Orochimaru didn't wait. A puff of smoke, a shift in the air—then he was gone.
And in his place… a squirrel.
But not just any squirrel.
It was wrong. Bigger than it should be, muscles rippling beneath its fur. Its eyes glowed with something off, something unnatural. No twitchy little rodent instincts—this thing was watching them. Sizing them up.
A creation of Dr. Animo.
Realisation hit like a punch to the gut.
Saya's breath hitched. Yuriko went rigid, fingers twitching toward her weapon before stopping short—because what the hell was a spear going to do to that?
Even Saeko, ever composed, swallowed hard.
"Please… stop," Yuriko said, voice low, almost pleading.
She wasn't too proud to admit it.
She knew.
She knew they couldn't win this fight.
Neither could Saya.
Saya's breath came short and uneven. Her eyes darted to Orochimaru, standing at a distance, watching. Just watching.
No amusement, no gloating—just cold calculation.
Her chest tightened. This wasn't a test. It wasn't some sick joke.
Tears welled up in her eyes before she could stop them. "Please—"
But Orochimaru, standing a safe distance away, didn't say a word. He just watched. Observing, waiting. Like this was some kind of twisted experiment.
They didn't have time to think.
The beast shifted, muscles coiling, its eerie eyes locking onto Yuriko.
Of course.
Even in a life-or-death situation, she was the most appealing target.
Not just for men, it seemed.
"Mom!" Saya yelled, heart slamming against her ribs.
Yuriko barely had a second to react before the monster lunged. She threw herself to the side, rolling across the ground as claws raked the spot where she had just been standing.
Too close. Way too close.
Saeko was already moving, blade flashing as she dashed toward the creature, aiming for its flank. But the moment she swung, the damn thing jumped, twisting mid-air like it had expected the attack. It landed with unnatural grace, claws digging into the dirt, tail flicking like a whip.
"Shit!" Saya grit her teeth, gripping her spear tighter. "This thing isn't normal!"
She could only think that this creature was from Orochimaru's home world.
"Obviously!" Yuriko snapped back, breathless but steady. Her hands clenched around her weapon. "Ideas?"
"Kill it before it kills us?" Saeko suggested, tone dry—because yeah, like they had a choice.
Her eyes were dead serious.
But suddenly, cold terror washed over them as Orochimaru's voice echoed across the yard.
"Two."
"Out of the four of you, I want at least two dead. If not… I'll keep releasing them until there are only two left."
The weight of his words crashed down on them.
Yuriko sucked in a sharp breath. Saya felt her stomach drop.
Even Saeko, blade steady, tensed.
It wasn't just the monster in front of them.
It was the unspoken truth behind Orochimaru's decree.
Not only did the big, twisted thing need to die.
One of them did too.
Saya's grip on her spear tightened. Her mind raced, possibilities flashing through her head, but none of them ended well.
The monster growled, low and guttural, before its gaze snapped back to Yuriko.
Then it lunged again.
Yuriko swung out of reflex, spear striking the beast's side. But it barely flinched. Claws swiped toward her, fast, too fast—
Saya didn't think. She moved.
She slammed her body into Yuriko's, shoving her away just as those claws tore through her mother's coat.
The two hit the ground hard.
The creature snarled in frustration, skidding to a stop, then turned its glowing eyes toward them again.
Saeko took her chance.
Her katana sang as it sliced through the air, cutting deep into the beast's back.
This time, it reacted. A screech—more fury than pain—and it whipped around unnaturally fast, tail slamming into Saeko's side.
She barely got her blade up in time. The force still sent her stumbling, feet digging into the dirt to stay upright.
Yuriko scrambled to her feet, wincing as pain shot through her ribs. Saya was already up too, spear clutched tightly in her shaking hands.
They locked eyes.
No words needed.
They knew.
Saeko needed an opening.
"Move!" Yuriko shouted, forcing herself forward.
Saya didn't hesitate. She charged in from the opposite side.
The beast twisted, glowing eyes tracking their movements, muscles tensing for its next attack. It was learning. Adapting.
Yuriko feinted, jabbing low, while Saya aimed for its side.
It leapt back—
And Saeko struck.
Her katana flashed, steel biting deep. Blood sprayed, dark and thick. The beast screamed.
But even wounded, it refused to go down.
With a snarl, it lashed out blindly.
Saeko dodged left—almost. The tail clipped her ribs, sending her sprawling.
"Saeko!" Saya gasped, panic seizing her chest.
No time to help. The beast spun, teeth bared, aiming to finish what it started.
Yuriko threw her blade.
It sank into its shoulder. Not enough to kill—but enough to piss it off.
It roared, attention snapping to her.
She braced herself—
A gunshot.
Then another.
The beast lurched, jerking violently before collapsing onto its side, blood seeping into the dirt.
Smoke curled from Yuriko's pistol.
Silence.
Then, a slow clap.
Orochimaru.
The amusement in his golden eyes made her sick.
"Not bad." He stepped forward. "But the game's not over."
The air shifted.
They understood. One of them needed to die.
Yuriko didn't hesitate.
She raised the gun—
And pointed it at Saeko.