Deep underground within the Shinagawa Tagaden Tower, lied the Ark Dominion’s underwater dock. At the heart of this cavern with exposed rock walls, was a structure resembling a pool, constructed of concrete.

The experimental submarine “Taiyaki-kun Revised No. 8” had departed from this location, and approximately five hours had passed since then.

「Everyone isn’t coming back, uii……」

The low-ranking soldiers who were left behind to guard the base initially just worried and waited for their superiors to return, but somehow, before they knew it, they were all standing in a row, fishing with their fishing rods.

「Actually, this is a great hidden spot for fishing, ui. You can even catch sea bream here, ui.」

「Eeeeh, That’s definitely a lie, ui! It’s just connected to Tokyo Bay, that’s all, ui.」

「Just as you were saying that, I got a bite, ui! Uoooh, what a strong pull, ui! This must be a big one, ui!」

The fishing rod bent sharply, and the low-ranking soldier began to reel in the line with rapid, labored breaths.

The next moment.

「Saaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!」

「Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!」

A gigantic shark, measuring 60 meters in length, emerged from the water in the underwater dock. The ordinary soldiers scattered like frightened roaches, abandoning their fishing rods and fleeing in all directions.

「We’re baaaack, ssuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!」

「Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!」

The massive waves caused by the giant shark mysterious being swept away everything inside the underwater dock.

………………

…………

……

Some time later.

The largest space within the Ark Dominion underground secret base. The training grounds of the elite military unit, which is several times the size of the Tokyo Dome, had gathered almost all the mysterious beings residing within the secret base.

Lying in the center was the giant Tyrannosaurus-like mysterious being, Haru.

「Kyurururururururururururururuu……」

「It looks kinda sluggish, ssu.」

「Well, that’s because this one was transported through the sea alive, without any protective container.」

However, without Samecchi’s quick thinking to transform into a giant shark, not only Haru, but everyone in the village would have turned into seaweed along with the Vilalge. Rintaro gently patted Samecchi’s head, trying to comfort her.

He really wanted to pick her up and shower her with praise for a job well done, but there were more important things that needed to be addressed.

「Haru……」

Bearion murmured that single word, then placed a hand on the large cheek of his “family.”

「I’m so sorry, Haru… If only I could come to pick you up sooner…」

「Kyurururuu……」

「Uoooooooon!! I’ll definitely make sure to bring you back to the previous Haru!」

Some mysterious beings began crying along with Bearion as he wept like a man, and a heavy atmosphere enveloped the group.

Amidst all this, one strange figure stepped forward as if nothing had changed. Inevitably, everyone’s gaze—including Bearion’s—fell upon that man.

「A single drop scooped from the great ocean is but a handful of shadow filling the dark night. Yet it is precisely the ceaseless sway of white waves that colors the endless roar of the tide. He who turns his eyes away from the stars’ brilliance has no claim to be the storyteller of myths that fill the sea of stars.」

「Zazoma-sama said, “The sight of a bear crying is unbearable to watch.”」

The slender, yet beautiful person who is famously known as the sworn enemy of Bearion, the leader of the Hundred Beasts Legion, was none other than General Zazoma, the most knowledgeable expert on poisons and toxins in the entire Arc Dominion.

Bearion flew into a rage at the unexpected interruption.

「What, you bastard. Don’t come and bother me at a time like this!」

「From the very source of life, you who have overcome scorching destruction. Again we shall meet upon the Hill of Oaths, defying divine providence. Though your body is corrupted by wicked darkness, your soul still shines pure white, poised to roar across the world. The serpent of temptation bears an apple, bestowing the grace of evil wisdom upon the innocent soul.」

「Zazoma-sama said, “Your crying was so annoying; reluctantly, I will offer my assistance.”」

Saying that, Zazoma handed a small vial filled with a dark red liquid to Bearion. It was Zazoma’s “secret potion,” which had saved Bearion, and indeed the entire Arc Dominion, from dire straits on countless occasions.

（That’s… human blood…!）

Only a select few mysterious beings, including Rintaro, knew the true nature of the secret potion.

Pure human blood possesses the power to suppress the rampant growth of mysterious being cells. This explains why mysterious beings in folklore and legends worldwide, as if by mutual agreement, crave human blood.

However, would this treatment even be effective on someone who, after numerous experiments, had transformed into a 18-meter-tall mysterious being?

While Rintaro was watching the situation unfold, pondering these thoughts, Zazoma reached out his hand towards him.

「The perfection of the world is not solely heaven’s great work, nor solely earth’s divine deed. When heaven and earth unite, and the cycle of day and night revolves, our blue planet’s twinkle regains its true form. My wicked kin, now is the time to stand upon the silver screen and weave tales beneath the radiant light. Raise the curtain—the performance begins.」

「Zazoma-sama said, “If my secret potion is combined with the power of Death Green-sama, we can surely save that person.”」

Zazoma’s gaze, as he spoke, was fixed on the “black sword” held by Rintaro.

The black sword that intentionally triggers the berserk behavior of the mysterious being cells. And Zazoma’s secret potion that restores the mysterious being cells to normal.

If they could obtain both of those things, they would be able to restore Haru to her original state.

In Ark Dominion, this eccentric individual is perhaps the most enigmatic of all. He is the one who possesses the deepest understanding of the “mysterious being cell” phenomenon.

「Well, if you put it that way, I can’t very well refuse to help, can I?」

「I-Is everything really gonna be okay? Are you sure she won’t turn completely black and go on a rampage like before?」

「General Bearion, I’m also somewhat skeptical… but we don’t have any other options. Why don’t we just take a chance and trust General Zazoma’s judgment?」

「Ugh, that’s true but……」

Though Bearion hesitated at the proposal from Zazoma, who could be called his archrival, the truth was he had no other options.  Perhaps swayed by Rintaro’s persuasion, Bearion closed his eyes tightly and bowed his head slightly.

「Haru…… My family…… please help her.」

Hearing that surprisingly soft and almost inaudible voice, which was unlike anything he had ever heard from him, Rintaro nodded firmly.

A drop of Zazoma’s secret potion was dripped onto the “black sword” that Rintaro was holding.

「I can’t take responsibility for whatever happens, but… here we go.」

「Yeah, I  am counting on you, brother… Do it in one go.!」

With Bearion’s gaze of mixed anticipation and unease on his back, Rintaro swung his black sword down.The blade’s tip sliced through the snout of the colossal dinosaur, Haru.

―― The next moment――

「Kyururururuooooooooooooon!!!!!」

With a roar that shook the air, a black aura erupted from Haru’s massive form.

The aura enveloped the dinosaur’s entire body like sludge, then began to contract while swirling.

And as soon as it turned into a small lump, a patch of white skin could be seen peeking out from between the layers of sludge.

「Haru! Haruuuuuuuuuu!!」

Bearion rushed over in a hurry and wrapped the person in his own cloak, which he had taken off.

「Iwao……-kun……」

She had chestnut-colored hair and a beautiful face. Just as stunning as she looked in the photos, she wrapped her slender arms around Bearion’s neck.

「Ah, it’s me! I’m Iwao Kumada, your family!!」

Bearion shed large tears as he held his family (Haru) tightly.

Amidst everyone being moved to tears.

A single figure stood at a distance, watching the embrace with a stunned expression.

「Bea……Bearion-sama……aa…… Bearion-samaa……！」

The girl with rabbit ears pulled her military cap down low, making sure no one could see her.

Among those present, she alone was crying for a different reason.

Colonel Usanyi-chan…

The formidable female mysterious being, determined never to show her tears to others, quietly slipped away from the scene, ensuring no one saw her.

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<229: It Was A Very Scary Dream
231: A Banquet of Heaven and Hell>