Shunjiro’s heart pounded violently as he dashed toward the building Emi had crashed into, breath coming in frantic gasps. The battlefield’s sounds faded into the background as worry consumed him. Smoke still billowed from the broken storefront, glass shattered on the cobblestones, debris strewn everywhere. His eyes darted around, desperately searching until he spotted her crumpled form amidst the rubble. “Emi!” Shunjiro shouted, kneeling at her side. Her eyes fluttered weakly, a soft groan escaping her lips. His hands trembled as he carefully examined her injuries. She winced, clearly in agony, clutching her side. “It’s okay, Emi, you’re going to be alright,” Shunjiro whispered, fighting panic. He could tell instantly her ribs were broken, her delicate frame battered badly from Roman’s ruthless strike. Before he could lift her gently, urgent footsteps approached from behind. Shunjiro spun around defensively, heart racing, until he saw two armored knights swiftly approaching, escorting a woman. “Stand down, we’re here to help!” one knight called firmly, his voice authoritative yet calming. The healer knelt gracefully beside Emi, her eyes filled with compassion as she gently placed her hands on Emi’s chest, assessing the damage. She looked up at Shunjiro, offering a reassuring smile. “I’m Dr. Mariah,” she said warmly, her voice filled with calm confidence. “I’ll take care of your friend.” Shunjiro exhaled, feeling tension melt slightly. “Thank you so much.” She gave a gentle nod, her eyes softening kindly. “Don’t worry about Emi or me. These two knights are SS-ranked. You’re needed elsewhere.” Shunjiro hesitated, torn between duty and friendship, but Dr. Mariah’s encouraging look reassured him. “Go prove yourself, young hero.” Resolve surged within Shunjiro, reigniting his determination. Standing swiftly, he glanced once more at Emi’s delicate, unconscious form before nodding gratefully. “I will,” he promised, his voice unwavering. Without another word, he dashed back into the raging battle, adrenaline fueling every step. Roman’s laughter echoed cruelly through the ruined streets as Shunjiro reappeared, rejoining Kaito, Akira, and Hiroto. Roman’s cold eyes locked onto him, a mocking sneer forming. “Ah, the small fry returns! Still looking to die, huh?” Roman taunted, smirking cruelly. Hiroto shot Shunjiro an intense glare, voice gruff and irritated. “Shunjiro, stay out of this! This isn’t a game!” Shunjiro narrowed his eyes, meeting Hiroto’s gaze defiantly. “I’ll do whatever I want!” Hiroto shook his head sharply, frustrated but understanding Shunjiro’s stubborn determination. “Fine. If you’re so eager to die, that’s your choice.” Kaito dashed backward, briefly escaping Roman’s brutal barrage to catch his breath, panting heavily. He turned urgently to Shunjiro, his voice firm but understanding. “Shunjiro, listen carefully. Three strangers appeared atop the walls, two SS-ranks and one your level. You want to prove yourself? Take down that S-rank and find out what they want.” Shunjiro’s heart leapt with excitement, determination filling his eyes. “You can count on me.” Kaito smiled faintly, nodding sharply. “Then go.” With renewed purpose, Shunjiro bolted from the chaotic clash toward the walls. He caught up swiftly with Satoshi, Yuuna, and Kojiro, who were observing the three newcomers closely, bodies tense and ready for battle. “What’s the situation?” Shunjiro asked firmly. Satoshi glanced at him quickly, relief evident. “Three enemies. Two SS, one S-ranked. Think you can handle the S alone?” Shunjiro smiled, confidence returning fully. “Absolutely.” Satoshi chuckled, recognizing Shunjiro’s unwavering spirit. “Good luck then, brother. Stay alive.” As Shunjiro broke away, the agile S-rank elf girl leapt gracefully from the wall, pursuing him swiftly toward a secluded alley. The remaining two figures descended confidently, landing opposite Satoshi, Yuuna, and Kojiro. One, a tall, smug man with tousled dark hair, eyed them with amusement. The other, a petite woman with vibrant pink hair and eyes like cherry blossoms, stood calmly at his side. “What do you want here?” Satoshi demanded, voice sharp. The man chuckled, spreading his arms theatrically. “Oh, just a little fun. Our leader is meeting yours, so why shouldn’t the pawns entertain themselves?” Satoshi gripped his crystal katana tightly, noting the worrisome chip Roman had caused. He steadied himself, voice icy. “Then let’s dance.” The man smirked knowingly, drawing a longsword casually. “I’m Sosuke. An SS-rank. It’s unfortunate your blade is damaged, there’s no honor defeating an injured opponent. But orders are orders.” Satoshi steadied himself, crystal energy humming along his chipped blade. “Injured or not, I won’t be going down easily.” Sosuke laughed appreciatively, eyes shining. “That’s the spirit!” Nearby, Kojiro and Yuuna faced off with the mysterious pink-haired girl, whose gentle smile masked obvious danger. “My name is Kohana, the Cherry Blossom,” she said softly, palm outstretched as beautiful yet deadly petals began forming around her fingertips. In the secluded area, Shunjiro stopped running, turning swiftly to face his pursuer. The elf girl landed gracefully, unsheathing her slender rapier. She was delicate, yet her piercing stare held unyielding determination. “What’s your name?” Shunjiro asked cautiously, heart pounding with anticipation. “Akane,” she replied curtly, pointing her blade directly at him. “I’m Shunjiro,” he offered sincerely, holding his Devil’s Luck dagger loosely. “We don’t have to fight, Akane.” Anger flashed through Akane’s eyes, teeth gritted fiercely. “Don’t insult me! I have something to prove!” She lunged forward with startling speed, blade thrusting swiftly. Shunjiro dodged instinctively, barely avoiding her sharp strikes. He leapt back, eyes wide in surprise at her agility. “Seriously, we can still stop this!” he insisted desperately. “No,” Akane retorted sharply, her voice trembling with frustration and resolve. “This isn’t just a fight, I have to prove my worth!” Shunjiro hesitated momentarily, understanding her inner turmoil deeply. His grip tightened, eyes resolute. “Fine. Then neither of us holds back.” Their weapons collided fiercely, sparks scattering around them. Shunjiro immediately noted her incredible speed but realized her frail physique lacked raw strength. Confidence surged through him as their blades met repeatedly, each clash revealing his superior physical power. “You can’t win with speed alone,” Shunjiro said steadily, his gaze locked onto hers, calm but unwavering. “I’ll snap that stick of yours easily.” Sweat dripped down Akane’s forehead, panic flickering briefly in her eyes. She shook her head defiantly, determination reignited. Memories surged, words spoken to her in dark moments of doubt. “Never forget, Akane: I will always be by your side.” Gritting her teeth, she raised her rapier confidently, eyes blazing fiercely. “Bring it on, Shunjiro! I’ve faced worse!” Shunjiro smiled slightly, eyes filled with respect and anticipation. He closed his eyes, focusing intently, spiritual energy surging through his body. Sand rose gently, swirling protectively around him. “Then let’s finish this quickly.” Their gazes locked, unspoken resolve passing between them. Battles raged throughout Radiance, each warrior desperate to prove themselves, their hearts bound by similar struggles and dreams. As blades clashed, the true battle became clear, not simply survival, but honor, pride, and purpose. The question remained: who were these mysterious newcomers, and what drove them to fight?