- Hidden Talent -
An explosion happened to one of the warships, and suddenly, to the army's surprise, FUG's troops appeared out of nowhere.
And there were not only FUG's people, but also a prominent figure.
She was the ruler of the second floor with long grey hair with tan skin, a pair of crimson red eyes and dressed in green military outfit with gloves on her hands. Ranked 60th in the rankings, she was a formidable foe for the army.
The Ruler of 2nd Floor, High Ranker, the Infernal Evankhell.
"The problem with the Zahard's army is they value people's background so much," she stated when she was faced with an opponent who was far weaker than her, yet insisted on something that she considered as a pointless sacrifice. "The kind of pathetic losers who care about family background or class-- HAVE NO RIGHT TO STAND ON THE SAME BATTLEFIELD AS ME!"
As soon as she defeated Vice Division Commander Khul Nissam Kay and two of his followers, she created a bright orb. The bright orb made of flames melted people who were too close with it and those who were weak to resist it. And seeing that blazing orb, Elpathion remembered only one person who could use it.
'The Infernal Evankhell!'
"There is no need for those weak fools to fight me," She declared. "They should just vanish by the flames."
Even the ships were starting to melt due to her blazing orb.
[ Evankhell's Rare Orb : Inferno ]
Seeing how their army was slowly suffering from the heat of her flames, Elpathion and Ari Bright Sharon showed themselves before Evankhell.
"Stop, Evankhell," Elpathion ordered.
"Well, well..."
"What's the leader of an entire floor doing here? How dare you oppose King Zahard?"
Evankhell didn't immediately answer his question. She simply observed her two enemies before she spoke, "Now... I finally have some decent opponents."
"...I heard that you disappeared from the Test Floor. But I never imagined that you would come here. So it's true that you are in cahoots with FUG."
"FUG or not, there wouldn't be any problem if you didn't mess with my servant."
"Isn't it because you didn't properly deal with the irregulars in the first place? Why are you standing up against King Zahard? You're only inviting yourself a quicker death."
"Death...?" Evankhell scoffed. "You make it sound as if you guys are Gods or something. How funny..."
She raised her hand and added, "Sorry, but I managed to survive from hell. I'm not afraid of death anymore. If anything that scares me, it would be... well--"
She gestured towards the flame and said, "These flames being extinguished. If my body was to stop burning, and I wanted to live under someone's thumb like you people..... that would really be my death. Honestly, what's the point living like that? You idiots."
After listening to her words, Elpathion concluded that there was no way negotiating with Evankhell.
"...we're not getting anywhere with talking," he said. "Division Commander No. 1."
"Yes sir," Ari Bright Sharon immediately replied, loud and clear.
"Tell the troops in the rear to get into formation. We're going to subdue that monster until the Squadron Commander gets here."
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
As Bam was flying as fast as he could with his butterfly wings, Charlotte followed him by running with her [ Acceleration ].
"There aren't any enemies up ahead!" They could hear her voice informing them. "You'll be at the gate soon! When you reach the gate, I'll activate it and send you to the outer area of the station! Taking our warship to get closer to them is our safest bet!"
"When you get in the warship, my brother and Ryu- Ahn will activate unnamed warships at the same time and lure the enemies away so they won't attack you! Good luck!"
"Thank you!"
But the two of them stopped when they saw Bong Bong coming towards their way. Endorsi, Miseng, and Altaira have made up their minds to follow them.
"You shouldn't be here! It's too dangerous!" Bam warned them. "Plus, you're a Zahard Princess! This could put you in so much trouble!"
'I'm convinced that he's not talking to me,' Altaira thought.
"That's okay," Endorsi calmly responded. "I'm equally screwed whether I run away or go and save them. Being a princess or not, I'm in danger too."
"I also want to help!" Miseng said. "I can't just stand by and watch more people die! There are people who we want to save too!"
While Bam was thinking about it, Charlotte held his hand.
"Let them go with us," she said. "Endorsi's Bong Bong could be helpful and Miseng could assist us with her observer. We don't have much time, so we better hurry."
At the end, Bam agreed to their desires and the five of them left with the help of Bong Bong.
In the middle of their way, they stopped when they noticed something at the outside. In the battlefield among the rankers, the blazing orb caught their attentions.
"LOOK!" Endorsi pointed out. "I think they're in a battle! Is someone coming to help us?"
"They look really strong!" Bam replied.
"That blazing orb... could it be... Evankhell...?" Altaira muttered and Charlotte it.
"Has Evankhell arrived?" She asked and Altaira nodded his head, "It seems like a big fight is going to start."
He looked at the others and said, "We have to go ASAP. With those crazy monsters outside, anything could happen to Boro and the others! Let's go!"
They ran towards the gate. And suddenly, Miseng's observer started to beep.
She noticed that there was something wrong with the floor.
"WATCH OUT!" She warned, and as soon as an explosion happened, they all managed to evade the trap hidden among the tiles of the floor.
Before them, there were two regulars, known as the Purple Eye Brothers. The two of them possessed a giant round purple- colored observer with one eye, named as Purple Eye.
"Too bad bro," one of them said regretfully. "We almost scored big time."
"I know, right?" The other one responded.
"But our plan to wait at the gate worked," the former said excitedly. "If we can take even one of them with us, we're rich!"
Endorsi looked at them in disbelief. It wasn't because the two of them were trying to capture them for money, but because of their strength.
"They look pretty weak. What should we do with them, Bam?"
"We don't have much time. I'll get rid of them."
"HEY!" The green- haired one angrily called them after listening to their conversation. "We cleared the train before you guys! Don't underestimate us!"
Charlotte looked at the young Miseng and touched her head gently. Miseng was surprised, she raised her head to find Charlotte suggesting something to Bam, "Why don't we let Miseng fight them?"
"Huh? But--"
"I heard that Miseng has been training hard lately with clicker," Charlotte said. "Since those people are scouts, Miseng who has an observer could get an upper hand. This is a perfect chance to see her development."
Miseng's eyes brightened when she heard those words. She turned around and looked at Bam, "Yeah! Let me fight this one!"
Bam looked at Miseng. He thought about it. As he found Charlotte's words reasonable, he didn't want to see his friend getting hurt.
"Fine," he agreed.
If she fails, then he and the others will interfere with the fight.
Miseng walked to face both Purple Eye Brothers. Her observer was ready.
'I used that item that Endorsi gave to me to figure out the characteristics of my shinsu, and since then, I've been training every single day without ever taking a day off. I can do this!'
[ Shinsu Boost ]
She leapt towards the Purple Eye Brothers with a surprising speed.
"That's weird. You're extremely good at using intense bursts of power. Maybe you were born like that."
"You don't know who your parents are? So your family is a secret? Maybe you have some kind of amazing hidden power."
'That's right. This is the type of shinsu... THAT SUITS ME!!'
SLAM!!
She swung her right fist towards one of the Purple Eye Brothers and punched his face. It was a powerful punch, as she immediately knocked her enemy unconscious.
[ Berserker Mode ]
"THAT'S IT!" Endorsi cheered for Miseng proudly. "NICE! YOU HAVE GROWN, MISENG! I'M HAPPY FOR YOU!!"
Bam was lost in words, "..........she seems really angry."
'Verdi once mentioned to Miseng that she is skilled with intense burst of power. It is proven in the Workshop,' Charlotte thought with a smile. 'This shinsu boost really suits her a lot that those regulars couldn't even scratch her a bit.'
'Are they seriously the regulars who finished the train before us?' Altaira wondered with a smirk as he enjoyed the scene.
"YOU LITTLE PUNK...!" The green- haired man cursed. "SLOW HER DOWN!"
[ Purple Eye's Special Skill : Slow Eye ]
The one eye on the Purple Eye began to shine.
[ Reflection ]
The observer reacted towards the attack, and when the green- haired man realized, he discovered that he was the one being slowed down. And before he could thought of the reason, Miseng has delivered a punch to his face.
"NICE SHOT, MISENG! WAY TO GO, GIRL!" Endorsi cheered. "WOHOO!"
Bam began to worry for the brothers, "...should we stop her...?"
"Nah. She's good," Altaira answered, mistaking Bam's intention as worrying for Miseng's safety.
Miseng huffed and huffed. Although she has just used it briefly, it seems to be quite tiring for her. But still, with a proud smile, she said it loudly, "YES! I'm stronger now!!"
She looked towards Bam and grinned, "Am I strong enough to save them, Viole? From now on... I don't want anyone to die because of me ever again!"
Her words reminded Bam of his determination to not let anyone to sacrifice themselves for him. Those words made him felt even more determined to save the hostages. As young as Miseng was, she was also trying not to be anyone's burden and to be a help.
"Okay. Let's go and save them together."
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Cheonhee and Callan stayed to watch the hostages.
"I'm surprised you haven't left your place to fight Evankhell yet," Cheonhee said. "I thought you enjoy challenging those who are far stronger than you?"
Callan smirked as he stared at the regulars, "Your words aren't entirely wrong. What I enjoy is the sight and the cries of a desperate man who tries everything he has to reach his goal... only to find himself being defeated miserably and lose everything he has."
Cheonhee didn't say a word about that. Callan smiled and looked at Cheonhee again, "But you can be assured! Although I sound crazy, but I know which side I'm on. For this squadron, I could willingly give up my life."
"...I know that," Cheonhee said.
"Division Commander! There are warships coming from the station! I think the regulars are in them!"
When Cheonhee saw a lot of warships were flying towards her and the hostages' direction, she realized that those regulars didn't seem to come for surrendering themselves, but challenging an army of high rankers.
She sighed, "...although I kind of expected this... but it's time for us to find out... whether those regulars are acting brave for no reasons, or they are really threats."
"But don't you think it's suspicious?" Callan pointed out. "Few regulars who are criminals could deploy a lot of warships."
"Could it be that someone inside the station help them?"
Inside the warship, their attentions fell to the hostages who were trapped and tied up.
"I think the high rankers are guarding them," Endorsi said. "So what are we going to do now, Bam?"
With a sweat rolling on his cheek, Bam answered, "We couldn't fool them anyway. Let's just face them head on."
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
"FROG! The regulars are approaching the hostages!"
In the middle of his fight against one of Karaka's servants who suddenly appeared, Death Karambit, a man with blank eyes, purple hair with grey- colored skin, and dark flames were emitted, Dorian Frog received an important message from his ally.
When he knew that the regulars were approaching the hostages, he clicked his tongue. Their original plan was completely messed up when suddenly there was an explosion, who they didn't know was done was Evan Edrock, and FUG's army appeared. And those people were actually Karaka's minions and servants.
With calmness, he immediately gave an order, "All right! Send our regulars after them! I'll head over there as soon as I'm finished here!"
"Roger that!"
As if one person to deal wasn't enough, there was suddenly a strong attack of shinsu wave. Dorian Frog managed to block it just in time and in anger, asked, "WHO THE HELL IS DOING THIS?!"
[ Hansung Yu- Type : Shinsu Control Skill : Boundless Sky ]
With the mucus, he managed to defend himself once more.
And taking the chance he was defending himself and unable to attack, a blonde- haired man leapt pass him.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Dorian Frog cursed.
The man, Hansung Yu, ignored Dorian Frog and continued to fly upwards. His skills were prepared and in front of him, green lighthouses tried to stop him.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Phonsekal Drak's voice could be heard from the lighthouses. "IF I CAN'T STOP YOU HERE, I'LL HAVE TO WRITE AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR THE DIVISION COMMANDER!! SO DO ME A FAVOR AND JUST SURRENDER!"
Hansung Yu didn't say a word and continued to attack.
[ Hansung Yu- Type Shinsu Control : Splash Damage Skill : Raging Rapids ]
A large ball of water was formed with his hands and he threw it to the lighthouses. The large amount of shinsu blocked their sights and made Phonsekal unable to move his lighthouses.
"DAMN IT!" Phonsekal Drak cursed. "IS THAT GUY A HIGH- RANKER?!"
And soon enough, Hansung Yu arrived to challenge two of the strongest high rankers in the battlefield, Cheonhee Ha and Callan who noticed his presence.
Seeing his presence from the warships, the regulars except from Everest Siblings were astounded. After all, he was one of the people who made their friends miserable. They didn't think that he would appear here.
"LET THE REGULARS GO NOW!" Hansung Yu demanded. "ONLY I, THE HEAD OF TEST FLOOR, AM ALLOWED TO TORMENT THE REGULARS!"
Callan looked at Hansung Yu in amusement, "This guy looks strong. But not strong enough."
"I told you, you can't have any spoils in the battle," Cheonhee replied. "It looks like someone is going to have to write me a formal explanation too."
"Well then---"
[ Hansung Yu's Style : Lethal Move ]
"I'LL JUST HAVE TO STEAL THEM FROM YOU!"
[ Rapid Fire Shinsu Canon ]
A giant wave of shinsu was countered by Cheonhee's Sylpheed.
[ Shield ]
Sylpheed formed purple shields to defend.
"That's a pretty powerful wave. But instead of attacking me, you should be concerned with protecting them right now."
[ Sharp Wave ]
Now, it was Hansung's turn to be in defensive position.
Callan's black eyes suddenly changed color into light purple.
[ Callan's Style : Eagle's Eyes ]
His [ Eagle's Eyes ] could see through any solid objects, relying on his concentration and mental strength. And now, he was using his eyes in order to find the trace of living beings inside the warships that were flying towards them.
And he found them.
Five people inside a single warship, while the others were simply decoys.
He smirked.
"Shining fan!" Cheonhee Ha summoned another of her weapon. A giant golden fan appeared above her as she ordered, "Blow them away."
WOOSH!
A strong gust of wind attacked them and as strong as he was, Hansung was certain that he wouldn't be able to defend against the wind. He closed his eyes, prepared for the pain that he would be receiving, when the pain never comes.
Suspicious, he opened his eyes again. Briefly, he could see green- colored bubbles between his shinsu and the gust of wind.
"I'M STILL ALIVE?!" He asked in bewilderment.
Both Callan and Cheonhee Ha noticed the green bubbles. Those were the green liquid that the princess used when she fought against Karaka.
'Wait a minute... that thing just now....'
'Is it the princess...?'
'Could it be... Yuri...?'
"Division Commander! We'll give you a hand!"
Several more people appeared. They weren't allies, for those rankers were the rankers who were working at the altar and for Zahard. They arrived to be an assistance for the army.
"Altar Director...?"
"We have to capture or kill every single person who was in the train," Arthur said. "We'll help you."
We'll deal with the regulars!!"
Another voice shouted from different direction.
Cheonhee, "What is it now?"
"It's getting more crowded here," Callan sighed in annoyance.
Riding the ships, the regulars appeared under the command of Dorian Frog.
C- rank regulars, Yuni Sona and his teammates.
C- rank regulars, Red Beard and his teammates.
Altaira sweated dropped seeing so many enemies before him, "We're completely outnumbered."
And it was too late for them to retreat.
"HAHAHAHA!" Red Beard shouted in excitement. "SO YOU BASTARDS IN THERE ARE THOSE CRAZY REGULARS WHO HAD THE BALLS TO TAKE OVER THE TRAIN!!"
He turned his head towards Cheonhee, "Division Commander! There is no need for you to face those losers! Let us deal with them!"
"Well, I'm not sure if I can trust you, but for now, I'll give you a chance," said Cheonhee.
"Thank you!"
'From the start, he's already underestimating his enemies,' Callan thought. 'It's always the arrogant ones without power who die first in battle as cannon fodders.'
"We should get out there too!" said Bam. "Otherwise, Hansung will be in danger!"
"Oh-- okay," Endorsi replied. She was a little bit surprised, considering how much Bam used to hate Hansung.
The five of them used Bong Bong to leave the warship and land on the fuselage of the warship.
'A blind girl?' Yuni Sona and the others noticed Charlotte.
Callan looked at Charlotte in disappointment, 'As the owner of Sacred Lotus, how could she possibly lose her eyesight so easily? I thought Sacred Lotus is supposed to excel in healing, but what's this?'
'But considering that she appears in the battlefield, it seems like she's not entirely weak. I'll see her strength by using these regulars.'
"HAHA! You guys don't look like much in person! You even bring a blind girl with you?" Red Beard mocked. "How about you just surrender? We'll let you work as our slaves!"
Endorsi was irritated, "... why don't you just shut up? I can smell your nasty breath from here."
"They are not worth of your attention," Charlotte said. "Let me handle this."
As she gathered shinsu on her hands, her enemies seemed to recognize her movement.
'Is that--'
'AN ORB?!'
'How can a D- rank regulars possibly use orb?' Arthur was astounded. 'Is this for real?'
Her orb which was colored in gold and pink was proven to be real when she knocked out all the regulars in the same time.
'How the hell can she beat higher- ranking regulars like that? That blind girl... is definitely not an ordinary regular.'
Hansung Yu observed the brown- haired girl, 'Even though her strength has increased... what has happened to her eyes?'
"Hah...!" Callan grinned when he saw what had just happened.
'I should have known that as the owner of Sacred Lotus, her strength couldn't be underestimated just because she's blind.'
"IT'S A MONSTER!"
The explosion of fire behind them distracted all of them but Callan.
'Little pink lotus, now I'm getting more and more curious.'
Bam noticed that a black shadow was moving right before his eyes. Callan leapt from distance to their direction with his hands extended towards Charlotte.
'Let's play together!'
Charlotte noticed someone was coming towards him. She raised her right arm in reflex and leaned backward in surprise. But before she could even release green vines to catch the person, the man has caught her and pulled her away.
"CHARLOTTE!" Bam shouted.
"WHAT?!" Hansung Yu turned his head around, discovering that one of the regulars who he wanted to rescue was kidnapped. "THAT BASTARD!"
[ Callan's Style : Black Hole ]
Near with their warship, a large black circle was formed.
"BROTHER! DON'T PANIC!" Charlotte shouted. Although she was worried with her current condition right now, but she was more worried that the original plot might change. "SAVE THE HOSTAGES--!"
[ Arena ]
Once the two of them entered the black circle, the space was closed, leaving a small black orb right where they disappeared.
Bam was about to go and save Charlotte when their warship was suddenly shaking. Evankhell's flames were burning to all directions.
"EVANKHELL! TAKE IT EASY, PLEASE.....!" Hansung Yu shouted. Rankers like him could endure the flames, but the same thing might not happen to the regulars, especially to the hostages who were tied and unable to move.
"AAAHHHH!"
"SHE'S BURNING EVERYTHING!"
"BAM! LISTEN UP!" Altaira shouted for Bam's name loudly.
"WHAT?!"
"I HAVE A PLAN!" Altaira shouted. "WE'RE GOING TO SAVE THE HOSTAGES AND CHARLOTTE!"
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Inside the unknown space, Charlotte was dropped on the floor. She was dropped in the middle of a circular arena. On the center of the circular arena, there was the sign of a black lotus with 9 petals.
The torches surrounding the arena was lighted up one by one.
'Where am I now?' Charlotte wondered as she sat down on the floor.
The place was so quiet, unlike the chaotic battlefield. And she couldn't sense anyone else but one person who was definitely her kidnapper.
'It's like a whole different space....'
"Can't you stand up?" Her kidnapper, Callan, asked. "Are you that fragile to the point that you can't withstand a little bit of pain?"
Charlotte clenched her fists and stood up. She put her right hand on her back and summoned her fan from the silver storage bracelet.
"Who the hell are you? What are you planning?"
Callan scoffed with an arrogant smirk, "You are more insensible than I thought."
The mark of black lotus on his hand glowed as he released his power. Quickly, the sinister and disquieting energy was released all over the arena.
"This power......... DIABOLICAL LOTUS!!!"
"Proudly introducing myself, High Ranker Callan, the owner of Diabolical Lotus, and your enemy."
Charlotte suddenly remembered what the pink lady said regarding the Diabolical and Sacred Lotuses.
"Truthfully, I always think that your lotus seems to come from Gardenia," she said to her, right when they were looking at her hourglass and Sacred Lotus.
"GARDENIA?! BUT ISN'T WHERE... WHERE THE FAKE CHRIST....!"
"Yes," she answered confidently. "And I kind of believe that you come from that place as well."
Charlotte looked at the lady in disbelief, "You are teasing me, aren't you? I come from a place called 'Earth', not from some kind of weird space."
"If your origin is from the so- called 'Earth', how do you have a lotus bud inside you then?"
Charlotte couldn't argue with that.
"Coming from Gardenia isn't that bad. Look at me, didn't I also come from Gardenia? And I have been giving your advises all these years. Just for you to know, those advises are based on my experiences as the owner of Sacred Lotus from Gardenia. If your flower isn't from Gardenia, how can my advises be very accurate and helpful for you?"
Again, Charlotte remained silent.
"...but the puppet doesn't come from Gardenia. How can she possess Diabolical Lotus?"
"I'm not quite certain of it... as far as I know, only the first generation could share the power of those petals with the others," the lady spoke. "Perhaps his lotus is also variant like yours?"
Charlotte smiled in disappointment and tilted her head, "So your experiences aren't completely reliable."
"Well, this is a new experience for me as well!" The lady argued, not wanting to lose. "The most important things that I could teach you are Sacred Lotus's techniques, swordsmanship, and some information about these lotuses. I think that it will be better if you learn more about Sacred Lotus and Diabolical Lotus."
Charlotte scoffed, "Do you really think a second person like the puppet will appear?"
The lady shook her head and solemnly explained,"You underestimated how far a man could go if he really hates someone. There are many people out there... who are willing to sell themselves to the devil and suffer eternal punishment in order to see his archenemy suffer. You have to be careful in all situations. And I have a strong feeling that your fate is tied with these two lotuses."
Charlotte didn't think that her words would be true one day, that another man with Diabolical Lotus would appear right before of her.
"....Are you also born with that Diabolical Lotus?" She gathered her courage to ask.
"What do you think?" He asked back.
As far as what she remembered, only the first wielders of lotus powers could share their powers with the others. Another way to obtain the power of the lotuses is to be born with their "seeds". The first wielders of lotus couldn't have existed in the tower, so she guessed that the latter must be the truth.
"It seems like your knowledge is a little bit lacking, so I'll explain more to you," Callan suddenly spoke. "The first two lotuses to have existed are Sacred Lotus and Diabolical Lotus, and the others are nothing but cheap imitations and variations of them. Therefore, the first wielders of these two lotuses were blessed with unimaginable strength... that could transcend the space and time themselves."