The group came closer and began to walk down toward the valley that stretched before the colossal Mont Blanc. The mountain loomed like an ancient sentinel, its icy peaks piercing the heavens. The landscape below was nothing short of apocalyptic—the earth fractured in a jagged web of devastation, the result of the monstrous earthquake that had shaken the region.
Cautiously, they moved forward, leaping over yawning cracks and weaving through shattered rock. Silence hung thick in the air, broken only by the crunch of boots over frost and stone.
Then—
BOOM!!
A sudden explosion erupted ahead, shaking the very ground they stood on. All heads turned sharply toward the source, eyes widening as a thick plume of smoke and dust billowed into the sky.
"EVERYONE, QUICK!" Shigeru's voice sliced through the cold air like a blade.
Without hesitation, the group dashed forward, urgency quickening their pace. The wind howled around them as they sprinted across the broken terrain.
BRAWL!!!
As they reached the site, their blood ran cold.
Before them stood Rosalie and the advance team—but the scene was chaos. Bodies lay scattered, some groaning in pain, others deathly still, crimson staining the snow. Blood ran like rivers through the cracks. Vehicles were mangled and burning, smoke pouring into the sky.
Even worse, they were surrounded—encircled by more than 200 Wide-Horn Wolf Demons.
Their black fur bristled like needles, jagged horns gleaming with faint, sinister light. Saliva dripped from snarling jaws, and the glint in their eyes was pure, murderous hunger. The demons growled in unison, a cacophony of bloodlust.
GRRR!!!
The sight froze some members in place. Ryuu's fists clenched instinctively. Ryoko's eyes narrowed. Masumi reached protectively for Zanu.
"EVERYONE, STAY BEHIND!" Rosalie's voice exploded with command. "ALL OF THESE WIDE-HORN WOLF DEMONS ARE AT LEAST MID-RANK-A! IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SUICIDAL WISH, LISTEN TO ME!"
No one dared defy her. The uninjured formed a defensive line. The others gathered behind.
Rosalie raised her sword, the silver blade flickering in the light.
"Everyone of Rank-A or above—come with me. We hold the line. Everyone else stays back. Do NOT come forward."
"YES, PRESIDENT!" the frontliners roared as they rushed to her side.
Grrr!!
The wolves prowled forward, slowly closing in. Rosalie stood at the center, eyes scanning their movements. Her instincts flared.
(Something's off… why aren't they going after the weaker ones? They're focused only on us. Are we being targeted?)
She grit her teeth.
"ALL ARRAY MASTERS—GATHER AROUND ME! OTHERS—HOLD THEM OFF WHILE WE RAISE THE BARRIER!"
Rosalie brought her hands together, her mana flaring like wildfire. The array masters moved with precision, encircling her and preparing the protective formation.
GRRRR!!!
A wolf growled and charged.
"Not so fast!"
A loud, confident voice rang out as a teenage boy with spiky yellow hair stepped forward. His eyes gleamed gold like twin suns. He raised a single hand.
In an instant, a magic circle formed beneath the charging wolf.
Psh!!!
The circle exploded in a flash of blinding light. The wolf was torn apart, its flesh raining down like shredded fabric.
The boy exhaled slowly. "Heh… you would've made a good guard dog, Hash. But you're a demon."
The group turned to stare at him.
Whispers echoed.
"What kind of magic was that…? That circle just detonated and vaporized a Mid-Rank-A in seconds."
A man in his thirties muttered, his voice shaken.
GRRR!!!
The remaining wolves snarled furiously. Their bodies began to release an ominous black mist—dark energy gathering thickly around them.
The yellow-haired boy blinked. Sweat rolled down his temple.
"O-oh… seems like I disturbed someone by mistake..."
HOWL!!!
A lead wolf howled, signaling the charge. The entire horde surged forward like a tidal wave of teeth and claws.
"JUST FEND THEM OFF FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES!!" Rosalie shouted. A bead of sweat slid down her face as the array glowed beneath her.
The mages around her closed their eyes and channeled their mana. Runes shimmered in the air.
"Protect the circle! The barrier is forming!" another mage shouted.
The yellow-haired boy remained still, breathing heavily.
"Hey kid! Why are you just standing there?! Blast more demons!" the man in his thirties yelled.
The boy gave an awkward grin. "E-eh, the thing is… I used almost all my power with that move. I need some time to replenish my energy."
The man's eye twitched. "WHO SAID YOU COULD BLOW YOUR ENTIRE MANA RESERVE IN ONE SHOT?!"
He groaned, turning toward the oncoming horde. "Fine. I'll protect you. Refill your mana as fast as you can. If it becomes too much, fall back behind the principal. The demons aren't targeting them."
The boy nodded gratefully. "Thanks, uncle!"
The man froze. His brow twitched. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING AN UNCLE?! I'M JUST IN MY THIRTIES!"
The boy chuckled nervously.
GROWL!!!
Suddenly, a wolf charged at them with full speed.
The man narrowed his eyes, raising his hand.
RUMBLE.
The ground shook. A green light erupted from his palm, and a massive wooden pillar shot out from a glowing circle.
Psh!!!
The wooden spike impaled the wolf—and continued forward, piercing two more behind it.
The boy stood frozen.
(Such power…)
The man staggered, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth.
"UNCLE?! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" the boy yelled, rushing toward him.
The man pinched his ear, smirking. "I said stop calling me uncle… I'm fine. Just exhausted. Replenish your mana or retreat—I can't protect you again."
The boy gritted his teeth. "Give me five more minutes. Then I'll show you what I'm capable of."
GRRR!!!
Wolves began to surround them. Dozens. Their eyes shone with murderous intent.
The man grimaced.
"HEY BOY! RUN BACK TO THE OTHERS! YOU DON'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FIGHT YET! I'LL BUY YOU TIME!"
"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!? YOU CAN BARELY STAND! HOW WILL YOU FIGHT THEM!? THAT'S SUICIDE!"
SLAP!
The man slapped the boy hard.
"THIS ISN'T ABOUT PRIDE! I'M AN OLD MAN! YOU'RE YOUNG—FULL OF POTENTIAL! YOUR MAGIC IS RARE! DON'T DIE HERE! RUN!!"
The boy stood stunned, unable to speak.
HOWL!!!
Wolves lunged.
The man stepped forward, wobbling.
Psh!!!
A wolf leapt at him. He fell, blood spilling from his head.
Then—
Shing!
A cold gust of wind.
One slash.
And then—silence.
Wolves fell, heads severed cleanly. Blood soaked the snow.
Ryoko stood over the man, her ice sword in hand, her white hair flowing like silk in the wind. She didn't even glance at him. Her eyes were fixed ahead—emotionless.
The man stared at her, stunned.
(She… killed them all in one strike? Mid-Rank-A… with one swing? Who… is she…?)
"HEY!!"
The voice came from the ridge. Ryuu and the others came running down the slope.
Rosalie turned, a smirk forming on her face.
"Finally. You're here, Shigeru. Took you long enough."
The yellow-haired boy looked at the newcomers. His eyes widened.
"Wait… are they the Japanese Special Force? Then that girl… she must be—"
(Tatsuno Ryoko… the youngest Rank-S in the world…)
ZNN!!!
The barrier activated with a flash of golden light.
Rosalie opened her eyes, locking gazes with Ryoko.
(You really are something… I underestimated you.)
She walked toward her, the crowd parting in silence.
Ryoko turned.
Rosalie grinned. "You live up to your title. But I can't let you steal all the glory. I'm a President too."
Ryoko's gaze was blank.
"Cold shoulder? How about a competition? Let's see who can kill more demons. Let's give the people a real show—S-Rank versus S-Rank."
Shigeru sighed. (What is this sly fox thinking now…)
Ryoko looked at her. "I refuse. We're here on a mission, not a picnic."
Rosalie chuckled. "Still as cold as ever."
Ryoko turned away. "If you want the spotlight, take it. I'll just kill them all myself."
The wolf demons flinched. The air grew colder.
PSHH!!
Ryoko vanished.
Then—she appeared above them, blade glowing with power.
"Crystal Cut."
She swung.
BOOM!!!
An enormous icy slash tore across the battlefield. Dozens—no, over a hundred—wolves were annihilated in a single, devastating blast.
The field fell silent.
Blood and snow scattered like petals.
Ryuu stood, awestruck.
"Haa… the gap between us is still so wide."
Ryoko landed softly, her sword vanishing.
HOWL!!!
The remaining wolves turned tail and fled into the woods.
Ryoko walked back, expression unchanged. Masumi rushed to her.
"Ryoko-san, are you okay!?"
She didn't respond.
Everyone stared in silence. Only one word filled their thoughts:
Monster.
Shigeru exhaled and stepped forward. "Healers—tend to the injured. Our vehicles are gone, so we'll proceed on foot. We make our base here."
Rosalie nodded. "You heard him! Get to work!"
"YES, PRESIDENT!!"
The group began setting up. Healers moved quickly. Fires were lit. Tents raised.
The sun set slowly, casting a golden hue over the bloodstained valley. A pale crystal moon rose above the Alps.
Ryuu looked at Ryoko, who stood alone, her hair catching the moonlight.
He clenched his fist.
"Someday… I'll stand beside you."
But even as they rested… far beyond Mont Blanc… something darker stirred.
The true nightmare was just beginning...