As Rizra started dragging Bondo's unconscious body, her vision blurred, and a sharp pain shot through her chest. She staggered, dropping to one knee, clutching her side. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth as she coughed violently, splattering the ground.

  "Damn it..."

  Before she could stand again, her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground. The forest around her seemed to spin, and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

  In the distance, Daka appeared, dragging an unconscious Yu behind him, his own body battered and his movements labored. His face twisted in shock when he saw Rizra on the ground, blood staining her lips.

  "Rizra!"

  Rizra’s eyes fluttered open, her breathing shallow but steady. "I... I got them... Makoto, Emily, Angel, Dark, and Bondo... tied them up..."

  Daka’s expression softened, though his worry didn’t fade. "You pushed yourself too far."

  "No time for lectures, Daka,""We’ve got work to do."

  Daka shook his head, lifting her gently into his arms. "You’ve done enough. Let me handle the rest."

  He glanced back at the tied-up Yu and the other captives. "We’ll get them all back to the cabin, and Amy can help with the mind control. Just hang in there, Rizra."

  Rizra’s head leaned against Daka’s shoulder as he carried her, her body limp but her determination unwavering. Despite the pain, she managed to whisper, "Don’t let Hajime... do anything reckless..."

  Daka chuckled softly, though his voice was tinged with concern. "You know him better than that. He’s probably already doing something reckless."

  With one last effort, Daka gathered all the captives and began the arduous journey back to the cabin, carrying the weight of his team’s struggles and the hope of saving them all.

  Back at the cabin, the atmosphere was tense but slightly hopeful. Rizra lay on a makeshift bed, her breathing steady but labored, her injuries patched up with the limited medical supplies they had. Daka, sitting nearby, worked on tending his own wounds, grimacing as he applied disinfectant to a particularly deep cut on his arm.

  Amy stood in the center of the room, her hands glowing faintly with a soft pink hue as she concentrated on her psychic powers. Makoto, Emily, Yu, Angel, Dark, Bondo, and Yosuke were all seated against the walls, their hands and feet tied. Their expressions were blank, their bodies still under the influence of Streetka’s control.

  Daka glanced at Amy, his voice tinged with both concern and urgency. "Can you do it?"

  Amy nodded slightly, her eyes narrowing as she focused. "It’s tough, but I can feel their real selves. They’re still fighting back inside. Just... give me a minute."

  She began with Yu, her hands hovering over his forehead. A soft, ethereal light pulsed as she delved deeper into his mind. Yu’s expression twisted, a flicker of confusion and pain crossing his face. Suddenly, his body jerked, and his eyes snapped open.

  "What... where am I?"

  Daka immediately moved to his side, placing a calming hand on his shoulder. "Relax, you’re safe now. You were under control, but Amy freed you."

  Yu’s face contorted in anger and shame as memories of his actions resurfaced. "I... hurt you, didn’t I?"

  Daka offered a faint smile. "You weren’t yourself. We’ll talk later—just rest for now."

  Amy moved to the next person, repeating the process. One by one, the captives were freed from Streetka’s control. Each of them woke up disoriented but relieved, the heavy fog in their minds finally lifted.

  When Amy reached Yosuke, she hesitated for a moment, sensing the depth of the control within him. Her hands glowed brighter as she focused harder, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Yosuke groaned, his body convulsing slightly, but after a moment, he gasped and opened his eyes, blinking rapidly.

  "What... happened to me?"

  Daka gave a small nod of reassurance. "You’re back. Amy broke the control."

  Yosuke's face fell as he pieced together what he had done. "I stabbed you... I poisoned you..."

  "You weren’t yourself,""Let’s focus on moving forward."

  Amy moved to the last person, Bondo, her energy visibly waning. By the time she freed him, she stumbled slightly, her legs giving out. Daka was quick to catch her, steadying her.

  This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

  "You okay?"

  Amy gave a weak smile, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Yeah, just tired. But it’s done."

  Makoto, now freed, looked at the others, guilt evident in his eyes. "We... we didn’t mean to..."

  "We know,""None of this was your fault."

  Daka addressed the group, his tone serious. "We don’t have time to dwell on it. Hajime’s out there, facing Streetka alone. We need to get ready and back him up."

  Yosuke, though shaken, stood up, determination blazing in his eyes. "He saved us before. Now it’s our turn to save him."

  The others nodded in agreement, their guilt replaced with a burning resolve.

  Amy, still drained, raised her hand. "I’ll guide you all there telepathically. Let’s not waste any more time."

  Daka, Yosuke, and the others prepared to move, a new sense of unity binding them together as they set out to help Hajime.

  As everyone prepared to move, Dark, now free from Streetka’s control, looked around the cabin, his expression troubled. His sharp eyes scanned the room, but something—or rather, someone—was missing.

  "Where’s Sockoo?"

  Daka paused mid-step, his jaw tightening. He exchanged a quick glance with Rizra, who was still lying down, recovering. The weight of the question hung heavy in the air.

  Yu, still weak but standing, added, "Yeah, she’s not here. Did something happen to her?"

  Daka sighed deeply and finally spoke, his tone somber. "Hajime went after her. He found her with Streetka."

  Dark’s eyes narrowed. "And you let him go alone? Are you serious?"

  Daka clenched his fists. "You think I wanted this? Hajime insisted. He made a promise to bring her back, and no one could stop him."

  Dark looked furious, his fists trembling. "You should’ve stopped him. He’s already in terrible shape, and now he’s out there, taking on Streetka trying to save Sockoo. If something happens to him—"

  Amy raised her hand, interrupting him. "We can argue about this later. Right now, Hajime needs us. He’s strong, but even he can’t keep this up forever."

  Dark’s anger simmered, but he nodded. "Fine. But if anything happens to Sockoo, or to Hajime, it’s on us."

  The group’s determination intensified. Yosuke placed a hand on Dark’s shoulder. "We’ll get her back, and we’ll make sure Hajime’s okay. Let’s focus on the fight ahead."

  Daka adjusted his bandages, ready to move. "Hajime’s counting on us. Let’s not let him down."

  With that, the group left the cabin, guided by Amy’s telepathic sense, heading toward the intense battle between Hajime and Streetka. The Music Club arrived at the scene, breathless from their hurried run through the snow-covered forest. They could see the clearing ahead, the aftermath of a brutal fight unmistakable in the torn trees and scorched earth. But as they got closer, the horrific reality of the situation hit them like a physical blow.

  Hajime

  Streetka

  "It's over, Hajime,""You couldn’t protect her. You couldn’t save her. You’re just as weak as I thought."

  But before he could bring it down, a loud, defiant voice broke through the tense silence.

  "Get away from him!"

  Streetka’s eyes snapped to the incoming group. His grin grew wider, almost mocking. "So, the cavalry finally arrives,""Too late. You should’ve known that I would always be one step ahead of you."

  Hajime, despite his wounds, managed to raise his head and glance at his friends, a weak but determined smile crossing his face. "Get Sockoo... out of here..."

  Daka’s heart sank at the sight. He reached Hajime in an instant, kneeling beside him. He gripped his friend’s shoulder, shaking him gently. "Hajime! You’re not dying here! Not today!"

  Rizra moved to Sockoo, who was still unconscious. She picked her up gently, looking at her teammates. "We’ll get her to safety,"

  But Streetka wasn’t done yet. He launched himself at Daka, fists crackling with destructive energy, but Daka managed to dodge, using his newly enhanced wind and ice powers to create a barrier that sent Streetka skidding back. "You’re not getting away with this, Streetka!"

  Daka yelled, his voice fierce.

  Amy, focusing on the energy around them, closed her eyes and began using her psychic powers to suppress Streetka’s control over Sockoo, hoping to bring her back to her senses in time.

  "You’ll never win,""Sockoo is stronger than you think. And so is Hajime."

  Streetka narrowed his eyes. "You think you can stop me? You’re all fools."

  But even as Streetka prepared for another attack, the Music Club rallied, each member stepping forward to face him with everything they had left. They weren’t just fighting for themselves anymore. They were fighting for their fallen friend and for Sockoo, who still lay vulnerable on the ground.

  It wasn’t over yet. The battle was far from decided.

  As the battle raged on, Amy knelt beside Sockoo, pouring every ounce of her psychic strength into breaking Streetka's iron grip on her mind. Sweat dripped from her brow as she whispered softly, "Sockoo, fight back. You’re stronger than this."

  Daka, seeing the dire situation, stood from Hajime’s side. He turned to the others, determination etched into his face. "We have to give her time. We’re not losing Sockoo today."

  Hajime, lying barely conscious on the ground, weakly raised a trembling hand, his lips parting to speak. "D-Don’t..."

  But his words came too late.

  The Music Club charged at Streetka, throwing everything they had left. Rizra, Daka, Angel, Yosuke, and the others fought valiantly, their attacks fueled by the hope of saving Sockoo. Streetka, however, proved to be a devastating force. His monstrous powers swirled around him like a hurricane, and one by one, the Music Club members fell. Battered and broken, they lay scattered across the battlefield, their strength no match for Streetka’s overwhelming power.

  Amy’s power is fading.

  Rizra is barely conscious.

  Daka is trying to carry everyone’s hope on his back.

  And Hajime… is seconds away from death.

  The Music Club lies broken around the battlefield.

  And for the first time, it truly feels like Streetka has won