Caelus, March 7th, and Dan Heng rushed out of the Fight Club in pursuit of Sampo, only to stop dead in their tracks.
There stood Kouga, calmly holding Sampo aloft by the back of his collar as if the slippery merchant weighed nothing at all.
Sampo's feet dangled helplessly above the ground.
Without saying a word, Kouga simply tilted his head toward a nearby alley, signaling for the others to follow.
A few moments later, the group gathered in a quiet corner between two buildings, far from the noisy streets.
The interrogation began.
Kouga still hadn't let go of Sampo's collar.
Sampo awkwardly forced out a laugh as he tried to explain himself.
Sampo: "H-Hey! It's you!"
March immediately cut him off, clearly having none of it.
March 7th: "Save it. You saw us in there and got scared, so you pulled a runner."
Sampo: "Me? Scared? Hahaha, my friends, what do I have to fear? gasp Surely I haven't done anything to offend you?"
Caelus: "You set Dan Heng up."
Sampo: "Set him up? Yeah, with a job! You guys are new here, and let me tell you - you're gonna need some cash."
Sampo: "And, Sampo Koski stops at nothing to help his friends. Saving you was just the beginning - I have to consider your finances too! With me you get the full service, folks. That's friendship."
Sampo: "I had no choice but to take you guys down here. It was too dangerous for us on the surface - we're wanted criminals!? Sure, the Underworld has its drawbacks, but at least the Guards would never follow us. We're safe here..."
Dan Heng: "Be that as it may, did you really have to poison us?"
The instant Kouga heard the word "poison," his grip visibly tightened.
Sampo let out a squeak as Kouga lifted him a little higher.
Kouga: "Poison???"
His voice was low and dangerous.
Cold sweat instantly rolled down Sampo's face as he hurriedly tried to defend himself.
Sampo: "Maybe you've forgotten, but we were in a tight spot my friend - there was no time to think. I had to use whatever I could."
Dan Heng: "Hmm.. So it wasn't to cover anything up? A secret that you didn't want anyone, including us, to find out?"
Sampo fell silent for several long seconds.
March glanced at Dan Heng in confusion.
March 7th: "Dan Heng, what secret?"
Dan Heng: "I'm not certain yet... but there's more to our "friend" here than meets the eye."
Sampo let out a defeated sigh.
Sampo: "You win! I'll help you to the best of my ability - free of charge I might add! But please, don't go spreading rumors about me?"
The four simply stared at him.
Not a single one looked convinced.
Unable to bear the silence, Sampo sighed again.
Sampo: "sigh Alright! To prove my sincerity, I'll introduce you to Wildfire. If you're looking for something down here, they're the ones to ask!"
Kouga: "Why should we get to know Wildfire?"
Sampo: "Because you are looking for something! Why are you asking? Dan Heng told me you guys were searching for a... what's the word... "Stellaron" - sounded pretty powerful. If anyone has a clue on its whereabouts, it'll be Wildfire."
Dan Heng: "You said I'd uncover a clue if I became the Fight Club champion."
Sampo: "Uhh... Uh, y-yeah! I mean, If you'd fought in the final round and won, you'd have incredible street cred right now! Wildfire wouldn't think twice about talking with you. I don't see the problem."
Caelus: "Why would Wildfire want to help us?"
Sampo: "Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch, of course. Wildfire has no reason to help you yet, so we'll just have to give them one! With your talents, we have nothing to worry about."
Sampo: "I'm telling you, no matter where you go, there's only one rule to getting things done: Find the demand. Y'know, like supply and demand? Anyway, The underground has been sealed off for more than a decade - but do you think people here are just resigned to their fate?"
Kouga: "What kind of organization is Wildfire?"
Rather than answering immediately, Sampo hesitated.
Kouga responded by giving him another firm shake.
Sampo yelped.
Sampo: "Well if you want my opinion, they're a bunch of artless, stubborn fools. But who cares what I think, huh?"
Kouga shook him again.
Even more desperately this time, Sampo blurted everything out.
Sampo: "They're a band of do-gooders who sprung up to maintain order in the underground. After the Silvermane Guards withdrew, Wildfire set up shop."
Sampo: "Still, don't underestimate them! "We walk in the presence of giants" - have you heard that saying before? Well, Wildfire has giants in its midst. You'll see."
After a brief silence, it seemed there were no more questions.
Kouga finally lowered Sampo back onto the ground.
His legs wobbled as soon as they touched the floor.
Caelus: "Lead the way... and don't try and pull anything this time."
Sampo nervously straightened his clothes before forcing out another grin.
Sampo: "Have a little faith! It's like I said: "Sampo never lets friends who've helped him come to harm." Hehe..."
With no better option, the four decided to follow the ever-suspicious merchant toward Wildfire's headquarters.
As the four continued following Sampo through the winding streets of the Underworld.
March 7th: "So... what does Wildfire do all day?"
Sampo: "Everything. They keep the peace, uphold justice, fight for resources, distribute goods..."
Sampo: "The sliver of trust they have for me has to do with the last one..."
After walking for a while, they arrived at what seemed to be one of Wildfire's usual meeting spots.
Sampo looked around before scratching his head.
Sampo: "Huh? Where's Joshua?"
While Sampo searched for the missing contact, March's attention drifted toward several glowing crimson ores stacked nearby.
March 7th: "What're those shiny rocks?"
Sampo: "Ah, this is Geomarrow, an exothermic ore. The underground and the surface are sealed off from one another, right? Well only the Geomarrow transport line is still running. The underground sends ore to the surface, and the surface sends goods to the underground. At least in theory."
Sampo: "Most undergrounders are miners, and this is what they mine for a living. Y'know, if we didn't have Geomarrow to burn, this world would have frozen to death long ago."
Sampo: "Hmm, let's keep moving. The person I was looking for isn't here..."
With no sign of Joshua, the group continued onward.
After reaching another gathering point, Sampo looked around once more.
Sampo: "Huh...? Old Oleg isn't here either. Where is everyone? Hehe, hm..."
March folded her arms, clearly losing patience.
March 7th: "Gah, so you're leading us on another wild goose chase?"
Kouga silently stepped toward Sampo, reaching out as though he intended to grab him by the collar again.
Seeing this, Sampo immediately waved both hands in panic.
Sampo: "I wouldn't dare! Trust me, we're getting close!"
March sighed before noticing an enormous structure towering in the distance.
March 7th: "sigh Huh? What's that huge structure in the distance..."
Sampo: "Oh, that's the Furnace Core, and it's also the pillar that connects the Underworld and the Overworld. People used to travel up and down that thing, but then..."
March 7th: "Then what?"
Sampo: "It's a long story. In any case, practically nothing moves up or down anymore."
Dan Heng calmly answered.
Dan Heng: "Except you."
Sampo awkwardly laughed.
Sampo: "Oh! C'mon, my dear fellow, I thought we weren't going to discuss this? I beg you, the fewer rumors there are about me, the better!"
The group climbed another long flight of stairs.
Sampo glanced around the area.
Sampo: "Seele's usually always out on patrol here at this time..."
The moment Kouga heard the name, he paused ever so slightly.
"Seele..."
He wasn't surprised anymore.
After meeting another Bronya, another Cocolia, and another Himeko, seeing another version of someone he once knew had become almost expected.
Still...
He couldn't help but wonder just how different this Seele would be.
Sampo continued looking around in confusion.
Sampo: "What's Wildfire up to...? Hmm... are they avoiding me?"
Just then, the group spotted a gathering of people farther ahead.
In the middle of the commotion stood a familiar figure.
Wait...
Bronya?
March blinked.
March 7th: "Hey, look! Who is that?"
Caelus: "Is that... Bronya?"
It was indeed Bronya.
Only...
She was surrounded by a group of aggressive vagrants.
March 7th: "It looks like she's in trouble..."
Sampo immediately became nervous.
Sampo: "M-My friends, don't just stand there! This drama really doesn't need any more bystanders!"
March smirked.
March 7th: "Oh? Y'know, it might be interesting to see you get in trouble."
Dan Heng: "We should avoid attracting too much attention... but we can't just leave her."
Without another word, Kouga and Caelus stepped forward.
Kouga glanced sideways.
Kouga: "Let's go Caelus."
Caelus nodded.
The two were just about to charge in—
One of the vagrants suddenly drew a handgun and aimed it directly at Bronya.
Vagrant: "Alright princess. Let's dispense with the pleasantries!"
He pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed through the square.
Kouga's hand instinctively summon his Plasma Capsem.
He could intercept the bullet before it reached Bronya—
But before he acted—
A violet flash cut across the battlefield.
Slash!
The bullet split cleanly into several fragments before scattering harmlessly across the ground.
Countless lavender butterflies drifted through the air.
From within them appeared a young woman wielding a massive scythe.
"Seele."
Kouga immediately recognized her.
She had waist-length dark indigo hair with a violet underlayer matching her eyes, several loose strands framing her face. She wore a sleeveless white leotard that opened around the stomach, revealing a ruched black-and-blue top adorned with a lavender butterfly. Matching butterfly ornaments decorated her shoulder and upper back, while flowing cyan and purple fabric formed a skirt behind her. One arm was wrapped in white bands and a fingerless black glove, while the other wore a loose purple sleeve tied with a crimson ribbon. A detached purple-and-black coat fluttered behind her as she stepped forward, her asymmetrical boots clicking against the stone.
For just a brief moment...
Kouga's thoughts wandered elsewhere.
"Bronya from my world would probably be over the moon if Seele dressed like this..."
The thought almost made him chuckle.
Seele lowered her scythe toward the vagrants.
Seele: "You dare attack someone on our turf...?"
She spun the weapon effortlessly before resting it on her shoulder.
Seele: "Well? How about a few rounds with me?"
The vagrants roared and rushed toward her—
Only to suddenly freeze mid-step.
An overwhelming force crashed down upon them.
BOOM!
The ground shattered beneath their feet as invisible gravity multiplied several times over.
One after another, every vagrant slammed face-first into the stone pavement.
Cracks spread beneath them.
Not a single one remained conscious.
Silence fell over the street.
Seele blinked.
Bronya stared in confusion.
Standing a short distance away, Kouga casually lowered the Gravity Capsem he had just summoned.
The crushing gravitational field dissipated instantly, as though nothing had happened.
Beside him, Caelus simply looked at Kouga...
...then gave a small nod.
At this point, he wasn't even surprised anymore.