Mazuki: "Hang in there, Eleni, just a little longer." Eleni looked at Mazuki in a wounded and semi-conscious state. Eleni: "You… how?" Mazuki: "Don't exhaust yourself. We'll reach the shelter soon."

Mazuki had taken one of the Apex vehicles and was driving toward the Raven shelter. Soon, he reached the outer gate of the shelter and began honking the horn. At that moment, the guards of the Raven outer gate could not believe what they saw on the camera monitors; an Apex vehicle was standing at the gate, waiting for it to be opened.

Guard Nika: "I’ll overlook the Apex soldiers, but even the 'Underground Dwellers' have trouble finding this shelter. How did this vehicle get here?" Guard Yuta: "What’s happening, sir? What is this now?"

Guard Nika pressed the emergency button, ordering all guards to go into combat mode and commanding that Boss Gin be informed immediately. Guard Nika: "Quickly, report this situation to the Boss!" Guard Yuta: "Understood!"

Inside the shelter, the situation was not good. After Mazuki, the team had grown anxious when they also lost contact with Eleni. Ren: "Father, I told you sending Eleni wasn't a good idea." Gin: "Shon!" Shon: "Yes, Boss?" Gin: "Go and investigate the situation. If Eleni is in danger, report back to us first." Shon: "Understood, Boss. But what should I do if I run into Apex soldiers?" Gin: "That’s up to you." Shon (smirking): "Very well." Gin: "If you find Eleni or any information about her, come back here immediately." Sasha: "What about Mazuki?" Gin: "Look Sasha, you heard the news. Mazuki took a huge gamble on his own; he almost exposed us. If Mazuki is still out there, Apex won't let him live." Sasha: "You mean..." Gin: "I hope it's not the case, but Mazuki might have lost his life."

Sasha could not hold back her tears. "No! No! That can’t be, he can’t be dead, noooo!" Sofia grabbed Sasha by the collar and looked at her with an angry face. Sofia: "Listen to me, you fancy insect! My Mazuki isn't that weak, okay?" Ren: "Hey, pull yourselves together! That's enough. No one said for sure that he’s dead."

At that moment, the emergency siren began to wail. Ren: "This siren… could it be?" The outer gate guards came to the team and explained the situation. Guard Yuta: "Sir, I’m Yuta from the outer gate guard team!" Gin: "Guard Yuta, is it what I think it is?" Guard Yuta: "Yes sir, at the gate—" Ren: "How can this be? How could they find us? It’s impossible!" Nero: "Boss, should I activate the escape plan?" Gin: "No need. Open the gate!"

Everyone was shocked by Gin’s answer. Gin whispered to himself: "This Vayen definitely belongs to Mazuki, but what is he doing in an Apex vehicle?" Guard Yuta: "Understood, sir!" Yuta spoke into his radio to his superior. "Guard Captain Nika, do you copy?" Guard Nika: "Listening. What are the instructions, Yuta?" Guard Yuta: "Open the gate, sir." Guard Nika: "Is that a final decision?" Guard Yuta: "Yes, sir."

Nika gave the order to the gatekeepers. The outer gate opened, the Apex vehicle entered, and the gate closed instantly behind it. After driving through a long tunnel, the vehicle reached the main entrance of the shelter. The car stopped because the entire Raven team was already standing in front of it, staring with hateful eyes. The guards stood ready with their weapons aimed, waiting for the person inside to exit.

The car door opened, and a figure in shattered white armor stepped out. The guards immediately targeted the armored man with their lasers. The armored man opened the back door and took the wounded Eleni into his arms.

Sasha: "Eleni!" Shon: "You piece of trash!" Shon channeled half of his Vayen into his fist. Just as he was about to land a blow on the white-armored man, the faceplate of the armor opened. Realizing it was Mazuki inside the armor, Shon diverted his attack at the last second. Shon’s fist hit the car instead, and the vehicle was instantly blown to pieces. Mazuki spoke to himself internally: "Whoa... if that punch had hit me, it wouldn't have been good."

Seeing that Mazuki was alive, Sasha ran to him and hugged him. Sasha: "Mazuki, you're alive!" Mazuki’s face turned red. Mazuki: "Sasha, it’s good to see you too, but you should look at Eleni’s wounds first." Sofia: "Mazukiii! I was so sure you weren't dead!" After saying this, Sofia blew a kiss toward Mazuki. Seeing this, Sasha was filled with rage. Ren came to the aid of the flustered Mazuki. Ren: "Alright, everyone calm down. First, check Eleni’s condition. Sofia and Sasha, take Eleni to the examination room. It's good to see you, buddy. Welcome back." Sasha and Sofia: "Alright."

They took Eleni from Mazuki’s arms. Just as Mazuki was walking toward the lounge, he suddenly felt as if a dagger had been plunged into his heart. His eyes began to close, he started to lose consciousness, and he collapsed to the floor.

They took Mazuki to the infirmary, administered some medication, and put him to sleep. The armor on his body retracted, flowing back into the necklace.

Nero: "Boss, look at this. Isn't this that thing?" Gin: "Star X. So, that strange armor and sword on Mazuki were the power of Star X." Nero: "What do you think about this situation?" Nero gestured with his hand toward the wounded Eleni on the stretcher. Gin: "They knew we would be there. This means they now know for certain that Mazuki is working with us." Nero: "Then the situation isn't looking good." Gin: "It seems so. By the way, where is Ren?" Nero: "He’s analyzing the particles Eleni brought back." Gin: "Alright. Let's go to the lounge then; we need to review our current status."

Gin and Nero went to the lounge. Everyone was sitting there, waiting for news on Eleni and Mazuki’s condition. Sofia: "Nero, how are Mazuki and Eleni? Are they okay?" Nero: "They are fine, don't worry. They will wake up soon." Gin approached the outer gate guards to ask about the investigation. Gin: "Did you search thoroughly?" Nika: "Yes, Boss. They weren't followed; the perimeter is clear." Gin: "Alright, thank you. You can return to your duties." Nika: "Understood. Good day."

Gin then turned back to the team. Gin: "Good news: they weren't followed." Shon: "I'm surprised that idiot managed to pull that off." Gin: "That's enough, Shon. Some of our friends are worried; please don't talk like that." Shon: "Fine. I’m sorry. By the way, Boss, that Chinese friend arrived." Gin: "Hao? Is he here?" Shon: "Yes, Hao is waiting for you in your office. He brought news from his master." Gin: "Alright. I’m going to my office. You all look after Mazuki and the others."

Gin left the team and went to his office. When he opened the door, Hao was sitting on the sofa in front of Gin’s desk, drinking tea and waiting for him. Gin: "Hao, it’s good to see you again." Hao: "Good to see you too, Master Gin." Gin: "Please, don't call me Master Gin. Just 'Boss' is enough." Hao: "As you wish, Master Gin. I have brought you a message and a mission from Master Yao Lin." Gin: "Give my regards to Master Yao Lin. I will come for that tea invitation I promised very soon." Hao: "With pleasure!" Gin: "So, what are the message and the mission?" Hao opened a scroll in his hand and read: "My dear brother Katari Gin, regarding the topic we discussed at the last meeting, the other clans have informed us that they want to see how things are progressing and will be visiting Tokyo very soon."

Gin: "Hmm, I should have known. The situation isn't very heart-warming. Mazuki hasn't even learned how to control or develop his Vayen yet." Hao: "I will help brother Mazuki as much as I can in this matter, if it is suitable for you." Gin: "Thank you, Hao, but I want to deal with him myself." Hao: "I understand, sir. No problem." Gin: "And what about the mission?" Hao pulled an envelope from an inner pocket and placed it on the desk. Gin opened the envelope and pulled out a photograph. Gin: "Who is this?" Hao: "This man’s name is Takeda Raizen. He is one of the biggest financial supporters of the Apex Order and the president of China's largest weapons manufacturing factories." Gin: "Takeda Raizen... is there a connection to Takeda Riku?" Hao: "Yes, sir, that’s exactly what I was going to say. He is Takeda Riku’s cousin." Gin: "And what does your master want from us?" Hao: "My master (from the Drako Clan) wants you to kidnap him and deliver him to us." Gin: "If this man is one of China's richest businessmen and lives in China, why doesn't your Master capture him?" Hao: "Because, sir, he landed in Nagoya last night with his private jet." Gin: "Why does the Master want this man so much?" Hao: "He didn't tell me that part of the story. It seems like a private matter." Gin: "Fine. I won't question it further. Tell your Master that I accept the offer and will set out at the first light of dawn." Hao: "Understood, sir. Thank you in advance for your help. Goodbye." Gin: "Goodbye."

Hao left the room, and a little later, there was a knock on the door. Nero entered. Nero: "Boss, Eleni opened her eyes. Come quickly." Gin: "Alright, I'm coming." Nero left. Gin looked at the photo for a long time and put it in the envelope.

Mazuki opened his eyes and was once again in the usual black void. Not knowing what to do, Mazuki suddenly heard a dark and terrifying voice. "Welcome." Mazuki: "That voice... Vesper?" "Yes, it’s me." Mazuki: "Where are you? Come out, I have things to tell you!" "I’m already right in front of your eyes."

After Vesper said this, a pair of red eyes and a smiling mouth appeared in the darkness. Only the eyes and mouth could be seen. Seeing Vesper, Mazuki grew uneasy and fell backward. "What happened, little one? Are you scared?" Mazuki: "If you appear like that all of a sudden, of course I’m scared!" "You are weak..." Mazuki: "What did you say? I didn't hear you." "You are weak, weak, weak... so weak." Mazuki: "What nonsense are you talking?" "You are so weak that even a dog would be more useful than you." Mazuki: "Look here, you damn thing, I’ll finish your job right here!" "Go ahead, finish it." Mazuki: "You'll see now!"

Mazuki reached for his waist, but he was shocked because his sword was not there. Mazuki: "Huh? Where is my sword?" "That sword that comes out of the white necklace? Hahahaha, you're so funny, kid." Mazuki: "What’s so funny?" "Do you really think you can cut a Demon Lord who has existed for centuries with such a weak sword?" Mazuki: "I'll show you!"

Mazuki began to run toward Vesper, but Vesper’s red eyes suddenly flashed. Vesper fixed his eyes on Mazuki. It was as if Mazuki’s legs had left his body; he collapsed where he was running. Before his eyes, he saw the corpses of his mother, father, sibling, and friends. "See? That's exactly why you are weak. You couldn't save your friends and your family. They all died because of you." Mazuki: "No! I didn't do anything! It's not my fault that I'm powerless!" "Don't worry, little one. I will end this pain of yours right now."

Vesper pulled his arm out of the darkness, and Mazuki's white katana suddenly appeared in his hand. Mazuki’s eyes widened in shock when he saw his white katana in Vesper’s hand. Mazuki: "What is that sword doing with you?" "Like I said, you are weak. That’s why the sword chose to be with the strong. Did you ever think your own sword would be your end?"

Vesper suddenly stabbed the katana into Mazuki and dragged the blade through his body, tearing him apart. Mazuki was screaming in pain and slowly began to fall to the ground. Mazuki: "My eyes are closing on their own... I'm losing consciousness. Am I dying?"

Mazuki fell to the ground and closed his eyes.