As the Silvermane Guards escorted the four through the city gates, the group finally got their first proper look at Belobog.
Despite the endless blizzard raging outside its walls, the city itself was alive.
Warm golden lights illuminated the streets, shining from ornate lampposts and the windows of sturdy stone buildings. Steam drifted from vents and pipes running along the roads, carrying much-needed warmth throughout the city. Citizens bundled in thick winter clothing went about their daily lives, browsing market stalls, carrying supplies, and chatting with one another.
The architecture was grand yet practical. Tall buildings of stone and metal lined the streets, their designs reflecting centuries of resilience against the cold. Massive gears and machinery could be seen integrated into many structures, a testament to the Architects who had built and maintained the city for generations.
Above everything else, towering over the city center, stood a colossal fortress atop a raised plateau.
Belobog truly felt like a lone beacon of civilization surrounded by an endless sea of ice.
March breathed out and watched her breath slowly fade.
March 7th: "...Hey, it feels like it got a bit warmer!"
Gepard glanced at her.
Gepard: "...That's because you're in Belobog, the last bastion of humanity."
March tilted her head.
March 7th: "Last bastion?"
Gepard nodded and began explaining.
Gepard: "Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the sky set the world ablaze. The land was turned to scorched earth, with raging infernos and billowing towers of smoke stretching beyond the horizon. In the midst of the conflict, the Eternal Freeze descended without warning. Suddenly, sweeping winds brought blizzards which buried the invading Legion. Belobog was all that remained. The steadfast Architects built this city. Under the protection of Qlipoth the Preservation, Belobog remains forever warm in the face of unrelenting cold."
March quietly leaned toward Dan Heng.
March 7th: "...He's sure saying some weird stuff."
Dan Heng lowered his voice.
Dan Heng: "A marked change in tone. It sounds like he's quoting from a historical record."
March nodded.
March 7th: "Uh-huh, so why is he telling us all this?"
Despite their whispering, Gepard answered without missing a beat.
Gepard: "You wanted to know."
March immediately laughed awkwardly.
March 7th: "Hehe... right."
Caelus put a hand to his forehead.
Dan Heng sighed.
Meanwhile, Kouga wasn't paying much attention to the conversation at all. Instead, he casually observed the city around him, taking in the architecture and daily life of Belobog's citizens.
The group continued following Gepard through the streets.
After a while, Dan Heng spoke up.
Dan Heng: "We saw strange creatures outside the city... They must have come from a tear in corroded space. A Fragmentum, correct?"
Gepard looked surprised.
Gepard: "How do you... That's right. Out there in the blizzard, there are still many threats... including the monsters you saw."
His expression darkened slightly.
Gepard: "The Silvermane Guards are continuously engaged with the enemy, but I'm afraid the situation is bleak... After your meeting with the supreme guardian, I would like to consult you on this matter."
He let out a quiet sigh.
Gepard: "We're lacking in intel."
Eventually, the group arrived before a massive stone staircase that stretched high above the city.
At its summit stood the grand fortress they had seen from afar.
Kouga glanced upward.
I've seen larger.
Gepard stopped at the foot of the stairs.
Gepard: "We're here."
He turned toward the fortress.
Gepard: "This is Qlipoth Fort, the heart of Belobog and headquarters of the Architects."
Caelus looked up curiously.
Caelus: "Qlipoth Fort?"
Gepard nodded.
Gepard: "Qlipoth is the symbol of Preservation. Under Qlipoth's impulsion, the Architects constructed Belobog, thus protecting the spark of civilization from disaster and the Eternal Freeze. To show our reverence, we named this fortress after the Aeon themself. The Architects, under the protection of Qlipoth, have continued to lead this city forward, repelling all manner of disasters."
He looked toward the fortress gates.
Gepard: "This fortress is also the residence of the supreme guardian."
March blinked.
March 7th: "The supreme guardian?"
Gepard nodded.
Gepard: "The leader of Belobog, elected and appointed by the Architects. The supreme guardians have watched over this city for generations, sheltering the people from harm. The current guardian is Madam Cocolia Rand. Every major strategic decision is issued by her."
For a brief moment, Kouga froze.
Cocolia...
His mind immediately drifted to another person bearing that same name.
That's just a coincidence... right?
March looked impressed.
March 7th: "Whoa... she sounds like a big deal."
Gepard straightened his posture.
Gepard: "I will now bring you to see Madam Cocolla. Please have your words at the ready. Her time is precious, so she prefers concise communication."
March immediately looked down at her clothes.
March 7th: "Uhh... We're gonna see her right now? Can I at least find a place to freshen up first?"
Caelus had a different concern.
Caelus: "Is there any etiquette we need to observe?"
Gepard shook his head.
Gepard: "Rest easy, the Madam Guardian doesn't care about formalities. Not to mention, you've only just arrived, it would be unexpected if you were familiar with Belabog customs."
He began walking up the staircase.
Gepard: "I've dispatched a messenger to send word, Madam Cocolia will be aware of your arrival. Come with me."
With that, the group followed Gepard up the long staircase and toward the towering halls of Qlipoth Fort.
As Kouga, Caelus, March 7th, Dan Heng, and Gepard entered Qlipoth Fort, they were led through a series of grand halls adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of Preservation.
The deeper they ventured into the fortress, the more apparent its importance became.
Eventually, they arrived before a massive set of doors.
Gepard pushed them open.
The moment the doors swung apart, Kouga froze.
Inside stood two women.
One possessed blond hair and a commanding presence.
The other had light gray hair styled into three drills, and wore the uniform of a high-ranking officer.
For a brief moment, Kouga's brain stopped processing.
They looked almost identical to two people he knew.
Cocolia and Bronya.
The pair appeared to be in the middle of an argument.
'Bronya look a like': "...But that's a meaningless sacrifice, how can you-"
Cocolia: "Ahem... You may leave, Bronya. Visitors have arrived."
EVEN THE NAME ARE ALIKE, WHAT IS THIS A COPYPASTE OF FACE?
Kouga internally screamed.
Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure.
After all, he had traveled through countless dimensions before. Compared to worlds where historical kings are in truth women and shared identical faces, this wasn't even close to the strangest thing he had witnessed.
As Cocolia dismissed her.
Bronya reluctantly lowered her head.
Bronya: "Yes, mother."
She cast one last glance toward the visitors before quietly leaving the room.
Gepard stepped forward.
Gepard: "Madam Guardian, I have brought four outsiders to see you."
Cocolia: "The messenger informed me. Well done, Gepard. You may leave."
Gepard nodded.
Without another word, he turned and exited through the door.
Cocolia's attention shifted toward the four visitors.
Cocolia: "Welcome, visitors from beyond the Eternal Freeze. Or perhaps I should say: from beyond the sky... no?"
Cocolia: "I am Cocolia Rand, Belobog's supreme guardian. I would be grateful if you could tell me why you have come."
Caelus looked surprised.
Caelus: "So you believe we come from beyond the sky?"
Cocolia smiled faintly.
Cocolia: "Do you wish me to doubt it? Or perhaps you're not confident in that identity yourself? Haha... No, I do not doubt it. I can see that you are not from this world."
Cocolia: "The Architects remember the history well, else we should forget it. I know that in the distant past, before the Eternal Freeze descended or the Legion invaded, this world was once prosperous beyond measure..."
Cocolia: "An Aeon connected our planet to other worlds, and we we discovered the endless possibilities of the boundless universe. We also came to know of Qlipoth, the Amber Lord. Under their attentive gaze, we built the city walls...So, do not be surprised. For seven hundred years, the Architects have received no further communication from the stars... but I knew of your existence. Tell me why you have come."
Caelus answered without hesitation.
Caelus: "We've come to trailblaze this planet."
March immediately blinked.
March 7th: "...Do you think anyone's gonna know what you're talking about?"
Dan Heng stepped in.
Dan Heng: "We came here for something known as a Stellaron."
Cocolia: "A Stellaron?"
Dan Heng: "Objects that fell from the blue on separate worlds. Their appearance spelled disaster. Many of the planets we've visited have suffered their effects."
Dan Heng: "You mentioned invasion by the Antimatter Legion. Soon after their arrival, this planet suffered the Eternal Freeze. At the same time, the phenomenon known as Fragmentum space corrosion began to occur. Correct?"
Cocolia remained silent for a moment.
Cocolia: "...Correct."
Caelus: "The Eternal Freeze is a product of the Stellaron."
March 7th: "Stellarons bring about different disasters on different worlds. But every world seeded with a Stellaron will give birth to Fragmentums."
Kouga looked at March and silently sighed.
That introduction sounds extremely suspicious to other people, you know.
Cocolia folded her arms.
Cocolia: "Your analysis of our current circumstances is clear. We have indeed suffered the disasters you speak of, some of which prove vexatious to us even today... but why should you care?"
Cocolia: "Even if this Stellaron you speak of did bring about disaster, I fail to see its connection to you. I don't believe that anyone would go to such lengths to help a world unrelated to them... unless they had something to gain."
Dan Heng answered honestly.
Dan Heng: "You're right. Our reason for coming here is not purely selfless. If we don't seal the Stellaron, we cannot leave this planet."
Kouga stepped forward.
Kouga: "And even if there's nothing to gain, we would still be willing to lend a helping hand regardless."
For a moment, the room grew quiet.
Then Caelus spoke.
Caelus: "Please let us help you."
March raised a hand.
March 7th: "Yeah! FYI, we're pretty awesome."
Cocolia looked toward them thoughtfully.
Cocolia: "You... know how to seal the 'Stellaron'?"
Dan Heng nodded.
Dan Heng: "We have the relevant means."
Caelus then confidently added.
Caelus: "And beside with Mr. Hayata here, we should have no problem dealing with the Stellaron."
For a brief moment, Cocolia's gaze shifted toward Kouga.
Then she smiled.
Cocolia: "Very well, I believe you. If our present situation is truly the result of this so-called Stellaron, then your arrival is the hope that Belobog has waited seven hundred years for. I am willing to assist you in any way possible to help you locate the Stellaron."
Cocolia: "It's getting late, and you must be tired. I will arrange for you to stay in our most comfortable hotel. Rest there, and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, at noon, I will dispatch someone to escort you here, and we can discuss this urgent matter in greater detail."
Caelus nodded.
Caelus: "Thank you, Supreme Guardian."
Cocolia smiled politely.
Cocolia: "It should be me thanking you, visitors from beyond the sky."
Cocolia: "I too need some time. I will go over our records for anything that may be connected to Stellarons... Please excuse me for not escorting you further."
The group then left the audience chamber.
As they walked through the hallway, both Caelus and Kouga suddenly stopped.
They had felt it.
Something.
A strange sensation lingering beneath the surface.
Kouga glanced at Caelus.
Caelus had clearly felt it too.
However, Kouga decided not to bring it up here.
He would discuss it later.
The four exited Qlipoth Fort and descended the long staircase.
Waiting at the bottom was Gepard.
Gepard: "It seems that the supreme guardian holds you in high regard. I have received orders that your movements are no longer to be restricted."
Caelus: "She's an impressive figure."
Kouga nodded.
Compared to the Cocolia he knew...
This one was certainly making a far better first impression.
March grinned.
March 7th: "She's the big shot! Definitely got that 'queen of the castle' vibe going on. Aww, so cool."
Gepard chuckled.
Gepard: "Haha. I'm afraid I still have duties to attend to. I must return to my post. I hope you enjoy your stay in Belobog."
March immediately raised her hand.
March 7th: "Wait! Can you recommend some sights? It's not that late, we wanna take a look around."
Gepard thought for a moment.
Gepard: "Well, I'd say that Golden Theater and the History Museum are both worth a look. However, you'd need a pass to get into the museum."
Gepard: "I recommend you visit Everwinter Monument first—it's Belobog's most symbolic landmark."
Gepard: "And if you enjoy music, you could head to Neverwinter Workshop. You can sometimes catch an outdoor performance there. The artist is... sigh You'll see."
Then his expression grew serious.
Gepard: "Oh, and if you're staying at Goethe Hotel, please avoid the alley that runs next to it—the one with Silvermane Guards stationed there. It started to be affected by corrosion recently, so it's been sealed off."
Kouga quietly took note of that.
A perfect training site for Caelus.
Dan Heng frowned.
Dan Heng: "So the corrosion is inside the city... that's a grave situation."
Gepard nodded.
Gepard: "Yes, we're mounting a resistance as we speak. I must leave now, I hope all goes well for you."
With that, the captain of the Silvermane Guards departed to resume his duties.
The four decided to visit Neverwinter Workshop first.
The workshop sat along one of Belobog's bustling streets, its sign hanging above a building that looked half repair shop and half inventor's laboratory.
March looked around excitedly.
March 7th: "Neverwinter Workshop... Hey! Didn't Gepard say there'd be a show here?"
Dan Heng folded his arms.
Dan Heng: "He said 'you can sometimes catch an outdoor performance...' 'Sometimes' being the operative word."
March immediately deflated.
March 7th: "Darn, I wanted to see one..."
As she looked around, her eyes landed on a strange machine standing outside the workshop.
A heater glowed faintly red despite showing signs of wear and tear.
March pointed at it.
March 7th: "Oh - I've been wondering - you see that heater over there? Why do they keep it outdoors? This city is so weird..."
March 7th: "Normally you'd want a heater INSIDE a building, right?"
Caelus examined it curiously.
Caelus: "Is this how they repel the Eternal Freeze?"
March tilted her head.
March 7th: "... If so, I'm not sure 'mighty' is the right word for these Architects."
Dan Heng shook his head.
Dan Heng: "Tiny heaters are no use against a Stellaron disaster."
Unknown to them, someone had been standing behind them the entire time.
Distinctively-Dressed Woman: "Hah, you guys sure have a lot to say about that broken heater."
The sudden voice startled the group.
They turned around.
Standing there was a striking woman with blonde hair streaked with shades of blue. Her unique clothing, confident posture, and amused smile made her stand out immediately.
March's eyes sparkled.
March 7th: "Oh wow - she's cool!"
Caelus gave a small wave.
Caelus: "Hi, hello."
The woman grinned.
Distinctively-Dressed Woman: "Hi there. The name's Serval, I'm the owner of this workshop."
The woman introduced herself with an easygoing confidence.
Serval: "If you got any broken equipment lying around you can always come find me, though I can't guarantee I'll be interested in fixing it."
March laughed awkwardly.
March 7th: "Oh, we're okay, I was just curious about the heater..."
Serval glanced at the machine.
Serval: "Curious? About the heater? It's just a standard Geomarrow radiator - you can find them anywhere in the Administrative District."
Caelus pointed toward the broken machine.
Caelus: "Standing broken machines outside a workshop is bad advertising."
Serval blinked.
Serval: "Huh? What's wrong with that? Everyone around here knows the way I work..."
She paused for a moment.
Then her eyes widened in realization.
Serval: "Ah! I've figured it out! I heard a loudmouthed guard say that a group of outsiders had met with Cocolia... You must be them?"
Serval clapped her hands together.
Serval: "What an honor! Where are my manners - we can talk about heaters all day if you like. Let's have a chat-"
With that, Serval invited the four into her workshop.
The group stepped inside.
Immediately, they were greeted by the sight of machinery, tools, spare parts, cables, gears, and half-finished inventions scattered throughout the room.
Some machines hummed quietly.
Others looked one wrong button press away from exploding.
The entire place radiated creative chaos.
Serval seemed completely at home.
Serval: "The heater you saw is just a standard Geomarrow radiator. They may not look like much, but they're a real lifeline to the people."
Serval: "The blizzards here are brutal. If we didn't have a reliable way of keeping warm, Belobog would long since have become a dead city - both above and below the surface."
Caelus tilted his head.
Caelus: "What is Geomarrow?"
Serval immediately brightened.
Few things excited engineers more than explaining how things worked.
Serval: "It's an ore - a special energy resource. Whether it's keeping the city warm or keeping our counters ticking, everything runs on Geomarrow."
Serval: "Geomarrow grows beneath the surface of the planet, and specialist Underworld mining teams are there to extract it. Transport lines shuttle it up to the surface. In the Overworld, we use the same lines to ship surface goods and aid down to the Underworld."
Caelus looked interested.
Caelus: "Above and beneath the surface?"
Serval nodded.
Serval: "You didn't know? Belobog is structured like two big connected discs. The Overworld is responsible for administration and trade, while the Underworld is responsible for energy supply and resource extraction."
Serval: "However, due to an order that was given many years ago, nobody has moved between the Overworld and the Underworld in a long time."
A moment later, she realized what she'd said.
Serval: "...Ah! I shouldn't be talking about this. Pretend I never said anything."
Caelus looked back toward the radiator outside.
Caelus: "Why is the heater outside?"
Serval immediately pointed toward it.
Serval: "Isn't it just like cooking food over an open flame? If the house is a pot, then the heater is the stove it rests on."
March blinked.
Then blinked again.
March 7th: "When she puts it like that, it actually starts to make sense...."
Serval laughed.
Serval: "No sweat. This is your first time in Belobog - I just want you to feel some of the warmth the city has to offer."
Caelus smiled.
Caelus: "Thanks for your answers."
Serval waved her hand dismissively.
Serval: "Hey, seeing as there's nothing on your plate just now, wanna help me fix up this machine? Just a bit of manual labor - you might find it interesting."
Caelus shrugged.
Caelus: "Sure, we're not busy."
Serval grinned.
Serval: "Great! Then let me give you a demonstration first."
Before she could even take a step toward the machine—
Kouga walked over.
He glanced at it once.
Then twice.
A few seconds later, he casually tightened a component, adjusted several internal mechanisms, rewired a loose connection, and closed the panel.
The machine immediately roared back to life.
Serval stared.
The others stared.
The machine happily hummed as if it had never been broken.
Serval blinked.
Serval: "Nice! You guys are pretty handy--you picked that up in no time. Wanna be my assistants? Average pay, but I'm a good boss."
Kouga didn't even hesitate.
Kouga: "Allow me to refuse."
Serval burst out laughing.
Serval: "Hahaha, I was only kidding - just a joke."
She gestured around her workshop.
Serval: "Well, I'd better carry on here, why not have a better look around? My workshop will always be open to you... and your wallets, of course."
The group thanked her and left the workshop.
As they stepped back into the warm streets of Belobog, they continued their sightseeing, curious about what else the city had to offer.
March 7th, Dan Heng, Caelus, and Kouga eventually arrived at the alleyway Gepard had warned them about.
March looked toward the barricaded street and frowned.
March 7th: "Ah, that's the alley that Gepard mentioned—the one contaminated by the Fragmentum, right?"
March 7th: "I can't believe how close it is to the city center..."
Dan Heng studied the sealed-off area beyond the barricades.
Dan Heng: "If they hadn't identified it, I bet all the shops and hotels in the vicinity would have had to close down by now."
Just then, they noticed a distressed citizen trying to force his way through the checkpoint.
Stern Silvermane Guard: "Move back! This is your final warning!"
Distressed Citizen: "But... B-But my proof of property is inside. I don't have any—"
Stern Silvermane Guard: "The Fragmentum has already corroded this block! You can make a property retrieval request to the Architects, but only Silvermane Guards are permitted to enter here!"
March crossed her arms uneasily.
March 7th: "I can't believe Fragmentum corrosion has spread into the city... No wonder there are so many soldiers stationed there."
Caelus watched the guards holding the line.
Caelus: "Can soldiers really hold back the Fragmentum?"
Dan Heng shook his head.
Dan Heng: "No. As long as the Stellaron is active, the corrosion will continue to spread."
Dan Heng: "The soldiers can only periodically clear the Fragmentum of monsters. But the monsters will continue to emerge and multiply."
Nearby, another guard patiently tried to calm the distressed citizen.
Composed Silvermane Guard: "Please try to understand, sir. Backwater Pass has become very dangerous. We're just here for your safety."
Distressed Citizen: "If I can't get my proof of property, it doesn't matter how safe I am! Out of my way—let me pass..."
The man tried to push forward, only to be stopped again by the guards.
The Silvermane Guards could only sigh helplessly.
Seeing there was nothing they could do, the group decided to continue sightseeing.
As they made their way through a nearby plaza, March suddenly spotted a large monument surrounded by children.
Without warning, she grabbed Caelus by the sleeve and motioned for Dan Heng and Kouga to follow.
March 7th: "Come on, come on! Let's check that out!"
The group approached the gathering.
At the center stood a massive sculpture composed of enormous crystalline structures and intricate metalwork.
March 7th: "Wow, look at the carved ice! It feels perfect for this city, somehow."
Dan Heng examined the monument more closely.
Dan Heng: "Whatever it's made of, it can't be ice."
March blinked.
March 7th: "I guess you're right. It's actually pretty warm in the city..."
She then pointed toward the crowd of children.
March 7th: "Hey, what's with all the children over there? Should we go and take a look?"
The others nodded.
As they drew closer, they found a young woman in a Silvermane Guard uniform leading what appeared to be a history lesson.
Girl in Silvermane Guard Uniform: "So, let me introduce myself. I'm the Intelligence Officer for the Silvermane Guards, and a temporary guide for the 'A Journey Through Belobog's History' program. My name is Pelageya Sergeyevna."
She smiled politely.
Pela: "But you can call me Pela."
The children responded in unison.
Children: "Yes, Miss Pela!"
Pela nodded approvingly before gesturing toward the monument.
Pela: "Okay guys, take a look over here: This is Everwinter Monument. It was erected to commemorate the mighty Architects."
Pela: "The Architects are followers of the Aeon Qlipoth. It was they that foresaw crisis, built up our walls, and established Belobog—preserving the spark of human civilization. Even today, they are still tending to the city."
The children listened attentively as Pela continued.
Pela: "Everwinter Monument is made up of two parts: A gear that symbolizes knowledge and industrial strength, and huge ice crystals that symbolize the Eternal Freeze."
Pela: "These two symbols are bound together—the gear restricting the ice. It represents the unyielding spirit of the Architects in the face of nature's barbarity."
Kouga listened quietly from the back.
For all the differences between worlds, the story felt strangely familiar. A civilization standing against extinction. Heroes resisting impossible odds. Humanity refusing to surrender.
Pela looked around at her audience.
Pela: "Any questions—?"
The children immediately raised their hands.
Seeing that the lesson was still ongoing, March decided not to interrupt.
March 7th: "Looks like they're busy."
Caelus: "Yeah."
Dan Heng: "We should continue exploring."
Kouga nodded.
Without disturbing the lesson, the four quietly left the square and continued their tour of Belobog.
After sometime, as the four are exploring the city.
March was bored.
Dan Heng was being his usual serious self.
Kouga was casually looking around the city.
And Caelus was missing.
...
...
...
...
...
Wait.
WHAT?
Kouga immediately stopped walking and looked around.
A few seconds later, he found the culprit.
Caelus was standing motionless in front of a trash can.
An ordinary trash can.
Nothing special.
Meanwhile, Caelus remained completely focused.
The trash can sat there silently.
Caelus stared at it.
The trash can stared back.
A battle of wills had begun.
March and Dan Heng eventually noticed what was happening and walked over.
March 7th: "Ugh... What do you want to do?"
Caelus didn't answer.
From his perspective.
The rusty edges of the trash can suddenly seemed polished.
The dents smoothed themselves out.
A faint golden glow leaked from beneath the lid.
The heavens opened.
Angels sang.
Treasure awaited.
The trash can was no longer a trash can.
It had become a treasure chest.
Caelus slowly reached out.
His hand trembling.
The lid was within reach.
Just one touch—
Suddenly his collar was grabbed.
Kouga lifted him off the ground like a misbehaving kitten.
Kouga: "Caelus."
Caelus continued reaching toward the trash can.
Kouga: "Caelus."
Still reaching.
Kouga: "That is a trash can."
Caelus pointed at it.
Caelus: "But what if there's treasure inside?"
Kouga: "There isn't."
Caelus: "But what if there is?"
Kouga: "There isn't."
Caelus: "But what if—"
Kouga: "IT'S TRASH."
March and Dan Heng watched silently.
Deeply concerned.
Unfortunately, this was only the beginning.
Because five minutes later...
Caelus found another trash can.
And another.
And another.
Every single time, Kouga had to intercept him before he could open the lid.
At one point, Caelus somehow managed to sprint toward a trash can the instant Kouga looked away.
Caelus: "JUST ONE LOOK!"
Kouga: "NO!"
Caelus: "THERE COULD BE SOMETHING IMPORTANT!"
Kouga: "IT'S GARBAGE!"
Caelus: "YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!"
Kouga: "YES I DO!"
Caelus: "YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED!"
Kouga: "THAT'S BECAUSE I'M SANE!"
March was now recording the argument.
Dan Heng had quietly accepted that this was somehow their life now.
A few minutes later, Caelus attempted his seventh trash-can inspection.
Kouga's eye twitched.
Kouga: "How."
Caelus: "Hm?"
Kouga: "How are you this stubborn?"
Caelus: "Determination is important."
Kouga: "THAT'S NOT DETERMINATION, THAT'S A MENTAL CONDITION!"
Caelus made another desperate lunge.
Kouga finally snapped.
A giant fist descended.
BONK.
A massive bump instantly appeared on Caelus's head.
The heat radiating from Kouga's fist suggested that physics itself had participated in the attack.
Caelus collapsed.
Silence.
Peace at last.
March sighed in relief.
Dan Heng closed his eyes.
Kouga nodded proudly.
Then Caelus suddenly opened his eyes.
Caelus: "The trash can—"
And immediately sprinted away.
Toward another trash can.
Kouga stared in absolute disbelief.
Then released a frustrated roar that echoed throughout Belobog.
Kouga: "WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS!?"
He tackled Caelus before he could reach his target.
Several minutes later...
The group could be seen walking through the city.
Or rather—
March and Dan Heng were walking.
Kouga was dragging Caelus behind him.
Caelus was covered in bumps.
His arms and legs were tied up with ropes Kouga had somehow found.
Yet even now, Caelus was still trying to inch toward nearby trash cans whenever they passed one.
Kouga pulled out a notebook.
With the expression of a disappointed teacher, he added another entry.
Things To Fix About Caelus
Combat training.
Power control.
Basic survival instincts.
Trash can obsession.
Kouga stared at the final entry.
Then underlined it three times.