Second Piece~2!

"Should we retreat Ms. Sasha?"

"Yeah please do. Check on those who are incapable of moving and take them away." Sasha ordered the group of mixed-rank warriors who were torn like rags because of the continuous battle they were going through. It's been only two hours since they engaged in the onslaught, but their condition was far worse than against any gate they have faced until now.

If it wasnt for healers present on the ground, many of the hunters would have lost their mortal flames under the strong gust presented by the soulless knights, pouring down the sky.

There was no boss like a monster around, with whome Sasha and Fubuki could face off and end this living hell once and for all. Only the mob knights were increasing like they were hatching from insect eggs. Naturally, even Sasha and Fubuki had limits which the absurd populace of their enemy, brought closer slowly yet painfully.

It was fortunate, that these knights didnt have magic-type attacks but only their physical brutes otherwise the two 'S' ranks would have perished until now.

Standing on the battlefield with countless torn and crushed metal armor beneath their feet stood the two remarkable ladies. Their face was a little paler compared to before because of the massive amount of magic energy they have already spent. Since Fubuki was in a passive role, she was using her skill lesser in amount if compared to Sasha.

Sasha even being the renowned witch, rumored of having bottomless mana, was nearing her edge. It's been a while since she had felt like this. She was holding courageously so her comrade could be reassured but deep down she knew that more than half an hour and she would exhaust herself completely. Even inside the red gate which she faced alone, there was time for her to recharge herself and think before engaging in battle. But now...things were different.

Without mana, neither Fubuki nor Sasha was much powerful. Only to the point where they both could handle a couple of knights if they pushed their limits but that's it. What after that?

They knew there wasnt any place to run as every region which was counted as a blue zone, was relying on this duo. But what if the vanguards fall? Who would protect them?

" Hoh. Is it fear I am seeing on your face, Fu~bu~ki?" Even in the life-threatening situation, Sasha wore her usual smirk as she asked her green-haired friend.

"Like hell, I will be scared from this much. Well, it's the most amount of monster I have ever faced but since I have seen that face of Subaru...I generally don't feel much of a terrified anymore". Fubuki stated as she remembered the feeling of facing a certain ego of Subaru in the past. Sasha didnt know what Fubuki was referring to which made her a little frustrated.

" Any report from him?" Sasha's hand paused in mid-air, which she was bringing to chant a set of lances.

"He is on the way". Smiling confidently she assured Fubuki. Sasha never called Subaru after coming to the battle nor did Subaru try to contact her. But she knew her son would rush to her very soon.

In a whispering tone, she muttered something which she shared with only a single person in the world.

" Until death does us apart..."

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[An Hour Ago]

"Why am I here again?" Subaru growled in frustration upon finding himself in a familiar white shining room. There wasn't a single matter aside from Subaru inside. Luckily he had his clothes this time, but he wasn't concerned about it at all.

"Calm down kid. Time has frozen in your reality so nothing will change until you are here". A dominant heavy voice reached his senses, which was filled with arrogance and pride.

"Even so is there any reason for me being here?" Subaru was manaless but it doesn't mean he couldn't feel the pressure his surrounding was emitting. If it wasn't for the numerous battle he faced, he might have been shivering right now.

"You were about to create a crack in the time which would have eventually ended you and everything you love. I don't have the authority to stop you. As your guardian, it was my duty to advise you, rest is in your hands." Subaru's eyes were wide open as he heard his guardian's voice.

"You mean that spell was a failure?" It wasn't like he never failed in his formation before but he never thought that the consequences of his haste would cost him, his, and his loved one's lives.

"Yes and no. You should find out what you were doing wrong in the future but now you aren't prepared yet." The voice dyed down when Subaru felt his consciousness fading little by little.

"Wait. Can you help me?" While clinging to his remaining piece of mind he muttered in a groaning tone.

"No, I can't. But there is someone who can. And I am sure that the said person would love to help you. Don't you think?" Subaru's eyes narrowed as he felt a little chuckle in the voice this time around, before his perception turned black.

...

*Sigh*

While exhaling heavily, Subaru returned back to reality at the same place where he lost himself. He checked the time and confirmed that indeed, time was halted when he was in the void.

Subaru's mind was dizzy so he sat on the ground with his eyes closed. While at it, he started analyzing. The probability of solving the riddle of the curse mark by himself and the time he would need for it. Even without checking he somehow knew Sasha was weakened than before, and he was naturally getting impatient.

After evaluating his situation and what he could do best at the moment, he took out his phone and a card from the dimensional storage.

Dialing the number he sighed again before the phone got connected in a single ring.

"Hello".

" I knew you would call".

_______...______

"Any idea what he is doing?" Hunter Lim Taek-Gyu, asked as he felt sudden calmness in the surrounding like the battle was already over.

"No idea. It's impossible to detect him until he isn't using any spell. Even while fighting he never used his mana for enhancement. I wonder how it would feel to get a punch when he shrouds himself with mana." Ma Dongwook said while rubbing his chin.

"It's my first time to face someone with zero mana presence and having this much mana comparable to a bunch of 'S' rank united. I think he is already on a national hunter level". Choi Jong-In, adjusted his glasses as he spoke without hesitation.

" I wonder why he wasn't included with the Japanese team during the Jeju Island raid." This question was something no one raised before Cha Hae-in voiced out. It was no exaggeration to say that Subaru was stronger than Goto in their perspective and with his strength, they might have saved a lot of time and life of those potential hunters.

"Well we ha-" Suddenly Baek Yun-Ho's voice slashed down as his eyes turned white for a second. Following his gaze, everyone looked toward the direction where Subaru left off some minutes ago.

But they spotted nothing.

"What happened Hunter Baek?" Lim Tae-Gyu asked with his brows raised.

"I felt something...someone entering the barrier for a second".

___________________________

" You finally decided to ask me huh." Chisato crossed her arms under her bountiful assets as she said with a little smug adorning her charming face. Unlike always, she was wearing a white plain shirt with black slim-fit jeans. Her clothes were hugging her body in the best way, making her look normal yet sexy. If it was under usual circumstances, Subaru wouldn't have complained to hug her but now he wasn't in the mood.

"Can you take the barrier out?"

"Of course!" She chimed with her eyes going crescent as being relied on by Subaru was something she was enjoying naturally.

"Any drawback?" Subaru asked as he knew it wasn't simple as it sound, for Chisato to interfere in mundane matters directly.

"Ah nothing major. I will sort it".

" And...any favor in return" Subaru paused a little as he asked on which the other party's face formed a blooming smile.

"What is it?" Sighing he asked.

"One day with you. 24 hours in complete isolation from the whole world. Is it okay?" Subaru didn't think of it much and nodded as he was expecting more than this.

"Okay then. It will take some time so please watch me".

__________________________

[Present time]

"Fubuki go back. " Sasha said as she continued her assault on the incoming enemies. The number of knights suddenly started increasing at a rapid rate. Fubuki was forced to attack on the front line around the other area, which took a heavy toll on her.

"Not gonna happen Sasha. It was given from the point I entered the arena that I won't return until one side collides completely, just like you."

"I am serious Fubuki. I know we won't be able to handle it for more than ten minutes and unfortunately, your presence is no help right now. That flame boy is also nearing its limit so if possible then take him away too." How much it sounded rude, it was the truth that Fubuki also knew.

Even after that, shrugging her shoulder Fubuki randomly picked a sword from a hundred of them. Taking the stance she stood beside Sasha with her face revealing a devilish smile.

" You think I will let you meet him first and act like a damsel in distress alone?" Sasha pouted and continued her spell weaving and pouring down it on the group of knights who were dashing toward them. Fubuki smirked and stood on guard by her friend's side.

How do they have a confident aura in place of fret?

The answer was simple which was mutually embedded in both of their minds.

With a blooming smile, Sasha stood straight and looked toward the sky before muttering...

"He is here".

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A/N: Extra workload is tolling my mind. I wish to post at least three chapters a week but it seems hard. Anyway, the end of the chaos arc is nearing with, the last turn of events remaining.

I want to ask whether the story has become boring or something. If it is then I could try to improve or maybe new fanfic.

Just drop your thoughts...