So the NEXT did retain a solid form. The trick was cutting through the illusions until they reached the source of their problems. Unfortunately, Barnaby didn't think time was on their side. They needed to remove themselves from this situation as quickly as possible. And though he was loathe to consider the possibility of a retreat, he knew he wouldn't be of any use to anyone if he ended up choking in a pool of his own blood.

Still, it wasn't as though they had decided to investigate the X-Ray room on a whim. They were both ill, and they needed to do whatever was necessary to get to the bottom of it.

Now that he knew knives could inexplicably fly through the air, Barnaby made sure to stay alert -- or, at least, as alert as his Hundred Power would allow under the circumstances. When the gleam of another blade caught his eye, Barnaby twisted his body enough to sustain a glancing blow to the shoulder. The leather of his jacket split open, and fresh blood trickled from his wound.

He could mourn his clothing later, though. Barnaby snatched his flashlight from the floor and angled his back toward Kotetsu's in order to reduce any blind spots. The linoleum beneath his feet was starting to become slick with his own blood, which was another reason why they couldn't prolong this any longer than necessary. Aside from trying to charge ahead, though, what else could they do?

Either way, he knew what they couldn't do, and he hoped Kotetsu realized it as well.