At the very center of Hollow Zero, Sam Li, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and the other Adepti all manifested their true forms, surrounding and assaulting the colossal, terrifying giant.
For a time, a myriad of Adepti arts lit up the sky. Half the heavens were painted in brilliant colors by the sheer number of techniques unleashed—a breathtaking scene.
Despite the ferocity of their attacks, the giant's defense and vitality were overwhelming. Even if they severed its massive head or shattered its arms, it regenerated in an instant, returning to its peak condition.
They continued their siege for hours.
Only by dusk did they finally manage to force it to the edge of Hollow Zero, just as planned.
Hollow Zero was the giant's territory. Only within its domain could it maintain an almost indestructible body, with monstrous regeneration and life force.
But it no longer had a choice.
As the golden dragon that Sam Li had become swept its claws across the battlefield, it tore off the giant's arm. At the same time, Cloud Retainer and Moon Carver shattered the "false veil" of Hollow Zero, exposing the giant's enormous head outside the hollow for the first time.
...
On the other side of Hollow Zero, No. 11 led the Defense Force, Zhu Yuan commanded the Security Bureau, Nicole directed Billy and his team, Caesar led the Sons of Calydon, with Belobog Heavy Industries and various civilian groups all fighting swarms of Ethereal.
However, as more and more Ethereal fell, the tide of battle slowly shifted in favor of the New Eridu United Forces.
The Victoria Housekeeping team was also fighting on another front.
Under Venti's lead, they had carved out a separate pathway, launching a surprise attack from behind the Ethereal. The plan worked—but with only four fighters, Lycaon, Rina, Ellen, and Corin, their numbers were painfully small.
Venti provided music and morale—as their personal cheerleader.
Over time, Lycaon and the others realized just how crucial Venti was. With her present, they could unleash strength far beyond their limits, recover rapidly, fight with renewed resolve, and even regain stamina at incredible speed.
Lycaon and Rina eventually awakened their Visions as well, further amplifying their combat power.
After over ten hours of fighting, the Victoria Housekeeping members finally regrouped with the New Eridu United Army.
Upon seeing them, Nicole spoke seriously:
"Lycaon, Rina, you're far too late. The battle was nearly over before you arrived."
Rina smiled.
"Miss Nicole misunderstands. We arrived at Hollow Zero the moment the battle began, but Mr. Venti led us to carve out our own path..."
At that moment, Corin carefully asked:
"Is Miss Proxy here?"
Nekomata laughed.
"Of course. She, Wise, and the Traveler each took a Defense Force armored tank—fighting Ethereal over there. Since this area is nearly cleared, we'll go lend them a hand..."
However—
Before anyone could move, Corin suddenly stiffened, her eyes widening as she stared into the Ether Mist.
"A... a giant Ethereal... Lord Lycaon, Miss Nicole, Mr. Venti—there's a giant Ethereal over there..."
Hearing this, Billy waved it off.
"Another Annihilation-class? We just wiped out one—didn't think there'd be another. Nicole, boss, let's go take it out—"
He turned immediately, gripping his pistols, ready to charge—
But the moment he saw the massive shape, Billy froze.
Nekomata, Nicole, Anby, No. 11, Lycaon, Ellen, and the others all stared in shock, rooted to the spot.
Through the distant mist, an enormous, mountain-sized head emerged from the Ether fog. The head alone dwarfed even a Destruction-Class Ethereal countless times over—utterly incomparable.
Nicole felt her breath catch.
"Is that... the giant from the hollow's core?"
She had heard Sam Li and the Adepti mention the Sun-Colored Starlight Giant more than once—three thousand meters tall, like a living mountain range, whose every movement shook the earth itself.
But only now did Nicole and the others witness it with their own eyes.
Nekomata's voice trembled.
"Meow—so this is the enemy Sam Li and the Adepti are fighting?"
Billy pointed excitedly toward the mist.
"Look! A crane just flew out—another dragon! That's Sam Li! That dragon is Sam Li's true form—!"
He wasn't the only one who saw it.
Anby, No. 11, Lycaon, Ellen, Venti, and the others watched as the Adepti revealed their true forms, joining Sam Li in besieging the colossal Sun-Colored Starlight Giant.
Even Venti couldn't help but sigh.
"What a troublesome foe."
Nicole straightened her expression.
"Don't just watch Sam Li and the Adepti fight. We need to finish off the remaining Ethereal and then go help Sam Li..."
Help Sam Li?
At that scale of combat—Adepti arts flying, explosions shaking the sky—the shockwaves alone would obliterate anyone below Adeptus-level.
Still, Nicole, Billy, No. 11, Lycaon, Ellen, and the others immediately returned to battle, eliminating the remaining Ethereal.
Meanwhile, Venti walked calmly across the battlefield, plucking her lyre and singing her enchanting melodies.
The music spread across the entire war zone.
Even Sam Li, Cloud Retainer, and the others shrouded in the Ether Mist could feel the power carried in her song.
Night fell, but the battle continued.
After clearing their side of the battlefield, Nicole, Billy, No. 11, Lycaon, Anby, and the others rushed to assist the proxy and the Traveler.
Meanwhile, Sam Li—after battling for more than a dozen hours—finally forced the Sun-Colored Starlight Giant to the very edge of Hollow Zero, half of its colossal body already pushed outside.
Within the New Eridu Metropolitan Area, citizens stood atop rooftops and open squares, staring at the titan's massive silhouette. Terror swept through the entire city.
A giant thousands of meters tall—if it ever reached the city center, it could flatten New Eridu within minutes.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Many people hid in their homes, too terrified to move. Others fled toward the outer ring in their cars, desperate to escape...
Only a small number remained calm enough to keep watching the battle.
Even the remnants of the Exaltist Order hid in the shadows, observing. When they saw the titan, they too were shocked—and cried out the name of the "Creator."