One of the hunters, still alive but hurt, stood up from a pile of rubble. His clothes were torn, his body shaking. Blood covered parts of his face. But his voice still came out strong.
"Get out of here," he warned. "This is real shit."
But then, laughter echoed.
It was loud. Cocky. Sharp like a knife.
It came from Nana, a bold young assassin. She stood with a proud grin on her face, hands on her hips like she owned the place.
"You're stupid," Nana said. "I could take all of them myself."
Noct stepped out from the shadows, his black coat dragging along the ground. His eyes locked onto hers.
"Oh really?" he said, voice low, amused but dangerous.
Nana didn't blink.
She smiled wider, full of pride. "Let's go then, you ugly, angry crackhead," Nana said.
Then she raised her hand.
The wind froze. The sky darkened for a second. The air itself bent like it was scared of her.
And then—
Boom.
New Exodus was summoned.
It wasn't just a weapon—it was a monster made of metal and dark power. Lightning sparked around it as it formed in the air, piece by piece, glowing red lines all over the blade. It floated for a moment, then slammed into her hand like it was made just for her.
The ground cracked under her feet. The pressure around her exploded.
Then she dashed forward.
Fast. Sharp. Deadly.
She swung.
Noct moved just in time, dodging smoothly. "You're just like those useless new recruits you sent," he said coldly.
Nana laughed. "You wish!" she yelled.
She slashed again—and this time, the blade nicked Noct's arm, cutting through his jacket.
He looked at the wound. "Ah… lucky strike, I guess."
Then, from the dark hallway, something stirred.
A cold voice slid through the air like ice.
"Which stupid humans ruined my sleep?"
It was Cadenza.
He stepped out like a ghost in human form. Pale face. Empty eyes. His steps made no sound.
The air changed.
One of the assassins near the wall gulped and stepped forward.
"It is I… I ruined your dream," he said, trying to joke.
But nobody laughed.
The room had gone silent.
And death had just entered.