"Koleda, are you okay?"
Wise climbed out of the rubble and turned to Koleda at his side. She looked unharmed. With a quick wave of her hand, she pushed herself back to her feet.
"That really hurts... Still, I need to get back and help my sister and the others."
She grabbed her weapon, preparing to rejoin the fight.
"Wait, Koleda. Look at that!"
"Hmm? The prototype machine? Right, I checked it earlier. The logic core still works, and there's no Ethereal erosion on it. It should move."
Following Wise's words, Koleda noticed the prototype machine nearby and immediately pulled Wise into the cockpit.
The machine was old and had been inactive for years, so the two of them struggled for a while before managing to bring it back to life.
Meanwhile, at the center of the memorial plaza, Grace and the others struggled to evade the Ethereal's attacks, their movements slowing as they neared their limits.
Then, Koleda and Wise emerged from the ruins inside the prototype machine. It landed heavily, swinging its mechanical arm and knocking the monster back a short distance.
"Sister, you've done enough. We'll handle this!" Koleda shouted, sending the prototype machine charging forward.
However, the creature had fused with three intelligent machines. Even if its flexibility could not match the prototype machine Koleda controlled, its attack methods were on an entirely different level.
As the situation began to turn against them, Wise quickly recalled the charm he had used before on another Belobog Industries smart machine.
Wise did not know if the charm would work on an irrational Ethereal, but since those machines were integrated into its body, there was a real possibility.
After deciding this, he immediately instructed the system to release the charm at the Ethereal ahead.
'System, focus only on the Ethereal. Make sure Koleda isn't affected. If something goes wrong now, we're finished.'
Wise did not want to imagine Koleda suddenly losing control and starting to hug or kiss him in the middle of the fight.
[Command confirmed, Host. Charm is being released on the designated target, with Koleda excluded.]
Hearing that, Wise felt slightly relieved. Right after, the Ethereal paused, its body froze under the charm's influence.
The prototype machine seized the opening and forced the monster backward. At the same time, Grace noticed a raised structure on the monument behind it and quickly came up with a plan.
"Koleda, push the Ethereal over there. Finish it with the monument!"
"Understood!" Koleda replied, gripping the joystick and pushing it with all her strength.
Beside her, Wise did not hesitate and spent 6,000 Emotion Value, pushing his charm to the maximum of 200 while still retaining 10,000 Emotion Value.
He then jumped to the edge of the cockpit's windshield, carefully positioning himself so he would not block Koleda's sight while making sure the Ethereal noticed him completely.
The effect was immediate. The Ethereal's fierce resistance weakened, and even Koleda found herself stealing a few sideways glances at Wise.
'Why did Wise move there all of a sudden? It feels strange, yet I somehow want to grab him... No, I can't get distracted now! I need to deal with the Ethereal first.'
She told herself she could deal with those thoughts later. As long as they returned safely, hugging or kissing him would not be a problem.
Yet, as she tried to stay focused, she had no idea that Wise had already seen her inner thoughts.
Although he was tempted to complain, Wise decided to question the system first.
'Seriously? System, didn't I tell you not to affect Koleda? How did this still happen?'
Confronted by Wise, the system responded in a slightly aggrieved tone.
[Dear Host, there was nothing I could do. When you raised your Charm Value while targeting the monster, some effects naturally became harder to restrain.]
The answer made sense, even if Wise accepted it unwillingly. Fortunately, Koleda was unharmed, but this was something he needed to keep in mind next time.
Drawn in by Wise's attraction, the monster's resistance continued to weaken, and it was just about to be forced against the monument.
Right at that moment, the prototype machine failed.
"What's wrong? Why did it stop now…"
The control panel flashed red, and Koleda instantly realized the prototype machine had malfunctioned.
It had remained inside the Hollow for far too long, and with the Ethereal so close, the Ether corruption had finally taken effect.
As their push slowed, the Ethereal moved again. It did not attack the prototype machine, instead swinging its mechanical claws behind it and reaching straight for Wise.
"Oh no!"
Wise panicked inwardly. He looked back at Koleda, who was still struggling with the controls, then made up his mind and jumped out of the cockpit.
The Ethereal quickly tried to grab him, but such an attack could never catch Wise with his enhanced attributes.
He dodged it with ease, yet the monster refused to give up and continued harassing him relentlessly.
Bangboo's short limbs became a real disadvantage at this point. Even with his attributes already pushed high, he would not be able to last much longer if this kept up.
[Ding! Host, you appear to be in danger. Do you require assistance? Simply give the order, and I will immediately draw the most expensive item from the Emotion Value Shop.]
'No need. I appreciate the concern, but it's still manageable. After all, the most expensive item is that thing, right? I'm not that desperate yet. Worst case, I can just raise my charm value.'
Wise refused the system's suggestion.
Going past 200 charm cost 500 Emotional Value per single point, but after noticing Koleda in the cockpit was recovering control, he decided it was probably unnecessary.
"Damn it! Don't underestimate Belobog Heavy Industries' mechanical creations!"
Koleda shouted as she called out the prototype's name, Geroy. Memories rushed in all at once, her father, her older sister, everyone from Belobog Industries, and Wise filling her head.
With such a cliché flashback playing out, the Ethereal never stood a chance. As the villain, its fate was already sealed, ending the moment the monument pierced straight through its back.
"Phew, finally done."