"5… 4… 3… 2… 1…"
BZZZZT!
The timer reached the end of its life, emitting an eerie sound. The tension in the air had become thick—dense with anticipation. What was about to happen was beyond anyone's grasp.
The first to step into the arena was Team Khun, showcasing their resolve to help a friend reunite and assist Rachel. They were followed by Team Rachel and three other unknown teams. Together, they surrounded the throne, applying pressure from all sides.
"It's going to be a massacre," Shinso exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He could tell at a glance—those extras weren't on Khun's side. Unlike in the original timeline, he hadn't asked for their help yet this time.
Hwa Ryun sat beside him, legs extended and crossed, leaning back on her palms. She gave him a sidelong glance. Beneath the mask, her eyes narrowed in quiet judgment.
Yihwa remained silent, simply sitting with her gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Hey, FAKE~! Just like I promised, I've come for you," Androssi said with a grin, walking toward Anaak with measured steps, hands clasped behind her slender back.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Anaak didn't say a word, but her grip on the hilt tightened.
"Green April, Ignition!"
The sword in her hands morphed into multiple whip-like vines, lashing violently in Androssi's direction.
WHAP!—THWACK!
"Heh~ You call yourself a Princess of Zahard with that level of power?"
Faced with such a threat, Androssi's smirk didn't fade. Dealing with the 13-Month Series seemed like child's play to her. But now, she was surrounded—no way to escape. The vines were about to coil around and crush her body, but she kicked off the ground, launching forward and rushing toward Anaak.
"What!?"
Anaak's eyes widened in disbelief, losing her composure for a moment. Gritting her teeth, she intensified her attacks, but Androssi was nimble—dodging with ease.
"No matter how powerful the attack, it's useless if it doesn't land," someone murmured.
"That's true. I thought it was arrogance, but she's actually pulling it off."
"Then, once that lizard is dealt with, it'll be easier for us to take the throne."
Hatz and Shibisu were positioned near the throne, and Anaak's attack wasn't just aimed at Androssi—it created a protective cage around them, preventing others from approaching recklessly.
Among them, Androssi was the fastest. If she could be dealt with, everything else would fall into place—or so Anaak believed. Unfortunately, the odds weren't in her favor.
Observing from the sidelines, Shinso shook his head in disappointment. "Without a doubt, Green April is powerful. But Anaak can't fully utilize it. Although Androssi's strength is equal to hers, her speed is far greater. Once she closes the distance, it's over."
He added, "I'll give her this though—running around in high heels like that? Impressive."
Yihwa glanced at Shinso, then down at her own feet. "Hey, I'm wearing high heels too, you know?" she said, lifting her legs slightly to show off.
Shinso gave it a brief glance and turned back to the match. "That's true, but it's not suitable for you, baby," he said indifferently.
*Not suitable? *His tone irritated her for some reason. "Are you saying I'm not good enough to wear them, huh!?" she barked.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Shinso stared at her, brow furrowed. "...High heels aren't recommended for agile combatants. That's common sense; everyone knows that. As for the reason why, you're seeing it in action right now."
"..." She was speechless, her face turning a bit red. 'Everyone knows it; how come I don't know it? No way, I'm admitting it! '
"I-Is that so...? Yeah, that's right!" she muttered, averting her gaze in mild embarrassment.
Shinso ignored her and kept watching the fight. *This should be the deciding factor,* he thought.
FWOOOSH!
SWRAK!
VSSHHT!
Androssi, having dodged the lethal vines, charged toward Anaak. At the same time, multiple teams took advantage of the opening and advanced toward the throne.
Forced into close-quarters combat, Anaak had no choice but to halt Green April's wild assault.
Androssi seized the opportunity. Leaping off the ground, she seemed to run mid-air—knees lifting and redrawing to build momentum—before executing a flying kick aimed at Anaak's chest.
Anaak didn't sit idle knowing there's an incoming attack. She crossed her forearms and blocked the kick, but the impact was strong enough to hurl her into the throne.
—BOOM!
"Anaak!" Shibisu cried out, his hands clenched into fists.
He wanted to help his ally, but he was already occupied. *Damn it… why am I so useless?! *
Even as he complained inwardly, Shibisu was already doing his best. The applies to Hatz, too. Even if they wanted to assist Anaak, they were locked into a difficult situation. And the worrisome thing is, beyond them stood five others watching: Team Khun and members of Team Rachel. Who knows when they are going to attack? Right now they can only believe in Anaak's strength.
"Urghh..." Anaak slowly pushed herself up from the cracked throne. It wasn't completely destroyed, but a spiderweb-shaped dent had splintered beneath her. Blood trickled down her lip. She wiped it away and glared at Androssi.
"You're so dead..."
"Heh! Say that after you land a hit, FAKE~!" Androssi taunted with a smirk.
Anaak gripped the hilt of Green April and swung it at high speed. As usual, Androssi leapt back to dodge with ease—but as she landed, the heel of her shoe snapped.
"Ah!?"
She lost balance and toppled onto her butt.
Anaak's eyes lit up with the perfect opening.
"Payback time!" she shouted, rushing forward.
Androssi was briefly taken aback but quickly regained her composure. She drew a needle-like dagger and hurled it at Anaak.
Anaak twisted her body to evade it—but there was another attack coming from her blind spot.
Ting! ~ Ting... Ting... Clank!
The sharp clash of metal echoed through the arena, freezing everyone mid-move. Instinctively, all eyes turned to the source of the sound.
A golden crown rolled across the floor—like a coin—spinning and rattling as it made its way toward a certain someone.
"T-The crown?!" someone gasped, voice stuttering in disbelief.