The dark mass scattered, and Tenmei Mio emerged. With her chest puffed out, she reported. "Assassination complete...”

"Assassination complete, my ass!"

Smack!

"Ouch!" Mio rubbed her head with both hands.

"W-why did you hit me, Skaya? It hurts."

"Are you asking because you don't know?"

Skaya held Mio's arms and examined every inch of her body.

"There are no cuts, no holes… there are two eyes and two ears... Haaa."

"Were you perhaps worried about me?”

“How could I not?!” Irritated, Skaya squashed Mio's cheeks with one hand, seemingly in revenge.

Mio’s face was squished until she started looking like a goldfish.

"Bwut I dwidn’t gwet hut."

"I know. That's why I'm letting you off the hook.”

Skaya was angry because Mio's Unique Realm was a space that would only close once a winner was decided inside. In other words, either she or the opponent had to die before the Unique Realm would close.

‘I thought my heart was going to stop when I saw her activate that skill against a Common demon.’

What if when the dark mass scattered and the demon was the one left standing? The mere thought of it made Skaya dizzy. It would mean that a precious comrade had died on her own without being able to say goodbye.

"Never again. Never use that skill recklessly again."

"Wes…"

With that, Skaya let go of Mio's cheek and hugged her tightly.

"Welcome back, you stupid maknae.”

"Skaya..." Mio smiled softly. She could see that Skaya was genuinely concerned...