Chitki zoomed her radar.
The red dot pulsed faster—too fast.
"T-Tema… it's less than two kilometers now."
Bandy squeaked and immediately grabbed Tema's leg.
"WE'RE GONNA DIEEEE—"
Static surged, shaking the entire sofa.
"Bandy, STOP." Bandri dragged him away by his collar.
She stared at the screen. "Hmm. Looks dangerous."
Her voice was calm, but she squeezed Bandy like a teddy bear.
Peppy jumped onto the couch.
"What is coming?! A ghost? A monster? A Pinapple Pizza !?"
Poppy adjusted her glasses.
"No Peppy. Judging from the movement speed, trajectory curve, and impact estimation… it's something worse."
Peppy: "Oh."
Peppy: "Wait—WORSE!?"
Mr. Monkey didn't look up from his phone.
"I need to save my progress before we die."
Bandri:"CAN'T YOU SHUT UP?"
Water Beauty stood at the corner, arms crossed.
"Hmph. If something attacks, I can handle it. I've trained—"
A sweaty droplet fell from her hand.
She quickly wiped it. "—I-I'm not nervous."
Muka yawned loudly from the beanbag.
"Is it potato chips ? no I guess."
Then fell asleep again.
Clementess stood silently, her voice-power sealed, terrified.
Chiki whispered to Tuka, "I bet if Clementess screams now, whole country will explode."
Bandri elbowed him. "NOT funny."
Chitki zoomed in further—
The dot suddenly blurred, vanished, then reappeared directly closer.
Chitki panicked, her machine blinking red.
"…It just dodged my tracking."
The entire room froze.
"WHAT KIND OF CREATURE CAN DO THAT!?" Tuka shouted.
Water Beauty gulped.
Poppy scribbled notes rapidly.
Peppy hid behind Chitki.
Tema floated up, aura rising like a storm.
"Everyone. Prepare yourselves."
Even Mr. Monkey looked up from his phone for three seconds.
That alone terrified half the room.
BOOM.
The ground shook.
Bandy screamed and created a mini earthquake.
Bandri karate-chopped his head. "Calm down!"
Peppy: "WHO IS KNOCKING WITH LEGS!?"
Poopy: "Those aren't knocks."
Muka (half-asleep): "…loud footsteps?… potato chips cannot make that…sad..."
Chitki whispered,
"It's right outside…"
The footsteps stopped.
Tema, Bear, Tuka, Chiki moved in front.
Other heroes huddled behind them like scared ducklings.
CRAAASH!
The door blew off its hinges.
Everyone screamed—except Bear and Clementess.
Chitki raised her mech arm.
Peppy clung to it.
Bandy fainted.
Bandri held him like a backpack.
Poppy covered Water Beauty, who pretended she didn't enjoy the 'attention'.
Mr. Monkey said, "Nice door animation."
Tema:"Are you kidding me? Mr.Monkey ?"
Dust swirled.
A massive silhouette stood in the ruined entrance.
Chitki's voice cracked.
"…It's him. The scent I detected earlier."
Tema stepped forward. "Who are you?"
The figure licked blood off his fingers.
"Name doesn't matter…"
His eyes shifted between Bear, Tuka, Chiki.
"I'm here for the three scents."
His teeth sharpened.
"Let the hunt begin."