3rd Pov

"So, this used to be your school, Mina?" Shi Yoon asked and Mina nodded.

"So, You've come, Yoo Mina." Replacer Bishop said making an appearance.

"Replacer response detected! Switching from recon mode to combat posture!" Lena shouted from the communicator.

"So, there you are, scumbag!" Eujin shouted to Replacer Bishop.

"You got here much sooner than anticipated." Replacer Bishop said." I suppose you planted some kind of tracking device? No matter. You've saved me the trouble of sending you the invitation cards."

"N-Narae..." Mina said shakily.

"Oh, right. I forgot to ask you for your critique. So, what do you think? I'm sure you haven't back here for a while." RB said mockingly."Don't you miss this place? I hope you like it. It took some effort to secretly maintain this place, you see."

"Maintain this place?" Mina asked."You mean you've been staying here this whole time?"

"Maybe? think whatever you'd like." RB responded."By the way, I see a lot of entourage here. They must be your new friends, huh? So, you've become Counter, found new teammates...Looks like you're enjoying your life as usual. I guess you had people around you. You could be a bit blunt at times but you are always so cheerful and kind. And you had a knack for making others feel at ease."

"Pardon, Mina was cheerful...and what?" Shi Yoon said in shock."She made people at ease?"

"Am I hearing things right? Is she really talking about the money-grubbing rookie I knew?" Hilde said.

'...Well, I know that's one part of her considering she openly shows distrust when I give her my onigiri...' Y/n thought with a sweatdrop.

"......" Mina said nothing.

"My little brother was just like you," RB said and Mina almost fell had Y/n not caught her.

"Careful there," Y/n said putting her arms on his shoulder to support her.

"I'm...Sorry...I'm so sorry." Mina sobbed.

"Enough with your bullcrap!" Eujin shouted taking RB's attention."We couldn't care less about your personality or your baggage! Where did you hide our Cap?! Tell me!"

"You're impatient as you are stupid." RB quipped.

"W-what! You want a piece of me, huh?!" Eujin retorted.

"C-calm down, Eujin! Don't let her get to you like that!" Sobin intervened.

"So, you're curious about the state of the Alternative test subjects? Don't worry, she's still alive...for now." RB equipped.

"For now, what do you mean?!" Eujin shouted.

"She is inside Factor Extractor." RB said." I'm sure you're quite familiar with that, right? You're likely to have experience extensively with those from the place you escaped."

"Y-You mean the thing that hurt tons? That thing?" Sobin asked.

"Precisely, but I'm no scientist and I have little interest in experiments...So, I've switched it to complete extraction mode." RB said with a smile.

Y/n Pov

'what are we doing here again? Ah, right. Replacer Bishop and Seo Yoon.' I thought and whisper to Shi Yoon.

"Say, Shi Yoon, when are we gonna finish this talk?" I whispered. Shi Yoon then went quiet and whispered to me.

"Truth, to be honest, I don't know." He said.

I was still holding up Mina's arms supporting her right now. Then, I hear RB threatens Seo Yoon's life and Mina shouted.

"No...Narae...No!" Mina shouted taking RB's attention.

"You must kill me if you want to save your friend." RB said."You don't have much time. So you better try your best." RB said walking towards us.

"Can you still stand, Mina?" I asked.

"...Yes," Mina said and she goes to stand and she retracts her arms from my shoulder.

I look at Hilde and go behind her and whisper."I can help save Seo Yoon but you need to distract Replacer Bishop." I whisper and she nodded." I have a plan."

Suddenly, many C.Os come ambushing us. Seeing this, I willed my nanites to create Smack Hands and use them to attack RB.

"You..." RB said.

"Bring it on, if you think I'm not capable enough." I taunted her. RB then attacked with others busy destroying C.O. I was dodging and seems fighting her with no effort. Lazily punching and making a frustrated face.

"Stand still!" I shouted.

"...To think Replacer Knight is losing to someone like this," RB said and goes faster using her ultimate skills I retracted my Smack Hands taking the hits sending me to the school which is at my behind, and build Elemental Gauntlet at the right hand and uses dust to cover my fall which already has a cloud of dust.

"Narae! Stop!" Mina shouted.

"Hmph," RB said.

With that, I use wind power to use dust and camouflage and enter the school. Disabling it, I ask Omicron.

'Omicron, where is Seo Yoon?'

"Understood. Searching...Complete. Showing user map."

Then, a map appears in front of me and I follow it.

3rd Pov

"Isn't that the cockroach from before?" Mason said about Replacer Pawn.

"That's a thing still alive?!" Jerry shouted.

"I thought you said you'd take care of it!" Mickey said.

"I stomped on him and he didn't move! I thought it was dead!" Tommy shouted.

"You idiot!" Jerry shouted.

"Master! Master! Please watch how loyal I am to you! Behold this body and powers my master bestows upon me. And despair, you bugs!" Replacer Pawn said cockily.

"Looks like it's headed this way, Master." Shi Yoon said.

"Is he trying to pin us down? That's not good..." Hilde said.

"No! How the heck are we supposed to deal with another one now?" Eujin shouted.

"It's not just one, Eujin! They're appearing from all over the place!" Sobin shouted.

"At this rate, we're never going to make it in time...Cap...Damn it! Crap! Damn it all! This is ridiculous! Anybody, help! Please!"

At Mina's fight.

"How about it? Quite handy, isn't it?" RB said.

"......" Mina said nothing recalling Y/n's words and at the same time wants to look for him but cannot due to Replacer Bishop's intervention.

"I've incubated a transcendental factor in some loser's body. We call those Replacer Pawn splitters. Its side effect is they have multiple personalities but they can take a punch making them perfect bodyguards for officers. Those losers are finally worth something now."

Mina notices something and asks.

"Why....aren't any of them coming after me?" Mina asked.

"Because you're my guest, Mina, well except for the guy earlier...Though, he was disappointing, to be honest. And I can't let others interfere with this reunion." RB said.

"Why are you doing this? Narae...Are you really going to kill Yoon?" Mina asked."And we have to kill you to save her? Stop it! This is madness!" Mina shouted angrily.

" "At this rate...I might have...have to fight you..." Mina said then recalled again Y/n's words.

"I don't understand. Why are you trying to save her? According to her, you two aren't even that close!" RB shouted.

"What are you talking about? Of course, I should save her. She's in danger!" Mina shouted.

"Is that so?" RB said while closing her eyes."What an admirable thing to say.so, you think saving someone in danger is the right thing to do...Just one thing, Mina...I'm curious...why didn't you save my brother?"

"....."Mina does not say anything." what?"

"Nevermind. Hearing your excuse won't change a thing. Najin's already too dead to hear it anyway. Isn't that right, Mina?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"As you're well aware...he was more fond of you more than me...He'd follow you around like a puppy. Stupid boy...I should stop him..." RB said in a sad tone.

"No...that's not how it is...I had a reason back then...Narae, I can explain everything...Please let me explain!" Mina attempted to reason but failed.

"Shut up!" RB shouted."My little brother...Najin..His blood is in your hands! Can you deny it? If so, tell me! Say, you didn't kill him!"

"But...But..."

"You know what, Mina? You have no idea what I've been through, coming back to life like this. My life since then become a living hell. But I can finally put an end to this hellish existence. Either you die...Or I die." RB said.

"I...I..." Mina hesitated and remembered again but cannot bring herself to do it. And suddenly, Eujin shouted.

"Yoo Mina!"

".........!" Mina was alerted and looks at the shout coming.

"Damn it, you're the only one who can take her down! Please save the cap! Please!" Eujin said. "I know I've been a real pain in the neck to you! And I know you have every reason to hate us...But please...I beg you! I'll kiss your feet if I have to! I'll do anything you ask! So please save the Cap..." Eujin rambled and suddenly she was attacked.

"Eujin! Watch out!" Sobin shouted."E-Eujin! Eujin! Wake up!"

"No!" Mina said.

"What's keeping you, Mina? Even your precious colleagues are telling you to kill me."

"B-But!" Mina said.

"Don't let me down. Our time together is a thing of the past. So, come at me! You hypocrite!" RB said dashing to Mina to attack her.

Or at least it was supposed to be.

Suddenly, a fire comes between them alerting them both and onlookers.

"Wow, that guy sure know how to make things flashy." Shi Yoon said.

*Sigh in relief*" Seems so." Hilde said.

Mina and RB looked where the fire was from. There, Y/n is standing with Seo Yoon behind him. Y/n then picks up his sword and sheathe it erasing the fire as well.

"Mission success," Y/n said.

Y/n Pov

'Seems like I managed to stop it.' I thought before Seo Yoon said.

"Seems like you hiding something, Mr." Seo Yoon said.

"Yes. That being said we better solve this fast." I said before making Boogie Pack.

Then, I flew to where most of Replacer Pawn resides and retract Boogie Pack and store my sword and build Smack Hands.

I pull my right hand and push them creating bigger damage and stunning all RP in areas making them notice me. Seeing this, I retract one of my Smack Hands and gestures.

"Come on," I said and build back other Smack Hands.

"Master! Master! Watch me! Watch me kill this insect! I will prove my worth to you!" RP said and I did not retort and just punch them without question sending him to who knows where. I then activate the drill function and punch them sending them backward. Knowing they were already not human anymore, I decided to kill them. I retract Smack Hands and switch it to BFS.

I swing BFS cutting RP effortlessly due to BFS's ability to negate durability. Within minutes, all of RP is cut dead and falls motionlessly to the ground. Then, I look around and found everybody is looking at me. I then walk towards Mina and RB and stops in front of them.

"Do you still wish to continue?" I asked as a matter of fact.

"...So, you were holding back," RB said.

"Yes, is there a problem?" I answer her.

"....No, I will continue," RB answer me.

"Okay then," I said and kicked her abdomen sending her away.

"Burgh!"

"Y/n!" Mina shouted."Stop!"

"....Do you remember what I said?" I said to Mina.

"...Yes..." Mina said and sees RB trying to stand up.

"I see...Then again, you were always the protagonist. A crude, defective product like mine never stood a chance against you. I knew from the beginning it would end like this." RB said.

"Narae?" Mina asked her."Wait...You...Your body...Your body is falling apart!" Mina pointed out and I asked Omicron to scan.

"Scanning...Complete. The RB's body is unstable due to the state of her injury. However, there is something else that forcibly keeps them together but in return causes excruciating pain."

'Can I solve it with my nanites?' I thought.

"If you wish to make a second Omega-1 nanite to heal her body, then yes."

'Can you make-' I thought before getting interrupted.

"I told you I'm good as dead." RB said."The Syndicate might have cutting-edge technology, but they're no wizards. My body is torn apart that day when your awakening collapse waves swept across me. A few stitches were never enough to put me back together."

3rd Pov

"Awakening collapse waves? Could it be?" Shi Yoon said.

"You fool! Focus!" Hilde shouted and destroyed the C.Os attacking Shi Yoon.

"Oh, sorry, Master. I was thinking about something else...By the way, do you know much about the awakening collapse phenomenon?"

"Awakening collapse? Where's this coming from all of sudden? When a high-grade counter" awakens" for the first time, their surroundings collapse from the Counterside Effect." Hilde answered Shi Yoon.

"Right, that's what it was. But what's the usual range of collapse? Can it reach several kilometers?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Awakening collapse is already rare as it is. The radius is a few dozen meters at best, even with a Grade A counter. Most of them just have nightmares. At worst, you get a couple of C.Os popped up. Several kilometers that's absurd." Hilde retorted.

"Indeed, it is impossible. Then again, so does the idea of Grade C counter causing a collapse through her awakening..."

"What? What did you just mumble to yourself?"

"Haha, it's nothing." Shi Yoon said before destroying C.Os behind Hilde." Anyway, watch out! Oopsie!

To Y/n Pov

"But...I've still got an ace up my sleeve." RB said.

"What's...that?" Mina said.

"That strange man gave it to me. He says he extracted this from you...He told me to use it when I'm about to kick the bucket. Apparently, it will give me powers that make Progressive Factor seems like a joke." RB said making me on guard.

"Don't do it! You never know what's in that thing!" Mina shouted.

"I'm not so naïve to take a stranger's word for it either. I'm probably just another lab rat to that man." RB said."But I don't mind at this point. As long as I get to kill you with it!" RB shouted before injecting the thing and energy spiked.

3rd Pov

"This is the bridge! I've got an urgent warning for Fenrir Squad! A high-energy reaction was detected on the site! B-But the magnitude is...immeasurable!"

"What? immeasurable? is it some kind of corruption ray?" Hilde asked.

"Pattern unknown! I can't find any matches on the administration database! Oh, hang on! I found a match in Coffin's local database. It's Qlipha Type Imaginary energy?" Lena answered."What is this? I've never heard of this..."

"...What?!" Hilde shouted."Yubin, that bastard! He crossed a line!

Y/n Pov

I shielded my eyes from light emanating from RB after she takes those Qliphoth Factor. The light was then gone and RB has changed.

"Grah!" RB shouted.

"Narae!!" Mina shouted.

I then hear Hilde shout.

"Rookie! Newbie! Get out of there!"

With that, I grab Mina by the waist and jump away from there nearly avoiding an attack from RB, and regroup with Hilde and Shi Yoon.

"Seems like she's gone berserk," I said to everybody. Then, I look towards her and find her looking at us.

"Narae..." Mina said.

"This is an order, Fenrir Squad. Defeat Replacer Bishop." Hilde said sternly.

All of us nodded with Mina reluctantly nodding and with other squads busy destroying C.Os that got in the way.

3rd Pov

"It's nice to see you guys again." Seo Yoon said smiling and shoots C.Os that got close.

"Hah! It's no problem taking care of these guys!" Eujin said haughtily.

"Quiet, you boar. You can't do much in the first place." Xiao Lin retorted using a hologram.

"I-Its good that you are okay, Cap," Sobin said.

"Now then, ALT Squad! We! Are!" Seo Yoon said.

"Strong!" The entire ALT Squad shouted and destroyed all of the C.Os that got close along with John Mason Squad.

Y/n Pov

I then dashed to RB and summon my sword which is useful to fight against Factor. RB avoided it but Shi Yoon appears from behind and attacks her sending her away Hilde attacks relentlessly and pushes her away again and Mina shoots using her rifle.

"Stop it, Narae!" Mina said to her but RB does not listen and continued attacking. I then put away the space sword and build an elemental gauntlet. I then stomp my feet creating a small earthquake and stunning RB. Seeing this, Hilde takes advantage to continue attacking using her dual swords.

"Ngh!" RB shouted in pain and retreated back but was incapable as Shi Yoon already blitz past Hilde and attack her from behind.

"Gah!"

"Sorry but you're not leaving here." Shi Yoon said.

Then, Mina attacked using her rifle though she was shaking the entire time to shoot RB making her dodge it and Y/n appears with his right leg in Punk Buster. The exhaust then lights up and kicks RB with it sending her to the streets that look like walls.

"....Hgh!" RB moaned in pain and reverted back to normal."Did I...lose? After all that, I still ended up like this...Ha...Hahaha... it's a cruel world after all. Wouldn't you agree, Mina?"

"Narae!! Please...Listen to what I have to say! That day...all I did was wear the watch my sister gave to me!" Mina said.

"What? Are you still going on about that? Don't you ever get sick of telling the same story? Just...end it now." RB said.

By this time, everyone had withdrawn their weapon and Mina is desperately trying to reason with RB.

'I guess there is somebody who wished death to avoid the pain they endured...but what for those that still keep struggling knowing it just gonna lead to more suffering? The only thing I know is that there is something or someone they care about to the point they would take all the pain because for them it was worth it.' I thought looking at RB with a poker face.

"And as for Najin...Najin..."

"Cut the crap and just finish me, you idiot."

"That...wasn't...my fault," Mina said shakily.

RB is sick of hearing this shouted.

"Damn it! Shut up already!"

"........!" Mina snapped out of it.

"I know! I know it too! I know it's not your fault! It made me sick! But don't you see? That's not going to change anything! Can you make me human again? Can you bring my dead brother to life?" RB questions." What about my father who died from your awakening? Or my mother? Can you bring back any of my family?"

"........"

"You can't, can you? You can't do anything. in that case, if that is how it is...At least let me die hating you..." RB said.

"N-Narae!"

"Please..."

"I-I can't..." Mina said. Suddenly, I saw a bullet flying pass Mina and hits RB. Seeing this, I look at Xiao Lin whose sniper is smoking.

"Huh? Huh....?" Mina said before going to RB."Huh.....? what? Narae?! Narae!! You're pulling my leg, right? This is a prank, isn't it?

"Tell me you're just kidding! Say it! Shin Narae!!!!" Mina shouted taking my attention.

I sigh considering the previous Y/n memory of losing his family.

3rd Pov

"Oh my, looks like they had quite a fight over there too." Na Yubin said from far away.

"what should we do, Commander?" Ji Soo said.

"Let's withdraw right away." Na Yubin said." we wouldn't want to draw attention from my keen replacement by lingering around. Haha."

"Understood but what should we do about that?" Ji Soo said about Seo Yoon who is freed.

"Hmm, she was already saved by our unknown yet known person." Na Yubin replied.

"Understood."

"Oh, right. Before I forget...you did great. 

I'll never forget you." Na Yubin said his respect to RB."Ms.Shin Narae."

A/n: The mission for Episode 3 is ending. So, new things will pop out if you knew where to find them. Though, if you find it interesting or not is always subjective. Thank you for still reading this amateurish book of mine because i wants experience in writing and jumble my idea. As usual, constructive criticism is appreciated.

Adios!