The group finally reached the staircase smoothly and returned to the lower deck, only to find that no one was guarding this area.
This situation seemed highly unlikely for the Rikoku Cultivators, for the one thing most feared when overcoming the gatekeeper was being flanked from behind; thus, leaving someone to cover the rear or setting an alert was necessary—with neither being dispensable.
However, what defined the Allied Forces was precisely their extremely disparate composition.
Not to mention the difference between superheroes and Southeast Asian sorcerers—lacking a common language and culture, they were merely cooperating temporarily because they shared a common foe.
The former were primarily concerned with fame and commercial value; staying behind to help keep watch wouldn't bring them any additional fan popularity, so naturally, no one was willing to stay back.