The golden chains tightened.
One after another, they wrapped around the Three-Tailed Fox's limbs, neck, and tails, glowing brighter than before.
The fox thrashed violently, roaring in fury.
Above the battlefield, the angel's smile faltered.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Oh?"
For the first time—
He looked surprised.
"How… unexpected."
---
Near the Frontline
James, Martis, and Vishal stood at a distance, watching the massive creature struggle under the returning restraints.
Vishal tilted his head slightly.
"So," he said casually, "is it finished now?"
Before anyone could answer—
The fox's eyes flared crimson.
It roared.
> Skill Activated: Fear
A shockwave blasted outward again.
Even restrained, the skill triggered.
James felt his body lock up for a split second.
Martis resisted.
Vishal staggered but stayed upright.
Then—
The fox's head snapped toward them.
Its mouth opened.
Energy gathered rapidly.
It didn't matter that chains bound it.
It could still fire.
"Move!" Martis barked.
The energy sphere shot forward.
Vishal reacted first.
He dashed sideways instantly.
Martis moved as well—
But James—
Was half a second too late.
The beam struck.
Explosion.
Heat.
Impact.
The world flipped.
---
Smoke cleared slowly.
James lay on the ground.
Crippled.
His clothes torn.
Severe burns scorched across his arms and side.
Blood seeped into the dirt beneath him.
His breathing was shallow.
Unsteady.
Martis' eyes widened for the first time since ascension.
He appeared beside James instantly.
"James."
Vishal stood nearby, watching the fading explosion in the distance.
Then he looked at James' body.
And laughed lightly.
"That was avoidable."
Martis' head turned slowly toward him.
"Silence."
He activated his command skill.
An invisible pressure forced Vishal's mouth shut mid-smirk.
Vishal get shocked, seeing he couldn't speak, as he force to but only muffled speech came out of him.
Vishal blinked in mild annoyance.
Martis carefully lifted James into his arms.
Then grabbed Vishal by the collar with his other hand, dragging him along effortlessly.
He hastily moved back toward Ark and the others.
---
Ark saw them first.
His face drained of color.
"James?!"
Sampon rushed forward.
"What happened?!"
Martis answered coldly.
"He took the direct impact."
Sampon's eyes burned with anger.
"Why didn't you protect him?!"
His voice rose sharply.
"Isn't Principle 2 to protect the summoner at all costs?!"
Martis' expression darkened.
"The trajectory shifted."
"That's not an excuse!"
They stepped toward each other.
Tension spiked.
Meanwhile—
Ark dropped to his knees beside James.
"John!"
John was already there.
He placed both hands over James' chest.
Light poured out desperately.
"Stay with me," John muttered.
James didn't respond.
Vishal stood to the side, finally freed from the command silence.
He dusted off his clothes.
"He's kind of dumb," Vishal remarked. "Just standing there."
Gob immediately shot him a look.
"Shut up."
Vishal raised both hands. "I'm just stating facts."
He glanced at James again.
"Is he really that important?"
Something inside Ark snapped.
He stood up abruptly.
"Yes!"
His voice cracked through the tension.
"He is!"
Everyone froze.
Even Sampon and Martis paused their argument.
Ark's fists trembled.
"He saved me," Ark shouted. "When I was nothing. When I was going to die."
His voice grew heavier.
"He brought Martis. He brought Sampon. He brought John."
He looked around at the group.
"Because of him, we met each other."
He pointed toward the battlefield.
"He helped survivors believe they could fight back!"
Silence fell.
Even the teenagers stared quietly.
Gob stepped forward slowly and placed a hand on Ark's shoulder.
"Calm down."
Ark's breathing was uneven.
Vishal blinked.
Then shrugged slightly.
"…Damn."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I was just asking."
The golden chains in the distance tightened further.
And John's healing light continued to pour into James' broken body.