Facing the two Skullbreakers, Anwar stood with his back to the high tower, his hands behind him. "You have dared to bring my Grandecy City to this state. This is unforgivable."
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Though Anwar maintained a calm demeanor, he was merely forcing himself to appear composed, fully aware that this was the most critical moment. Upon closer inspection, his right hand's five fingers seemed to disappear into another space, as if preparing to activate some mysterious device.
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"Today marks the end of it all! Your actions will face the justice they deserve!" Singoat Skullbreaker roared, while Anwar tried his best to remain unaffected.
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Back to a few minutes earlier.
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Festivals were never Anami’s thing. She was at home, sleeping and waiting for Ayaka to come back and cook. Suddenly, several Skullbreakers burst in, wielding giant clubs and axes, attacking the bed without a word. "Sigh, what a hassle..."
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Meanwhile, Shoyo was leading Rachel through the city, trying to evade the Fakeslaves. They knew they stood no chance against so many and could only keep running, seeking help from vice-commanders or other Huntectors.
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Despite the danger, Rachel felt no fear while holding Shoyo’s hand. A sense of security flowed from his palm to hers.
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In truth, Shoyo was more frightened than Rachel. Besides the Fakeslaves, he had to watch out for collapsing buildings due to the destruction. "Rachel, though this isn’t the best time, I want to tell you—I like you..." With the possibility of no future opportunities, Shoyo didn’t want to live with regret. Disasters often strike without warning, leaving uncertainty about what the next moment holds.
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Rachel was overjoyed by the long-awaited confession, unsure where to place her hands. Despite only knowing each other for a year, they had endured much, and now Shoyo had finally opened up. Even amidst the threat of annihilation by the Skullbreakers and the city's crisis, having her beloved beside her brought her peace.
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"I feel the same. Do you know how heartbroken I was when you pushed Edan onto me? Huh...?" Mid-sentence, Rachel noticed something and let go of Shoyo’s hand, scanning the area. "Wait here."
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She took a few steps back, as if searching for something, then bent down to pick it up. What could it be at such a critical moment? Rushing back to Shoyo, she stumbled in her haste.
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As Shoyo moved to help her up, he saw the building behind her teetering, debris falling right where Rachel lay. "Watch out!" Before he could finish, massive debris crashed down, kicking up a cloud of dust.
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Shoyo could hardly believe his eyes. He stood in a daze, his mind blank. Before he could process what had happened, his body instinctively raced forward. He was relieved to find Rachel still on the ground, though half-buried under debris, blood pooling from beneath. Her legs and pelvis were likely crushed.
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Rachel struggled to lift her head to look at Shoyo, but her injuries prevented her from moving.
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"Don’t try to get up. I’ll make sure you can see me," Shoyo knelt beside her, trying to stay as close as possible. "Idiot... why did you turn back...?"
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Shoyo slowly began to accept the reality before him, tears streaming down uncontrollably. He knelt helplessly by Rachel, futilely trying to move the debris off her. Tears mixed with rain as Shoyo exerted all his strength, but the debris remained unmoved.
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Rachel, enduring the pain, reached out to wipe his tears. "Fool... go now... I can’t be saved..."
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"I will never give up on you! I won’t leave you!"
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Several Skullbreakers roared and charged toward them. If they stayed, both would become their prey. But the worst was yet to come, as Rachel noticed an even larger piece of debris about to fall.
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Her left hand tightly clasped Shoyo's, while her right hand gently stroked his tear-streaked face. "Run... or we'll both... die..."
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"I'd rather die with you!"
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Rachel knew her time was short. To save Shoyo, she had to push him away, or they’d perish together. "Idiot, you still have... three mothers... Cloude... and Jennie..."
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The debris, loosened by the Fakeslaves’ rampage, began to fall, threatening to crush them within seconds. Though it was just two seconds, Rachel felt it was an eternity. Her only wish was to push Shoyo to safety.
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Her right hand glowed faintly, as if filled with energy. With her last breath, Rachel gently pushed Shoyo, believing the action would be futile, but miraculously, he was effortlessly propelled to safety. Perhaps the crisis had triggered Rachel's Talent for the first and last time.
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"I wish... I could see you... a few more seconds..." Watching Shoyo being pushed away, Rachel’s memories of the past year flashed before her eyes: their first meeting, feeling at home with Shoyo’s family, their late-night talks, the gifts from Shoyo's childhood, the heartbreak when Shoyo encouraged her to accept Edan, the moment he cried for her in the rain, and the joy of his recent confession—all vivid in her mind.
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Having wandered for years, Rachel thought she had finally found love and happiness, but life never goes as planned. Though she had no regrets after Shoyo’s confession, she felt bitter about facing such a cruel end.
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The debris fell mercilessly, crushing Rachel and several pursuing Fakeslaves. In her final moments, Rachel’s left hand still tightly gripped her precious shell necklace.
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"Rachel!" Shoyo realized Rachel had saved him, but he had no chance to repay her as more Fakeslaves closed in. "You worthless scum!"
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Shoyo found himself cornered in an alley with only an old well. He now had two choices: jump into the well and end his life or fight to the death.
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