Chapter 73 Stelle: Don't Die, Gepard

Gu Tang installed the bamboo-copter on Dan Heng's head and then pressed the switch.

The magical tool's power lifted Dan Heng into the air, creating a rush of wind around him.

"This is the bamboo-copter? It's my first time seeing it. Truly amazing," Stelle exclaimed as she watched Dan Heng fly into the sky.

March 7th scratched her head. "Something's not right... it's different from what I saw in the cartoons."

The bamboo-copter did make Dan Heng fly, but its wings didn't rotate; they remained still.

Instead, it was Dan Heng who spun.

The blue-armored lancer spiraled through the air, flying to the other side of the bridge while spinning.

Once he landed, Dan Heng, dizzy, held his head and then collapsed to the ground.

"I don't want to go across like that..." Serval commented.

"Me neither," Seele agreed.

The final solution involved Dan Heng flying back, then carrying a rope across to create a zip line.

Everyone easily crossed the bridge using the zip line, although Dan Heng almost threw up.

…

…

"Beyond this point is the snowfield. Be careful; it's the most dangerous part of the rift. The monsters are incredibly strong and numerous," Serval warned as she led the group.

"Bronya said the Silvermane Guards guard Belobog with their lives. I didn't believe it before..." Seele looked at Serval. "Serval, the Guards are truly remarkable."

Serval smiled. "Don't worry about it; someone has to do it."

"I admit the Guards are great, but..." Dan Heng drew his spear, looking ahead. "When they stand against us, it's a different story."

Gepard appeared before them, leading a group of Guards, his expression serious.

"He woke up so soon!" March 7th exclaimed in surprise.

Stelle squinted her eyes. "Was I too gentle?"

"His resilience is my brother's greatest strength..." Serval said, eyes fixed on Gepard.

Gu Tang asked curiously, "That handcuff, you couldn't have broken it with your strength. How did you get out?"

"I dislocated my knuckles. For a Guard, it's nothing." Gepard's hands indeed showed signs of swelling.

Seele raised an eyebrow. "This guy is ruthless to himself."

Gepard frowned, looking at Serval. "Sister, leave the intruders and slowly walk behind me... you're not like them."

"No, you're wrong. I've realized I'm very similar to them." Serval shook her head, looking at Gepard with determination. "And I've decided to fight alongside them."

"Think it over, Serval. Think it over," March 7th whispered behind her.

"Oh, right. Think it over... Brother, give me a few minutes to explain..." Serval responded quickly.

"No more words!" Gepard interrupted roughly.

He slammed his giant shield into the ground. "You know where this place is, right, sister? The Landau family is most familiar with it. It's the frontline against the rift, the core fortress protecting Belobog's peace."

Serval remained silent, watching the agitated Gepard.

"You led these criminals into the restricted zone, harmed the Guards, and even swayed Dunn... and still you persist... do you feel worthy of the Landau name?" Gepard hadn't spoken to Serval this harshly in a long time.

However, Serval was unmoved.

"On the contrary... brother," Serval said slowly. "Because of today's choice, I feel truly worthy of the Landau name."

"Looks like there's no point in talking..." Gepard raised his shield, preparing for battle.

The Guards behind him raised their weapons, and the tense atmosphere enveloped Gu Tang and his group.

"Guards, form ranks! Capture them. Rift creatures could attack at any moment; we can't waste time on these people!" Gepard commanded.

The battle began!

"Wait! It's starting already? So fast! What about the cutscene?" March 7th fumbled for her bow.

"Don't worry, March 7th. Once I beat him down, you'll get to enjoy their defeat cutscene," Stelle said, holding her bat and cracking her neck.

March 7th: "I'm not interested in their defeat cutscene..."

Dan Heng: "If we can strip his armor, I might be a little interested."

March 7th: "Dan Heng! Get serious!"

She never thought she'd have to say that to Dan Heng.

Serval took out an electric guitar, smiling as she faced the charging Guards. "Come on, you rookies..."

Her fingers strummed the strings, electric currents dancing around the guitar with the notes.

"Let this veteran show you what you're worth!"

Electricity burst forth like lightning, sweeping across the Guards.

Crackle—

The Guards trembled and collapsed under the assault.

"Wow, as expected of a mechanic. Such a cool weapon..." March 7th gave a thumbs up.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The sound of a scythe cutting through the air.

Seele moved like a butterfly among the Guards.

Holding a scythe in one hand and a garbage bag in the other, she weaved through the Guards, her movements too quick to follow.

Her blue-violet phantom kept appearing and disappearing, confusing the Guards and leaving them dizzy.

"Hmph, too slow! Your leader is much stronger than you," Seele said disdainfully, looking at the fallen Guards.

Bang!

A Guard fired at Seele.

Of course, Seele easily dodged the bullet.

But the garbage bag in her hand was hit and flew out.

"Ah!"

The invincible Seele fell.

"Can't breathe... can't breathe..." Seele lay on the ground, muttering weakly.

Dan Heng spun his spear, scattering the Guards before him.

Then he used his spear tip to pick up the garbage bag and tossed it back to Seele.

Thud.

The bag landed on Seele's head.

"Hmph!" Seele stood up energetically, the bag on her head. "Just kidding! I can fight you all day!"

She swung her scythe, continuing to battle the Guards, proving her words.

The most efficient, however, was still Serval.

Her fingers danced on the strings, electric currents writhing around her like snakes. Each attack knocked down a large group of Guards.

Naturally, she became Gepard's target.

Whoosh—

The giant shield came crashing down towards Serval.

But Serval had already nimbly leapt back.

Boom!

The ground cracked, a shallow pit created by the shield.

"Brother..." Serval looked at Gepard with a complicated expression.

At this moment, Stelle approached, carrying her bat, standing in front of Serval, facing Gepard.

"I'll handle this, Serval," Stelle said casually.

"Okay... I'll leave it to you. Thanks." Serval nodded gratefully.

If possible, she preferred not to fight her brother.

Gepard held his giant shield, cautiously watching Stelle.

In their last battle, he ended up defeated, so he couldn't afford to be careless.

"Gepard, just now your sister said your strongest trait is your resilience..." Stelle gripped her bat tightly, smiling brightly at Gepard. "So I'll use a bit more force... don't die on me."

In the next instant—

The bat swung down with a fierce rush of wind, heading straight for Gepard.