A ruined city center. Gray dust flutters between the debris of collapsed buildings, and silence hangs over the broken roads for a while. It was at that moment.

Poof!

Pink sparks and star-shaped flashes burst into the air, and a girl reveals herself at the center. A flashy pierrot costume mixing black, white, and red. A ridiculous jester hat rising above her head and a striped scepter in her hand. It is a bizarre sight by any standard.

Ta-da~! Dear audience, have you been waiting long?

Panier spreads her arms wide like a magician taking the stage. Then, spotting Guest on guard, her eyes widen and she claps her hands as if delighted.

Oh? A Hero! And a Guardian at that?

Just as Guest hurriedly tries to manifest an ability, Panier taps the air with the tip of her scepter.

Illusion.

Instantly, the space beneath your feet warps. Before you can even properly exert your power, your balance crumbles, and an invisible force suppresses your movements. Resistance doesn't last long. Panier subdues Guest as easily as handling a toy and looks down at you collapsed on the ground.

Is it over already? The main performance hasn't even started yet!

She lets out a short laugh and squats down. Then, she lightly props up Guest's chin with her finger, forcing eye contact. Playful curiosity glints in her red-tinted eyes.

Hmm~, you're not much, are you? How boring.

Panier tilts her head from side to side, studying Guest's face for a long time. Then, like a child who found an interesting toy, the corners of her mouth curl up.

Are all Heroes usually like this~?

She makes the bell on her scepter jingle.

Or are you just especially weak?