Hajime, Daka, and Rizra found a spot to rest in the abandoned Fairy City. The tension in the air began to dissipate as they settled down, but the weight of the past still lingered heavily.

  Hajime broke the silence, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So what does Nata mean? Is it my last name?"

  Daka shook his head. "No, it's a nickname that people in the Triad of Hope called you. Nobody in the The Triad Of Hope called you Hajime, just Nata."

  Hajime frowned, his confusion deepening. "Do you know my last name?"

  Rizra responded, "I don't know. I never heard you mention your last name, even when we were kids."

  The three of them sat quietly for a moment, processing the information. Daka, aware of his limited magic reserves, used the opportunity to rest.

  Hajime spoke up again, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I've been having dreams where I die by someone's hand, but I can't see their face. Just now, I saw someone with strawberry blonde hair."

  Daka looked puzzled for a moment before realization dawned on him. "That must be Gamashiki."

  Hearing the name, Hajime's head throbbed painfully. He grabbed his head, trying to shake off the discomfort. Rizra quickly handed him some water, her concern evident.

  "Why do you care for me so much?" Hajime asked, looking at Rizra. "I thought you didn't care for people, just like me."

  Rizra took a deep breath, her eyes distant as she recalled the past. "When you were seven and I was six, I was bullied because of my family. Everyone in Veil’s End knew I was the long-lost child of a rich family, so the adults thought it was a good idea to sell me. I got kidnapped, but you saved me."

  Hajime listened intently as she continued. "You had this nonchalant attitude, like you didn't care about anything, but you still saved me. You almost killed the adults, but then you stopped, saying, 'You… Leave, or do you want to die?' I was inspired by you. I wanted to be like you. So, I cut my long hair and started training. A year later, I came back and joined the Triad of Hope with you and the others."

  Daka, trying to lighten the mood, joked, "That's how she became a tomboy."

  Rizra playfully hit Daka on the head, a small smile on her face. Hajime looked at his hand, lost in thought.

  "We need to get moving," Hajime said, changing the subject. "We still have a mission to complete."

  The trio stood up, ready to continue their journey. With renewed determination and a deeper understanding of their shared past, they prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would uncover the truth and bring justice to the Magic Gang.

  Bondo and Sockoo were diligently investigating the streets of New Zemron City, trying to pick up any leads on the Magic Gang's whereabouts. The city buzzed with activity, but an air of tension hung over their mission. As they scoured the area, Sockoo turned to Bondo with a question that had been nagging at her.

  "Why did you join the Magic Gang in the first place?" Sockoo asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

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  Bondo's response was curt. "Mind your business."

  Sockoo wasn't deterred. "Why do you act this way? Don’t act like you weren’t worried for my friends."

  Bondo's expression remained stoic. "I wasn't worried for them. I just know the boss's strength."

  As they exchanged words, an ominous pressure descended upon them, a presence so overwhelming it could kill. Bondo's demeanor changed instantly, his face turning pale. "Don't turn around," he whispered urgently. "It's the boss."

  Sockoo, caught off guard, instinctively turned despite the warning. Her eyes met the boss's gaze, and in that instant, her body was violently flung back, severely injured from a sudden explosion. Bondo, standing next to her, also felt the impact and took some damage.

  The boss, a towering and imposing figure, approached them with an aura of malevolence. His voice was cold and demanding. "You will give me the information I seek."

  Despite their injuries, Bondo and Sockoo prepared to defend themselves. The ensuing battle was fierce and desperate. Bondo and Sockoo struggled to fight back against the boss's overwhelming power. Their attacks were met with brutal retaliation, and each blow they received pushed them closer to the brink.

  Bondo, bloodied but determined, yelled, "Sockoo, we need to hold on! We can't let him win!"

  Sockoo, despite her severe injuries, pushed through the pain. "We won't give up!" she shouted, her voice filled with defiance.

  The fight dragged on, with Bondo and Sockoo doing their best to stand their ground. But the boss's strength was beyond anything they had faced before. Each of his attacks was calculated, precise, and devastating. Bondo and Sockoo were pushed to their limits, their bodies aching, and their spirits wavering.

  As the battle reached its peak, the boss smirked, sensing victory. "You're no match for me," he taunted. "Now, tell me what I want to know."

  With their remaining strength, Bondo and Sockoo exchanged a determined glance. They knew that giving up was not an option. Together, they launched one final, desperate assault, hoping against hope that they could turn the tide in their favor.

  the boss stood amidst the ruins of New Zemron City, his eyes cold and unfeeling. With a single, devastating use of his Magic Destruction ability, the entire town had been laid to waste. Buildings were reduced to rubble, and the fate of Sockoo and Bondo was left uncertain.

  In a nearby part of the city, Emily, Makoto, and Dark heard the deafening explosion. The shockwave rattled their bones, and Dark's heart sank as he realized where it had come from.

  "That was Sockoo's area," Dark said, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.

  Without another word, he took off running towards the source of the explosion. "Wait!" Makoto shouted, but Dark didn't slow down. Emily and Makoto exchanged a glance before sprinting after him.

  As they neared the epicenter, the destruction became more apparent. Dark's eyes widened with horror when he saw the boss standing amid the devastation, seemingly unscathed. His presence was a black hole of malice, absorbing all light and hope around him.

  "You!" Dark shouted, his voice echoing through the wreckage. "What have you done with Sockoo?"

  The boss chuckled, a low and chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines. Dark's rage flared. "ANSWER ME!"

  Makoto, reacting quickly, aimed his gun and fired a series of elemental bullets at the boss. But with a casual flick of his wrist, the boss deflected them all. Emily began casting support spells, enhancing Dark's strength and resilience.

  Dark's eyes blazed with shadowy energy as he charged his Shadow Magic. "This is for Sockoo!" he yelled, launching himself at the boss. Makoto provided covering fire, his bullets whizzing past Dark as he closed the distance. Emily stayed back, weaving protective and healing spells to keep them in the fight.

  The boss met Dark's attack head-on, parrying his blows with ease. "You're brave, but foolish," the boss sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

  Dark pushed harder, his determination unwavering. "I won't let you get away with this!" he shouted, his Shadow Magic crackling with intensity. He used the shadows around him, weaving them into powerful attacks, but the boss countered every move effortlessly.

  Makoto switched tactics, creating elemental constructs to trap and hinder the boss, but they were shattered almost as quickly as he made them. Emily focused on maintaining the team's stamina and healing their wounds, her face set with grim determination.

  Despite their combined efforts, the boss seemed untouchable. His power was overwhelming, and he fought with a precision that left little room for error. Dark, Makoto, and Emily were pushed to their limits, their attacks growing more desperate as the battle wore on and the boss looks like he's holding back