Ice-elemental energy visibly radiated from the prosthetics on Lycaon's legs as he charged forward, carrying Ellen on his back, sprinting desperately toward the Hollow's exit.
Behind him surged a relentless horde of Ethereals—so numerous they could easily obliterate an entire elite squad from the Hollow Investigative Association.
Even if he weren't trying to save Ellen, Lycaon stood no chance against this many Ethereals alone. All he could do was run.
But his frantic sprint came to a sudden halt when a figure slowly materialized ahead, blocking their path.
His pupils glowed with a pattern identical to an Ethereal's Core, emitting an eerie, chilling light. At the same time, Ethereals began gathering from all directions, closing off every route of escape.
Right now, the only apparent path forward seemed to be defeating the one standing in their way.
But Lycaon knew—that was impossible.
These strange beings possessed the powers and physiology of Ethereals. Normal attacks were completely ineffective. Any one of them was stronger than ninety percent of the Hollow Investigative Association's field agents.
Perhaps only Section 6, the Hollow Special Operations Unit, could pose a real threat to them.
"You two were really hard to find. Any longer, and I might've just left. Too bad… wrong place, wrong time—you ran straight into my sights."
The man with Ethereal powers stepped forward, wearing a mocking smile. The way he looked at Lycaon and Ellen was no different than a predator eyeing its prey.
His superior had tasked him with capturing the two if they escaped to this Hollow. He hadn't expected them to hide so well.
But now, at the final moment, they'd slipped—and that gave him his chance.
Lycaon didn't reply to the provocation. He simply scanned the surroundings, looking for any potential means of breaking the encirclement.
No matter how he looked at it, there was no way out—unless he abandoned Ellen. That might give him a slim chance.
But that was never an option. To Lycaon, comrades weren't disposable.
He had already lived through the consequences of that once.
So, when the man gave the command for the Ethereals to attack, Lycaon braced for a final, desperate fight.
But just as the man thought victory was assured—ready to claim both Lycaon and Ellen—a figure suddenly descended from above, landing beside Lycaon with calm precision, and froze the entire battlefield in place.
Everyone, including Lycaon, was stunned.
Then, as he realized who had arrived, his heart skipped a beat.
It was Uchiha—the legendary Hollow Raider whose name burned bright across New Eridu.
The man who'd been so sure of victory now looked grim. From the way Uchiha positioned himself, it was clear he was here on Lycaon and Ellen's side.
Even within their own organization, Uchiha's reputation was well-known. Taking down a giant Ethereal single-handedly was more than enough to spark fear.
"Uchiha, this doesn't concern you. I suggest you back off. You'll regret it if you get involved."
He might be cautious, but he wasn't ready to abandon his objective. One Uchiha wasn't enough to deter him.
Behind him stood a powerful, shadowy organization—one capable of shaking all of New Eridu. But due to certain restrictions, their leader couldn't yet spark full-scale conflict, so they operated in the shadows of the Hollows.
Zhong Yan, however, didn't acknowledge him. His eyes locked onto Ellen, slumped and pale on Lycaon's back.
On her left wrist was a simple bracelet, a small cartoon shark dangling from it.
That tiny shark was clenched tightly in Ellen's hand, as if letting go would mean the end of her life.
Lycaon dared not move. From Zhong Yan's expression, it was clear he had come for Ellen.
If that was true… they were saved.
"You arrogant punk! Think I'm scared of you? You're just asking for it!"
Furious at being ignored, the man snapped.
But before he could act, a pair of blood-red eyes turned toward him.
"Noisy pest."
The next moment, searing black flames ignited across his body—so hot, they warped the air around him.
He screamed in agony as the fire consumed him.
Only then did Zhong Yan realize—his opponent's body was constructed just like an Ethereal's.
Especially his head—inside it wasn't a brain, but an Ethereal Core.
Which meant genjutsu wouldn't work. No brain, no way to hijack the nervous system.
Still, even if illusions failed, Amaterasu—the eternal, inextinguishable flame—was enough to end him.
"Damn it! Why won't it go out?!"
The man writhed on the ground, screaming in pain, as the black fire refused to die.
As the flames devoured him, his skin and clothes melted away, revealing glowing ether particles embedded deep within his body.
Before long, as his bodily functions collapsed, his thrashing weakened… and finally ceased.
With his death, the Ethereals he had controlled began to stir, growing wild and erratic.
Instinct drove them to attack Zhong Yan and the others—but a ring of Amaterasu flared to life around the trio, forming a blazing barrier that kept the creatures at bay.
Then, Zhong Yan activated Kamui, pulling Lycaon and Ellen into his spatial dimension.
Lycaon stared blankly at the surreal sight. But as Kamui activated again, he suddenly found himself standing on a familiar street—in New Eridu.
Just ahead stood the city's central hospital. Only then did the realization hit him:
Zhong Yan had brought them here to get Ellen treated.
Lycaon didn't hesitate. Without wasting a second, he carried Ellen toward the hospital entrance.
Meanwhile, across the city, Anby—rescued from the Hollow by the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team—was being rushed to the very same hospital.