With the Guild leader's decision made, everyone agreed there was no other choice but to evacuate and relocate to the old site of ld_Guild. While barren, its abundance of earth blocks meant everything could be rebuilt. Most crucially, it offered a pathway back to the surface, allowing them to consider destroying the Guild headquarters to both eliminate it and block the Angel—a strategy killing two birds with one stone.
"Alright, we have no other choice. But demolishing the Guild and ensuring a safe evacuation will take time. Let's get to work!" Xiaoyouli was the first to agree with Cha's proposal. Under her command, everyone hustled to prepare for the move. However, intense trembling soon signaled the Angel's presence above.
"Follow me, we must buy time for the Guild members!" Xiaoyouli, refusing to sit idly by, led the SSS elite to the Guild's upper level. There, the stoic Tachibana Kanade had bypassed the last trap, unharmed though covered in dust.
"Fire!" At Xiaoyouli's command, everyone drew their weapons, aiming at Kanade. But her defensive skills rendered their firearms ineffective.
"Damn, this won't do!" Xiaoyouli, frustrated, ditched her pistol for a dagger, charging at Kanade. Close quarters made firearms useless.
"Cursed!" The battle was now in the hands of those skilled in melee combat, such as Matsushita and Shiina, while others like Dayou could only complicate matters.
Despite being outnumbered, Kanade held her ground, unaffected by Matsushita's judo, Xiaoyouli's dagger, or Shiina's tanto. The tide turned even more in her favor once she activated her "Delay" skill, enhancing her speed and causing Xiaoyouli to accidentally injure Matsushita.
"Isn't it over yet?" Dayou's shout from below was met with the need for another two minutes—a duration long enough for a potential defeat.
Surprised by the turn of events, Zhang Fan realized he needed to intervene to prevent Kanade from breaching the Guild headquarters and failing his mission.
"For the mission, I must engage Tachibana Kanade," thought Zhang Fan, intrigued by her strength.
"Make way!" As Zhang Fan drew his sword and charged at Kanade, his swift strike nearly hit her before she vanished and reappeared behind him, attacking swiftly.
Though Zhang Fan managed to counter and even gain the upper hand, the battle's intensity left the SSS members in awe. Just as the fight reached a critical point, a supposed reinforcement arrived—a massive cannon that proved to be more of a hazard than help.
"Move, Zhang Fan!" Xiaoyouli's concern was palpable, but Zhang Fan was locked in combat with Kanade, unable to easily disengage.
As the cannon malfunctioned and exploded, Zhang Fan seized the moment, rendering Kanade unconscious and fleeing the collapsing Guild headquarters with her in tow.
"Why?" Upon regaining consciousness, Kanade did not attack but looked at Zhang Fan questioningly.
"Why target the Guild?" Zhang Fan asked, seeking her motives.
"It's not right," Kanade simply replied, hinting at her desire to end the cycle of vengeance.
"Let's grab a meal together," Zhang Fan offered, lightening the mood with food coupons for mapo tofu, captivating Kanade's attention with the promise of her favorite dish.