The chapter begins with the trio returning to the house via an alternate route.
Niori: (looking at Takeru) How many portals do you have left, Takeru?
Takeru: (determined) I should have one or two, but I'll need time to conjure them. The necklace takes a while to fully take effect.
The scene cuts to Zanko, still staring at his chest.
Zanko: (angry, looking back) Bastard…
Mysterious Figure: (calmly) I'm sorry, but there's something I need.
Zanko falls to his knees, struggling to endure the pain and maintain consciousness.
Zanko: (with a sad yet relieved tone) You… won't… take anything…
The trio arrives at the house. Their first sight is Zanko, kneeling with his head bowed, blood dripping from his mouth and wounds covering his body.
Takeru: (furious, eyes wide) Old man!
He shouts in rage, trembling as if on the verge of tears, preparing an attack.
Niori: (shocked, falling to her knees) Grandpa…
She begins to cry, memories of her grandfather flooding her mind: visiting him with her parents, him letting her win in sparring matches, standing side by side at her parents' funeral. Anima selecting her as a vessel, the training, the happy moments.
Izumi: (staring at the figure) Genesis…
Izumi feels a mix of hatred, sadness, and bloodlust. He grits his teeth, his face contorted with unparalleled rage.
Niori: (still crying, recognizing the name) Genesis…
Her eyes turn black, and her voice, overtaken by fury, emanates a dark energy. Excidium begins to take control.
Izumi's eyes flicker between black and normal as he trembles under Excidium's attempt to possess his body. His breathing becomes erratic and rapid. The amulet Niori gave him glows beneath his clothes, working to seal Excidium.
Genesis: (calm, superior) It's been a while, brother.
He extends his arm to attack them.
Zanko: (strained, hollow) Get out…
It's his final word before he expires completely.
Takeru realizes the gravity of the situation and focuses on opening a portal.
A light flares from Genesis's hand, launching an attack at the trio. Excidium counters the Ether beam with its own, but before it can retaliate, Takeru opens a portal.
Without thinking of a specific destination, he simply wishes for somewhere familiar.
The portal takes them inside a cave, near its entrance.
Izumi: (still fighting his rage) Where… are we…?
Takeru: (panting) A cave… a place I found a while back. First spot that popped into my head.
Niori, still crying, tries to pull herself together.
Niori: (clutching the amulet) We need to figure out where to go… we've got nothing.
The amulet glows faintly, finishing its seal on Excidium before losing its energy.
Izumi: (muttering) We need time… and answers…
With a final effort, Takeru stands.
Takeru: (resolute) And this is the best place to start. It's halfway to the trade hub.
They exit the cave, revealing the trade hub in the distance.
A brief explanation is given about the world's geography, mentioning the five kingdoms of the country and the trade hub, a place where all kingdoms meet to acquire goods of any kind. It's considered the safest location in the country, free of conflict.
The chapter ends with this explanation, leaving the group's journey to the trade hub implied.