Why? Why won't this guy go down? Why can't we knock down this monster no matter how hard we hit? What is it that's supporting this monster? And what is it that allows this monster to fight so desperately?

I just don't get it.

Heartless roared and launched another merciless punch at Ryuto, which wasn't dodged or blocked, but hit Ryuto head-on.

"Boom—"

A resounding boom echoed once again.

But...

Despite that, his opponent still staggered back to his feet.

Yes, it's happening again. Why? Why can't we bring down this monster?

No matter how many times we defeat him, this monster will continue to stand up over and over again, completely unaffected.

Even though he can barely stand and is covered in wounds. He should have been on the verge of collapsing a long time ago. It wouldn't be surprising if he fell at any moment.

Yes, what I'm seeing is not an illusion, but a harsh reality. Because my opponent is right in front of me, with his body already in tatters, covered in blood. Even if I take into account the amount of blood he has lost, an ordinary person would have died several times over by now. No matter how you look at it, he should have surpassed the limits of his body.

Yet, even so, this monster in front of me continues to get back up over and over again, no matter how many times he's knocked down. This is the reality before my eyes.

Is it just because he's a monster? No, the situation is not that simple. It's completely inexplicable, and I can't accept this explanation.

If we ask why, it's because...

Even a monster should have already died. No matter how powerful a monster is, there must be limits to its existence. And the monster in front of me has reached that limit.

But even this explanation doesn't make sense, because this monster in front of me has indeed reached his limit. There's no doubt about it. Yet, he still won't go down, even though he has already surpassed his limits.

Why? What is it that's supporting this monster?

Even though I know my opponent is on the verge of collapse, why don't I feel it? Why can't I see any chance of winning?

As if to dispel the anxiety and impatience in my heart.

Facing Ryuto, who stands up once again, Heartless angrily roars.

"I can't understand. What is it that allows you to reach this stage? Do you really know what you're up against? It's the entire country! If you want to save that woman, you have to become an enemy of this country. You must know that, right? Yet, even knowing all that, you still choose to do this? By the way, are you really sane right now?"

"... "

There was no direct response, only...

"Thud—"

A heavy, metallic impact.

Heartless simply canceled it out with his ability. The force wasn't as strong anymore, but he still slid backward a short distance.

And in response...

"TikTok—"

The sound of red liquid hitting the ground again.

I can't believe I've been pushed to this point by this half-dead guy.

Thinking that...

"You stubborn guy who refuses to die, I'll just beat you to death before the poison kills you."

The angry Heartless launched another attack against his opponent.

Beside him.

Yeah, this time the enemy is this country. Regardless of the outcome, he can no longer return to a normal life.

The words of Heartless made the girl beside him realize this once again.

But at the same time, the girl had another question.

Why does he continue to fight for himself even though he is so badly injured? Even though he has spit out so much blood, he still has no intention of giving up.

From the beginning, he had no need to do this. He could have turned a blind eye and acted like he didn't know, then there would be no danger.

After all, she hardly knew him. At the end of the day, they were just classmates. And she had even hurt him before.

He wasn't doing this for any gain from her, for revenge, or for any sense of responsibility.

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't find a reason why he had to help her. Why could he go to such lengths for a person who had nothing to do with him? Why even go against the country because of her?

He couldn't be unaware of the consequences of his actions, but even knowing that he would be going against the country, he still did it without hesitation. Why?

And why did she care so much about him in the first place?

When she was first criticized for not being able to wear earrings, when she discovered that he was sleeping while she was singing, when she found out the truth behind the theft incident, what was that feeling at the time...