Chapter 23: Can We Be Friends?

"Oh! Right, I almost forgot to mention this—on my way here, I ran into Kanade, and somehow she learned about your weapon production facility. She’s already gone there!" Yecheng spoke as if suddenly remembering, abandoning his attempt to stop them from searching for Kanade. With her unique abilities, Kanade could easily protect herself, and besides, in this afterlife, resurrection was possible, so he let her go. He still had his own tasks to complete.

"What did you say! The Angel went to the Guild!" Upon hearing Yecheng's words, Yuri immediately grew restless. If the Guild were suppressed, their weapon supply would be cut off, and future battles against the Angel would be hopeless. She slapped the table and declared, "Everyone, assemble in the gymnasium!"

With her command, everyone except the newcomers Yecheng and Otonashi responded earnestly, rushing toward the gym. Yuri's leadership in the Battlefront was remarkable—otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to hold their own against Kanade for so long.

Inside the gymnasium, several members pulled out items from beneath the stage like drawers, revealing an underground passage. Yuri and the others entered one after another. Hinata nudged Otonashi, saying, "Hurry up, don't hesitate, let's go!"

"Hey, there's someone ahead!"

Climbing down the ladder, Yecheng saw a silhouette wielding a long-handled weapon had arrived before them. One member shone a flashlight, revealing Noda, who, with his twin-bladed axe now recovered, stood coolly at the front. As Yuri and the others approached, he pointed his axe blade at Yecheng and declared, "Hey! You, the new guy—I'm challenging you! I haven't acknowledged you yet. How could I lose to you? Let's fight again!"

"So, he's an idiot after all!"

"Couldn't he have waited a bit instead of rushing ahead right after recovering?"

The others, startled and thinking they'd encountered the Angel, rolled their eyes when they recognized Noda.

"If you keep standing there, you'll be done for without me even lifting a finger," Yecheng kindly warned Noda, sensing something amiss.

"What are you talking about, you—" Noda, thinking he was being mocked, took a few steps forward with his axe, intending to teach Yecheng a lesson. Suddenly, a massive hammer swung down from above, sending Noda flying into the rocky wall beside the passage. The hammer pressed on, striking him again, causing cracks and then a collapse in the wall, leaving Noda buried beneath.

"A triple strike! He died so quickly—was he just here to play a