James, Ark, and Gob returned quickly.
Gob carried Vishal over his shoulder like luggage.
As they approached the group, Sampon immediately ran up to them.
"I found something about the fox—"
Gob cut him off.
"We secured the soul extractor."
Sampon blinked. "You what?"
Gob dropped Vishal onto the grass.
"John," Gob said calmly, "heal them."
John hurried over. He placed his hands forward, light gathering as he healed James first— who still looked slightly pale— then Ark, then Gob.
"Why do I feel like I missed something chaotic?" John muttered.
"You did," Ark replied flatly.
A groan came from the ground.
Vishal's eyes fluttered open.
He saw himself surrounded.
His hand moved instantly—
A scythe materialized—
But Gob was faster.
He pinned Vishal's arm and immobilized him again.
"Don't," Gob warned.
Vishal exhaled sharply.
"What do you want?"
Gob didn't waste time.
He gestured to one of the fallen cloaked members' bodies that had been brought along.
"Pull out his soul."
Vishal looked at the corpse.
Then at Gob.
Then shrugged.
"Alright."
No hesitation.
No emotion.
He placed his hand over the chest.
A faint glow emerged.
He pulled.
A translucent soul slipped free, trembling weakly in the air.
Several of the teenagers stepped back uneasily.
Eumie whispered, "That's… horrifying."
Gob nodded once.
"Good."
He turned to Sampon.
"The blood."
Sampon handed over a metal cup.
Inside—
Dark, steaming liquid.
Fox blood.
"I extracted it when it rampaged earlier," Sampon said casually. "Nearly burned my hands off."
Gob took the cup.
Then looked at Vishal.
"Mix them."
Vishal didn't argue.
He guided the soul downward into the cup.
The moment the soul touched the blood—
The liquid shimmered violently, turning into a swirling crimson-gold mixture.
Vishal handed it back.
"There."
Gob turned to James.
"You pour it into the fox's mouth."
James stared at him.
"Why me?"
"You can do it," Gob said simply. "Your stats are high. You think fast. You're strong enough to survive the approach."
James opened his mouth—
Vishal suddenly spoke.
"I'm going with him."
Gob's eyes hardened. "No."
"I want to observe."
"You'll escape."
"I won't."
"You will."
They began arguing quietly but intensely.
James glanced toward the battlefield.
The fox was charging another energy sphere.
Time was shrinking.
"Decide faster," James snapped. "We don't have time."
Gob exhaled sharply.
Then looked at James.
"Fine. He goes with you."
He grabbed Vishal by the collar briefly.
"Do not believe anything he says."
Vishal smiled faintly.
"I'm hurt."
"No, you're not," Gob replied flatly.
---
Martis Returns
As James and Vishal moved toward the battlefield's edge, James checked his summon interface instinctively.
His eyes widened.
Martis — Ascension Complete.
James stopped walking.
"Close your eyes," he told Vishal.
Vishal blinked. "Why?"
"Just do it."
Vishal shrugged and closed them.
James summoned.
Dark crimson light tore through the air.
Martis appeared.
He was taller now.
More refined.
His features sharper.
His presence heavier.
The air itself seemed to bend slightly around him.
James nodded. "You can open them."
Vishal opened his eyes—
And immediately attacked.
The scythe sliced forward without warning.
Clang.
Martis caught the blade with his bare hand.
Effortlessly.
His expression didn't change.
Vishal immediately retreated behind James.
"Reflex," he said calmly.
Martis released the scythe.
He ignored Vishal entirely.
"Why are we here?" Martis asked.
James quickly explained the plan.
Pour the mixture into the fox's mouth while it's charging.
Martis listened.
Then held out his hand.
"Give it to me."
James hesitated.
Then handed over the cup.
Martis turned toward the battlefield.
The Three-Tailed Fox was gathering mana again.
The enormous sphere grew between its jaws.
Martis moved.
He ran forward—
Fast.
Faster than before ascension.
He leapt high into the air, clearing flames and debris in a single bound.
The fox's eye shifted toward him—
But it couldn't interrupt its own charge.
Martis reached the height of its muzzle.
Tilted the cup—
And poured.
The crimson-gold mixture splashed directly into the forming energy sphere and down its throat.
Martis flipped backward midair and landed cleanly beside James.
For half a second—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The fox convulsed.
Its roar became distorted.
Golden light erupted from inside its body.
Ancient chains manifested again—
One by one—
Wrapping around its legs.
Its tails.
Its neck.
The Three-Tailed Fox thrashed violently as the golden chains tightened.
The battlefield trembled.
But this time—
The chains held.