【Maria's POV】

【Immediately after she dropped off Cain.】

I hope Cain will be alright. I only gave him a peck.

I licked my lips, reminiscing the sensation of our contact.

Well, I just need to eliminate elements that'd arouse such needless worries.

After reaching my destination, I was flying above the fifty criminals. They were killing everyone in sight and destroying nearby buildings.

To do that, I need to get rid of these flies quickly and then aid Cain. But...

Upon further inspection, there was an absurdly strong person amongst the criminals.

A special-grade?

Although unofficial residents—or rather, criminals—weren't ranked, I estimated as such based on the fact that my body tensed up at his presence. So, he was strong enough to alarm a special-grade such as myself.

Despite coming across such a fearsome opponent, I couldn't feel anything other than relief that I managed to avoid the worst-case scenario, which was putting Cain in this position. But, by the far chance that he also came across such a difficult opponent...

I shot a cold glance at the north wormhole, in Cain's direction.

No, that's impossible. I confirmed it myself. At the very least, it'd be someone below special-grade. The man I chose isn't that weak to fall to someone so insignificant. But... his recklessness is worrisome.

I looked down coldly and extended my hand at the fifty criminals who were causing chaos below me. Accounting that some residents might have stayed behind or haven't escaped yet, I was going to reduce the area effects of my attacks to spare the buildings that they could potentially take shelter in. But...

Doing so would mean I have to kill these insects individually. That is too time-consuming. If I have to choose between the potential dozens of lives that I have no concern for or Cain's life, then...

"Emerge, [Cherry Blossom]"

A gigantic tree emerged from the ground, beneath the fifty criminals. The tree branches were adorned in alluring sakura petals. Only one out of the fifty quickly increased his distance from it. For those that didn't, they died in the countless explosions created by every single petal at my command.

I descended to the nearest unscathed building.

That should take care of the small fries. All that's left is...

"As expected of the ice princess—oh, I meant former ice princess," he snickered behind me.

I turned around to face the man. The countless scars on his face and body said enough about his battle experience. Despite those countless scars, he was only alive thanks to his bulk body. As for his weapon... none.

A brawler? Or a martial artist?

"I heard that recently you have changed, acting all clingy to a human. Is that true, former ice princess?" The man continued with his verbal assaults.

"Haven't you seen enough to know that I haven't changed?"

Pondering my question, he looked around at the destruction I caused, not regarding the innocent lives and stray buildings that I decimated for my sole cause.

"...True. So, you're just a two-faced bitch, huh?"

"No..." I denied, unsheathing my pink-themed sword. I then lunged at him. "He's just special. On the other hand..." He blocked my strike with his bare hand, but I already anticipated that. All I needed to do was distract him from the petals going his way. When it arrived, I increased our distance, ensuring I wasn't caught up in the explosion. "Scum like you don't deserve even an ounce of my kindness and concern."

Once the dust dispersed, that man stood unscathed. If there was something that changed, it was his expression. He grinned, mocking my attack.

"Is that all a special-grade got? Disappointing!"

Taking the initiative, he vanished from my sight and reappeared behind me. He clenched his fists together and slammed them down at me. I defended his heavy attack by summoning countless sakura petals above me. I then took the opportunity to throw a horizontal slash at his torso.

"W-what?" To my surprise, my blade couldn't cut his tough skin. "Ugh!" I jumped back, rethinking my course of action.

My ability, Cherry Blossom, has two varieties: Beauty and Violence. Beauty allows me to materialize sakura petals at demand, without needing a tree. The downside is, that it can't explode—it can only be used for defense purposes. Violence allows me to create a cherry blossom with explosive sakura petals. Only one tree can exist at a time, and I can move the petals at will but it needs to come from the tree branches. While I do appreciate the great offense and defense, the offense lacks flexibility.

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"If you're struggling with me, I feel sorry for whoever you sent to the other end."

Master? She'll be alright.

"Why?"

"We are three debuting brothers hoping to make a name in the Rebel faction. I'm the middle child, and my elder brother took the other side. Compared to me, he's wayyyyy stronger."

So, Cain is facing their younger brother? That's a relief.

"Huh? Tell me I'm wrong, but... why the hell do you look so relieved?" Ticked off at my reaction, he once again took the initiative.

A straightforward punch. Despite its simplicity, the strength and weight that came with it was no joke. I was sent crashing through several buildings, but fortunately, I didn't sustain any severe damage thanks to my petals. It shattered before the last few buildings, though.

"I guess I'm just a fragile girl without you, after all," I muttered to myself. Thinking about Cain, I activated the first stage of the King's Eye: the red stage.

The King's Eye consists of five stages: Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, and Silver. The eye strengthens the user depending on two aspects: Love, and the desire to protect. The stage represents the power provided, which is proportional to the extent of those two aspects. As for the love aspect, it can be passive and active. The kiss I gave Cain on his cheek was active love, but it only affected his eye because he was on the receiving end. I used passive love for myself by thinking of Cain.

Considering we never fought together thus far, we were unable to make use of the 'desire to protect' aspect, so we were stuck at the red stage. But even so!

Only a small red fire? I am ashamed of myself for having my love for him amount to so little.

I walked out of the building. I looked down in denial before looking up at the bright sun, signifying our potential future.

No. The eye doesn't lie.

I looked at my hand, clenching it.

I just have to work harder. So...

"Yo, princess. I was waiting for you but you haven't returned. What are you moping around for? Lost ya' will to fight or something?"

As he stood atop the building before me, I glared at him from below.

I can't afford to lose here!

I used my petals to materialize wings on my back. I then swiftly flew to him, throwing a futile strike at him before flying out of reach and then charging at him again. I repeated the process over and over and over.

He must have some sort of weak spot!

Taking my hits head-on with ease, he used the time to accumulate power in his fists, preparing to throw a devastating strike. In response to his indomitable spirit, I gritted my teeth and tightened my grip on the hilt of my blade. I increased my speed and strength.

I won't lose.

Three hits per second, and yet I still couldn't find a vulnerable spot.

I won't lose.

His eyes, his inner ears, the temple of his head, his throat... futile! Futile! I opted to kick at his joints too using my shins, but I still failed to deal any damage.

I won't lose!

"I didn't expect to beat the ice princess. FINALLY, PEOPLE WILL TREMBLE IN FEAR IN OUR PRESENCE, BROTHERS! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Alas, the man finished charging up his attack. In addition, he positioned himself in a more efficient stance, utilizing the strike at its maximum potential.

"Hey, if you ever survive this, come crawl or limp back to me and tell me about the story of how you suffered to the very same scum you belittled—nah, scratch that. I'll just keep you here. Good luck and perhaps... goodbye!"

Unfortunately, I lost the bet. I failed to find his weakness before he finished his attack. At one last futile attempt, instead of flying away—which I knew wouldn't be enough to escape his grasp—I threw one more strike. Like glass before a brick, his fist shattered my sword with ease. Next was my defense of tough petals. Lastly, my ribs. His fist dug deep inside my torso, tearing my skin apart.

"NOT YET! NOT YET! HERE'S PART TWO!"

With his fist still deep inside my torso, he shifted the direction of his attack. He raised his fist above him, bringing me along. He then swiftly and fiercely slammed it against the roof of the building, once again...with me along. The strike destroyed the building we were on. No...it was more accurate to say the building was obliterated. Nothing remained, only rubble.

Even after falling to the ground, his fist remained there. As for me, there was a hole in my torso. Finally removing his hand from inside, I was left bleeding out. With his figure fading from my sight, I was left staring lifelessly at the blue sky and bright sun.

"I...won't...lose...Cain..." I said through bloody gasps.

"Now then. Time to assist my lil bro," he hummed away.

That is... before a scream echoed across the entire area. Even on the verge of death, I heard it.

"FUUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

That voice... Cain! He sounds like he's in so much pain!

Then another scream echoed with two voices in synchronization.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"

It is Cain again! And...

"Lil bro!" The man called worriedly. He then rushed to the source of the screams.

No!

I looked in terror at the direction he was headed to.

If I let him go, Cain will...Cain will...die!

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to get up, ignoring the gushing blood and aching muscles from my body.

I need to save him. I need to protect him! I NEED TO...!

"CAIN!"

After getting up, my eyes burnt yellow, and I felt a sudden surge of power welling up inside of me. With my newfound strength, it took me a single leap to clear the distance between that man and me. He looked behind. His expression was mixed with worry for his brother and bewilderment at my presence.

"I WILL NOT LET YOU GO THERE!"

I threw a left hook at him, which I anticipated would be just enough for him to use both of his arms to block.

"JUST STAY DEAD, YOU BITCH!"

With his arms occupied by my weak hand, I threw a strike with my right hand at his gut. That was enough for him to lose all motion in his body. Using this opportunity, I threw a series of fierce and heavy strikes at him, each aiming at his joints.

"I REFUSE! MY PASSION...MY LOVE...WILL NOT BURN OUT!" After breaking every bone in his body—including the one between his legs—there was none but one remaining. "HAAAAAHHHH!" I slammed my fist against his skull and smashed it viciously into the ground.

Despite killing him, my blood loss, wounds, and my extinguished burning eyes, I did not drop yet. My job wasn't over.

Cain...

I repeatedly chanted his name in my head while limping to the north wormhole. After a few minutes, I arrived. Despite seeing him in critical condition, relief poured over me. Why? Because... Dr. Stein was with him. The Medicio faction's most talented doctor. The miracle doctor.

"Maria..." Dr. Stein called out to me after noticing my presence.

I couldn't help but tug a smile with teary eyes.

"I'm...glad..." I expressed my relief before dropping cold onto the ground.

I can finally rest.