This scene opens with a flashback to the beginning of the previous chapter, in which the protagonist's heart is full of horror at the sight of a bastard using his men as a shield to protect himself from his attacks. The protagonist is horrified at the idea that the bastard might still be able to use his men to protect him from his own attacks. He is even more horrified when he hears the sound of his own sword, which he calls "the ruthless sword." The protagonist realizes that he has reached the second level of the "rascal path," and that he is not yet as ruthless as he was at the first level. He calls for a backup, but the protagonist is unable to find a way to get to the second stage. He realizes that there are three more "heavenly emperor rank fighters" who have been pushed by the protagonist, and he rushes to find them.