Hina stared at the screen with tension in her eyes, her body stiff. Miko observed her closely, her sharp eyes catching the subtle shift in Hina’s demeanor. She glanced at Esha, but her face revealed nothing.

  ‘Wait…’ Miko’s mind raced. ‘Kaizen is in the middle of the forest... Why is Hina reacting like this?’

  Miko, unable to contain her curiosity, lightly touched Esha’s back with her elbow—a silent signal to ask if she could talk. Esha, knowing full well that Miko could never be deceived, looked momentarily shocked. She gave a small nod in response.

  – { Hey, Esha, you know him, right?} Miko’s voice sounded in Esha’s mind – { Kaizen told them to move, right? I won’t interfere, but I want to know. }

  Esha shifted uncomfortably – Miko-san... She hesitated before answering. – Yes, Miko-san, but we didn’t know him at first. Only Hina knew him.

  Miko’s mind went blank for a moment.

  – { Hina!? }

  – Yes, Esha continued. – He saved Hina a long time ago. She insisted on helping him. He and another man came, explained their problems, and asked for help. We didn’t know what would come of it, but for Hina, we agreed.

  – { What names did they say to you? } Miko asked, still unsure.

  Esha blinked, puzzled. – Name? He said his name was Ken. Is there anything wrong with that, Miko san?

  ‘Then They don’t know’, she realized. – { Okay, I’ll also support Hina } she said, her tone soft but firm.

  Inori, who had been watching the exchange, turned to Miko with a frown. “Senpai, please connect to Kaizen and ask what’s happening.”

  Miko sighed. “Maybe... They’ve lost concentration.”

  Inori frowned. “But they need to tell the others to control it during that time.”

  Esha said. “The other Ghost moths are following, so they may think it is not needed . I think They’ll take a rest for a few minutes.”

  Inori clenched his fists. “Still, I know it’s not the important thing, but... tch, they should at least tell the others.” She sighed “Well, after a few minutes, they’ll return. Then we can see what happens.”

  *********

  While Ghost moths moved, Ren sighed. “Alright, we can talk now. The ghost moths are gone.”

  That boy asked with an uncomfortable tone. “O-oi… what do you want to talk about? I’m in a hurry, you know.”

  Ren froze.

  ‘Wait… that voice—’

  “Huh?” he let out without thinking.

  He blinked again. ‘That’s a girl’s voice…? Seriously?’

  A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. His fingers tensed near his side.

  ‘God… why now? What can I even do now? I have to ask… I definitely felt it back then. But she’s a girl… I can’t do anything reckless, I can't question her harshly…’

  He cleared his throat. “You’re… a girl?”

  “Huh? Did I ever say I was a boy?” she snapped.

  Ren scratched his hair, confused. “…No, but I just assumed. You’ve got your face covered, and you never spoke before now.”

  “Tch. Whatever. I’m going,” she huffed, turning away quickly.

  “Wait,” Ren stepped forward. “Just one question. After that, you’re free to go.”

  She stopped.

  “Are you…. a cursed child?”

  That hit her like a thunderclap.

  Her eyes widened behind her mask. ‘Huh?! How does he know?! I didn’t even activate it! Wait…My mask is there… I was careful!’

  A childish panic surged through her chest.

  “…Wha—how would you know that?” she asked in a flustered tone, her voice suddenly much less sure of itself.

  Ren narrowed his eyes just slightly. “So that means… you are.”

  ‘Huh?! Is he testing me? So is it a bluff?’

  Flustered, she raised her hands in a defensive panic, her voice pitching up like a scolded child.

  “—N-No! I-It’s not true! You’re just saying weird things! That's cheating! I didn’t say anything!”

  Ren was confused. ‘What the hell kind of denial is that?! That’s totally a child’s way of denying things!’

  She pouted, arms crossed. “You’re making things up! That’s not fair!”

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  Ren gave a long, exhausted sigh.

  ‘What kind of girl is she?’

  He turned, half in surrender, half in amusement. “Fine, fine. Whatever. Go wherever you want.”

  Behind her mask, she puffed her cheeks, glaring at him with frustration and childish pride.

  "Hey! Where are you going? You asked me something!" she called out.

  She paused, mouth slightly open, unsure what to say next. Her eyes darted around, nervous. Her voice turned sulky. "Well... if you don't tell me how you know, I will attack you!"

  Ren blinked, caught off guard by the absurd threat. He held back a laugh. ‘Is she being serious? Or just playing around?’

  "You’ll attack me?" he repeated, raising a brow. "Go ahead and try. I don’t think your powers are that great... Even if I can't handle it the first time, I’ll manage the second."

  She huffed. "You don’t even know what power I have! And you're still daring to fight me? I don’t have time for this... Damn! Fine, I won’t use it for something unnecessary—but after I do, don’t beg me. Of course, I won't harm you seriously."

  She glanced all around.

  Ren said coolly, "Don’t worry. There’s no one around. But if you use your power, others will automatically know you are, right?"

  "Tch! I don’t use it on everyone. I use it with caution," she snapped. "I will strike immediately, then they’ll think it was something else. Of course, they might be confused... ugh, why am I even explaining this to you?!"

  Ren tilted his head. ‘What!? She’s talking like a kid…’ He watched her with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

  "Well, you already know it, right? Then there’s no problem!"

  Just as she finished, the space around Ren blurred into a faint darkness. He Caught a strange flicker of darkness—unnatural and brief.

  ‘So this is her power, huh? Too bad’

  A smirk curved his lips, not mocking, but confident. He opened his mouth slightly, and an invisible echo wave pulsed outward with a soft hum. In a single blink, he spun his body, grabbed her wrist, twisted backward, and held his katana horizontally across her neck from behind. With a swift kick to her leg, she lost balance. They both dropped into a sitting position, her back against his chest, immobilized.

  "First of all... sorry," Ren said awkwardly.

  Her eyes widened. "H-Hey! How?!"

  Ren smirked. "It doesn’t work on me. You seem pretty confident with that… maybe it works well on others, huh? Now—tell me in detail about your power."

  She was confused ‘It should’ve worked! I’m sure it should’ve…’ She pouted, cheeks puffing up again.

  "Hmph! Why would I tell you? I’m not that dumb!"

  Ren slightly shifted the katana. She tensed.

  "Hey! If you do anything, my aunty will kill you!" she blurted out.

  ‘Aunty?’ Ren almost laughed. ‘Who threatens like that… so childish…’

  He tilted his head, amused. "Aunty, huh? But in a tournament, they can't interfere, right?”

  "Then try," she growled. "My family will show you hell!"

  Ren remained calm. "Relax. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just curious about your power. Can you control it?"

  ‘Damn it... who is this guy?’ she gritted her teeth. ‘He already knows what it is anyway…’

  She huffed. "Fine! I can blind people for 10 to 15 seconds."

  Ren narrowed his eyes. "Which is it? 10 or 15?"

  "Ugh! Why are you being so annoying?!" she whined like a child.

  Ren exhaled. ‘I really don’t know what to say to this girl. She is like a kid, whose daughter is she?’ "I only have a few minutes. Just tell me."

  She sulked again, cheeks puffing. "Fifteen... but if I want to just confuse people or hide, then after ten seconds I can stop."

  Ren nodded, but then narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

  “…How many people can you block at once?”

  She paused. Silence.

  Ren tilted his head again. “Hey, I already said I’m not gonna hurt you. You can trust me.”

  She whined like a kid, shaking her head, "I don't want to tell you! Who are you even ,idiot?"

  Ren blinked. "Idiot? Oi, I’m older than you."

  "So what?" she huffed. “If you don’t respect me, why should I respect you? You even threatened me with a katana!”

  Ren exhaled through his nose. “If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have said anything, right? Please, just tell me."

  ‘Ughhh! Why is he asking so many things?! Stupid katana guy... If I just say it fast, he’ll leave me alone, right?

  If I lie and he catches it, then more trouble... tch!

  Better to just tell the whole thing and go!’

  Then she puffs her cheeks, crosses her arms, and says aloud in a sulky, fast voice.

  “Fine! I can blind whoever’s in my line of sight, okay!? But don’t tell anyone!”

  Ren’s eyes widened. ‘What the…? If someone coordinates with her, they could defeat others easily… if they're not careful.’

  "Wait—" he asked, still surprised, "Why did you tell me the truth? You could’ve easily lied."

  “Hey, idiot!” she whined. “I thought you'd let me go if I told the truth!”

  Ren sighed, not wanting to waste more time. “Alright, alright. Then tell me the second thing—can you control it?”

  “I can control it! So what?” she snapped.

  “Really?” with a smirk he asked.

  ‘Damn this guy knows everything’

  “Ugh, first remove that katana from my neck!” she pouted. Ren didn’t move, so she muttered more reluctantly, “…Well, Rarely I can’t control it and sometimes—”

  She suddenly stopped, blinking. Her eyes narrowed as realization hit.

  “Wait! I’m telling you everything…” She turned to him with a suspicious glare. “You! Say it! How do you know?”

  Ren looked unfazed.

  “You said ‘sometimes’, right?” he replied calmly. “Just think about it that way.”

  Her mouth parted in disbelief. “Huh…? W-Who are you…? No one’s ever sensed that. How did you—?”

  Before she could say more, Ren quietly gently patted her head.

  “I already told you, didn't I?” he said, voice calm. “I won’t hurt you. Trust me a little.”

  He pulled the katana away and stood up. Yuna stumbled up too, brushing dust off her pants.

  Her mask revealed her eyes beneath—round, wide, and undeniably childish. Those eyes slowly lifted toward him, not in fear… but searching. Curious.

  ‘Do I trust him? Maa said don't trust no one in this issue’ her gaze seemed to ask, wavering.

  There was no hostility in her look—only that sulky innocence that made her seem younger than she was.

  “Now then… You said you’re in a hurry, right? What happened? If I can help, I will. First—where’s your partner?”

  Ghost moths flew in from the forest, hovering and again showing them on screen.

  Inori sighed “Finally… Huh? What happened there? They looked the same as before the ghost moths moved.

  Ren's eyes flicked toward the Ghost moths as well.

  “Idiot! Now you ask?” she grumbled.

  Her voice turned serious as she explained quickly, “My partner… he touched a strange plant. It caused a burning rash, and he started scratching hard. His arms broke into boils… and then he collapsed. Before he passed out, he gave me a clue paper which was found near the crystal and said not to use a smoke emitter . I’ve been trying to find the antidote plant since then.”

  ********

  Suddenly, Inori's eyes widened. “Wait… that teenager… is that a girl?!”

  Miko her gaze fixed on the screen. ‘What…? Something’s weird. Her voice changed a bit… It doesn’t sound like hers. And… she's calling him like that?! What happened in that short time?’

  Haruki scratched his head and casually said, “Inori-sama, you didn’t know she’s a girl?”

  “Huh?! How can I know? Her face was completely hidden,” Inori snapped, still confused.

  Haruki opened the Contestant list. “Number 45—Reha.”

  Miko Thinks with a shock expression ‘Reha…? Wait… She even changed her name?!’

  *********

  Ren looked at the girl, “Show me the clue paper.”

  She reluctantly pulled it from her pocket. “Tch. Maybe you can help, see”

  He glanced at the clue, eyes scanning the lines.

  §? Clue :

  Not where the moon rests, but near the silent pond.

  Beneath the stone that never responds.

  Where sunlight fades and water stills. ?§

  “Huh… What is this…? Umm…” He scratched the back of his head. ‘If Kazuma was here, he’ll solve this’

  Then he paused, and a grin tugged his lips.

  ‘Wait… I’ve got an idea.’

  He turned to her. “I know what it means—but you have to come with me and stay quiet.”

  She squinted. “Huh? Say it first. I don’t trust you.”

  'Shit... I don't even know. How can I tell her?' he thought.

  He turned his face away, tapping his fingers awkwardly. “Umm… it’s… a pond. Water pond.”

  She immediately flared up. “I know it’s a pond too! Be specific!”

  Ren looked away again, sweating. “Uhh… Actually… I… I also don’t know.”

  She growled in frustration. “I knew it! I know you’re lying by looking at your face, Give me the paper back—I’ll figure it out myself!”

  Ren held the clue paperback, dodging her hand. “Trust me! I’ll help and get you to your partner quickly.”

  “Tch! Hey! Why are you—! G-Give it to me!” she whined like a child, stomping one foot with puffed cheeks, reaching out without thinking.

  Ren sighed “Uff... wait a sec.”

  With his katana , he opened the Dimension portal, the air split open like glass cracking under pressure. A narrow rift appeared—dark and glowing with flickers of eerie energy. Her eyes widened.

  “H-Huh?! How?! You… you can open like Haruki-san?!” she gasped, stumbling a step back. “W-Wait… where are you taking me?!”

  Ren stepped toward the rift, then glanced back over his shoulder. “Come. It’s my dimension— vast space.”

  She Didn't move.

  Ren sighed, “I don’t know about that guy’s vast space, but mine is something special. Of course, I won’t show you, but come, only then, I will help you.”

  She hesitated, nervously shifting in place. But curiosity sparkled behind her eyes as she took cautious steps forward.

  As they crossed the threshold, the world around them faded—and the dimension swallowed them whole.

  The moment they stepped in, the atmosphere shifted completely.

  A boundless landscape unfolded, veiled in dim purple and black mist, stretching infinitely. The ground shimmered with a soft, dark sheen—like polished obsidian laced with violet veins. The ground felt weightless beneath their feet, yet stable, like standing atop a shadow.

  ********

  Inori, watching from a Screen, furrowed her brow. “Something special, huh? Hey, Haruki, did you have anything special in your vast space?”

  Haruki blinked, confused. “Special? Well... I store the quadrants, symbol locations, and my items in mine. That’s all. If he’s referring to something particular, I can’t say.”

  *******

  In vast space, Infinite Void Space

  She crossed her arms, eyeing the emptiness with growing confusion. “Hey, there’s nothing here.”

  Ren glanced back at her, his tone light but knowing. “Of course, I told you, right? I won’t show you everything.”

  His curiosity piqued as she shifted uncomfortably. “Hey, I know it's urgent, but I think you’ve already put him in a safe place, right? You’re just in a hurry, but it’s not that serious, is it?

  “Huh?”

  Ren’s expression softened, his tone with curiosity. “Can you show your face? There’s no one here for you to worry about.”

  Author Note : What did you think of the chapter? Did you enjoy it? Could you have predicted it would unfold like this before posting it?