not yet found

As everyone took to their assigned roles, Mark headed to the Seirei Exorcist building. He stationed himself there, carefully monitoring the area for any approaching Seirei. Meanwhile, Bri, still recovering in the health center, was startled by the loud explosion. Rising from her bed, she stepped outside to investigate the commotion, only to find herself cornered as a group of Seirei surrounded her.

At the same time, Vanessa and Miwafe worked swiftly to evacuate patients from the hospital. Miwafe, concerned about Bri, searched for her amid the chaos. Outside, Rin and Smith stood their ground at the hospital's entrance, determined to stop the mind-controlled Seirei from getting inside.

"Rin, create a sand wall! We need to hold them off," Smith commanded.

Rin nodded and focused, summoning sand from the surrounding area. He formed a towering wall that temporarily blocked the Seirei's advance. However, Cobi, standing confidently in the distance, laughed.

"Don't hold back, my puppets. Use the Standz I gave you to their full potential!"

Hearing his command, the mindless Seirei used their stolen Standz to shatter the sand wall with ease. Rin stared in disbelief at the crumbling barrier. Without hesitation, Smith charged forward, revealing his Standz. Stretching out his arms, two black strings shot out from his hands, wrapping around several Seirei. Electricity surged through the strings, paralyzing the Seirei and slowing their movements.

"Now, Rin!" Smith shouted. "Recite the Exorcist quote!"

Rin quickly performed the necessary hand signs and began chanting in an ancient language. The affected Seirei began to fade away as their corrupted forms were exorcised.

Cobi smirked. "Not bad... but let's see if you can keep that up," he said mockingly before commanding another wave of Seirei to attack.

Overwhelmed but determined, Smith and Rin continued to exorcise the incoming Seirei. Amid the struggle, Smith glared at Cobi and demanded, "Why are you doing this? What's your endgame?"

Cobi ignored the question, grinning as he revealed a device displaying footage of a hidden area within the hospital. "My precious Elizabeth is being held below this very building," he sneered.

Cobi then ordered a Seirei equipped with a drilling Standz to create a hole in the ground. The Seirei complied, drilling deep into the floor. Smith attempted to intervene but was held back by the overwhelming number of Seirei.

"How many Seirei have you mind-controlled, you bastard?!" Smith growled, gritting his teeth as Cobi descended into the Seirei Exorcist building.

Inside, Mark, who had been monitoring the situation, turned in shock as he saw Cobi approaching. The sinister grin on Cobi's face made Mark uneasy.

"Bring this place down!" Cobi commanded his minions.

Mark wasted no time, charging at the Seirei. However, their sheer numbers made his efforts futile.

"What do I do?" Mark thought, desperation creeping in. "If I try to exorcise them, they just keep coming…" His gaze shifted to Cobi. A bold idea struck him.

"If I can't stop them, I'll go after the one controlling them," Mark decided.

Using the Seirei as stepping stones, Mark leapt toward Cobi, aiming for a direct strike. But before he could land a hit, a Seirei intercepted him, knocking him back.

Cobi laughed mockingly. "Did you really think you could stop me? You're as weak as they come—a Standzless fool. I'm disappointed that the Seirei Exorcists even accepted someone like you. They should've tossed you out just like I did!"

Mark clenched his fists. "Can you shut up already with the 'Standzless' nonsense? You think I care? Oh, and thanks for reminding me—I owe you a beating for that stunt you pulled back then!"

Mark charged at Cobi again, only to be knocked down once more. Frustrated but undeterred, he thought to himself, "Can I even exorcise them? Doesn't it take someone with Standz to do that? Well, time to find out."

As a Seirei rushed him, Mark grabbed it in a headlock and recited the Exorcist quote. To his surprise, the Seirei disappeared.

"What do you know? It actually worked," Mark said, a small smirk forming on his face and the exorcisted all 47 seireis present.

Cobi's expression darkened. "This shouldn't be happening! You're Standzless!"

Mark took the opportunity to punch Cobi square in the face. "Standz or no Standz, I don't care—as long as I can beat your ass!"

Cobi stumbled back, wiping blood from his nose. Just then, Smith and Rin descended through the hole created by the drilling Seirei, announcing that they had dealt with the remaining Seirei outside.

Cobi smirked. "I underestimated you all," he admitted.

Smith approached him angrily. "It's over. You're coming with us. We'll hand you over to the authorities."

Cobi laughed. "Fools. Do you really think I'd rely only on my minions? I haven't even used my Standz yet."

Smith hesitated, checking the pressure of Cobi's Standz. His eyes widened—it was higher than expected.

Cobi stood tall, a sinister aura surrounding him. As Rin and Mark prepared for his next move, a hidden Seirei emerged from the shadows and ambushed them. Taking advantage of the distraction, Cobi escaped.

Meanwhile, Vanessa and Miwafe continued searching for Bri. They finally spotted her, surrounded by Seirei.

"Bri!" they shouted in unison.

Bri turned toward them, visibly relieved. However, before they could reach her, the Seirei received a retreat order from Cobi.

"Take a hostage with you in case they try to follow!" Cobi's voice commanded through their minds.

The Seirei grabbed Bri, who struggled fiercely, even managing to fend them off momentarily. But her weakened state from illness left her unable to continue. The Seirei seized her and leapt out of the hospital before Vanessa and Miwafe could stop them.

Miwafe tried to shoot them down with her ice abilities but realized they were out of range.

After the retreat, the staff began cleaning up the mess. Mark approached Miwafe, a desperate look in his eyes.

"Is Bri safe?" he asked.

Miwafe looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "They got to her before we could…"

Mark's heart sank. Turning to Smith, he said, "We can't waste time. Let's go after them now!"

Smith shook his head. "We need approval from The Seven. That's the difference between us and regular cops."

Mark stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious right now? I'm not waiting for orders—I'm going after her!"

Smith tried to reason with him, but Mark ignored him and turned to leave. Before he could take another step, Miwafe punched him in the face, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Stop it! You said your sister was strong, right? I've seen it myself. I know she can handle herself. But I promised you she'd be safe, and I failed. I'm sorry. Just give us time. Please… believe in your sister!"

Vanessa placed a comforting hand on Miwafe's shoulder as she began to cry. Mark stood up silently. "Fine," he muttered. "But if anything happens to Bri…" His gaze darkened, sending shivers through everyone present.

After he left, Vanessa turned to Smith. "Contact The Seven."

Smith sighed. "Only the leader of the Seirei Exorcist group can do that. We have to wait for the boss to return."

In the meantime, he added grimly, "We'll question Elizabeth."