When Fang Zheng walked out with Sora, the situation around them became increasingly complex, and during their "rest," this place had also attracted quite a few more victims.
What else could Fang Zheng say about this?
He could only take them all away together.
"Are we really going to find that terrifying ghost?"
Following behind Fang Zheng and Sora, a girl with curly hair and a pink hair clip asked anxiously. Fang Zheng silently turned back and glanced at her.
"What else? Do you plan to live here for the rest of your life?"
"Of course not..."
The curly-haired girl’s name was Yamamoto Mizuki, a second-year student from Shiratama High School, and also one of the victims dragged into Tenjin Elementary. Previously, she and her companion were attacked by that huge creature. Yamamoto Mizuki luckily escaped, then met Fang Zheng and Sora who had just come out of the infirmary on the first floor.
After hearing that they were going to find the mastermind behind Tenjin Elementary to solve everything, although a bit scared, she decided to follow along.
"But I say... do we really have to let that one follow us?"
At this moment, a strong-willed girl with a ponytail next to Yamamoto Mizuki complained with some dissatisfaction. She was Mizuki’s classmate Kirisaki Touko, who had previously helped Mizuki escape from the attack of the huge creature. However, now, Kirisaki Touko’s expression was clearly somewhat uncomfortable as she subtly looked back, only to see a girl in a black sailor uniform with long black hair following them from a distance.
But unlike others, this girl had a blank look in her eyes, resembling a puppet without self-awareness. Moreover, she was muttering incomprehensible poetry.
"Though our existence is but a fusion of tiny lives... Oh birds trapped here, whenever shall you meet again... little birds, you shall never meet again..."
"Let her follow, it’s no harm anyway, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to."
Glancing at the long black-haired girl tailing them, Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.
"Her spirit can barely hold on. If you can chat with her, maybe you can help her regain some sense of self..."
"......"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Yamamoto Mizuki and Kirisaki Touko exchanged troubled looks, as they were reluctant to approach this madwoman. Although the other party was female and seemed harmless, they had just escaped from the hands of several madmen, leaving them with a fear of being bitten once, twice shy...
"I’ll go, bro."
To Fang Zheng’s surprise, Sora actually took the initiative to suggest at this point. Hearing her, Fang Zheng thought for a moment and nodded.
"Then I leave it to you, Sora."
After all, Sora was technically a Dragon Veins; she still looked frail on the outside but could smash rocks to pieces with a slap. With her current defense and attack power, ordinary madmen and creatures couldn’t harm her.
"Alright."
Upon Fang Zheng’s words, Sora smiled gently, then walked to the back, softly grabbed the girl’s hand, pulled her over, and began to chat with her.
Indeed, girls can change.
Looking at the usual gentle and serene Sora next to him, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but marvel, knowing that Sora used to avoid contact with others. She mostly ignored them, but since discovering Fang Zheng’s secret in the infirmary and ever since, Sora seemed to have become docile and quiet.
Even when encountering Yamamoto Mizuki and Kirisaki Touko, she no longer showed the expression of wanting to drive everyone away, but greeted them casually.
But Fang Zheng somewhat understood why Sora had changed. She used to worry about other girls taking him away, treating everyone around her with hostility. Like a child unwilling to let her beloved toy be seen or taken by others.
Now, with their mutual secrets known, no one else could get as close as they did, so Sora had settled into victorious ease, no longer worrying as before.
But speaking of which, where exactly is Yukiko?
Thinking of this, Fang Zheng scratched his head. According to his dream, Yukiko was likely in the basement of Tenjin Elementary, where she originally kidnapped and killed Kannoyuki. It was also where Shizaki Sachiko hid bodies.
But when Fang Zheng brought Sora to the basement entrance, he was surprised to find only a wall! Yukiko had moved the basement somewhere else in spatial terms!
Did Yukiko know his prowess and get scared into hiding?
What a joke! Why does it seem like I’m the final boss and you’re the victim fleeing from me? Aren’t you supposed to be the final boss, waiting for us there?
Hence, reluctantly, Fang Zheng had to start another search with the others...
"Ah—!! Help—!! Help—!"
Just then, a piercing scream suddenly rang out, startling everyone. But the next moment, the scream abruptly ceased...
"Let’s go have a look."
Fang Zheng quickly made a decision, gesturing for the others to follow. Soon, they swiftly passed through the corridors, following the source of the sound.
At the corner of the hallway, they quickly found a huge figure.
"That’s...!"
Upon seeing the enormous silhouette, Yamamoto Mizuki and Kirisaki Touko gasped, hugging each other in fright, as it was the enormous creature that previously attacked and killed their companions!
"Ugh... ugh..."
At this moment, the hulking undead let out zombie-like growls while clutching a girl’s leg, dragging her deeper into the hallway.
"Let’s follow. Be careful not to make any noise."
Witnessing this, Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up. He couldn’t find Yukiko’s lair, but this creature was clearly one of her minions, meaning it would return. Since it didn’t kill its prey on the spot, it would likely return to its den...
Following it should lead them to the basement.
With Fang Zheng in the lead, the group quietly followed the creature, watching it cross the corridor, the hall, reaching the end of the passageway on the main building’s other side. There, a dilapidated door Fang Zheng had never seen was tightly closed.
This must be it.
"Listen to my command."
Fang Zheng turned to the girls beside him.
"On my count of three, charge together, don’t hesitate!"
"Got it, bro."
"...Alright."
Sora naturally nodded at Fang Zheng’s words and grabbed the long black-haired girl’s hand. She seemed calmer, possibly from talking with Sora, though still silent.
Kirisaki Touko and Yamamoto Mizuki hesitated somewhat but ultimately decided to go along.
"Creeeeak..."
Soon, they watched as the hulking brute dragged the girl and pushed open the door, walking inside, as it slowly closed behind them...
"One, two, three! Go!"
Fang Zheng grabbed Kirisaki Touko and Yamamoto Mizuki, while Sora held the long black-haired girl, rushing to the door. With a bang, Fang Zheng crashed in, followed by Sora and her ward.
At that moment, the door closed again.
"Roar!!"
The giant also noticed Fang Zheng and the others rushing in, letting out a roar. Dropping its prey, it charged them with its massive hammer.
"Classmate Haruno!!"
"Watch out!!"
Yamamoto Mizuki and Kirisaki Touko shouted, knowing how formidable this creature was, believing even Fang Zheng couldn’t overcome it.
However, for Fang Zheng...
"Good timing, I’m sending you to the sky!"
Facing the creature, Fang Zheng clenched his fists, readying his stance.
Ready... Fight!
Clang!
Lower Front Punch, Front Half Punch + Light Fist, Light Fist Heavy Kick, Kotogetsu Yang, Koukou, Oniyaki, Sato Hyakuhachi-Style, Orochi Nagi!
Bodigaa Mai!
Mournful silence!
Kurai Agare!
KO!
You win!
I’m exhausted.
"Wuaa—!!"
The giant howled as it flew backward, its massive body instantly reduced to black ash by the roaring flames, drifting away with the wind.
"Phew..."
Fang Zheng struck a pose, then snapped his fingers.
"All done, pack it up."
Seeing this, Kirisaki Touko and Yamamoto Mizuki were already dumbfounded.
Is this even human?
Although Fang Zheng’s display of power shocked both of them, it also gave them considerable reassurance. After all, in such a supernatural place, having a companion with supernatural powers naturally made people feel more at ease. Afterward, they successfully rescued the girl who had been attacked by the creature. Fortunately, she was only knocked out and not seriously injured, so it didn’t take much effort for them to bring her back to consciousness.
Upon waking up, they learned her name — the girl’s name was Ogasawara Nana, a student from Musashikawa Girls’ Middle School. Like the others, she too was sucked into this space after playing the Happy Yukiko game with her friends.
Although Ogasawara wanted to find her companions, this place was already the map for the final BOSS battle. Fang Zheng couldn’t just leave the BOSS and return to do side quests; he could only comfort Ogasawara that as long as Yukiko was laid to rest, everyone else could leave this space, which somewhat calmed her down.
However, the basement’s condition would not improve just because the girls felt better.
The air was filled with stench, various remnants and corpses lay scattered, and heads were placed on tables, challenging the limits of human endurance. It could be said that if Fang Zheng wasn’t by their side, and hadn’t previously demonstrated extraordinary power, these girls would probably have gone mad by now.
"It’s just ahead."
Reaching the end of the basement, Fang Zheng looked at the large door before him, squeezing the items in his hand, which he had picked up earlier, a black cat plush and a pouch containing a tongue, both belonging to Yukiko.
Now, Fang Zheng only hoped to quickly deal with this BOSS.
"Everyone, stand behind me, Sora, be careful."
Turning to the girls behind him, Fang Zheng instructed them before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
As a final BOSS battle venue, the place looked rather small, just the size of an ordinary storage room. In front of everyone was a dug pit, where a long-decayed corpse could be vaguely seen inside.
Sitting in front of the corpse was a ghost, weeping continuously.
"Yukiko."
Fang Zheng extended a hand to signal the others to be cautious, then approached the ghost and spoke.
"No, don’t come here......!!"
As Fang Zheng drew near, an icy, terrifying, and deep voice suddenly sounded.
"Don’t look at me, leave! Leave here!!"
With the roar, the ground began to shake, and the girls behind couldn’t help but cling to each other, nervously watching their surroundings.
However, Fang Zheng was unafraid.
"You’ve been here too long, Yukiko, I know what happened to you in life. But that’s all past now. Staying here only creates more bloodshed!"
As he spoke, Fang Zheng placed the tongue and black cat plush in front of Yukiko.
"These are the things you’ve lost, take them and ascend. I know you were a good child and even saved your mother. But what you’re doing now has far exceeded the limits; killing innocent people is not revenge. If you refuse to leave, then I have no choice but to send you away."
"Mum... mama..."
Gazing at the plush, Yukiko seemed to regain some sanity, reaching out to tightly embrace the tattered doll. Then Yukiko’s body slowly began to transform. Suddenly, a dark aura emerged from Yukiko’s body, enveloping her abruptly!
"I knew it was you!!"
Seeing the constantly rotating black core, Fang Zheng’s face darkened. Indeed, Yukiko might have killed many people, but the evil core was this Nirvana!
"Die!!"
With a roar, Fang Zheng punched out. The roaring flames erupted ferociously, swallowing Yukiko and the dark Nirvana whole.
"Aahhhhhhh—!!"
Screams echoed.
The black mist was naturally no match for the Primordial Fire; it melted and vanished as if exposed to sunlight upon encountering the fire. Simultaneously, a bizarre figure appeared before Fang Zheng. It looked like a female but without a nose...
How could I put it? Seemed like a female Voldemort with long hair.
"I hate you... I hate this world... I hate everything...!"
Who is this now? A hidden BOSS?
Looking at the female Voldemort struggling in the Primordial Fire, Fang Zheng was momentarily stunned. Thinking for a moment... Could this be the Undead sealed in the Book of Shadows Shizaki Yoshie mentioned?
Well, doesn’t matter.
Realizing this, Fang Zheng shook his head and then clenched his fist tightly.
"Boom!!!"
The flames erupted violently, completely annihilating the female Voldemort.
"........"
At the same time, the ghost of Shizaki Sachiko wavered a few times before stabilizing. She lifted her head, staring at Fang Zheng in bewilderment.
"I......"
"Looks like you’ve finally come to your senses......"
".........."
Facing Fang Zheng’s words, Shizaki Sachiko remained silent, merely nodding before speaking.
"I know... I’ve killed many people and done terrible things......"
"Time can’t be reversed."
Though Yukiko seemed pitiful, Fang Zheng wouldn’t forgive her for that.
"The people you’ve killed won’t come back to life. I understand you’ve gone through a lot, but that’s not a reason to harm innocents. Even if you have reasons, this sin won’t be wiped away."
"I...what should I do?"
"I don’t know either."
Fang Zheng shook his head.
"But now...at least, you can send us back."
Then he made his request.

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