As Hima blocked the incoming attacks, Reon began to move as well.

Though concealed by the night, she could clearly see everyone’s position. Thorns and crimson roses spread across the ground, creeping toward the attackers.

Their attention was fixed entirely on their targets. None of them noticed the approaching danger. The darkness was their cover — and their hidden peril.

Only when the thorns coiled around their legs and sharp spikes pierced into flesh did they finally look down and see the beautiful yet deadly plants.

Some immediately drew knives and cut through the vines, but the thorns seized the opportunity to wrap around their arms. A wave of dizziness soon followed.

“My roses don’t just have thorns. They carry poison too.” Reon smiled as the shadowy figures began to stagger.

Although their heads spun and half their bodies were already entangled, their willpower was astonishingly firm. Gunshots rang out continuously. They showed no intention of stopping — if anything, the assault intensified, as though they meant to empty every bullet before collapsing.

Since she had no intention of taking their lives, Reon had used a mild toxin — one that would only make them sleep. But now it seemed insufficient.

Did they inject anti-toxin beforehand?

Reon silently increased the potency of the poison coursing through the vines.

While Reon and Hima focused on the enemies before them, a black mass suddenly darted out from the shadows of trees illuminated by a distant streetlamp. It slid swiftly across the ground before melting into deeper darkness.

Its target was clear. It was heading toward Kagumo.

Even with absolute concentration, it was nearly impossible to detect someone hiding within shadows. Kagumo, Reon, and Hima noticed nothing.

The shadow soon reached the three descendants of the God of Life. To strike a fatal blow, it only needed to move a little closer.

Bang!

A bullet struck the ground, and a black fire lotus erupted.

“Ah!”

The shadow cried out and transformed into a man, clutching the left side of his face as blood seeped between his fingers.

“There’s someone here!” Kagumo immediately shouted.

With a flick of Reon’s hand, roses and thorns wrapped tightly around the man, injecting an enhanced toxin. He collapsed moments later.

Was that fire lotus someone’s covert assistance? Kagumo scanned the surroundings, but saw nothing — except, in the distance, the fleeting edge of a black trench coat disappearing into the night.

By then, all attackers had lost consciousness. Reon and Hima withdrew their abilities.

“Where did that person come from just now?” Reon asked.

Kagumo looked at the fallen man. “He should have had a Umbra Affinity. He was hiding in the shadows, and none of us noticed. But I saw a black fire lotus just now — it forced him to reveal himself. Someone helped us.”

“An Affinity User… so that’s it. That organization does have Affinity Users.” Hima had already guessed which group had attacked them.

“Then who was the one who helped us?” Reon wondered aloud.

Elsewhere, the same black fire lotus appeared again — only this time, with far greater power.

Boom!

A group of attackers was blasted into the air, their weapons clattering to the ground.

“Honestly, we didn’t need your help.” Yan Yining held a shotgun in her hands.

Yan Yining, an Affinity User of War. Her abilities include:

Arsenal — She can manifest any type of firearm, up to three at a time.
Infinite Firepower — Ammunition never runs out until her strength is exhausted.
Customized Rounds — She can freely adjust the bullets’ power and penetration.

The God of War, Zhu Ron, is also known as the Fire God. Thus, most of his descendants possess the ability to manipulate flames.

“After all this time, that’s the first thing you say to me?”

Mo Ying put away the black scythe in her hand.

“Were we supposed to burst into tears and embrace, saying ‘Welcome back’?” Yan Yining turned her head aside.

“Forget it. That’s not our style.”

Yan Yining stared at where the fire lotus had exploded. “So your power as a descendant of the Fire God wasn’t completely removed after all?”

“…Or maybe even without that bloodline, I still have the potential to awaken the War Affinity.”

Mo Ying spoke calmly, though she still occasionally felt phantom pain — the agony of having her bloodline forcibly stripped away remained vivid in her memory.

“Ladies, do you perhaps remember there’s still someone standing here?” Yan Yuhuai stepped forward slowly.

Suddenly, a sharp sting shot through his neck, and his body trembled.

“Just testing the power of a Artisan’s creation. Seems satisfactory.” Mo Ying nodded.

“So you finally get your turn.” Yan Yining teased.

She knew what Yan Yuhuai had done to Mo Ying. Four years ago, her tragedy was inseparable from him — and given that he was also her ex-boyfriend, Mo Ying’s treatment of him was hardly surprising.

“…As long as you’re happy. Let’s go find Teacher.”

Yan Yuhuai cast Mo Ying a complicated glance before speaking.

“As long as I’m happy? Really? Then maybe I should do it a few more times.” Mo Ying asked coldly.

“…Do as you please.”

“Relax. I’m not that bored. Let’s go.”

Mo Ying walked ahead.

Yan Yining and Yan Yuhuai glanced at the unconscious attackers sprawled across the ground, arranged for someone to handle the aftermath, and left as well.