The black creatures summoned by Hanako snarled and charged at the people gathered there.
Meanwhile, the black smoke continued to spread, filling the entire area.
Nyi Sukma fought back against the creatures rushing toward them. The sacred spear in her hands spun left and right in a blur. Every creature struck by the weapon exploded and vanished into black smoke.
At the same time, Rara Kemuning attacked using the sacred jar and the yellow bamboo in her hands. One by one, the black creatures were sucked into Dewi Sekartaji's sacred jar.
However—The creatures kept emerging from within the black smoke. For every one that was destroyed, another appeared to take its place, as if their numbers were endless.
Although Nyi Sukma remained uninjured and still possessed enough strength to fight, she had not succeeded in stopping Hanako's technique.
"This is bad. Something isn't right. The Fortress prison of Pancarona isn't suppressing this spirit's power."
"Rara! Take Mrs. Yuyun and get out of here! We'll try again another time. I'll hold them off!"
Nyi Sukma sensed something strange. A feeling of unease crept into her heart. Perhaps retreating for now and coming up with a new plan would be wiser.
But—It would not be that simple.
One of the soldiers was suddenly ambushed by a black creature and dragged into the ground, which had become covered in thick black smoke.
And...
The soldier disappeared.
Then another soldier suffered the same fate.
Sergeant Prayogi opened fire on the creatures, and the remaining soldiers followed suit.
It made no difference.
They too vanished, dragged away by the black creatures.
The moment she heard Nyi Sukma's order, Rara Kemuning grabbed Mrs. Yuyun's hand and ran.
The two hurried through the school's corridors while the humanoid black creatures snarled and pursued them from behind.
---
At the front of the school, several parents had gathered. Among them were Principal Mr. Astar and Mr. Mamat, the school caretaker.
Five soldiers carrying PT Pindad SS1 assault rifles stood guard. They were members of Sergeant Prayogi's squad. While their comrades had gone to the back of the school with Mrs. Yuyun, these five had been assigned to secure the front area.
The school grounds were illuminated by garden lights and light bulbs installed around the buildings.
The surrounding area had already fallen into darkness. Even the last traces of the crimson sunset had vanished beyond the western horizon.
Several parents still remained in the courtyard.
"What's really going on, soldier? Why were you assigned to guard this school?" asked a heavyset man with thick sideburns.
"We were ordered here by the battalion commander. The report said there had been kidnappings at this place, and there was concern it might happen again. Sergeant Prayogi has the details. Me? I'm just following orders. Besides, staying in the barracks is boring."
The soldier pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket, lit one, and offered the pack to the heavyset man.
"Thank you, but I quit smoking," the man replied, raising his palm.
"Good for you. I've tried quitting, but I haven't succeeded yet."
The soldier took a deep drag, tilted his head back, and exhaled a stream of smoke into the air.
"By the way, do you know what happened here? Did your son ever tell you anything strange about this school?"
"My son joined the Scout extracurricular program. He attended the camping event held at the school. Yesterday, I was told that he and all his friends disappeared during the camp."
The man shook his head.
"He never mentioned anything unusual. I don't understand what's happening either."
"Last night, I had a strange dream."
"I saw my son standing in a strange place—a vast, barren valley. I kept calling out to him, but he wouldn't turn around."
"He was walking with many others toward a tall stone tower. Above the tower was a black vortex, like an upside-down tornado whose center seemed to originate from the sky itself."
"It was terrifying. When I woke up, my body was drenched in sweat."
"Don't think too much about it, sir. It was only a dream."
The soldier shrugged.
"Honestly, this should be a case for detectives or criminal investigators. More than thirty children disappearing at once? That's beyond strange."
Crack! Crack!
The communication device in the soldier's pocket suddenly came to life.
"Command!"
"Command! Get to the rear area immediately! We need backup! Be careful—we're under attack by supernatural creatures!"
Sergeant Prayogi's voice blared through the radio.
The soldier's eyes widened. He quickly signaled to his comrades.
The other four soldiers rushed over and followed him.
But after only a few steps toward the back of the school—A massive wave of thick black smoke suddenly appeared, accompanied by horrifying black creatures.
The five soldiers opened fire.
Instead of being harmed, the creatures continued advancing and lunged at them.
And—Chaos erupted.
The black creatures attacked everyone in the front courtyard.
---
Meanwhile, Mrs. Yuyun and Rara ran through the school corridors.
Their original plan had been to reach the front gate, but the path was completely blocked by thick black smoke.
Instead, they headed toward the side of the school.
"Rara, hurry! Let's use the side gate!"
Mrs. Yuyun pulled Rara's hand and ran toward a wooden door located near a garden beside the school.
She pushed the door open and immediately stepped outside the school grounds.
Suddenly, Rara released her hand.
"Mrs. Yuyun, get out of here!"
The girl did not follow her through the gate.
"Rara, come on!"
"No, ma'am. I can't leave Nyi Sukma behind."
"I'm going back to help her."
"Please go. I'm returning to find Nyi Sukma."
"But..."
Before Mrs. Yuyun could finish speaking, Rara Kemuning had already shut the gate.
Mrs. Yuyun stood frozen.
Fear and horror filled her eyes.
Her heart pounded violently as worry overwhelmed her.
Looking over the outer wall of the school, she saw something terrifying.
The entire school was engulfed in thick black smoke, forming what appeared to be a gigantic black dome.
Sparks of energy flashed randomly within it, accompanied by sounds like crackling fireworks.
Spatial distortions appeared throughout the dome.
Intense waves of energy radiated from it.
The ground beneath Mrs. Yuyun's feet trembled.
She slowly backed away in terror.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Hanako's manic laughter echoed throughout the area.
"Running is pointless."
"Oblivion Dome!"
Red flashes illuminated the black dome.
It blinked three times.
Then—The black smoke rapidly collapsed inward, condensing into a sphere of energy floating in the air.
ZASH!
What Mrs. Yuyun witnessed next was beyond all reason.
Before her now lay an empty stretch of land covering more than four hectares.
A chilling sensation crawled up her spine.
Every hair on her body stood on end.
"No!"
She cried out weakly as she looked upward.
Above the empty field floated a young girl holding a crimson sphere in her hand.
Hanako hovered in the air, a horrifying smile spread across her lips.
Mrs. Yuyun turned and ran.
The deserted road around her was surrounded by vast rice fields. The school stood somewhat isolated from residential areas, which was why no one else had witnessed the horrifying event.
She ran as fast as she could.
Tears streamed down her face.
Her breathing became ragged.
She desperately tried to reach the nearest village.
In the distance, Hanako's laughter echoed through the darkness.
Mrs. Yuyun glanced back.
Far away, Hanako stood in the darkness on the road directly in front of the place where the school had once stood.
Then, in a bizarre manner, as though teleporting repeatedly, she began moving toward Mrs. Yuyun.
And—A moment later, she was standing right before her.
Her eyes burned with a crimson glow.
Thick black smoke emerged from her outstretched hand and rushed toward Mrs. Yuyun.
Mrs. Yuyun's vision began to fade.
Slowly...
Her consciousness slipped away into darkness.
***