Light rain covered the cracked streets of District 7, forming puddles that reflected dim light. "The scent of blood and gunpowder is getting sharper," Makima said, her eyes fixated on the debris of a building releasing black smoke. "We need to move quickly."
In the distance, emergency sirens wailed echoing through the air. "One more," Fitran grunted, lowering his head to observe the flashing red light over the puddle. "Does that mean the enemy is close?"
Makima took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension hanging in the atmosphere. "Most likely. Our target is The Maw Devil. Its main power is devour contract. Once you enter its radius, your abilities will be stripped away one by one without mercy."
Fitran activated the hologram status panel, blue lines of light reflecting in his eyes like a glimmer of hope. "There's no other choice. What can we do to face it?"
đź–Ą [SYSTEM PANEL]
Mission Type: Field Operation – Threat Level S
Partner: Makima
Affinity Bonus: +2% (Combat Co-op)
Special Condition: Affinity Cutscene Trigger – Life Threat (>70% HP Loss)
Rewards: Affinity +5% (if both survive), Trait Unlock (if finished with 50%+ HP)
Fitran looked at Makima seriously, his face reflecting the tension he felt. "Listen, this sounds like a biological version of Gödel's Labyrinth."
"The difference is," Makima spoke with a firm voice that reflected the seriousness of their situation, "this will attempt to take your name. If it succeeds, I won't be able to bring it back."
"Then don't let me fall," Fitran replied, his voice shaking slightly, expressing the struggle between courage and the unsettling fear within him. He felt his heart racing, trying to balance between hope and uncertainty.
"That goes both ways," Makima responded, her eyes scanning sharply, vigilantly observing their surroundings. "We will fight this together."
They stepped down into the underground corridor filled with mystery. The air around them felt suffocating, as if every breath led them closer to the foul aroma and thick darkness.
"Did you hear that?" Fitran whispered, his ears sharply picking up odd sounds echoing from the darkness. "There's something nearby."
"Moist sounds and the cracking of bones…" Makima glanced towards the darkness, her skin crawling with tension, feeling the impending threat with every passing second. "We need to be ready."
[SYSTEM – Combat Start!]
Wave 1 – Maw Devil Lesser Spawn
HP Fitran: 100% → 86%
HP Makima: 100% → 94%
Combo Counter: 22
Affinity Sync: 34% → 36%
Suddenly, a spawn crashed down hard from the dark ceiling, its sharp teeth glaringly visible, its eyes hollow and terrifying. "Do you see that?" Makima asked, reflexively firing the Devil Contract Shot with swift and precise movement. The creature's head flew off, black blood gushing out, spraying hot jets into the air.
"You're slow," Makima remarked, right after the bullet stopped penetrating the monster's body, her voice hinting at strength combined with speed.
"Or maybe you're just too fast," Fitran replied as he spun his blade, his eyes remaining alert and focused. "We can't let our guard down any further."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Affinity Trigger Condition Met: Partner HP < 40%
Starting Cutscene…
A loud explosion from the left shook the walls; fragments of steel and concrete rained down on Makima. "Makima!" Fitran shouted, running through the debris, the Voidlight sword shining in his hand. It was as if all movement had stopped, his instincts guiding his steps.
With a faint smile on her face, despite the blood streaming from her temple, Makima tried to remain calm. "You won't get a chance to escape…" her voice was soft, but uncertainty lingered in her gaze.
"There's no escape without you," Fitran replied, confident and determined. In an instant, the Voidlight blade shot out—Over Sever—slicing through steel like paper. Debris fell apart, freeing him from the shadows of darkness.
Time seemed to slow down. The sounds around faded away. Affinity Cutscene activated—only the two of them moved, trapped in this moment.
[Affinity Interaction Cutscene]
Affinity: 36% → 42%
Special Dialog Unlocked
Option A: "You mean more to me than any mission."
Option B: "Don't make me save you again."
Option C: [Silence – Maintain Eye Contact]
Fitran spoke softly, "I understand we're here for a specific purpose, but you mean more to me than all these missions." He hoped his words could create a better atmosphere.
"If that's the case..." Makima replied, her voice steady, yet the tension reflected on her face couldn't be hidden. "Don't die before I have a chance to test you again."
Time seemed to return to normal. "Watch out!" Fitran shouted, his voice full of urgency as he heard a sound from the darkness growing louder, signaling an impending threat. The sound was like waves of water mixing with the crunching of bones.
The Maw Devil slowly crawled out from the dark corridor—"Yeah, I see it," Fitran shouted, his feet ready to face the emerging danger. The entire body of the creature resembled a terrifying jaw. The bone structure, both upper and lower, protruded like crab legs, with torn and disgusting flesh. "This... is a horrific creature."
Its tongue was forked, hanging like a wet rope, dripping acidic fluid that melted the concrete beneath it. Each step it took left a melting trail, revealing the terrifying strength of this creature.
The air around him trembled, and Fitran couldn't believe what he was seeing. "This can't be happening! No way!" he shouted in despair, as if the world around him was starting to collapse. He felt his own name slowly fading from his mind. The smell of burnt flesh mixed with sharp metal pierced his nose, causing their stomachs to churn. From the depths of his throat, a heavy, slow breath, full of hunger, escaped. "Makima, we can't retreat now!" Fitran yelled, his voice wavering between bravery and fear.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Mission Status: Boss Fight Started
Affinity Key: +42% until the mission ends
Partner Trait Progress: Mutual Dependency (12%)
"Leave your first attack to me," Fitran said, confidently spinning the Voidlight blade. Blue sparks lit up brightly when it struck the pool of blood beneath him, radiating a sense of death that enveloped the area.
Makima adjusted her raincoat, staring with eyes that sparkled sharply. "If you fail," she threatened in a flat voice, offering no hint of mercy, "I will devour what's left of you before you even have the chance to scream."
The Maw Devil clenched its jaw until the sound of breaking metal echoed in the air. "I will destroy you all!" it shouted, then surged forward. Its massive arms slashed through the air, tearing the walls like paper, sending sharp concrete shards flying in all directions. "Watch out!"
Sensing the wave of power approaching, Fitran felt his spirit ignite. "Let's see who is really preying on whom," he said challengingly, his eyes shining with confidence. The Spiral Guard aura erupted around him, a shimmering barrier ready to absorb any incoming shock. He shifted his stance, prepared to face anything, every fiber of his muscles vibrating with energy, waiting patiently as the challenge of combat drew nearer.