With a single strike, the myriad shadows split by Youmu shattered, and she herself was blasted backward, spitting blood, her face contorted in agony... This was the best possible outcome even after she managed to raise a defense in time; otherwise, a moment later, that sword light would have pierced right through her.

At this moment, everyone’s expression changed. Although Youmu wasn't a top-tier powerhouse among them, her strength could not be underestimated. Yet now... this faceless entity had utterly defeated Youmu in just one move, and moreover, "she" had used Youmu's own ultimate technique!

"Be careful, this thing is strange!" Patchouli urgently warned, but just as the words left her mouth, a figure suddenly flashed behind her. A crimson radiance billowed out, tearing through the sky.

"Crimson Scarlet Devil!"

Patchouli started in alarm and quickly deployed her absolute defense net, managing to block the terrifying attack at the last possible second. But the identity of that figure...

"Remi? No! You are...?!" Patchouli looked closely and was horrified to see that the attacker was not Remilia, but a faceless monster dressed like Remilia and wielding her attacks—identical to the other faceless Youmu.

"Damn it, even my knock-off has shown up..." Hmm?" Remilia naturally noticed the intruder, and rage instantly surged, but at that precise moment, she abruptly looked up, only to see a star-like magic blast shooting down from above.

A tall hat, black and white attire. Riding a broom, wielding a Hachigakuro to unleash a magic blast—the faceless Marisa!

These suddenly appearing grotesque enemies caught everyone off guard for a moment. Then, almost simultaneously, more enemies appeared one after another. There was the faceless form of Flandre, the faceless form of Alice, the faceless form of Mokou... Every single person present on the battlefield, even the faceless forms of Touzaka Sakura and Kurogiri Aika, appeared, and not just one of each!

"Hold them! Hold them! Patchy, Ariyu, quickly strengthen the defensive perimeter... Damn it, what in the world is going on?"

If these were merely ordinary monsters, none of them would be afraid. But the problem was... these faceless monsters not only resembled them in size but possessed identical abilities, and were even stronger than their originals. This situation was akin to them being copied and reinforced to create these faceless monsters, and in such overwhelming numbers, a direct confrontation offered no chance of victory.

"Wahaha. So many long-lost sisters." Only the carefree Marisa felt inclined to joke at a time like this.

"Are you done messing around? Go over there and help immediately!" someone yelled at her.

Although the development was unexpected, thanks to everyone’s combined efforts, they managed to maintain the situation... only to find themselves completely surrounded, layer upon layer deep.

"It seems we can’t get out for the moment..."

"Yeah. Because we're completely surrounded."

"So, what do we do now?"

"Wait, I suppose. They can't break through our defenses anytime soon. We'll just wait for reinforcements."

"Ah, what a pity. If Meimu were here, that would be good."

"Right, speaking of Meimu... where did she run off to?"

The group began to discuss amongst themselves. Since they were inside an absolute defense circle and momentarily safe, they were generous enough to ignore the monsters besieging them outside.

Lin Luo could see the situation here clearly through the monitors, and it wasn't just them; everyone else, including the Black and White Princesses, the Twenty-Seven Patriarchs, Yagokoro Eirin... almost everyone was once again under attack by faceless monsters modeled after themselves or their companions.

With the appearance of these monsters, Lin Luo finally understood who the enemy they were currently facing truly was. That familiar aura, without a doubt... they were the Abyss Demons!

Although Lin Luo had considered this possibility before, having fought a life-or-death battle with the Abyss Demons during his journey in the Nasuverse a millennium ago, the aura of the black shadows was entirely different, preventing him from making that judgment. Furthermore... although only a few months had passed in real-time since their fierce fight with the Abyss Demons in the Index world, he had experienced a time travel spanning thousands of years in Gensokyo, making the memory of the Abyss Demons seem distant.

But the question remained... the Abyss Demons were completely wiped out a thousand years ago. When he returned to the Nasuverse, he hadn't sensed their presence. If they had infiltrated afterward, he shouldn't have failed to sense them. So, when did they manage to exist here?

Thinking of this, Lin Luo’s gaze immediately turned toward Gaia, "Hey, explain this a little. What is going on?"

Gaia sat upright on the sofa. Faced with Lin Luo's question, a smile as brilliant as blooming flowers spread across her smooth face. Then, she pressed her index fingers against both cheeks, tilting her head... Lin Luo was speechless with exasperation.

What was that supposed to mean? Cosplaying Marisa?

"What tricks are you playing?" Lin Luo asked with a frown.

"Look, look..." Gaia sat back up properly and beckoned to Lin Luo, then reached out again to press her cheeks, "ZE★." Her flowery, radiant smile seemed to invite others to ZE★ along with her.

But Lin Luo had no time to ZE★ back and forth with her. Twitching his mouth, he said, "Stop cosplaying Marisa, I'm asking you, what is the deal with these Abyss Demons?"

"Wakarunai." Gaia lowered her hands, shook her head, and wore an expression of blank ignorance.

Waka your head!

Lin Luo immediately felt a surge of old blood rush up. This woman always played dumb at critical moments. Cosplaying Marisa before was one thing, but now she was even trying to fool him with Japanese... While he wasn't completely unable to understand, could she not be serious for once?

"I'm talking business with you, stop fooling around!" Lin Luo slammed heavily on the table.

"Wakarunai yo, atashi wakarunai..." Gaia twisted her delicate body, her face full of grievance.

Lin Luo knew she was determined to carry out her malicious cuteness offensive to the end. He forcibly suppressed the urge to turn her into charcoal and asked again, "You really don't know?"

"Hontō ni, atashi hontō ni wakarunai." Gaia nodded repeatedly, her face brimming with innocence.

This woman...

Lin Luo truly couldn't stand it. Knowing he absolutely wouldn't get anything from Gaia, he resignedly turned his questioning gaze toward Alaya. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) RQ