The Fragmentum monster known as "The Ice Out of Space" possessed long-range attack capabilities with an alarmingly high attack frequency.
Seele and Caelus couldn't find an opening to close the distance.
While Bronya kept the monster occupied, Caelus whispered, "I'll distract it. Use that chance to land the killing blow with your techniques."
Before the words fully left his mouth, Caelus charged forward with his bat. His movements were swift, his footwork agile, constantly testing the monster's attack range successfully drawing its aggression.
At the same time,
Seele seized the moment. Her massive scythe emitted a blinding flash of light.
The next instant,
the camera focused on the Fragmentum creature as four or five afterimages suddenly appeared. Seele darted between them like lightning,
until countless blade strikes sliced through the monster even the screen itself shattered like glass.
CRACK.
The monster was gone. Only a pile of ice fragments remained on the ground.
[Damn! That was explosive!]
[My eyes! I'm blinded!]
[Lol my roommate thought I was flashbanged in CS:GO.]
[Was watching this quietly in the dark... now I've been caught.]
[My 24K titanium alloy dog eyes! Is this what welding looks like?]
[So cool it literally hurts my eyes.]
——
"Hmph. That's all you've got?" Seele smirked at the thoroughly annihilated Ice Out of Space.
"Three against one justice served!"
"I could've handled it alone. But fighting alongside you two wasn't bad."
"Oh!" Seele pointed to a corner near the orphanage. "There should be supplies over there. Hope they're intact."
Bronya rested a hand on her chin, murmuring, "Not an illusion...?"
"Huh? What're you talking about?" Seele blinked.
"This building... these playground equipment... I've seen them before!"
"Cut the crap. The upper and lower levels have been separated for over a decade. If a noble like you had visited the Underworld before, it'd be huge news just like now." Seele paused, then gasped. "Wait... unless it was before that?"
"Exactly. That's the only explanation for these fragmented memories. Maybe exploring more will jog my memory."
The trio continued searching for remaining supplies—
while Seele and Bronya proceeded to flirt shamelessly, making late-night viewers complain about being force-fed dog food (and saving on midnight snacks).
Sure enough,
in the last untouched pile of crates,
they found medical alcohol. At the very bottom lay a snow globe.
The moment Bronya saw it, a flood of memories rushed back.
"This...
This is mine! From when I was little!"
As expected,
the three engaged in an extended conversation about Bronya's origins—
how she was once an orphan here,
the strict and mysterious selection process for becoming the "Supreme Guardian's" successor.
After rounds of self-doubt, Bronya finally choked out:
"In the end, I couldn't 'guard' anything! Why was I chosen? How could I possibly be worthy?"
Seele took a deep breath. "Hey. You done?"
"I..."
"Stop whining! What's this? A pity party? Think I'll comfort you? You know what the Underworld needs? Just surviving is hard enough!"
Gradually, Seele's harsh tone melted into something teasing.
Caelus stood frozen between them basically a lamppost, minus the glow.
Naturally, as former orphanage companions, Bronya and Seele fell into reminiscence, chatting like old friends.
"Uh..." Caelus hesitated, not wanting to interrupt their bonding moment. "Let them reconnect. We're just missing painkillers now I'll check nearby."
Following the only unexplored path, Caelus soon heard mechanical whirring.
"Hm? What's that?"
A few steps later, he spotted a familiar silhouette.
"Warning! Warning!" A Guardian Robot blared alarms at Caelus.
Caelus raised his hands, bat still holstered. "No hostile intent!"
"Protect Clara. Activating combat mode!"
Clara rushed in front of the robot. "Perkins, stop! He's not bad! Right?"
Caelus nodded solemnly.
After some conversation, Caelus learned about Clara and Svarog's relationship how Svarog raised her as family.
Clara had come here searching for medical supplies to treat injured vagrants.
[Clara being Clara so gentle, kind, and resilient.]
[Wifey's heart is pure gold!]
[If Gepard were here, he'd arrest her on the spot for being too angelic.]
Soon, Seele and Bronya arrived.
After peaceful negotiations, the groups split the painkillers and parted ways.
Seele inventoried their haul: "Steel plates, gauze, medical alcohol, analgesics... All set! Back to Boulder Town for Natasha!"
——
Shortly after,
Caelus delivered the supplies to Natasha.
Though visibly pleased, Natasha immediately noticed the shortage of painkillers.
After Caelus explained meeting Clara,
Natasha ever the compassionate doctor held no grudges.
"By the way, don't you three have bigger priorities? Oleg and your two friends are waiting."
Caelus jolted. "Almost forgot about them!"
"Wait, you're not that close? I assumed you were life-and-death comrades."
Natasha covered a laugh. "Haha, Bronya, you're adorable. The Trailblazer's obviously joking, right?"
Caelus forced an awkward grin. "Yep, totally!"
Seele, however, was impatient. "Oleg wants to discuss Svarog, doesn't he? Let's move. Sorry, Nat take care of the patients."
The trio set off again.
Caelus was just relieved they hadn't ditched him to play hide-and-seek or gamble at a fight club.
——
The scene transitioned to March 7th and Dan Heng.
March spotted Caelus first. "Hey! They're finally back."
Caelus rubbed his neck. "Sorry for vanishing without notice."
March puffed her chest proudly. "Pfft. I hold the record for unannounced disappearances!"
Dan Heng sighed. "Why are you bragging about this?"
"Ha!" Oleg chuckled. "Now that everyone's here, let's get to the point."
From the conversation, Caelus learned Dan Heng and March had thoroughly explained the "Stellaron" situation—
(Though viewers knew March probably lacked the IQ for such detailed exposition.)
Oleg found it all absurd slightly more unbelievable than drunken miners' tall tales.
Nevertheless,
with no better options, Oleg proposed having Seele guide the trio (plus Bronya) to negotiate with "Lord Svarog,"
while "Wildfire" stood ready to reinforce or retreat if things went south.
Oleg clapped Seele's shoulder. "Seele, escort our guests one more time!"
"Leave it to me, boss!"