak. She simply waited for Kallen's answer.
"Don't worry. I'm nothing like Zephyro. I'm not interested in Destruction or anything of the sort."
At those words, innocent Firefly finally let out a breath.
But before she could say anything else, Kallen added:
"Because I'm far more advanced than some Zephyro."
Thunk.
Firefly collapsed on the spot.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 155)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter200)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter110)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter230)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 200
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 180
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/5
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 230
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 220
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/30
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 120
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 135
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 110
I Can Copy Unique Skills 100
Summoning an Evil God, but the 70
Supernatural Multiverse 100
My Harem Is Indescribable 90
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 95
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 68
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 69
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 80
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 70
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 75
Checking In in Demon Slayer 80
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 85
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 70
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 65
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 70
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 70
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 65
Why did they assign me to Uma 65
MYGO Beauties 65
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 55
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 65
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 45
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 45
The Uma Musume Who Became 40
I'm Definitely Not the King of 45
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
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