There were no monsters coming out any further but it wasn’t collapsing either. It was just as they feared, the landmass of a world-end breach was too great to be cleared.

Ethan’s gaze hardened slightly. "We’re going to have to go with plan B."

Bella moved to action immediately, slightly off the ground as she stretched her power outward. Darkness began spreading into a circular perimeter around them and the tear, forming a barricade of shadows.

Within that barrier, Ethan extended his hand and grabbed Valerie’s, causing the effect of amplification to her mana and technique.

Valerie then raised her right hand toward the crack. A red magic circle formed directly against the fractured space as she began casting.

This was a rebind sealing spell; originally created by late Jenner Hemilton to fix broken glass, repair building structures, or seal torn objects back together.

By the same logic of restoration, it was meant to work on sealing this tear in space.

The air trembled slightly as the spell attempted to take hold.

——

At a different part of the battlefield

A monster, one that had been knocked down earlier slowly rose, shaking its head before reaching for a spear-like projectile embedded into the head of another creature nearby.

It pulled it free and, in the same motion, locked its gaze onto Hayley. She was engaged not so far away.

The monster then launched at her fast, and drove straight through her from behind just as she had struggled off another monster’s body.

Maya was too occupied to come to her rescue this time.

Hayley’s eyes widened as blood burst outward. But she quickly turned, dragging her claws across the monster’s neck in a brutal motion, tearing through it and killing it instantly.

The creature collapsed, but the damage had already been done.

She grabbed the weapon now stabbed into it and pulled it out. More blood followed, even from her lips now as she dropped to one knee.

It was at this moment that one of Ethan’s summons noticed it—and at the same time, Ethan did as well.

His eyes widened, "Hayley!"

Several summons broke formation and moved toward her, with the angel and two demon summons reaching her first. In seconds, they closed the distance and formed a protective perimeter.

Ethan had almost gone there too as his grip on Valerie loosened, but right then Ishtar landed.

She saw the commotion from above and, without hesitation, rushed to Hayley, placing her hand over the wound. A green light poured out, filling the space around the injury.

For a brief moment, everything was covered in that glow. Then it faded and wound was gone, replaced by fresh skin.

As though nothing had ever happened.

One of the demon summons, Xylo. "Are you alright, Hayley?"

But the voice carried Ethan’s concern.

Hayley understood that, gave a smile and nodded.

—

Ethan, now relieved, turned back. "Valerie. How long?"

Valerie didn’t look away from the crack. "I’m having difficulty. The spell... it’s not working."

Ethan had a concerned look. "With amplification, you’re casting at Tier 7."

"I know," she replied. "But it’s not taking hold."

Isabella hovered forward, narrowing her gaze on the fracture. "She’s right...I can feel it."

Ethan glanced at her.

"There’s something in there," she continued. "And it’s powerful."

Ethan exhaled. He couldn’t sense that far into the breach yet, but Isabella could so he went with her word

Valerie spoke again. "Until that thing is dealt with, I don’t think this will seal."

Ethan stared at the crack for a moment longer.

Then he glanced to the side. Eduardo was still deep in combat, cutting through the tougher monsters without pause. Pulling him away wasn’t an option.

Then he considered his summon connection. Normally, it would break the moment he entered a breach, forcing the summons to dissipate and be resummoned either inside or after he returned.

But he also realized Bella could still sense the creature within it.

And with the breach world beginning to overlap with their own, magic was bleeding through; meaning he could remain inside while still sustaining a connection to his summons outside.

Ethan glanced back at Bella. "We’ll have to go in," he said. "And kill that thing."

The princess nodded in agreement.

The bombs had been the reason more monsters weren’t pouring out of the crack, but that did not mean it was all over yet.

Ethan glanced at Valerie. "You’ll be able to handle yourself?"

She nodded.

Still, Ethan turned slightly and gave a command to his summons. "Pay attention to her, and make sure nothing happens."

Almost immediately, Albedo appeared in a burst of smoke, deciding to stay up close. One of Rue’s black cats was also resting comfortably on her head.

Ethan blinked, looking mildly surprised. "Of all summons... you’re the one that responded?"

Albedo raised both hands in exasperation. "What do you mean, summoner? Who else do you think will protect that fat ass more than I will?"

Ethan and Isabella both smiled. Valerie just shook her head, looking amused.

Albedo clicked her tongue. "And by the way, what the hell were you thinking bringing Rue into this?"

Ethan exhaled. "Ah, yes... that was my bad, actually."

"Save it," she cut in. "Already took her away from all of this."

Ethan smiled, reached out and casually ruffled her hair like she was a child. "Good girl."

"Bruh—get your hands off me." She clapped back, even though some of her cheeks flushed

Ethan laughed, then he looked at Bella and gave a nod.

With that, the both of them flew straight into the breach.

——

The moment they crossed over, what lay beyond wasn’t just another side.

It was destruction.

Massive portions of land had been torn apart and sunk into a dimensional void below. Entire sections simply... gone, swallowed into an endless dark that dragged monsters down with it.

The bomb had truly worked, but Partially.

Ethan glanced downward briefly, then back ahead. It was a good thing he could fly because there was no ground here to stand on.

And now, he could feel that overwhelming mana from something deep within this space.

They continued to their flight toward it, although they were met by some of the monsters rushed at them with their wings keeping them afloat.

Ethan and Bella didn’t slow either. Thunder and darkness surged outward as they cut straight through them, carving a path without resistance.

They reached some distance, and from that point high in the skies, they saw the true monster that still kept the breach open.

It was a towering, monstrous being that had a single massive glowing red eye at the center of its head, with a bright white star-like pupil.

The creature’s head was large, crowned with sweeping black horns that curved upward and outward, alongside smaller spikes and tendrils sprouting from its skull. Its body was a nightmarish fusion of dark metallic armor with red accents, while multiple long tentacles extended from it; some curling dramatically around its frame.

Its hands were massive, clawed, and skeletal, tipped with sharp talons capable of shredding anything.

Ethan’s expression shifted"...That thing is powerful."