Danmaku, my skills refresh weekly.

Finn licked his thumb and chuckled, "...Absolute skill, absolute brute force. Ah, this is troublesome."

"How can you laugh at a time like this, Palum!" Allen roared. "Are you mocking our weakness, just like that monster?"

Allen could never forget that disdainful look in his eyes, or Chardo's casual "So weak" as he swung his sword.

Finn shrugged. "As you can see, I was just brutally beaten too. I didn't even have a chance to fight back."

“We can’t even handle the Chardo you’re talking about, let alone two monsters of this level.”

Finn shrugged:

"Hilarious. Are you suggesting I cry in front of you guys? Don't be ridiculous!!"

"No matter how strong the enemy is! No matter how desperate the current situation is! Isn't there only one path before us?! That is to pick up our weapons and defeat the monster. It's either him or me! Is there any other way?"

"Or... are you scared? Trying to hide behind this little human?"

Finn chuckled, "Ah, if that's the case, then I won't be stingy!"

"Who the hell wants to hide behind you, Palum!" Allen roared, lifting Finn into the air.

"Oh dear, is your temper the only thing you're going to use against me? Wouldn't it be better to save your energy for smashing Chardo's head?" Finn said with a grin.

"Tch—" Seemingly understanding Finn's meaning, Allen clicked his tongue in annoyance and threw him to the ground.

Finn dusted himself off and looked at Hedin, who still retained some semblance of reason:

"Let me make this clear: if we don't unite and fight a battle beyond our current capabilities against the enemy before us, we have absolutely no chance of winning!"

"I think you understand the consequences of defeat better than I do. Those madmen from the underworld don't just enjoy killing; wealth and women are also things they pursue."

Hedin imagined Freya bound by chains, confined in a cold prison.

"We know without you saying it!"

His gaze was icy: "I will absolutely not let that happen! Even if it means death!"

Finn extended his hand: "Then...until the next battle, we'll be the closest of comrades!"

Hedin regained his composure: "Was this also part of your plan, 'Hero'?"

Finn chuckled. "Yeah. Who knows?"

……

The night was exceptionally long; even at dawn, not a single ray of sunlight fell, leaving only a sky scorched dark.

The rising black smoke, like incense used in sacrifices, was not a sign of mourning, but rather of regret and indignation.

"Hurry, there are still many survivors here!"

In the still-burning city, Shakti led the Ganesha Familia and other battered factions in a full-scale rescue effort.

However, the raging fire severely hampered rescue efforts.

"We need to send a mage...! Is anyone there?" Asphie's voice was like that of a helpless little girl.

"Help! Someone is trapped under the rubble!"

"Damn it, anyone can do it! Come here! Bring the healer over right now!"

She poured her fire extinguishing agent onto the burning beam, and before the flames were extinguished, she hugged the glowing embers with both hands.

"Please, don't die! Cheer up!"

Below the beam is an orc mother shielding her four children with her back.

"No—who?! Come quick! There are children here!" Asifi shouted with all her might, but there were never enough rescuers.

The child, his face growing paler amidst the coal dust beneath the rubble, was in grave danger...

"I... help?"

Just as Asphie was in despair, a blue-haired elf girl appeared behind her. She gently pricked her finger, and the blue crystal on her chest emitted a faint glow. A stream of water rushed into the ruins.

As the water flowed over the injured person's body, the wounds on their body and face healed within seconds.

The mother struggled to her feet, and the child in her arms cried out in pain.

"Hurry! Come out quickly!" Asif urged.

After everyone had escaped from under the rubble, Asphie took the elven girl's hand and asked, "What's your name? Which clan are you from?"

"Marie!!" The girl raised her hand!

"Forget it, now is not the time to ask questions. Come with me! There are many more people who need you!" Without thinking twice, Asifi grabbed Marie's hand and moved towards the area most severely affected by the fire.

Marie swayed slightly, then awkwardly took steps to catch up.

Chapter 180 The Scent of Stone

"This way, this way!"

"Are there any extra staff?"

"Survivors have been found here!"

The cries of adventurers echoed throughout the city. Before any rescue could begin, the order of fire suppression, rubble clearing, and survivor discovery had to be followed.

Unfortunately, carrying buckets of water is not an option. The only way to weaken the fire and prevent a secondary disaster is for a mage.

Let alone needing mages specializing in water and ice magic, there aren't even enough adventurers who can use magic to meet the needs of the entire city.

No wonder Asphie is so fixated on Maru.

As soon as the two arrived at the street corner, countless people gathered outside the Fire City turned their gazes.

"Adventurer, are you an adventurer? Please save my child!"

"He... his thing is still inside!"

They gradually gathered around and grabbed Asifi's hand.

"Can you use the magic you just used? To put out the fire here!" Asphie pleaded, clutching Marie's hand.

Compared to the brick and stone structures in other locations, the buildings on Daedalus Street are simpler, the routes are more complex, and rescue operations are more difficult and complicated.

"Please, my child is still inside!"

"My family too!"

"You must be adventurers! Please save them!"

These residents of Daedalus Street, faced with a disaster that affected the entire city, abandoned their former arrogance and willfulness, crying out and pleading.

Although Marie didn't understand, but...

"Everyone, I'm so sad. I want to cheer you all up!"

Her fingers were clasped tightly together, as if in prayer. The sapphire jewelry on her chest emitted a hazy mist.

A stream of water rose from beneath her feet, circled around, shot into the sky, and plunged into the sea of ​​fire. But this was far too little, too late.

Asphie was stunned for a moment, then covered her face: "I was too anxious. I didn't realize that you were only capable of so much on your own."

"Let's go, let's do what we can." Asphie was about to pull Marie away.

The residents, their previous grief replaced by anger and madness, cried out: "Why are you all abandoning us! Aren't you adventurers?"

"Is it because we are poor people who have no one to care for us?"

Asifi's face showed pain: "It's not that we don't care, it's just that we can't help it... there are many more people who need our help."

A man roared, "Just because they're wealthy businessmen and politicians? Just because they're richer than us?"

Those around them echoed, "You don't understand us at all!"

"No one will save us!"

The crowd descended into chaos in an instant, like hope amidst despair, giving hope only to push people back into despair. These residents, who had already resigned themselves to their fate, hurled foul curses, picked up stones from the ground, and threw them at Asfi and Marie.

"What are you doing!"

In the distance, the golden-haired elf transformed into the wind and rushed forward, brandishing her blade to block the stones thrown by the crowd. However, over a hundred projectiles still managed to bypass the sword barrier and strike Ryu's shoulder and forehead.

Asphie also held Marie in her arms.

But Ryu's appearance clearly ignited the last vestiges of public sentiment.

"Liar! Give that person back!"

"Isn't the Astrea Familia a righteous faction?"

"Won't you say you'll help everyone... won't you say you'll protect everyone!?"

"Hurry up and do something!"

"There might still be hope...maybe...I'm still waiting for me under those bricks somewhere, aren't I?!"

Why did you abandon us?!

Stones rained down, and all sorts of insults were directed at Liu's location.

The stone fell on Liu, but it couldn't surpass the heartache she felt at that moment.

Is this what they call justice, which runs counter to "ideals"? Without recognition and empathy, it's like a firework that has burned out, eventually turning to black ash, filthy and disgusting…

Ryu recalled her conversation with Ciel in the central park.

What would a hero do?

what should I do?

If Alexandra were here, what would she do?

The girl, who should have been bursting with emotion as usual, and stubbornly opinionated, learned for the first time to calm down and think things through.

Clumsy as she was, she couldn't figure out the answer, but she received a solution from a wise man...

She released her arm that had been blocking the attack, letting the stones fall on her. She silently endured the residents' venting, and then bowed deeply.

"----sorry!"

"We are not strong enough... We couldn't protect your home, we couldn't protect what's important. We couldn't lead you to your 'ideal'. We can't do anything..."