《Millenium : The Awakening of Heroes》 Here Comes Ikku In the narrow, dark streets of Aethis, nestled in the heart of the country of Isrue, daylight struggled to pierce through the persistent fog. The shouts of quarrels and bursts of laughter echoed in the air, but for Ikku, it was all a distant hum. Sitting on a worn-out bench, he watched the passersby, his eyes filled with unattainable dreams. Ikku was just an ordinary teenager from a chaotic household. Neither particularly tall nor short, standing around 5''10" (1.78m), his short red hair was often messy. He wore a red T-shirt and black shorts, layered with a sleeveless black vest, and black sneakers completed his look. His parents, trapped in their addiction to alcohol, had never provided him with the support he needed. Constant moves and endless arguments at home had built a deep sense of solitude within him. At school, he was invisible, a mediocre student who neither attracted attention nor friendship. "Life is so boring," he thought, his face turned toward the sky. "It¡¯s time to go home, even if I don¡¯t particularly want to." Ikku stood up and started walking toward his house. On his way, he overheard a conversation that piqued his interest: "Imagine if someone ever managed to gather them all," said the first man. "Then they''d immediately be recognized as the greatest hero in history," the second man replied with a laugh. "But honestly, that¡¯s impossible." The first man, clearly drunk, noticed Ikku and called out to him. "And you, kid, what do you think? Surely, you think it¡¯s doable, right?!" "What are you talking about?" Ikku asked, intrigued. "The four jewels, of course!" "The four¡­ jewels?" "What are they teaching you in school these days?" the man exclaimed, holding his head in mock despair. "There are four jewels hidden in the world. For thousands of years, adventurers from all corners of the globe have sought them out. And for good reason! The legend says that whoever gathers all four will gain immense power and be hailed as the greatest hero of all time! This quest, which has existed for millennia, is called Millenium!" "Leave him alone," the second man retorted, leaning against the wall with a bottle of liquor in hand, amused. "The kid doesn¡¯t need to hear your nonsense." This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon."Why not?" replied the first man, playfully tapping Ikku¡¯s shoulder. "After all, a man¡¯s ambitions are his most precious treasures, hahaha!" The word "Millenium" echoed in Ikku¡¯s mind, sparking a flame he had never felt before. His usually dull eyes lit up with newfound determination. For the first time, an idea took root in his mind: perhaps this legend was his chance. His chance to escape, to change the course of his miserable life. To prove he was more than the boy everyone ignored. As he resumed his walk, his thoughts swirled: "Millenium... Maybe I could try too." Ikku eventually arrived home. The day had been like any other: dull and uneventful. But as he reached the threshold of his apartment, muffled shouting seeped through the poorly insulated door. His parents were arguing again. He stopped in front of the door, a knot forming in his stomach. "Not again..." he thought, clenching his teeth. The voices inside were chaotic but unmistakable. His mother¡¯s shrill, angry tone cut through the wood, followed by his father¡¯s heavy, slurred mumbling. Laughter mixed with yelling and insults. Ikku could feel his spirits sink. Clenching his fists, he hesitated. Every night, it was the same scene¡ªsenseless arguments that only deepened his loneliness. His instincts screamed at him to turn around, to run far from this misery, but he had nowhere to go. Taking a deep breath, he slowly pushed the creaking door open. Instantly, the shouting hit him like a wave, enveloping him in a whirlwind of anger and chaos. "You''re nothing but useless!" his mother screamed, her voice trembling with rage. "And you think you¡¯re any better?" his father shot back, his words distorted by alcohol. Ikku froze for a moment in the doorway, watching the sad spectacle of his parents. Empty bottles littered the coffee table, and their alcohol-flushed faces were twisted in anger. His father raised a hand, threatening, but Ikku quickly averted his gaze. He had neither the strength nor the will to intervene. Without a word, he shut the door behind him and quickly headed to his room, trying to make his presence as invisible as possible. The shouting didn¡¯t stop, and a shiver ran down his spine. "Why do I stay here?" he murmured to himself, his fists clenched in frustration. He quietly shut his bedroom door and collapsed onto his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Here, in this tiny space he called his refuge, he could finally distance himself from the storm raging just a few meters away. But even here, the shouting echoed in his head, like an unending infernal melody. Chapter 2 : My life, My choices Lying on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, Ikku couldn¡¯t shake the obsessive thought that kept returning: that conversation he¡¯d overheard in the street about the four jewels. He slowly sat up, scanning the dark, dilapidated room he called home. His old desk, cluttered with papers and dusty trinkets, held a computer almost as old as he was practically useless to most people. Yet, it was his only window to the outside world. He powered on the computer, which let out a faint creak before coming to life. The screen, scarred with lines of wear, flickered briefly before stabilizing. Ikku opened a browser and typed "Millennium" into the search bar. The results appeared, and to his surprise, several forums and articles mentioned the legend. Clicking feverishly on the first few links, he uncovered a collection of testimonies and stories that overlapped in strange ways. Some spoke of the jewels¡¯ ability to grant immense power to whoever united them. Others described the Millennium Quest, a perilous trial that had claimed the lives of countless adventurers. One forum post in particular caught his attention. A user claimed to have met someone who had seen one of the jewels. A chill ran down Ikku''s spine as he devoured the thread, his heart pounding in his chest. Every word seemed to make the legend feel more tangible, more real. "The Millennium is more than just a myth¡­ Some say the jewels are hidden across the far corners of the world, and one must be prepared to sacrifice far more than their life to find them." Ikku leaned back, staring pensively at the screen. It all felt so surreal, and yet¡­ something deep within him whispered that it was true. That this quest, as insane as it sounded, was his chance to escape his miserable existence. He had nothing left to lose. His parents, his life here none of it made sense anymore. The faint sounds of arguing still seeped through the walls, but this time, he was determined not to listen. Without further hesitation, Ikku stood abruptly, rummaging through his dusty wardrobe for an old backpack. He stuffed in some clothes, a notebook, a crumpled map, and anything else that might be useful for a journey whose destination he didn¡¯t even know. With his bag ready, he cast one last look around his room. This space that had been his refuge for so many years now felt suffocating, like a cage he was finally about to escape. He hesitated for a moment at his bedroom door, listening to the faint echoes of his parents still arguing in the living room. Without a word, without a tear, he turned, walked through the apartment silently, and opened the front door. The outside world greeted him with an unexpected chill. Ikku felt strangely light, as if an immense weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. What he would do next, he didn¡¯t yet know. But one thing was certain: he would never come back here. Just as he stepped over the threshold, the cold air biting at his skin, he heard the door swing open behind him.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Hey! Where do you think you¡¯re going, Ikku?¡± His father¡¯s raspy, trembling voice broke the silence of the night. Ikku stopped but didn¡¯t turn around. Heavy, stumbling footsteps echoed as his father drew closer. For a moment, Ikku hoped he wouldn¡¯t follow him. That he¡¯d finally leave him alone. But, of course, that was too much to ask. ¡°Are you listening to me, you little idiot? Huh?!¡± his father barked, now closer, a bottle of alcohol in hand, swaying under the weight of his drunkenness. Ikku closed his eyes, biting back a sharp retort. He knew there was no point in arguing with a man so broken. Yet, when he opened his mouth to speak, a trace of hope still lingered in his voice: ¡°I¡¯m leaving¡­ I¡¯m not coming back.¡± For a second, silence fell. Then, a cruel laugh shattered the air, a sound so cutting it made Ikku¡¯s resolve falter. ¡°And where does Mister Ikku Nemuri think he¡¯s going, huh?¡± Ikku hesitated but finally mustered the courage to respond: ¡°There¡¯s nothing left for me here¡­ I¡¯m not happy in this life. I¡¯ve decided to take control and change. I heard about the Millennium Quest, and I¡¯m going to find those jewels. I¡¯ll become the greatest hero in history.¡± ¡°You? Find the jewels?¡± his father sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t make me laugh! You¡¯re nothing but a worthless fool, just like your mother! A hero? You couldn¡¯t even save a stray dog!¡± The words cut deeper than any blow. Ikku clenched his fists, his throat tightening under the weight of the insult. He took a step away, but his father wasn¡¯t done yet. In one swift motion, he hurled the bottle at his son. The bottle sailed through the air and struck Ikku squarely on the head. The pain was blinding, forcing a muffled cry from his lips as he collapsed to the ground. Warm blood trickled down his forehead, thick and sticky, each heartbeat hammering against the wound. But the worst wasn¡¯t the physical pain. It was the look in his father¡¯s eyes pure contempt. He stood there, swaying but utterly lucid in his cruelty. ¡°Look at you¡­ Pathetic. Better this way. Don¡¯t come back! No one wants you here.¡± Kneeling on the ground, blood mixing with tears, Ikku felt his heart shatter further. It wasn¡¯t just the bottle that had broken him¡ªit was everything. The years of humiliation, the violence, the disdain. He knew if he stayed a second longer, he would never rise again. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, the pain throbbing in his temples. Without a word, without a glance, he began to walk away, his vision blurred with tears. He had to leave, to flee this hell. As he disappeared into the night, he heard his father murmur something. It was almost a whisper, a sound that made him pause, his heart pounding harder in his chest. But he shook his head. It didn¡¯t matter anymore. He would never return. Ikku kept walking, determined never to look back again. Chapter 3 : A Mysterious Encounter The weight of the broken bottle against his head was far lighter than the weight of his father¡¯s words, which still spun in his mind like shards of glass. The dried blood on his forehead stung with every movement, but he ignored it. The physical pain seemed insignificant compared to the deeper wound gnawing at his heart. To him, they were more than just a myth. The members of Nexus weren¡¯t just warriors; they were masters in various fields: archaeology, science, cooking¡­ each of them possessing a unique expertise that made them indispensable. Ikku knew that to achieve his goal of finding the legendary jewels, he first had to join Nexus. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.He found an old bench, secluded and out of sight, and decided to spend the night there in the open air. The cold seeped through his clothes, but he had no other choice. Lying down, even for a few hours, would give him enough energy to keep going. ¡°Hey!¡± he shouted instinctively. ¡°You mangy mutt!¡± ¡° Chapter 4 : Jack ¡°Come, my camp is nearby,¡± the man offered calmly. The atmosphere was peaceful, a stark contrast to the fear Ikku had just endured. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°I got lost trying to find Kul-Elna...¡± ¡°Kul-Elna, huh? I didn¡¯t think a kid like you would know about a place like that. Why are you trying to go there?¡± ¡°I want to join Nexus...¡± The atmosphere grew heavy, almost oppressive. Ikku felt his heart race, wondering if he had said something wrong. But suddenly, Jack burst into laughter a deep, booming laugh that nearly made him fall backward. Ikku watched, confused, yet he sensed no malice in the laughter. It wasn¡¯t the cruel mockery of his father but rather a playful, almost affectionate laugh. ¡° ¡°This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve got nothing better to do right now, and¡­ I can¡¯t let a kid with so much ambition die so easily,¡± he said with a slight smile. ¡° ¡° ¡°Alright, I¡¯m ready.¡± ¡°Get ready, because we¡¯re on the brink of an incredible story. The real adventure begins for you now.¡± Chapter 5 : Fresh Start

A Leap Through Time A year and four months had passed since Ikku left his old life behind, carrying with him his dreams and scars. Now, no one knew what had become of him or how Jack¡¯ training had shaped this once-uncertain young man. The sun was setting gently over the beach, casting a golden glow on the waves that crashed softly against the fine sand. Beyond the Saqar Forest lay a discreet port, nearly deserted at the end of the day. This place was called the Port of Ares. The only sounds breaking the tranquility were those of port workers chatting as they went about their daily routine. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, this is the last shipment before the storm hits.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see, but I¡¯d rather be dry at the tavern,¡± one of the two men replied with a smirk, leaning against a crate. One of them gazed out at the horizon and spotted a small boat approaching. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got visitors,¡± he said, squinting into the distance. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this one,¡± the other replied. As the boat docked slowly, the passengers a group of about ten rugged men disembarked one by one, looking determined. The two guards on duty observed them intently. One of them, a scruffy-bearded man in his forties, eyed the newcomers before letting out a deep sigh. ¡°Good evening, gentlemen. Let me guess you¡¯re all here to take the entrance exam for Nexus, right?¡± The men nodded in silence, some casting curious glances around. The guard nodded. ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s start with a little test to see if you¡¯re up to it.¡± One of the men stepped forward, intrigued and amused. ¡°What kind of test?¡± A sly grin crept onto the guard¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s simple. You¡¯ve got three hours to take my cap. If you can do that, you¡¯ll move on to the exam.¡± The men exchanged puzzled looks. Some burst out laughing, thinking the guard was joking. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s your test? You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± one of them said, amused. The guard shrugged. ¡°The clock¡¯s already ticking. You¡¯ve got two hours and fifty-nine minutes left.¡± Visibly irritated by the guard¡¯s laid-back demeanor, one of the men glared at him. ¡°Fine. And all means are fair?¡± The guard, still smirking, replied lightly, ¡°Of course. Do your best.¡± Without wasting a second, the ten men lunged at him all at once, ready for a brawl. But the guard, with astonishing agility, leapt into the air, effortlessly dodging their attacks. Each time they tried to grab him, he slipped between them with impressive ease, as if predicting their every move. One of the men threw a knife at him, hoping to catch him off guard. The guard, unfazed, caught it effortlessly between two fingers. Time passed, and after an hour, the ten men were exhausted, either sitting or lying on the ground, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. They complained about the difficulty of the test, doubts creeping into their minds. ¡°Ha¡­ ha¡­ This is impossible¡­ Who is this guy?¡± one of them wheezed. The guard, unscathed and still wearing his cap, calmly approached them. He scanned their faces before declaring, ¡°No need to continue. You¡¯ve failed. Time to head home.¡± One man, his face flushed with anger, stood up with clenched fists, ready to strike the guard. But he realized that if he couldn¡¯t even take his cap, hitting him would be even more futile. Frustrated, he lowered his gaze and turned to his companions. Disheartened and frustrated, they boarded the boat, their hopes shattered. The guard watched them leave, a smug grin on his lips.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. As the boat disappeared into the distance, the first guard finally removed his cap, wiping his forehead with an amused smile. ¡°They¡¯re all the same, these kids. They think a little muscle is all it takes to pass the Nexus exam.¡± The other guard sighed, leaning against a barrel. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s getting worse. More and more young people show up here, convinced they can change the world. They have no idea what they¡¯re getting into.¡± The first guard spun his cap between his fingers before placing it back on his head. ¡°Seriously, have you seen anyone worth their salt lately? They¡¯re all so cocky, thinking they can have everything without breaking a sweat.¡± He nodded toward the boat disappearing on the horizon. ¡°Like those guys. None of them lasted more than an hour.¡± The other guard burst into laughter. ¡°Bahaha! To be fair, you weren¡¯t exactly gentle with them. But it¡¯s the same story every time. If we let them take the exam, they¡¯d die in the first trial.¡± The first guard sighed again. ¡°And we¡¯re the ones stuck dealing with them. I¡¯m getting tired of watching them parade through here. It¡¯s like Nexus recruitment attracts every fool in the region.¡± The other shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s just how it is. If they knew what they were really getting into, they¡¯d turn back before even setting foot here.¡± Suddenly, the first man squinted, staring at the edge of the forest a few kilometers away. ¡°Hey, wait a second¡­ Did you see that?¡± he asked, pointing to a shadow moving in the distance. The other shrugged indifferently. ¡°What? Nothing ever comes out of that forest. The beasts stay inside they never wander out.¡± But the first man insisted, grabbing a pair of binoculars. What he saw made his eyes widen. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s a giant tiger! It¡¯s coming out of the forest and heading straight for us!¡± His companion let out a nervous laugh. ¡°What? No way!¡± But he drew his weapon, his hands trembling slightly. ¡°If it¡¯s true and it gets too close, I¡¯ll take it down.¡± The man with the binoculars remained on high alert, eyes fixed on the beast hurtling toward them at an alarming speed. But something seemed off. He blinked and caught his breath. ¡°Wait¡­ There¡¯s someone on the tiger.¡± ¡°What? Are you out of your mind? No one could ride something like that!¡± the other retorted nervously. But as the tiger drew closer, the image became clearer. Just meters away, there was no longer any doubt: a figure was seated atop the massive feline. The two men exchanged stunned looks as the tiger stopped a short distance away. With surprising grace, the rider dismounted, placing one foot on the sand. He gently patted the tiger¡¯s flank, and the animal bowed its head in respect before dashing back toward the forest. The young man approached the port guards, his tattered clothes revealing a lean, muscular physique honed by months of effort. He wore a calm, almost friendly expression. ¡°Good evening,¡± he said with a slight smile. ¡°Is this the Port of Ares?¡± One of the guards, still shaken by what he had witnessed, nodded. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re in the right place.¡± The young man seemed relieved. ¡°Great. I¡¯m looking to reach Kul-Elna. I was told a boat stops here.¡± The second guard, regaining his composure, replied cautiously. ¡°That¡¯s correct, kid. But to get to Kul-Elna, you need a pass. The boat only takes those aiming to join Nexus.¡± The young man¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Perfect that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m here for.¡± The first guard crossed his arms, intrigued, and burst out laughing. ¡°Well, usually we test candidates who want to sign up¡­ but with an entrance like yours, I¡¯d say you¡¯ve already proven yourself. Just tell me your name.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± the young man replied, bowing slightly. ¡°My name is Ikku, Nemuri Ikku.¡± The guard adjusted his cap, still impressed. ¡°Welcome, Ikku. I¡¯m Miguel, the port guard and the one who decides who gets to try for Nexus. Based on what I¡¯ve seen, you¡¯re already in, but I¡¯m curious to see what you¡¯re made of. I¡¯d still like to test you.¡± Miguel pointed to a badge pinned to his uniform. ¡°You have one hour to take this badge from me, using any means necessary. Don¡¯t hold back I won¡¯t¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Miguel froze, stunned. Ikku was standing there, the badge between his fingers, examining it curiously. ¡°I don¡¯t really see what¡¯s so special about this badge, Mr. Miguel,¡± Ikku said calmly. Miguel, utterly bewildered, stood there, speechless. ¡°How did you¡­ Wahahaha! That¡¯s incredible! You¡¯re really something, kid!¡± Ikku, wearing a modest smile, still held the badge, aware of the shock he had caused. Miguel quickly regained his composure, looking at him with both respect and affection. ¡°The boat for participants arrives in two days. You can rest and freshen up in the quarters over there. There are clean clothes and food help yourself and make yourself at home. Good luck, Ikku. The trials ahead will be far tougher.¡± So, this is what Ikku has become. But surely, you¡¯re wondering what kind of training made him this strong. And yet, the real question is: will it be enough to face the formidable trials of Nexus? Stay focused the adventure has only just begun, and the greatest challenges are still to come. Chapter 6 : New Friends Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, he moved with an almost aristocratic confidence. Each step was accompanied by the faint rustle of his clothing, breaking the ambient stillness. ¡° ¡°Still the same as ever, I see. It¡¯s been a while, Miguel. I¡¯m here to pick up the last supplies for the ship, and I suppose you¡¯ve got no one for me this year, as usual.¡± His gaze swept over the port before he continued, ¡°Not that it¡¯s a problem. There are plenty of candidates for this session already.¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re wrong. This time, I do have someone for you.¡± ¡°Oh? After more than ten years of barely recommending anyone? What¡¯s so special about this one?¡± ¡°Really? Now that¡¯s something worth noting.¡± ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.¡°This is a document to sign. It states that you waive your right to sue anyone in case of serious injury or disability and that you understand the risks involved, including the possibility of losing your life.¡± ¡° ¡°Your room is number 418, located to your left at the end of the hallway,¡± she added. ¡°HIIII THERE!¡± ¡° ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, scratching his head with an ever-present smile. ¡°I¡¯m pretty clumsy.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Nemuri Ikku,¡± Ikku introduced himself, smiling in return. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°You two are so noisy,¡± said a third person in the room, evidently woken up by Yum¨¦ and Ikku. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°The Conquerors?¡± he asked, perplexed and curious. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 7 : The First Trial ¡° ¡°As long as it¡¯s not written tests, I¡¯m good,¡± he replied with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m with you on that. Anything that doesn¡¯t require twisting my brain works for me.¡± ¡° ¡°Excuse me, but¡­ the island isn¡¯t even visible. How are we supposed to get there?¡± ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯d suggest you keep your eyes on me,¡± he said cryptically. ¡°¡°What are we supposed to do now?¡± another stammered, clutching his head in despair. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.¡°The answer is simple.¡± ¡°All candidates who do not jump within the next few minutes will be disqualified.¡± ¡° ¡° ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why we need to slow down. If the island isn¡¯t even in sight, we¡¯ve got a long way to go. No point in burning out this early.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. At this pace, we¡¯re looking at at least three hours of swimming¡­ minimum.¡± ¡° ¡° ¡°That¡¯s a bit mean, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°The island you chose for the second trial¡­ it¡¯s the one I think it is, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes. That¡¯s right. Devil¡¯s Island.¡± ¡°Start the ship and prepare lifeboats to pick up the survivors.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see how many of them make it to the destination.¡± Chapter 8 : The Trial Continues Six hours had passed since the trial began, and Ikku continued to maintain a steady pace. Around him, several candidates struggled to stay afloat, while others had already succumbed to exhaustion, their bodies drifting on the water''s surface. The scene was merciless, and every meter he advanced served as a grim reminder of how relentless this trial truly was. Yum¨¦ and Kenny... they¡¯re truly incredible, Ikku thought. Not even a hint of exhaustion. They really are special. Kenny was right. For a brief moment, Ikku¡¯s mind wandered to his past. He realized that without his encounter with Jack, he would never have been able to endure this long. If I hadn¡¯t met Jack¡­ I wouldn¡¯t even be capable of a tenth of what I¡¯m doing now, he reminded himself, steeling his resolve. ¡°Yeah, I heard it too.¡± ¡° ¡° ¡°We need to stay calm. If D?ma made it through, we can too.¡± ¡°He¡¯s right. Even though there are a lot of them, they¡¯re spread out enough. If we keep some distance between each other and swim carefully, we can avoid them.¡± ¡°Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡° ¡° Just a little further¡­ almost there, Ikku thought, pushing himself forward. Finally, they emerged from the cluster of jellyfish, a wave of relief washing over him. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°Red stripes?!¡± Kenny¡¯s thoughts raced, his expression shifting to alarm. ¡° ¡° Chapter 9 : Rammer Dolphin Ikku turned his head, startled by the warning. He frowned, trying to understand. ¡°What do you mean? They¡¯re just... dolphins, right?¡± Kenny shook his head frantically, scanning the water around them. ¡°No, not these ones... They¡¯re ¡®Rammer Dolphins.¡¯ They¡¯re vicious and sadistic!¡± Ikku¡¯s heart raced. He had never heard of such creatures before. Suddenly, he realized he could no longer see the dolphins around them. The water, which had been churning moments ago, was now eerily still. A dreadful feeling crept over him. Taking a deep breath, he submerged his head beneath the surface for a better look. In the depths, a dark shape hurtled toward him at breakneck speed. Damn it! Ikku thought, panic gripping him. There¡¯s no way to dodge this in time! He had only seconds to react. Instinctively, he crossed his arms over his chest and curled his legs tightly, bracing himself for the inevitable impact. The Rammer Dolphin, with its massive skull, slammed into Ikku with full force. The blow was so powerful that Ikku was launched out of the water, his body flung more than two meters into the air. For a fleeting moment, suspended above the ocean, he felt searing pain radiating through his trembling limbs. If Kenny hadn¡¯t warned me, my ribs would¡¯ve been crushed, Ikku thought, still reeling from the shock. He crashed back into the sea, a wave crashing over him. Saltwater flooded his mouth and lungs as he struggled to catch his breath. Around him, chaos reigned. Other candidates were also under attack by the Rammer Dolphins. Some tried to swim faster, while others floated motionless, unconscious or worse, their bodies bobbing like lifeless debris. A few meters away, Kenny had stopped swimming. He floated on the surface, wide-eyed and tense. ¡°Damn it! We¡¯re completely outmatched here in the open sea!¡± Kenny shouted in frustration. ¡°These monsters are way too fast!¡± The violent attacks continued unabated. Candidates screamed, thrashing in desperation to stay afloat. Even the strongest among them were beginning to falter, unable to endure the relentless onslaught of these merciless creatures. I have to stay focused, Ikku thought. If I lose control, it¡¯s over. He knew he couldn¡¯t take much more. Drawing a deep breath, he submerged himself again. Below the surface, he spotted another dolphin charging at him. This time, he anticipated the attack, twisting his body at the last second to avoid a direct hit. He managed to evade most of the blow, but the glancing impact still sent him spinning a few meters away.Stolen story; please report. Ikku broke through the surface, gasping for air. He turned his head and spotted Yum¨¦, also struggling to evade the dolphins¡¯ relentless attacks. His eyes met Kenny¡¯s, and they shared the same desperate expression. ¡°Kenny! We need to come up with something, or we¡¯re done for!¡± Ikku shouted. Kenny nodded, wiping water from his face. ¡°Tch! I¡¯ve got nothing,¡± Kenny growled, slapping the surface of the water in frustration. As Ikku swam, searching for a safe path through the treacherous waters, he felt a sudden, violent tug on his leg. Before he could process what was happening, a dolphin had latched onto him and was dragging him underwater. The creature dove deeper, spinning him in tight circles with terrifying agility. Panic set in as Ikku struggled against the dolphin¡¯s grip, but it was far too fast. Air was running out, and dread consumed him. I can¡¯t break free. I can¡¯t even move. It¡¯s too strong... he thought, his vision starting to blur as darkness enveloped him. Above, Yum¨¦ noticed Ikku¡¯s dire situation. ¡°Kenny! Ikku¡¯s in trouble! A dolphin¡¯s got him!¡± he yelled, his face pale with fear. Kenny, overwhelmed by the chaos, stammered, ¡°What do we do?¡± But before he could finish, Yum¨¦ had already dived into the water, vanishing beneath the surface. Underwater, Ikku was fighting with all his might, but his strength was fading. The dolphin showed no signs of letting go. It¡¯s no use... I¡¯m out of air. My strength is gone... Is this really how it ends? As he teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, a glowing figure appeared in the murky depths. A shimmering light radiated from the figure¡¯s eyes. It was Yum¨¦. But this time, his eyes gleamed with a golden hue, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. The dolphin, distracted by the glow, paused its assault. Yum¨¦¡¯s right hand began to radiate a warm, luminous light. He approached the dolphin and, with a sudden, powerful strike, landed a devastating blow on the creature. The impact was so intense that Ikku felt the shockwave reverberate through the water. The dolphin was flung several meters away, rendered unconscious. Yum¨¦ resurfaced, pulling Ikku up by the arm. Ikku took a deep, gasping breath. ¡°Thank you... Yum¨¦,¡± he murmured, his voice trembling. ¡°I thought that was the end for me. I couldn¡¯t have made it without you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s what friends are for,¡± Yum¨¦ replied with a small smile. ¡°Yum¨¦...¡± Ikku started, curiosity in his eyes. ¡°Your...¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later,¡± Yum¨¦ interrupted. ¡°The other dolphins are still here.¡± As he struggled to keep his head above water, Ikku desperately searched his mind for a strategy to escape the dolphins before his strength gave out. A memory surfaced one of his training sessions with Jack. He recalled his frustration during training. Jack had stood still, effortlessly dodging every one of Ikku¡¯s attacks without moving an inch. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair! How are you doing this? You¡¯re cheating!¡± Ikku had shouted, pouting. ¡°Wahaha! It¡¯s simple,¡± Jack had replied with a sly grin. ¡°Most people dodge by moving away. Sure, it¡¯s safe, but it makes counterattacks harder. The best way is to pivot your body at the last second. Not only can you dodge, but you can strike back immediately.¡± Ikku had nodded, though he remained skeptical. ¡°But it¡¯s risky!¡± ¡°Life is like a fight,¡± Jack had said. ¡°Only by taking risks can you move forward and win.¡± The advice echoed in Ikku¡¯s mind, reigniting his resolve. That¡¯s it! I¡¯ve got it! he thought, his determination rekindled. Chapter 10 : CounterAttack "What are you doing, Ikku?!" Kenny shouted, concerned. "Watch closely," Ikku replied with a determined tone. "Here we go," he thought, feeling the adrenaline surge through his veins. "No room for mistakes, no second chances. It either works, or it all falls apart. I need to stay focused." He closed his eyes, trying to sink into a state of complete concentration. "I can feel it coming," he thought as the water swirled around him. The moment the dolphin was about to collide with him, Ikku swiftly spun, almost flipping onto his back. The dolphin, unable to slow its momentum, was thrown several meters above the water. "You can''t defend yourself now," Ikku whispered with a sly grin, eagerly awaiting the dolphin''s fall. Just before the animal dove back into the water, Ikku seized the opportunity and landed a heavy punch. The impact knocked the dolphin out for a few seconds, causing it to flee when it regained consciousness. "Got it, guys?!" Ikku yelled at his friends. "Wait for the last moment, then pivot just before it hits you. The momentum will launch them out of the water, and from there, they''ll be at your mercy!" "Well done, Ikku!" Kenny exclaimed, visibly pumped up. The other participants, inspired by Ikku''s success, were preparing to apply the same strategy, determined to overcome this dangerous challenge. Kenny and Yum¨¦, watching Ikku, decided to follow his lead to defeat the dolphins. Both waited patiently for the last moment before dodging and striking them mid-air. Gradually, the number of dolphins started to dwindle. Suddenly, an idea flashed through Kenny''s mind. "I''ve got an idea!" he shouted, hitting another dolphin, this time with less force to avoid knocking it out. As the animal tried to flee, Kenny grabbed it firmly.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. "What are you doing, Kenny?" Yum¨¦ asked, confused. "These dolphins have already delayed us enough!" "Exactly," Kenny replied with a mischievous smile. "Now they''re going to help us." While holding on tightly to the panicking dolphin, he skillfully steered it toward the island. The animal, now in full panic mode, sped up and shot off toward the horizon at breakneck speed. "We''ll meet over there, ahahaha! Do it like me, heeehaaa!" Kenny shouted, getting further and further away. Yum¨¦ and Ikku stood frozen for a moment, stunned to see him take off like that. "This guy''s not afraid of anything," Ikku said with an amused smile. "We might as well do the same," Yum¨¦ suggested. Ikku scanned the ocean around them. "Impossible. All the dolphins have fled. We''ve got no choice but to keep swimming. The island isn''t far now." "Yeah, let''s go!" Yum¨¦ replied, continuing his path alongside Ikku. As they kept swimming toward the island, Ikku turned slightly toward Yum¨¦, swimming next to him. He remembered the earlier scene when he had seen Yum¨¦ focus that strange energy in his hand. "What was that earlier?" Ikku asked between breaths. Yum¨¦ glanced quickly at Ikku before answering in a calm voice, almost drowned out by the sound of the waves. "I have special powers... I can concentrate energy in my hand." Ikku listened intently. This world never stopped surprising him. "I''m an orphan," Yum¨¦ continued. "I''ve never known my parents, but someone told me I come from a special clan. I don''t know much more... But by joining Nexus, I hope to learn more about who I really am." Ikku nodded silently. He remembered the first time he had met Yum¨¦. His golden eyes had glowed almost unnaturally, but now they were just ordinary brown. "Your eyes... they were golden earlier, right?" Ikku asked, curious. "Now they''re brown. Does it change when you use your powers?" Yum¨¦ nodded. "Yes. It happens when I use my powers... or when I feel a strong emotion." Ikku thought back to the first time he had seen Yum¨¦. His golden eyes were breathtaking, but they carried an indescribable sadness, a deep melancholy. "This boy must have been through a lot," he thought. The world they lived in was truly full of mysteries and fascinating people. And this was only the beginning of their adventure. Chapter 11 : End Of The First Trial Ikku and Yum¨¦ finally collapsed onto solid ground, breathless but filled with profound relief. Their bodies, drained of energy, felt heavy, but every step on the sand grounded them in the reality of their achievement. They had made it. The vast distance that separated them from the island, invisible at the start of the trial, was now behind them. Their hearts still pounded in their chests, but this time, it was also from a sense of satisfaction. Ikku pushed himself up on trembling legs and exchanged a knowing look with Yum¨¦. Both were breathing heavily, but the smiles spreading across their faces said it all. They had overcome the first trial, and despite their exhaustion, a wave of pride washed over them. Their eyes turned toward D?ma, the examiner, already standing on the beach. His impassive face observed the remaining candidates as they emerged from the water. Behind him, other participants stood scattered along the shore. Some were on the verge of collapse, trembling with relief at having reached the island. Others seemed in much better condition, as though the swim had barely challenged them. Even so, a faint smile lingered on their faces. Everyone understood they had just crossed an important threshold. Ikku, still catching his breath, glanced up at the sky. The satisfaction of the moment warmed his spirit, a reminder that, despite everything, he had proven he deserved to be here. This was only the beginning, but it was a victory worth savoring. He turned to Yum¨¦, whose proud, determined gaze mirrored his own. "We did it¡­" Ikku murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Yum¨¦ nodded, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Yes, but this is just the beginning." The challenge was far from over, but for now, standing on this beach, Ikku and Yum¨¦ felt as though they had claimed a small piece of their destiny. As they were still catching their breath, a familiar voice rang out from the distance. "Hey, guys!" It was Kenny, jogging toward them with a wide grin on his face. "So, you finally made it!" he teased. "Yes," Ikku and Yum¨¦ replied in unison, still panting but relieved to see their companion. "How was your little ''swim''?" Ikku asked, grinning. "Well, let''s just say it was relaxing," Kenny replied with a smirk. "But once I got close to the island, the dolphin wouldn''t move anymore, so I had to finish on my own." Suddenly, D?ma''s deep, commanding voice cut through the sound of the waves. "Attention, everyone. Congratulations on your achievement. However, stay vigilant, as more trials lie ahead. For now, everyone present on the island has passed the first test."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd. The participants'' tense expressions finally softened, and some exchanged tired but joyful smiles. Ikku felt the weight of the pressure lift slightly, while Yum¨¦ let out a relieved smile. Then, a towering figure stepped forward to stand beside D?ma. A woman, much taller than him, standing easily at 6 feet 1 inch, crossed her arms as she surveyed the group. She wore black jeans and a matching bikini top, her long brown hair swaying gently in the breeze. Sunglasses obscured part of her face, but her commanding presence was undeniable. She finally spoke, her voice resonating with calm authority. "Good day, everyone. My name is H¨¦l¨¨ne, and I''ll be overseeing the second trial. Those who wish to continue, follow me." She quickly scanned the group, mentally counting the remaining participants. "143 left," she thought to herself. "Looks like D?ma went a little overboard this time. Oh well¡­" Without another word, she turned and began walking toward the island''s interior, signaling for the participants to follow. Ikku exchanged glances with Yum¨¦ and Kenny, their eyes reflecting a mix of determination and apprehension. Despite their exhaustion, they were ready to continue. The path to Nexus had only just begun. After a few minutes of walking, the group reached their destination. Before them stood a colossal fortress. The dark walls, seemingly carved from ancient, massive stone, exuded an air of mystery and danger. Most of the participants fell silent, staring at the imposing structure with awe and unease. "Wow¡­ it''s huge," Ikku muttered, his breath taken away by the fortress''s sheer size. "No kidding," Kenny agreed, nodding in amazement. After a moment, he asked, "What do you think the next trial will be?" Before anyone could answer, H¨¦l¨¨ne stepped in front of the group, her expression serious but tinged with a faint, almost mischievous smile. Her voice carried a cold confidence, almost cynical in its tone. "This fortress is called Pandemonium. The objective of the second trial is very simple," she began, her voice ringing clearly in the air. "Enter¡­ and make it out alive. You have 48 hours to complete this task." A murmur spread through the crowd, with some exchanging worried glances. Make it out alive? What dangers lurked within this fortress to warrant such a warning? H¨¦l¨¨ne gestured toward the side of the fortress, where several uniformed agents waited. "You''ll draw lots to determine which entrance you''ll use to enter Pandemonium." Her gaze sparkled with a hint of malice, and a wicked smile spread across her face. "Have fun," she added in a sing-song voice, clearly enjoying the palpable anxiety among the participants. Ikku''s heart raced. Overcoming the first trial had been a feat in itself, but now he realized the real nightmare was just beginning. Standing beside Yum¨¦ and Kenny, they exchanged determined looks. There was no turning back now. They approached one of the agents to draw their assigned entrance. Each participant reached into a wooden box and pulled out a slip of paper a simple gesture, yet one heavy with consequences. Their hearts pounded in unison as all three revealed their assignments: Entrance D. "Well, at least we''re sticking together," Ikku murmured, a mix of relief and nerves in his voice. Entrance D wasn''t far from their location. As they approached, they found a table laden with provisions. Fresh fruit, bread, and water awaited the candidates before the trial began. Without hesitation, Ikku and his friends took advantage of the opportunity to regain their strength. They ate in silence, the air thick with tension and anticipation. "The trial starts in ten minutes," announced one of the agents as they passed by. Chapter 12 : Pandemonium Ikku glanced at the dark, winding entrance, his stomach tightening slightly. I wasn''t expecting the trial to get this tough right from the start¡­ he admitted, his thoughts flashing back to the earlier challenges. Kenny, sitting beside him with his mouth full, nodded in agreement. "And shtill, we were lucky tcho keep an eye on D?ma. Shome people got caught in whirlphools; ofers were dragged away by the wafes. There were far worshe problems than the dolphins, apparently," he said, muffled through a mouthful of food. Yum¨¦, seated across from them, watched the other candidates as they gathered. "Even so, some of them didn''t seem to struggle at all¡­" "No surprise there," Kenny replied, taking a bite out of an apple. "The people taking this exam are the elite of the elite. We''re still just rookies in this world." Ikku looked around, realizing Kenny was right. Many participants appeared calm, almost indifferent, as if the trial had been nothing more than a formality. But Ikku silently vowed not to let himself feel intimidated. The next trial was about to begin, and he was ready to prove he belonged among these elite fighters. The announcement echoed through the fortress''s corridors: "The trial will now begin." Ikku and his companions quickly moved to stand in front of Entrance D, joining other candidates already gathered there. The atmosphere was heavy with a mix of excitement and unease. The examiner, her expression unreadable, simply declared: "Let the trial begin." The massive doors creaked open with a deep, resonating groan, revealing a corridor shrouded in darkness. Without hesitation, Ikku and the others stepped inside. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the doors slammed shut behind them, sealed by some invisible mechanism. "No turning back now," murmured one of the candidates, his voice betraying a slight tremor. Suddenly, the room lit up, revealing a macabre scene. Rusted chains hung from the walls, and strange symbols were etched into the stone, as if the fortress itself exuded death. Ahead of them, several doors stood aligned like silent judges. Above them, a sinister screen drew their attention. The screen displayed a baby''s face¡ªeyeless, with streams of blood trickling down its cheeks. The grotesque image added an even darker tone to the already oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, the face began to move, and a message appeared: "Welcome to Pandemonium. Let''s have some fun together. Our home is yours¡­ Choose your fate." "''Choose your fate?''" Yum¨¦ repeated, confused. "What does that mean?" Kenny scanned the area, searching for an explanation. After a few moments, he said: "I think we''re supposed to pick a door." One of the participants, exuding confidence, stepped forward without hesitation. "I''ll take Door 2," he said, opening it boldly. He disappeared into the shadows beyond, and the door slammed shut behind him with a foreboding click, locking itself.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it "Once you go in, no one else can follow. And there''s no going back," Ikku observed, frowning. Other candidates had already chosen their paths, disappearing through various doors. The atmosphere grew heavier with each passing second. Only a few doors remained. "Looks like Door 7 is still open," Yum¨¦ pointed out. "It''s wide enough for all three of us." "Good idea. Let''s go," Ikku agreed. They stepped in front of the massive door, their hearts pounding in unison. Taking a deep breath, they opened it and walked inside. Behind them, the door closed with a heavy, ominous thud, locking them into their new challenge. Suddenly, the room lit up¡­ The chamber was far larger than they had anticipated. Massive statues stood at each corner, some wielding gleaming sabers, others with four arms positioned menacingly. A few were simple human figures, austere but equally intimidating. At the far end of the room stood a grand door, flanked by two colossal statues. Each held a lance, their crossed tips forming an impenetrable barrier. "What do you think we''re supposed to do?" Ikku asked, scanning the room for clues. "No idea," Kenny replied, frowning as he eyed the statues warily. Without warning, a screen descended from the ceiling, floating in the center of the room. A chilling, childlike laugh echoed, sending shivers down their spines. The screen flickered on, displaying a cryptic message: "You are now guests in the house of Isis. Show respect, and you may pass." "What does that even mean?" Ikku wondered aloud. Yum¨¦ shrugged in confusion. But before they could contemplate further, the screen abruptly retracted into the ceiling. Kenny swallowed hard, casting a nervous glance at the statues. "I''ve got a bad feeling about this," he muttered. As if on cue, the statues began to move. Moments ago, they had been rigid and lifeless, but now their limbs moved with eerie fluidity. The nearest statues advanced slowly but inexorably, weapons raised. One statue, wielding a sword, swung its blade violently at Ikku, who dodged just in time, feeling the sharp wind of the attack graze his face. Yum¨¦ leaped backward to avoid the grasp of a four-armed statue, while Kenny clumsily attempted to deflect the blows aimed at him. "We need to get out of here!" Kenny shouted. "No way!" Ikku shot back, his eyes fixed on the statues guarding the exit. "Those statues won''t let us through as long as their lances block the door!" Their situation seemed hopeless. The statues closed in relentlessly. They needed to decipher the meaning of "show respect" before it was too late. Yum¨¦ struck one of the statues with his glowing fist, hoping to shatter it. But the blow had no effect. "They''re too strong," he growled through gritted teeth. Before he could ready himself again, a statue slammed into him, hurling him against the wall with brutal force. "Yum¨¦!" Ikku cried, distracted by the scene. In his lapse of focus, he forgot about the statue in front of him. Its sword arced downward, aiming for him. "Watch out, Ikku!" Kenny shouted. His companion''s warning snapped Ikku back into action. He jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the blade still grazed his chest, leaving a deep cut. Ikku cried out in pain, staggering from the impact. Meanwhile, Yum¨¦, dazed and struggling to stand, saw another statue advancing toward him. His body, worn out, couldn''t react in time. Just as the statue was about to strike, Kenny rushed in, shoving Yum¨¦ out of harm''s way. Ikku, seeing their situation worsen, felt panic rising. If this keeps up, we''re going to get torn apart, he thought, gasping for breath. A statue moved toward him again, its sword raised for another deadly strike. Ikku braced himself to dodge, but the statue suddenly froze, motionless. Startled, he took a step back¡ªand the statue began moving again. Puzzled, Ikku stepped back once more, and the statue stopped moving entirely. "Why did it stop?" he wondered aloud, his mind racing. It must be connected to my position¡­ He glanced down at his feet and noticed his left leg was forward. Looking at the statue, he saw it mirrored his stance. A flash of realization struck him. Slowly, Ikku moved closer to the statue, keeping his left leg forward. The statue remained still. "I''ve got it," he thought, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes. Chapter 13 : Pandemonium part 2 Ikku quickly turned to Kenny and Yum¨¦, who were struggling to dodge the relentless attacks from the statues, their movements growing increasingly frantic. "Guys!" he shouted, urgency ringing in his voice. "Step forward with your left leg and stay still!" "What?!" Kenny panted, his face twisted in disbelief. "Are you sure about this?" "Just do it!" Ikku commanded, his eyes blazing with conviction. Despite their doubts, Kenny and Yum¨¦ complied, awkwardly stepping forward with their left legs. The moment they assumed the posture, the statues froze in place, motionless as if time itself had stopped. "What¡­ just happened?" Yum¨¦ asked, completely bewildered, his breath ragged. Ikku took a deep breath. "By taking this position, we''re showing respect," he explained, staying alert. Kenny furrowed his brow, piecing it together. "Respect? Oh¡­ now that you mention it¡­" He hesitated before continuing, connecting the dots in his mind. "Isis¡­ she was a revered queen centuries ago. Her followers would give her their utmost devotion. And the heart¡­ it''s on the left side. Stepping forward with the left leg was a symbolic gesture, offering your heart as a sign of respect to the queen." Ikku nodded in agreement. Kenny and Yum¨¦ exchanged glances. Relief washed over their faces, though a lingering tension remained. Staying vigilant, they advanced slowly toward the large door, keeping their left legs forward. Each step was measured, the silence heavy with meaning.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. When they reached the ornate door, they noticed the statues'' lances still barred their way. "What now?" Yum¨¦ asked, his voice tinged with apprehension. "Keep your left leg forward, kneel on your right knee, and bow your head," Kenny suggested, his voice calmer now that he was beginning to grasp the trial''s logic. Without hesitation, the three complied. The statues then slowly raised their lances, clearing the path ahead. "Finally!" Yum¨¦ exhaled, a mix of relief and exhaustion in his voice. "Good call, Kenny." Kenny shook his head with a faint smile. "No, the credit goes to Ikku." Then, turning to Ikku, he added, "By the way, how''s your injury?" Ikku gritted his teeth, pressing a hand against his chest. "It''s manageable. We''ve been through worse." The three friends stepped through the newly opened door, their muscles tense, bracing for the next challenge. The door slammed shut behind them, and the room lit up. They now found themselves in a much smaller chamber than the previous one. The stark contrast of the wall murals unsettled them: one side depicted graceful angels, while the other showcased menacing, satanic figures. Ahead of them stood two doors¡ªone red, the other blue. In front of each door was a statue of a man. One statue bore a strange, unsettling smile, while the other displayed a sorrowful, downcast expression. Kenny raised an eyebrow. "What have we gotten ourselves into now?" Suddenly, the chilling, unnatural sound of a baby''s laughter echoed throughout the room. An ominous screen descended slowly from the ceiling, hovering in the center of the chamber. A message appeared on it: **"Welcome to the Chamber of Scholars. Before you are two doors. One leads to the next stage, while the other opens into a magma-filled chamber. You must choose the correct door. To aid you, two statues stand before you. One always tells the truth, while the other always lies. You may ask only one question to one statue. Choose your question wisely, or gamble with your luck. You have five minutes. After that, this room will explode. Have fun."** The message disappeared as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. Ikku, Kenny, and Yum¨¦ exchanged uneasy glances, worry etched on their faces. "We''re doomed," they muttered instinctively, in unison. Chapter 14 : Pandemonium part 3 Kenny ran a hand through his hair, his expression tense. "We need to figure out the right question to ask one of the statues. It''s the only way to move forward!" Ikku, visibly agitated, shook his head. "I''m terrible at this kind of thing." Yum¨¦ nodded in agreement. "Same here. I don''t even know where to start." Determined, Kenny asked them to let him concentrate. He knew he had to come up with the right question. "To make sure we get the right answer, we''d need to know which statue tells the truth and which one lies, but that''s impossible¡­ So, my question has to involve the other statue. That''s it!" Stepping forward with newfound resolve, Kenny took a deep breath. "I think I''ve got it," he said, a confident look on his face. He began to speak: "If I were to ask the other stat¡ª" But he didn''t get the chance to finish. Suddenly, the metallic clang of a door echoed through the room. Yum¨¦ had already opened the blue door behind one of the statues. "What are you doing, Yum¨¦?!" Kenny shouted, panicked, clutching his head in disbelief. "Sorry," Yum¨¦ replied with an innocent grin, scratching the back of his head. "I got tired of waiting." Just as Kenny was about to retort, they heard a loud click. The red door locked with an ominous sound. Ikku couldn''t help but laugh, which only irritated Kenny further. "This isn''t funny!" Kenny snapped. "What if it''s the wrong door?!"The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "We''ll figure something out. Don''t worry," Ikku said reassuringly. "Besides, we don''t really have a choice now." Kenny let out a final groan of frustration before reluctantly stepping into the next room, followed closely by his two friends. Once inside, the door slammed shut behind them, and a voice echoed through the chamber: "Congratulations, that was the correct exit." Yum¨¦''s face lit up with a triumphant smile, and he flashed a peace sign. "See? Told you it was a good idea!" Kenny, furious, grabbed Yum¨¦ by the shoulders and shook him. "Don''t ever do that again!" Ikku watched the scene with amusement before turning his attention to their new surroundings. Something about this new room told him it would be just as perilous as the last, and he steeled himself for whatever lay ahead. The group quickly surveyed their environment. They were in a long corridor, the floor tiled with a chaotic pattern of different colors, creating a disorienting effect. At the end of the hallway stood three doors, motionless and mysterious. "This thing never ends!" Yum¨¦ groaned, glaring at the doors. Suddenly, a baby''s voice echoed through the space, its tone disturbingly cheerful. An overhead screen descended slowly from the ceiling, displaying a message: "Welcome to the Path of Destiny. Be the masters of your fate." "I guess we have to choose a door again," Kenny remarked, his tone uneasy. "Which one?" Ikku asked, eyeing the doors with apprehension. "Good question," Kenny replied, looking perplexed. At that moment, a massive wall appeared behind them, blocking the previous door and sealing off the space. Sharp spikes jutted out from the wall, which began advancing slowly toward them. "Run!" Ikku shouted, taking off at full speed, his friends following close behind. Their hearts pounded as they sprinted toward the doors. With each step, traps sprang up around them. Arrows shot out from the walls, narrowly missing Ikku and his friends as they dodged at the last second. They had to keep running to avoid being crushed by the advancing wall. Holes suddenly appeared in the floor, and jets of flames erupted from random spots. More arrows rained down on them. Adrenaline surged through their veins as they continued their frantic dash, dodging every deadly obstacle in their path. "No time to think! We''re all heading for the middle door!" Kenny ordered, his breath ragged. Ikku and Yum¨¦ nodded in agreement, their determination to survive unwavering as they kept evading the relentless dangers. "Faster!" Ikku shouted, as the wall behind them began closing in at an alarming speed. Chapter 15 : Pandemonium Part 4 Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Chapter 16 : Pandemonium Last Part As soon as they entered the new room, Kenny grabbed Kossal by the collar, his eyes blazing with anger. "What the hell is wrong with you, you bastard?" he growled. "Teamwork, my ass," Kossal shot back, his gaze defiant. "Someone was going to get eliminated, and I refuse to let it be me!" Kenny opened his mouth to retort, but their argument was cut short by the loud slam of the door locking behind them. The room lit up suddenly, revealing a passage leading to another door, separated by a vast chasm with no visible bottom. A rickety bridge connected their position to the exit. "To reach the final challenge, all you need to do is cross the bridge. However, it can only hold the weight of one person at a time. You have five minutes. Good luck," the omnipresent voice announced. Without hesitation, Kossal sprinted toward the bridge. Kenny moved to follow, but Ikku grabbed his shoulder, holding him back. "Let him go," Ikku murmured, his eyes fixed on Kossal, who was already on the bridge. The three friends watched Kossal rush forward impatiently, but suddenly, a plank beneath him cracked. He stumbled, desperately trying to regain his balance, but the bridge gave way. With a panicked cry, Kossal plunged into the abyss. Kenny sighed heavily. "All that for nothing..." he muttered, frustration etched on his face. They approached the edge of the bridge. Yum¨¦, deep in thought, rubbed his chin. "How do we handle this?" he pondered aloud. Ikku glanced at Yum¨¦, then at Kenny, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Are you thinking what I¡¯m thinking?" Kenny asked, a hint of irony in his voice. "I think I am," Ikku replied, amused. "What are you two thinking?" Yum¨¦ asked, perplexed. Without answering, Ikku and Kenny each grabbed one of Yum¨¦¡¯s arms. "What are you doing?!" Yum¨¦ exclaimed, panic written all over his face. "One!" shouted Ikku, his enthusiasm palpable.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Two!" Kenny added, gearing up. "Three!" they yelled together, swinging Yum¨¦ through the air. He soared across the chasm, letting out a panicked scream, and landed with a thud near the door on the other side. Scrambling to his feet, he glared at them, exasperated. "Are you insane?! You¡¯re going to pay for that!" he yelled, furious. "Sorry," Ikku said with a laugh. "But you¡¯re too clumsy. At least this way, we knew you¡¯d make it." Kenny chuckled before asking the pressing question. "Now, how do we cross?" "I¡¯ve got an idea," Ikku replied, scrutinizing the bridge. "The planks look fragile, but the ropes holding them are sturdy. And the planks aren¡¯t fixed; they¡¯re just resting on the ropes. We could unhook the ropes, lower ourselves down, and climb back up on the other side." "Smart thinking, Ikku!" Kenny exclaimed, determined. "Let¡¯s not waste any more time." Without hesitation, they got to work, carefully detaching the ropes. Once ready, they lowered themselves into the void. Though the descent was dizzying, they managed to maintain control. Using the sturdy ropes, they climbed back up before the timer ran out and made it to the other side. On the far side, they exchanged smiles, their camaraderie strengthened by the tense moment. Together, they pushed open the door and entered the next room. The new space was small, but a heavy tension hung in the air. Five identical, austere metal booths stood before them, each marked with a number from 1 to 5. The fluorescent lighting highlighted the imperfections in the metal, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. As they took in their surroundings, a mechanical voice echoed, breaking the suffocating silence: "You have reached the final challenge. Enter a booth to begin." The three friends exchanged uneasy glances. After a moment of hesitation, they each approached a booth, their hearts pounding, and stepped inside, their apprehension growing with every step. Once inside, the voice resumed, its tone ominous: "You will find five numbered buttons representing each booth. You have no means of communicating with one another. You must choose a number. All your choices must match for you to exit. If they do not, you will all be trapped and eliminated. The number chosen will condemn the person inside that booth, and, of course, buttons 4 and 5 are non-functional. Good luck!" The countdown began, and the ticking of the clock resonated like a gong in their minds, marking every passing second. Their hearts raced as they grappled with the dire situation. Each of them was lost in thought, aware of their dependence on the others but isolated in their individual dilemmas. "What do we do?" Yum¨¦ muttered, anxiety twisting his stomach. Kenny pressed his hands against the walls of his booth, nervously trying to collect his thoughts. "We can¡¯t pick numbers 4 or 5¡­ That leaves only 1, 2, and 3," he murmured, his mind racing. The seconds ticked away, each one a hammer stroke of urgency. "If we choose different numbers, we¡¯ll all be eliminated. But if we choose the same¡­ one of us won¡¯t make it," Ikku thought, his resolve wavering. The seconds continued to slip by, their faces growing paler with each passing moment. "Five seconds remaining," the monotone voice announced. "Four¡­" Panic began to creep in, their expressions betraying their inner turmoil. "Three¡­" Each of them desperately tried to guess what the others might choose, their minds racing with conflicting hypotheses. "Two¡­" Memories of their time together flashed through their minds as they wondered if they could truly trust their instincts. "One¡­ Time¡¯s up!" Chapter 17 : The Last Trial On the other side of the Pandemonium, in a vast hall with cold stone walls, H¨¦l¨¨ne sat alongside D?ma, who was observing the candidates with intense focus. "What do you think of the candidates?" H¨¦l¨¨ne asked. "Well, some of them show great potential," D?ma replied with a faint smile. "Which one caught your attention the most?" she asked, intrigued. "I¡¯d say 456 and also 77," D?ma answered. "It¡¯s true that 77 is something special," she said, her smile widening. "He¡¯s clearly in a league of his own. Do you think he¡¯ll pass the exam?" "It¡¯s highly likely," he replied, scanning the room. "In fact, he¡¯s already here." "That¡¯s true," she noted, her gaze shifting toward the entrance. "However, 456 hasn¡¯t arrived yet. With only two minutes left, I assume all the other candidates are here." D?ma gestured toward one of the passages. "Take a look to your right." Ikku and Yum¨¦ emerged from the passage, tears glistening in their eyes. "We made it!" Ikku exclaimed, his face lit up with a mix of adrenaline and relief. "Yes," Yum¨¦ replied, his golden eyes sparkling as tears streamed down his cheeks. H¨¦l¨¨ne watched the last candidates enter. "456, huh? Very interesting," she thought. A familiar voice echoed from the passage Ikku and Yum¨¦ had exited. "You¡¯re walking too fast!" Kenny stumbled out, exhausted but maintaining his trademark nonchalance. "Who would¡¯ve thought we¡¯d all figure out the right answer?" he said. "Yeah, it required some thinking," Ikku replied with a grin. "In the end, the correct answer was silence, not picking any number. Since we all made that choice, we gave the same response, and no one had to stay behind." "Sure, but let¡¯s not forget we didn¡¯t exactly do it on purpose," Yum¨¦ added with a laugh, his cheerful mood contagious. "The result is what matters," Ikku said, amused. Kenny, annoyed, chimed in, "But you guys wasted so much time in the labyrinth when there weren¡¯t even any traps! I should never have listened to you and just trusted my instincts." "Ikku¡¯s right the result is all that counts," Yum¨¦ affirmed, still smiling.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. H¨¦l¨¨ne observed them with a knowing smile. "Very interesting," she thought. She stepped forward and finally spoke, her clear voice echoing through the hall. "Congratulations to all of you for making it through this fortress. This trial is now over. The 63 people present have qualified. These past two days must have been exhausting, so you may return to the ship and rest. Tomorrow will be the third and final trial. Please meet here at 9 a.m." Ikku exhaled in relief at the announcement. A wave of determination surged through him; only one trial remained before he could finally join Nexus. His long-awaited goal was now within reach. "Shall we head back?" Kenny asked, his face weary but satisfied. "I could use a hot shower and a good nap." "Couldn¡¯t agree more," Yum¨¦ replied, nodding with a knowing smile. Without delay, the three candidates made their way to the ship. Every step brought them closer not only to a well-deserved rest but also to their shared dream. The quiet of the evening enveloped them as the warmth of the setting sun gave way to the cool evening breeze. They boarded the ship, ready to enjoy a moment of peace before the storm that the final trial would undoubtedly bring.
The next morning at 9 a.m., all the candidates had gathered. Ikku, Kenny, and Yum¨¦ waited nervously for the announcement of the final trial. "Just one more trial, and we¡¯ll have made it," Ikku said, clenching his fists with determination. "I wonder what it¡¯ll be this time," Kenny mused, his face serious. A man slowly appeared in front of the candidates, walking with his hands behind his back. He was an imposing figure: bald, easily over two meters tall, with a slightly tanned complexion that contrasted with his thick eyebrows and deep-set dark circles. Dressed in a black t-shirt and green fatigues with large black boots, he exuded an air of severity. He appeared to be in his fifties. When he finally spoke, his deep voice resonated: "Good morning, everyone. My name is Sig. Congratulations on making it this far. This final trial will determine who is worthy of joining Nexus. Before we begin, you¡¯ll notice several guards around you. Please approach them to receive a randomly assigned number." The candidates moved to the guards to collect their numbers. "I¡¯ve got number 2," Kenny said, holding up his slip of paper. "I¡¯m number 3," Ikku added, raising his own. "I¡¯ve got number 1," Yum¨¦ chimed in with a grin. They wondered what the mysterious numbers could signify as they returned to Sig, who waited patiently. "Does everyone have their number? Good. Follow me." The candidates walked together toward the island¡¯s interior. After a few minutes, they ascended a long slope leading to the top of a mountain. There, suspended over a void, were three large round platforms resembling combat arenas. "Arenas?" one candidate remarked, puzzled. "Exactly," Sig replied with an enigmatic smile. "The numbers you received correspond to the arenas in front of you. Each of you will proceed to your assigned arena by crossing the bridge that leads to it." Ikku headed toward the platform marked with his number, a growing sense of apprehension rising within him. "In this trial, we¡¯ll all be separated," he thought. "But maybe that¡¯s for the best." Once all the candidates were on their respective platforms, Sig picked up a loudspeaker and continued his explanation: "This final trial is very simple: it¡¯s a battle royale. Your goal is to eliminate as many candidates as possible by throwing them out of the arena. Those who are ejected will be eliminated. This trial will last for 30 minutes. At the end of the countdown, if more than three candidates remain in any arena, all candidates in that arena will be eliminated. If three or fewer candidates remain, they will qualify. Don¡¯t worry about those who fall; there¡¯s a lake below." Sig paused, letting the tension build before revealing one final piece of crucial information: "One last thing: the space within each arena will gradually shrink throughout the trial. Good luck to you all. Let the trial begin!" Chapter 18 : Battle Royal At the same moment, an alarm blared, signaling the start of the battle. Chaos erupted instantly as candidates charged at each other, vying for a place in Nexus. In the arena, the atmosphere was electric. Several candidates, eager to prove their worth, targeted Ikku, the youngest among them. With a swift movement, Ikku dodged the first attacker, a muscular young man. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. He knew they would see him as an easy target. "I¡¯m the youngest; this was inevitable," he thought. As a candidate charged at him, raising his fist for a strike, Ikku anticipated the move. With surprising agility, he avoided the attack and in an instant delivered a spinning kick that struck his opponent¡¯s chest. The impact sent the man flying out of the arena with such force that Ikku couldn¡¯t help but smile. However, his victory was short-lived. Another, larger candidate moved into his blind spot. "Damn!" Ikku thought, realizing the threat too late. Unable to avoid the attack, he raised his arms to brace for impact. The blow was brutal, sending him tumbling several meters to the edge of the arena. As he got back on his feet, he tasted blood on his lips. "I can¡¯t let my guard down. I¡¯m so close," he muttered, scanning the arena. Adrenaline continued to flood his system. His gaze fell to his right, where he spotted a girl about his age with long brown hair tied in a ponytail. She wore blue jeans and a black top, standing near the edge of the arena. She looked focused, waiting for an attacker charging at her. "I¡¯ll take care of you, sweetheart," the man sneered, a sadistic grin on his face.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. With a swift motion, he threw a punch. But, to Ikku¡¯s amazement, the girl dodged effortlessly, grabbing the man¡¯s arm and executing a judo throw. In one fluid motion, she hurled him out of the arena, leaving Ikku in awe. "Wow," he murmured, his words betraying his admiration. He had never paid so much attention to a girl before. Suddenly, a loud horn echoed through the arena, resembling a klaxon. The edges of the arena began to crumble into dust. The girl, caught in her momentum, lost her balance and started to fall. Instinctively, Ikku rushed forward. "What am I doing?" he thought as his reflexes took over. He reached out and, with a desperate lunge, managed to grab her. Pulling her back into the arena just in time, he collapsed onto the ground beside her. Both were crouched, panting and exhausted. The dust from their fall hadn¡¯t even settled when the girl, still in shock, fixed Ikku with an incredulous gaze. She seemed to be searching for an explanation, something that would make sense of his actions. "Why... why did you save me?" she asked, her voice trembling as if she couldn¡¯t believe it. Ikku looked at her, unsettled. His heart was pounding, but he hadn¡¯t thought before acting. "I... I don¡¯t really know," he replied, lowering his gaze slightly, embarrassed. "I just... listened to my instincts." Silence hung between them. The girl continued to stare at him, her eyes searching his for something. His answer seemed vague, insufficient, but after a moment of reflection, she smiled. "Let¡¯s just say that works for me," she finally said, her voice carrying a hint of relief. "What¡¯s your name?" "I¡¯m Ikku. And you?" he asked, the tension in his body easing slightly. "I¡¯m Carla," she replied, standing up. Her movements were still a bit unsteady, as if she was processing what had just happened. "We¡¯ll continue this conversation later, Ikku," she added, casting a wary glance around them. "The trial¡¯s far from over. There are still about ten candidates left. We need to stay on guard." Ikku nodded, a renewed sense of determination lighting up his face. "You¡¯re right," he said, getting to his feet, a resolute smile forming despite the fear gnawing at him from within. Chapter 19 : End Of The Trials Meanwhile, on the mountainside, Sig watched the scene with an almost devouring focus. His sharp gaze missed nothing. The three arenas were silent battlegrounds, and he could almost feel the tension emanating from them. "A little over five minutes left," he thought, scanning the participants. "I think he¡¯ll act soon." In the arena where Ikku stood, one man hadn¡¯t moved since the trial began. He remained in a corner, arms crossed, like a predator in slumber. Tall and slender, his long white hair shimmered with bluish highlights, cascading to his lower back. His face, delicate and almost too refined for a man, added an air of strangeness to his presence. But it was his eyes that struck the most, a deep blue, as cold and tempestuous as the ocean during a storm. Two men finally noticed him, their nervous tension erupting into anger. "Hey, you over there!" one of them shouted, his voice rough and impatient. "What do you think you¡¯re doing just standing there?!" "Yeah! We¡¯ll throw you out of here right now!" the second added, his tone full of challenge. Without waiting, they charged at him, aiming to attack. Yet the man dodged every strike with an unsettling ease, his arms remaining crossed. His movements were so fast they were almost invisible. Frustration grew as the two attackers continued their futile attempts. "How... how is he doing this?" one of them muttered, panting, exhaustion beginning to take its toll. The white-haired man cast a brief glance around. His gaze seemed to evaluate every candidate and every movement. He sighed softly, almost imperceptibly, as if deeply annoyed. Slowly, he uncrossed his arms and took a calm step toward his two adversaries. "Enough," he said, his voice icy and devoid of emotion. Before the two men could react, he vanished from their sight. The first candidate didn¡¯t even have time to process what was happening before he was hurled out of the arena with a muffled scream. The second met the same fate, his cry fading into the air as he disappeared. In an instant, the arena was cleared, every candidate eliminated without understanding what had just happened. Ikku, meanwhile, felt a dangerous presence approach. A wave of instinct made him react just in time. He dodged, barely, his body skidding violently across the ground, half-struck by an attack he hadn¡¯t even seen. Struggling to his feet, his heart pounded wildly, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. "What... what just happened?" Ikku thought, his breath ragged. He turned his head and saw Carla sprawled on the ground, also struggling to get up. But what frightened him most was the arena. It was empty... completely empty. Every other candidate had vanished. "Where... where are the others?" he stammered, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. The mysterious man with blue eyes slowly approached, his calm and detached gaze falling on Ikku and Carla.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "You two," he said in an oddly soothing voice. "You dodged my attack... without even seeing it. You¡¯re promising." Ikku felt a chill run down his spine. "Was it... him who did this?" he thought, his throat tightening. "I don¡¯t stand a chance against him." Yet the man simply turned away and walked off without another word. The alarm signaling the end of the trial suddenly blared, breaking the oppressive silence of the arena. A voice echoed through the loudspeakers: "End of the trial! The qualifiers from Arena #3 are 456, 267, and 77. The qualifiers from Arena #2 are 454 and 310. The qualifier from Arena #1 is 455. You may now report to your examiner." "Snap out of it, Ikku!" Carla said, grabbing his arm. She was still regaining her strength, but a smile slowly formed on her lips. "We made it..." Ikku stood frozen for a moment, still in shock. "We did it?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Yes! We did it!" Carla replied, her smile lighting up her face. In a burst of relief, Ikku hugged her, almost without realizing it. Carla didn¡¯t move or pull away. Instead, she let out a smile of her own, grateful to still be there. Ikku, suddenly aware of what he was doing, stepped back quickly, his face flushing red with embarrassment. "I... I¡¯m really sorry," he stammered, unable to meet her gaze. "Don¡¯t worry," she replied, amused. "Let¡¯s go. The examiner is waiting for us." Without hesitation, she took his hand and led him forward at a run. Ikku, his heart still pounding from the trial, cast one last glance at the empty arena, his thoughts still swirling. "I hope the others made it," he thought. Ikku spotted Kenny and Yum¨¦ waiting near the examiner. His heart swelled with joy, and without thinking, he sprinted toward them. "Kenny! Yum¨¦! You made it!" he shouted, leaping onto them and wrapping them in a bear hug with boundless energy. "Hey! Get off me, Ikku!" Kenny grumbled, trying unsuccessfully to wriggle free. But Yum¨¦ smiled gently and said, "Let him be, Kenny... I¡¯m just as relieved it¡¯s finally over." From a distance, Carla watched them. A tender smile spread across her lips as she saw them share such a moment of joy in such a harsh environment. Yum¨¦, noticing Carla, pointed her out and asked, "Ikku, who¡¯s that?" Ikku turned toward Carla. "Oh, her? That¡¯s Carla. We made it through the trial together." Yum¨¦ smiled and waved enthusiastically at her. "Hi, Carla! Don¡¯t stay there alone. Come join us!" "M...me?" Carla stammered, clearly caught off guard and a bit shy. "But I..." "Come on, don¡¯t be shy!" Kenny chimed in with a genuine smile. "Ikku¡¯s friends are our friends!" "Friends?" Carla murmured, touched and slightly surprised. A glimmer of happiness sparkled in her eyes, and a sincere smile lit up her face. She finally joined them, her heart lighter. "Nice to meet you, Carla. I¡¯m Yum¨¦, and this is Kenny," Yum¨¦ said with a big smile, his golden eyes gleaming brilliantly. "Wow..." Carla replied, fascinated. "Your eyes are beautiful!" "Thanks!" Yum¨¦ said with a laugh. Suddenly, a deep voice cut through the air, grabbing their attention. Sig stood tall beside the other two examiners. "Your attention, please," he said in a commanding tone. "Congratulations on your victory and qualification. Through these trials, you have demonstrated ingenuity, courage, and unwavering determination. These are the qualities we seek at Nexus." He paused, letting his words resonate. "The examination is now officially over. The six candidates present have passed. Congratulations!" Sig continued: "The ship will return the unsuccessful candidates home. As for you, the qualifiers, we will take a special plane to Kul-Elna. There, you will be briefed on everything you need to know." Ikku¡¯s heart swelled with emotion. Tears glistened in his eyes as he struggled to contain his feelings. "We did it, Yum¨¦! Kenny! Carla!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with joy. "To Kul-Elna!" he added with newfound energy, raising his fist triumphantly. "Yes!" they all shouted in unison, brimming with enthusiasm. Together, they headed toward the plane, ready for the next chapter of their journey. Chapter 20 : Spiritual Energy Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 21 : Frustration ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°
¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 22 : Ikku and Carla ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 23 : Ikku and Carla 2 ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 24 : Resurgence This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Chapter 25 : Brand "As I said, you¡¯re truly promising." "Hold this rod firmly in your hand and release your spiritual energy," he instructed calmly. "The wheel is spinning!" Ikku exclaimed. "Nothing¡¯s happening for me..." she said, visibly perplexed. "That¡¯s right. Spiritual energy, also known as Prana, is divided into three categories: positive, negative, and neutral. You can only belong to one category, and from there, you can develop a unique power called a Brand." "Professor, what¡¯s the difference between these categories?" "Good question. These categories form the foundation of creating your Brand. Let me explain in detail." "The positive category influences and modifies something that already exists. For example, you can change your size, become faster, or even transform your Prana into flames. For you, Kenny, and you, Ikku, the wheel spun clockwise, meaning you belong to this category." "The negative category, on the other hand, doesn¡¯t modify but rather controls or manipulates something that already exists. It could be an element, a person, an animal, or even objects. To belong to this category, the wheel would have spun counterclockwise. However, none of you fall into this category." "Finally, the neutral category can materialize something entirely from your own energy. The fact that the wheel didn¡¯t move for either of you indicates that you belong to this category." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "I¡¯ve explained the basics of Brands, but to create a true one, there¡¯s a fundamental principle you must understand." "What is it, Professor?" "It¡¯s called the 3C principle: constraint, condition, and consequence. These are the pillars upon which a Brand is built. Any power you create must include a constraint, in other words, a limit. For example, imagine you want to create a Brand that increases your speed. You would need to define a restriction, such as not being able to exceed the speed of sound." "Why add a limit? Doesn¡¯t that make the power weaker?" "No. A constraint doesn¡¯t weaken your power; it enhances its efficiency. By setting limits, you focus your spiritual energy on a specific goal. That focus is what strengthens your Brand." "Next comes the condition. This is the rule that activates your power. For example, for a speed-enhancing Brand, the condition might be that you have to say the Brand¡¯s name out loud." "What if we don¡¯t want a condition?" she asked hesitantly. "It¡¯s possible. But without a condition, your Brand is often weaker. A condition acts as a catalyst to focus your energy. Without it, your efforts are diluted." "Finally, there¡¯s the consequence. This isn¡¯t mandatory, but it¡¯s what separates an ordinary Brand from an exceptional one. A consequence occurs if you break a constraint or condition. For instance, if you exceed the speed limit or forget to say your Brand¡¯s name, you might temporarily lose access to your power." "Exactly. The more demanding your 3Cs, the more powerful your Brand becomes." "So¡­ basically, the more risks we take, the stronger we get?" "It¡¯s not about taking risks, it¡¯s about discipline. If you take unnecessary risks, you¡¯ll fail. But if you¡¯re disciplined and precise, your Brand will become a formidable weapon. Remember: a Brand isn¡¯t just a display of strength. It¡¯s an extension of who you are and what you want to achieve." "Can you show us an example, Master Zeno?" "With you, Professor?" "Rest up until then. The training grounds are open if you want to practice more. You¡¯re free to come anytime." "Meet here next Tuesday at 9 a.m. sharp. Don¡¯t be late." Chapter 26 : A surprising revelation ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 27 : Preparation ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 28 : First Mission Brand he wanted to develop. The conversation with Z¨¦no replayed in his mind over and over, but he still couldn¡¯t decipher what the master had meant. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡°
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¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° ¡° Chapter 29 : Mission Start "By the way, Master, what kind of delinquents are we dealing with?" Kenny asked, casually folding his arms behind his head, completely at ease. "I don¡¯t have much information either," he admitted. "But apparently, some strange paranormal activity has been reported during the racketeering incidents. Smells like a Brand to me. When we land, our client, Dadinio, will be there to fill us in on the details." "Landing in five minutes." "Alright. From this point on, stay alert. The mission starts now." "Yes, sir!" they responded in unison. "Welcome! I¡¯m Dadinio," he greeted them enthusiastically. "My van is parked right over there. Let¡¯s move to a secure location." "Thanks for the welcome. But I understand you own a business as well. I''d rather we head straight there. How often do these thugs show up?" "As you wish¡­ They usually come by every week. It¡¯s been a week and three days since their last visit. There¡¯s a high chance they¡¯ll show up today." "Good," Z¨¦no muttered, glancing at the darkening sky. "Keep your shop open as usual. We¡¯ll stay hidden in the back and intervene when the time is right." "And what¡¯s your plan exactly?" "We¡¯ll use one of them to trace the operation back to their boss and eliminate the problem at its source." "Alright, I get it. Let¡¯s go."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "I¡¯ll hide inside with Carla, Kenny, and Ikku. Yum¨¦, you¡¯ll stay up front with Dadinio. You¡¯re the first line of defense. Take down the thugs without causing too much of a scene. If things escalate, Kenny will step in. If it gets worse, Carla follows, and if it becomes critical, Ikku will handle it." "Got it!" they answered in sync. "You think they¡¯ll really show up?" Yum¨¦ asked, resting his elbows on the counter. "Nothing¡¯s certain¡­ but it¡¯s highly likely." "That¡¯s them," Dadinio murmured, his voice tense. "Dadinio!" the taller man called out in an overly friendly tone. "We¡¯re here to pick up our usual donation." "Sorry, guys, but you¡¯re not getting anything today." "Who the hell is this brat?" he growled. "Move out of the way before I break your legs." "Since when do we give warnings, Teddy?" "Yeah, you¡¯re right!" Teddy cracked his knuckles. "Seriously? That¡¯s all you¡¯ve got?" "Oh, you¡¯re gonna regret that, you little¡ª" And shattered into pieces. "Go tell your boss," he said coolly. "It¡¯s over. He¡¯s not the one calling the shots anymore." "You¡¯re gonna regret this," he hissed before shooting a glare at Dadinio. "And you¡­ you¡¯re dead." "Nice work, Yum¨¦," Z¨¦no commented with a nod of approval. "Yeah, that was impressive!" Carla added. "Eh, it wasn¡¯t much." "Kenny, you¡¯ll stay out front. Ikku, you stay hidden in the back alley. After what just happened, retaliation is inevitable. We need to be ready. As for me¡­ I¡¯ll be having a little chat with our unconscious friend here." "Understood," they all responded firmly. Chapter 30 : ZD Mafia Kenny and Yum¨¦ left the shop, taking their positions outside as per Z¨¦no¡¯s orders. Inside, the air grew thick with tension as Z¨¦no approached Teddy, who remained unconscious, securely tied to a chair. Without hesitation, Z¨¦no grabbed a bucket of ice-cold water and dumped it over Teddy¡¯s face. The thug jolted awake, gasping, his eyes darting around in panic. "Who the hell are you?!" he stammered. Z¨¦no remained stone-faced. "I ask the questions here," he replied in a voice as cold as steel. Raising his hand, he summoned a gleaming sword out of thin air. The razor-sharp blade hovered just millimeters from Teddy¡¯s throat. Again with this technique... Carla thought as she observed the scene from a corner of the room. Z¨¦no¡¯s gaze darkened further. "Let me make this clear," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I¡¯ll ask you some questions. If you hesitate, or if I detect even a hint of a lie, I¡¯ll make sure you suffer beyond your worst nightmares. And I¡¯ll keep you alive¡­ just so you can feel every second of it." A chill ran down Teddy¡¯s spine. He could tell, this man wasn¡¯t bluffing. He gulped and nodded quickly, his throat dry. Z¨¦no smirked. "Good. First question: Who do you work for?" "The ZD Mafia," Teddy answered without hesitation, his breath still uneven. "They control the drug and weapons trade. They also handle extortion and protection rackets." "Who¡¯s in charge?" "Never seen him in person¡­ Just heard his name. They call him Z.Z." "Where can I find him?" "No clue¡­ I¡¯m at the bottom of the chain. The mafia is divided into factions. We¡¯re part of the ''Spada'' faction¡ªwe handle the extortion side of things. There¡¯s a boss above us, and above him, a manager. The manager probably knows more about Z.Z." "How do you contact this manager?" "Only our boss has direct access to him." Z¨¦no was silent for a moment, studying his captive. Finally, with a flick of his wrist, the sword vanished into thin air. He turned to Carla. "Keep an eye on him. I don¡¯t trust that we¡¯ve gotten everything out of him yet. His crew will be back soon."Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Carla raised an eyebrow. "How can you be so sure?" At that exact moment, a heavy noise rumbled outside. Through the shop¡¯s glass window, they saw a group of ten men approaching. They carried weapons, bats, swords¡­ Two of them held gasoline canisters, while others idly flicked their lighters. Their strides were slow, deliberate. But before they could get any closer, a figure stepped into their path. Kenny. He crossed his arms over his chest, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. "Sorry, gentlemen," he said with absolute confidence. "Shop¡¯s closed." One of the gang members frowned. "This guy¡¯s the reason you ran, Sora?" he asked, turning to one of the men. Sora, the thug who had fled earlier, clenched his fists, his face tight with frustration. "Don¡¯t be fooled by appearances," he warned. "And definitely don¡¯t underestimate their age. These guys are dangerous." Kenny burst out laughing. "Guess you¡¯re not as dumb as you look!" he teased. That was all it took. The gang charged at him in unison, weapons raised. But at the last second, Kenny leaped gracefully into the air, flipping over them and landing smoothly behind their formation. "What the hell?!" one of them exclaimed, stunned. They turned and attacked again, swinging wildly. But Kenny weaved through them like smoke, dodging every strike with effortless agility. "What¡¯s up with this kid?!" another thug gasped, already breathless. Kenny¡¯s smirk widened, a dark glint in his eyes. "My turn." He lunged forward at lightning speed. His first punch sent the nearest thug crashing to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the pavement. Another swung a sword at him, but Kenny ducked, pivoted, and knocked the attacker out with a clean strike. One by one, they fell. Within seconds, all ten men were lying motionless on the ground, unable to move. Kenny exhaled in disappointment. "Too easy¡­ I was hoping for something more challenging." But before he could let his guard down completely, a loud cry erupted from behind him. "You¡¯re dead, kid!" A thug had somehow avoided the chaos and was now raising his sword, preparing to strike Kenny from behind. Shit¡­ Kenny thought as he turned. He wouldn¡¯t be able to dodge in time. A dull thud echoed. The attacker collapsed, face-first onto the pavement. Kenny blinked in surprise. Standing behind the unconscious man was Ikku, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Looks like I arrived just in time," he said casually. Kenny let out a laugh. "Damn, talk about a hero¡¯s entrance. If this is all we have to deal with, this mission is gonna be a breeze." But their moment of levity was short-lived. A deep voice cut through the air. "Don¡¯t let your guard down." They turned, startled. "Master Z¨¦no?! When did you even get here?" Ikku asked, genuinely surprised. Z¨¦no didn¡¯t answer. His piercing gaze lingered on the fallen bodies before he turned and walked calmly back toward the shop. "The real trouble starts now. I¡¯ll leave it to you." Ikku and Kenny exchanged a confused glance. "What¡¯s he talking about?" Ikku muttered. Kenny shrugged. But then¡ª A low, mechanical growl rumbled through the morning air. They snapped their heads toward the sound. A motorcycle was speeding straight toward them. "Well, this guy looks like the real problem," Kenny murmured. "Yeah," Ikku agreed, his expression growing serious. The motorcycle screeched to a halt just a few meters away. The rider dismounted slowly, then removed his helmet. He was of average height, his complexion pale, his deep-set eyes shadowed by exhaustion. Heavy bags under his eyes gave him a permanently worn-out look. He wore a green padded jacket, black leather pants, and thick boots. A silver piercing glinted on his left ear. Without a word, he walked past the fallen bodies, running a hand over his face in frustration. With an exasperated sigh, he muttered: "Look at this mess¡­" Then, he turned his gaze toward Ikku and Kenny, his stare sharp and unsettling. "I¡¯m guessing you kids are responsible for all this?" "That¡¯s right," Kenny answered without hesitation. The man smirked. "Well then¡­" Chapter 31 : The mission continues "Kenny¡­" Ikku murmured, his throat tight. "Yeah¡­ I know¡­" Kenny replied gravely. There was no doubt in his mind, this guy was going to be a serious problem. "Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re made of," he said, his voice calm, almost playful. "Wh¡ª?!" Kenny barely had time to react before "KENNY!" Ikku shouted, his voice filled with worry as he searched for his friend through the thick dust cloud kicked up by the attack. "I¡¯m¡­ fine¡­" Kenny groaned, dragging himself out of the wreckage, wiping the blood from his lip and the fresh gash on his forehead. "But watch yourself ! he¡¯s insanely fast¡­!" "Not bad at all," the man commented, his smirk widening. "An Animagus¡­" the man muttered, dodging another rapid claw swipe. "Haven¡¯t seen one of those in a while." "Oh, you haven¡¯t seen anything yet!" Kenny¡¯s voice rumbled through the air, deeper, more primal. "GIGANTO!" "Unreal¡­" Ikku whispered as he pushed himself back up, still reeling from his fight. "So that¡¯s his Brand¡­"Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "I see¡­ You wield a Brand. What a waste. You two could¡¯ve been valuable soldiers for the ZD Mafia." "No thanks!" Kenny snarled before swinging his massive paw. "Impressive¡­" His sharp gaze analyzed Kenny¡¯s new form. "By increasing your size, your strength multiplies, and your strikes become exponentially more destructive while still maintaining the agility of a feline¡­ Quite the advantage." "But¡­ every Brand has a weakness. And yours is easy to exploit." "Number 3." A bazooka. "Fire." "KENNY!" Ikku yelled, sprinting toward him in panic. "You let your guard down." But before it could connect, a chain lashed out of nowhere, coiling around his arm and stopping his attack mid-strike. "A chain?" he muttered, surprised. "Keep your hands off my friends!" she spat. "Another one wielding a Brand¡­ What a shame." "Number 4." A sleek handgun materialized in his grip. "Watch out!" Ikku shouted. "Interesting." "You attacked me. That means the conditions are met." "She¡¯s attacking from a difficult angle to evade¡­" he thought, beginning to feel the pressure. A glowing fist was barreling straight toward him. "Damn it¡­ A Sun Warrior?!" Yum¨¦¡¯s strike smashed into him, the sheer force launching him through the air like a missile. He crashed into the ground, skidding violently before slamming into a massive rock shattering it into pieces. "Looks like you let your guard down." "YUMEEEEEEE!!!" Chapter 32 : Reality Yum¨¦ collapsed to the ground, his body trembling, unable to move. A thick stream of blood poured from his mouth, staining the dirt beneath him. "Yum¨¦!" Carla and Ikku shouted in unison, panic gripping their voices. Carla rushed to his side, her hands shaking as she tried to prop him up, but the blood wouldn¡¯t stop flowing. His chest was drenched in red, the wound refusing to close. "Carla! How bad is it?!" Ikku called out, staying close to Kenny, who was still unconscious. Carla pressed her palm over the wound, desperate to stop the bleeding, but her voice betrayed her growing fear. "He''s losing too much blood¡­ We have to get Master Z¨¦no!" Ikku clenched his fists. Damn it¡­ he cursed inwardly. Kenny is down, unconscious. And now Yum¨¦ might not make it¡­ A mocking chuckle cut through the tension. "This is what happens when kids try to play with the big boys," the enemy taunted, still standing tall, his confidence unwavering. "You¡¯re about to learn what reality¡ª" He never finished his sentence. A blindingly fast punch slammed into the back of his head. The sheer force sent him crumpling to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut, unconscious before he even hit the dirt. Ikku and Carla froze, their eyes widening in disbelief. No way. The person who had just knocked him out¡­ was Yum¨¦. "Am I¡­ dreaming?" Ikku murmured, completely baffled. "Yum¨¦¡­ is that really you?" Still standing, Yum¨¦ simply grinned, casually raising his hand in a V-sign. "Yep." Carla, still kneeling, looked down at the body she had been holding her breath caught in her throat. "Then¡­ who is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Yum¨¦¡¯s grin widened. "Don¡¯t worry about him." He gestured lazily toward the body. "It¡¯s just a clone." "A CLONE?!" Ikku and Carla exclaimed at the same time. Before they could process it, the Yum¨¦ lying on the ground vanished in a flicker of golden light, leaving nothing but shimmering particles in the air. Ikku turned back to Yum¨¦, eyes still full of disbelief. "So¡­ that¡¯s your Brand?" Yum¨¦ nodded proudly. "Exactly! I can create copies of myself. But there¡¯s a catch, every time I make one, my power gets divided between us. Since I only made one this time, my strength was cut in half." Before Ikku or Carla could react further, another voice interrupted. "Well done, kids." They all turned. Standing right beside Ikku as if he had been there the entire time was Z¨¦no. Ikku nearly jumped. "Wha¡ª?! Master Z¨¦no?! When did you even get here?!" Z¨¦no ignored the question, crouching down to examine Kenny¡¯s condition. "Kenny¡¯s injuries aren¡¯t too serious," he stated calmly. "Animagus have a much faster healing ability than the average person. I¡¯ll patch him up, and once that¡¯s done, we¡¯ll deal with this guy." He gestured toward the unconscious enemy. "I¡¯m guessing he¡¯s the leader." Ikku¡¯s head was still spinning from the last few minutes. "Wait, wait, wait !back up!" he exclaimed. "If you were here the whole time, why didn¡¯t you step in and help Kenny?!" Z¨¦no finally met Ikku¡¯s gaze, his sharp eyes unreadable. "A Nexus member must be capable of handling things on their own," he said, his voice firm but calm. "My job is to guide you during your first missions, to show you how things work. But whether you succeed or fail¡­ is entirely up to you." He paused, letting his words sink in before giving out his next instructions. "Yum¨¦, pick up the leader. We¡¯re heading inside. Carla, Ikku, you stay out here and keep watch. We don¡¯t know if more of them are on the way." Ikku groaned, making a face. "Couldn¡¯t you be a little more forgiving?" he muttered under his breath. Carla and Yum¨¦ burst into laughter, the tension finally breaking. The reality that they had all survived made the moment feel lighter, despite everything. Z¨¦no, however, remained unfazed. He hoisted Kenny onto his shoulder with ease. "No time to waste," he ordered. "Stay on high alert. I hope today made one thing clear to you, every mission means putting your life on the line." "Yes, sir!" they all responded in unison. With that, Z¨¦no and Yum¨¦ made their way back into the store, while Ikku and Carla remained outside, standing guard. The mission continued. Chapter 33 : Eternal Oath After a brief silence, Carla turned her head toward Ikku. "You really did well, Ikku." Ikku lowered his head slightly, his expression clouded with doubt. "You think so?" he muttered. "I don¡¯t feel like I did much¡­ As soon as our opponent realized Kenny¡¯s Brand was a real threat, he went straight for him. I wasn¡¯t a danger to him¡­ and I wasn¡¯t much help to Kenny either." Carla shook her head. "You¡¯re wrong, Ikku." She smiled softly. "I watched your fight from start to finish. Your opponent knew you were the biggest threat in close combat. He was probably afraid that you¡¯d adapt too quickly. And with Kenny¡¯s Brand on top of that, things were getting even more complicated for him. That¡¯s why he went for Kenny first because you were the real problem." Ikku lifted his head, surprised. "You¡­ really think so?" "Of course!" Carla reassured him, her smile never fading. Her words reignited something inside him. The doubt that had been creeping into his mind slowly faded. "Thanks, Carla¡­ You just reminded me of something important." Carla tilted her head. "Oh? What is it?" Ikku reached into his pocket and pulled out a black armband. He slid it onto his wrist with a firm motion. "What¡¯s that?" Carla asked, intrigued. Ikku stared at the band for a moment before smiling. "Just a simple armband¡­ but it carries a huge meaning for me. It¡¯s my ''Eternal Oath''." Carla blinked. "Your Eternal Oath?" "Yeah. Back when I was training with Jack, things kept getting harder every day. There were so many times I wanted to quit. But Jack taught me something important, and you just reminded me of it: Failure and setbacks are part of the journey. The ones who reach their goals aren¡¯t the ones who never fall, but the ones who keep moving forward despite their failures." He clenched his fist. "So, I made a promise on this armband, that I¡¯ll be the one to find the Legendary Jewels and become the greatest hero of all time. That I¡¯ll never give up. No matter how much doubt I feel, I just have to look at this armband to remind myself of that promise. That¡¯s what an Eternal Oath is it¡¯s a vow you make on something you can carry with you every day." Carla looked at him with admiration. "Wow¡­ That was really inspiring, Ikku."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Then, without hesitation, she removed her headband and held it in front of her. "Then I¡¯ll do the same." Ikku blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?" Carla took a deep breath. "I vow to become a strong woman. I¡¯ll use my power to protect the weak and lock away the criminals who poison this world." Ikku grinned. "I couldn¡¯t have asked for anything better. We¡¯ll get stronger, together!" "Yeah!" Carla nodded, putting her headband back on. Ikku mumbled to himself. "Stronger¡­" And then, something clicked. His mind flashed back to his conversation with Z¨¦no. His eyes widened. "I got it!" he exclaimed. Carla raised an eyebrow. "Got what?" "My Brand!" Carla¡¯s eyes widened in excitement. "Really?! What is it?!" Ikku smirked. "It¡¯s just an idea for now¡­ but when the time comes, I¡¯ll put it to the test." Carla laughed. "I can¡¯t wait to see it!" She was relieved to see Ikku regain his confidence, but just as she was about to ask him something else, he hesitated. He lowered his gaze slightly, fidgeting with his armband. "Carla¡­ there¡¯s something else I wanted to talk to you about¡­ you know¡­ last time¡­ um¡­ you know, when¡­" Carla¡¯s eyes widened for a moment before her cheeks flushed slightly. "Oh¡­ you mean that?" she replied, suddenly feeling a little shy as well. She looked away for a second, searching for her words before letting out a quiet sigh. "Listen, Ikku¡­ I¡¯m sorry if I was too forward. Maybe I acted too fast¡­" She tightened her grip on her headband before gently putting it back in place. "I really like you, Ikku. But¡­" She hesitated. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready yet." A silence fell between them. Ikku opened his mouth slightly but found himself unable to say anything. He hadn¡¯t expected Carla to be so straightforward. Yet, when he looked into her eyes, he realized this wasn¡¯t rejection. It was just honesty. She wasn¡¯t pushing him away. She was just being real. Ikku rubbed the back of his neck before letting out a small smile. "I get it¡­" he said softly. Carla looked back up at him, searching his expression. "You¡­ you¡¯re not upset?" Ikku shook his head. "Of course not." He looked at her directly, his smile growing slightly. "If it¡¯s not the right time for you, then it¡¯s not the right time. And that¡¯s fine with me." Carla felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Ikku¡­" she murmured with a small, grateful smile. Ikku shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. "But you know, you could¡¯ve told me sooner instead of making me overthink it this whole time." Carla laughed and playfully smacked his shoulder. "Idiot!" Ikku laughed too, and for a brief moment, the weight of everything they had just been through faded away. But soon, their serious expressions returned. They both knew this was just the beginning. The real challenges were still ahead. And they had to be ready. "Alright, time to focus again," Ikku said, stretching his arms. "We have no idea who might show up next." Carla nodded, resuming her guard position. The peace of the night was nothing but an illusion. The mission continued. Chapter 34 : The angel of Death Inside the store, Z¨¦no had already taken care of securing their latest prisoner. The leader of the enemy squad was tightly bound to a chair, unconscious. Just like before, Z¨¦no doused him with a bucket of cold water, snapping him awake with a violent shudder. "Where¡­ where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "I¡¯m the one asking the questions here." Raising his hand, a flash of dark energy materialized into a sleek black sword, the tip stopping just a few millimeters from the man¡¯s throat. "I assume you understand what happens next if you refuse to cooperate." But unlike the last prisoner, this one didn¡¯t seem fazed at all. He simply stared at Z¨¦no, scanning him up and down before shifting his gaze to the weapon in front of him. "A black blade¡­ a dove-shaped guard¡­ and an eyepatch." He let out a slow exhale. "Never thought I¡¯d meet the legendary Angel of Death in person." Angel of Death? He turned toward Z¨¦no, who remained as composed as ever. Who exactly was their mentor? Before the prisoner could say anything else, Z¨¦no¡¯s sword whipped forward in a blur, slicing the man¡¯s cheek just enough to draw blood. "From now on, you only speak when I tell you to," Z¨¦no¡¯s voice was a low, chilling whisper. "Are you the leader of this squad?" The man stayed silent. Without hesitation, Z¨¦no delivered several shallow cuts all over his body. Thin lines of blood surfaced, but the man didn¡¯t even flinch. Not a single sound escaped him. He was utterly unshaken. "Exactly what I expected. Torture isn¡¯t going to work on you." "So¡­ what now, Master Z¨¦no?" "Simple. We use this instead." He pulled out a phone. The prisoner¡¯s entire demeanor shifted instantly. "You bastard¡­!" he growled, eyes widening in panic. "Where did you get that?!" "Went through your motorcycle." He glanced up. "Judging by your reaction, I¡¯m guessing this is important." "Boss." "What is it, Giornno?" The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Giornno¡¯s not available. You¡¯ll have to deal with me." "You must be either very brave or very stupid to pull this stunt. Either way¡­ you¡¯ll regret it." "Boss! Listen to me! Be careful! It¡¯s him, it¡¯s the Angel of Death!" "The Angel of Death¡­ I¡¯ve heard the stories. I thought you had disappeared for good." "That name means nothing to me anymore." "Then tell me¡­ why are you here?" "I¡¯m looking for the head of your mafia." "Quite the ambitious goal." Then, the tone dropped to something far more sinister. "We¡¯ll meet again. And when that day comes¡­ only one of us will walk away." Click. Without hesitation, Z¨¦no crushed the phone in his grip, letting the broken pieces fall to the ground. "So¡­ that didn¡¯t really get us anywhere." "Oh, it did." Tapping his watch, a holographic map appeared. "I traced the call. The signal came from a location about an hour north of here." "The district is called ''The Jaws''." "What do you know about that place?" "Not exactly the nicest part of town¡­ It¡¯s a pleasure district. The biggest prostitution market in the region." "Perfect." "Dadinio, I¡¯m leaving Kenny in your care. He should wake up in a few hours. Fill him in once he¡¯s up." "And what about these two?" Z¨¦no drew his sword again. "They¡¯re useless now. I¡¯ll get rid of them." Before he could strike, Yum¨¦ suddenly stepped between them. "What the hell are you doing, Yum¨¦?" Z¨¦no asked coldly. "Master Z¨¦no, you don¡¯t have to kill them!" "Move." "No!" Yum¨¦ shot back. "They¡¯re tied up! They can¡¯t do anything! Just leave them!" "You¡¯re too naive." His gaze darkened. "The moment they get the chance, they¡¯ll break free. And their first targets will be Dadinio and Kenny. Are you really willing to risk their lives for them?" "There has to be another way!" "Then give me a better solution." Yum¨¦ lowered his head, unable to answer. "Exactly." "Authorities!" Z¨¦no halted mid-swing. "I called them earlier. They¡¯ll be here any minute. No need to stain your hands tonight." "Fine." ¡ªand knocked him out cold with a quick chokehold. "Let¡¯s move. We¡¯re heading to the Jaws." "Thanks for everything, Mr. Dadinio!" "Next destination?" Ikku asked. "The Jaws," Z¨¦no replied. "It¡¯s an hour north, but if we run, we¡¯ll be there in twenty minutes." "And the plan?" Z¨¦no¡¯s expression turned ice cold. "This time, we¡¯re not being subtle." "Wait¡­ are you saying¡ª?" "We¡¯re leveling that district." Without another word, he took off running, his students right behind him. Their next battle was about to begin. Chapter 35 : The pleasure District ¡ª "Is something wrong, Master Derek?" one of the women cooed, rubbing her body against his bicep. "You seem tense..." "" he mused. "" ¡ª "It¡¯s nothing," he finally said in a deep, rumbling voice. ¡ª "Then allow me to ease your tension," another woman whispered from behind him, trailing kisses along his neck. ¡ª "I¡¯d love for you to pay attention to me too, Master Derek," a third chimed in, her hand slowly brushing against his inner thigh. ¡ª "Relax, ladies, there¡¯s enough of me to go around." ¡ª "You better have a damn good reason for barging in unannounced..." he growled, his tone dark and threatening. "Because if you don¡¯t, you¡¯re not leaving here alive." ¡ª "Forgive my intrusion, Boss! But the district is under attack!" ¡ª "The hell did you just say?!" he roared, standing up abruptly. The sudden motion sent several of the women toppling onto the floor. ¡ª "They¡¯re in the district, Boss! A man with an eyepatch, and three teenagers!" ¡ª "The Angel of Death... So, you''ve come straight to me." He let out a low chuckle. "Perfect. I''ll show you that your time is long past." Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡ª "Alert Shu and D¨¦gane. Tell them to meet me there." ¡ª "Right away, Boss!"
Meanwhile... ¡ª "Do you really think this is gonna work, Master Z¨¦no?" Ikku asked, smashing a wooden table with a forceful kick. ¡ª "If we make enough noise, the mafia won¡¯t have a choice but to respond," Z¨¦no replied calmly. "And when they do, we¡¯ll have our path straight to their leader." ¡ª "I wonder what kind of people we¡¯ll be facing," Yum¨¦ mused aloud. He barely dodged in time, the weapon embedding itself into the wall behind him with a deafening thud. He turned sharply toward the entrance, standing there was an absolute beast of a man. ¡ª "This guy¡¯s way stronger than the last one," Carla muttered, her expression tense. ¡ª "What do we do, Master Z¨¦no?" Ikku asked, readying himself. ¡ª "Stay back for now. He might have called reinforcements. If he did, you¡¯ll need to handle them. No mercy." ¡ª "So, we finally meet, Z¨¦no¡­ The Angel of Death." A cruel smile spread across his lips. "I told you only one of us will walk away from this fight. And it sure as hell won¡¯t be you." ¡ª "That guy is on a whole different level," Ikku murmured, wide-eyed. "If we tried to fight him, we¡¯d only get in Master Z¨¦no¡¯s way." ¡ª "True," Yum¨¦ admitted. "But we should stay close. If we find an opening, we might be able to take him by surprise." ¡ª "YUM¨¦!!" Carla cried out, rushing to his side in panic. ¡ª "You should be more worried about yourselves." ¡ª "The name¡¯s D¨¦gane. Remember it, it¡¯s important to know the name of your executioner." ¡ª "And we¡¯re supposed to be scared?" ¡ª "Not necessarily. You¡¯re just supposed to die. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of that part." ¡ª "Carla, I¡¯ll handle the close combat. You back me up with your chains." ¡ª "Got it!" Carla nodded. Chapter 36 : Turbo ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Chapter 37 : The Mafia Boss ¡ª ¡° ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡° ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª Chapter 38 : The Calm Before The Storm ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª ¡ª chapter 39 : The fight begins The sun had just risen, casting its golden light across the horizon. Yum¨¦ was the first to wake up. Still half-asleep, his first instinct was to go wake Carla. The two of them, clearly up to something, crept over to Kenny, who was still snoring peacefully. With a mischievous grin and a marker in hand, they began doodling all over his face¡ªmustaches, swirls, hearts, and even a panda. Once their little prank was complete, they burst out laughing and rushed into the living room, barely able to contain their giggles. A few minutes later, Kenny finally woke up. Groggy, he shuffled into the bathroom¡ªand let out a deafening scream the moment he caught sight of himself in the mirror. ¡ª YUUUMEEEEE!!! CARLAAAAAA!!! I¡¯M GONNA KILL YOUUU!!! Cue the usual chaos. A giant black panther darted through the hallway, growling furiously, chasing after a laughing Yum¨¦ and a tearful Carla, both cracking up at full volume. That hilarious racket finally woke Ikku, who stretched and sat up groggily. One glance at the scene unfolding outside his room was all he needed to understand what had happened. But the fun was cut short by a familiar voice. Z¨¦no had arrived, his expression as serious as ever. ¡ª Morning, kids. Today, the mission reaches its climax. Let me remind you again, this is what Nexus missions are really like. Be ready to put your lives on the line¡­ but don¡¯t waste them foolishly. ¡ª Yes, sir! the group answered, their mood instantly shifting to something much more focused. After a quick round of prep, the team stepped out of the guesthouse. The sight before them was nothing short of eerie. The pleasure district, which had been buzzing with life just the day before, was now silent. Empty. Abandoned. ¡ª There¡¯s¡­ no one left, muttered Ikku in disbelief. ¡ª Of course, said Z¨¦no. The mafia doesn¡¯t bluff. Remember your training, and stay sharp. We don¡¯t know where the first strike will come from. Everyone nodded, scanning the surroundings with laser focus. Yum¨¦ spotted them first. ¡ª Over there¡­ they¡¯re coming. A dark mass approached from a distance, and as it got closer, their numbers became clearer. Maybe a thousand of them. They stopped about sixty meters away. ¡ª That¡¯s¡­ a lot of them, said Ikku, awestruck. ¡ª Don¡¯t worry, Z¨¦no replied. Stick to the plan, and we¡¯ll be fine. ¡ª Got it! Carla and Yum¨¦ echoed together, full of energy. One of the mafia members stepped forward, raising his voice so all could hear. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡ª This is your first and final warning. We¡¯re giving you one last chance to turn back. If you don¡¯t¡­ be prepared to die. In response, the team gave him a defiant smirk. ¡ª Then you¡¯ve just dug your own graves, the man sighed, before raising his arm. At his signal, the thugs charged. Z¨¦no stood firm. ¡ª Here they come. Kenny, you¡¯re up. ¡ª On it, Kenny replied calmly. He stepped forward and instantly transformed into a sleek black panther. ¡ª An Animagus?! one thug shouted. ¡ª Doesn¡¯t matter! another barked. But they had no idea what was coming. Kenny kept growing¡­ and growing¡­ until he towered thirty meters tall. The attackers froze in terror. Too late. With a thunderous roar, Kenny pounced. His claws slashed through the enemy ranks, and each roar sent waves of men flying like rag dolls. ¡ª Fire!! the mafia boss screamed. Gunshots rang out, but none of the bullets made it through. Carla¡¯s chain had sprung into action, spinning through the air like a shield, blocking every shot with ease. Then Z¨¦no entered the fray. Sword in hand, he moved like a phantom, cutting down enemies left and right. Not a single one could lay a hand on him. ¡ª Master Z¨¦no is on a whole different level, said Carla, amazed. ¡ª He¡¯s almost scary¡­ Ikku replied, stunned. Meanwhile, one thug had managed to sneak up behind Carla, gun drawn. If I take her out, they¡¯ll lose their bullet protection, he thought. He aimed at her head and pulled the trigger. Bang! The bullet never reached her. Once again, her chain reacted instinctively, blocking the shot. Carla turned, frowning. ¡ª What the¡ª?! I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t see me! How the hell¡­?! ¡ª Aww, sorry~ Carla said with a cheeky grin, sticking out her tongue. I have to control the chain to protect the others. But when it¡¯s about me¡­ it moves on its own. Before the man could process what she meant, a flash of light blinded him. He turned just in time to see Yum¨¦¡¯s fist slam into his stomach. He dropped like a stone. ¡ª They¡¯re not that tough, Yum¨¦ said, sounding slightly disappointed. ¡ª Don¡¯t let your guard down, Yum¨¦! Ikku shouted. We can¡¯t underestimate them, there are probably more hiding. Ikku closed his eyes. His senses sharpened. Gunshots, footsteps, faint whispers¡­ nothing escaped him. He took a deep breath. Then¡ªhe found them. ¡ª Gotcha! TURBO! A red aura burst around him. His skin glowed crimson, and his spiritual energy surged. He shot off like a missile, zigzagging behind buildings where mafia members lay hidden. They didn¡¯t stand a chance. One by one, he took them down with blinding speed. And then, just as suddenly, he reappeared on the battlefield, beside Carla. He dropped to one knee, out of breath, and canceled the technique, sitting on the ground to recover. ¡ª I can¡¯t¡­ haa haa... keep that form¡­ haa more than five minutes¡­ ¡ª Incredible, Ikku, said Yum¨¦, impressed. I couldn¡¯t even see you move! ¡ª You¡¯ve really gotten strong, added Carla. ¡ª Thanks¡­ guys¡­ Ikku said, still panting. Elsewhere on the battlefield, it was a massacre. Kenny, still in giant panther form, stood over the last remaining goons. Above his head stood Z¨¦no, blade drawn, eyes cold. Of the thousand who had come, barely a quarter were still standing. ¡ª Should we finish them? Z¨¦no asked, deadpan. The remaining enemies began stepping back. Their fighting spirit was all but gone. ¡ª Step aside, said a calm voice from behind them. A tall man walked toward Z¨¦no and Kenny. Hands in his pockets, he strolled casually. His long brown hair flowed down to his lower back, and his bright green eyes were sharp and confident. He stopped in front of the survivors. ¡ª Nice to meet you, Z¨¦no the Angel of Death. The name¡¯s Shu. I¡¯ll be your opponent today. ¡ª Not so fast, Shu, called another voice from above. Perched on the roof of a nearby building sat another man. Short blond hair, a piercing in his eyebrow and nose, scruffy beard, and a cigarette dangling from his lips. This one¡¯s strong¡­ thought Z¨¦no, eyeing him carefully. ¡ª Name¡¯s Demba, the man said. I hope you live up to your reputation. ¡ª What now, Master Z¨¦no? asked Kenny, tense. ¡ª That guy¡¯s tough. I¡¯ll take him. But the one called Shu also looks strong. The rest of you, team up and bring him down. If another strong one shows up, split into two groups: you and Carla in one, Yum¨¦ and Ikku in the other. ¡ª Got it! replied Kenny, ready for round two. chapter 40 : Shu And Demba The atmosphere had shifted the moment Demba appeared. The tone had become much more serious. He leapt down from the top of the building, landing beside Shu in heavy silence. "Fall back, all of you," he ordered confidently. "We¡¯ll handle this." Without hesitation, the remaining henchmen turned and bolted, leaving the field clear. "Demba! Why should you be the one to fight Z¨¦no?!" Shu shouted, clearly frustrated. "I was here first!" "Calm down, Shu," Demba replied calmly. "This isn¡¯t a game. You know what he¡¯s capable of. Your Brand doesn¡¯t suit his fighting style. Mine, however, is perfectly suited. Take care of the others in the meantime." "Tch... So you want me to play babysitter?" "Don¡¯t underestimate them, Shu. Sure, you managed to retrieve Derek, but we haven¡¯t heard from Degan. There¡¯s a chance he was defeated by those kids." "Yeah, yeah, if you say so. Either way, if you¡¯re the one fighting him, the Angel of Death will end up bowing like all your other opponents." Z¨¦no climbed down from Kenny¡¯s head as the latter returned to his normal human form. Demba advanced slowly toward Z¨¦no, who mirrored his pace. They both came to a halt, just a few meters apart. Without warning, Z¨¦no lunged forward, attempting a vertical sword strike. Demba dodged it easily, twisting his body with practiced ease, and retaliated with a punch that Z¨¦no also avoided. The fight began in earnest. Z¨¦no launched a barrage of sword strikes. Demba evaded each one with remarkable agility. He leapt backward, putting some distance between them, but Z¨¦no was ready. He pulled out a scroll and threw it into the air. It began to glow with a bright green light. "Mantra, Level 4: ZALZALA!!" The ground quaked violently, splitting in multiple places. Everyone within a thirty-meter radius struggled to stay on their feet. "I see¡­" Demba muttered, trying to maintain balance. "He¡¯s really mastered his m¡ª" Before he could finish, Z¨¦no was already on him, sword flashing. Still unsteady from the tremors, Demba managed only a partial dodge and took a slash across the chest. Blood flowed freely from the gash. As the shaking stopped, Demba leapt back again to gain space. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! "He¡¯s earned his title¡­" he muttered, clutching his bleeding wound. Not far away, Ikku and the others were struggling to stand, still shaken by the sheer force of Z¨¦no¡¯s technique. "We¡¯re dealing with two monsters here¡­" Yum¨¦ said as he got back up. "If we stay here, we¡¯ll only get in the way," Kenny added. "You¡¯re right," replied Ikku. "Especially since that guy looks crazy strong. We¡¯d better split them up now." They ran to the opposite side of the city, trying to distance themselves from Z¨¦no and his opponent. After about five minutes of running, they reached an open area surrounded by small buildings. Then, Shu appeared. "So, you¡¯ve chosen this place to die," he said, raising his guard. "Let¡¯s be clear¡ªjust because you¡¯re kids doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll hold back." "We don¡¯t need your pity," Kenny shot back, assuming a fighting stance. "Just like we planned!" "Yeah!" the others shouted in unison. Ikku and Kenny charged at Shu at full speed. "A frontal assault?" Shu smirked. "I¡¯ll admit, you¡¯ve got guts." Kenny extended his hand. His nails turned into claws, and he slashed furiously at Shu. But Shu dodged each swipe with ease and countered with a kick that sent Kenny flying several meters. Ikku stepped in, and the exchange became more balanced. Blow for blow, they fought fiercely. Ikku was quicker on his feet, but Shu¡¯s attacks were far more powerful. "You¡¯re not bad, kid," Shu said, slowly gaining the upper hand. Ikku was starting to struggle with Shu¡¯s increasingly powerful strikes. Just in time, Kenny returned, having recovered. Together, they attacked relentlessly, yet Shu remained tireless and kept gaining ground. He landed a punch squarely in Kenny¡¯s stomach, sending him collapsing in pain. Ikku had barely turned his head when Shu landed an uppercut that launched him into the air. "And now for the finishing blow," Shu said with a sadistic grin. But as he crouched to jump, something yanked his leg. A chain had emerged from the ground and coiled around it like a giant snake, wrapping tighter and tighter until his entire body was immobilized. "What the hell?!" Shu turned his head. Kenny lay still on the ground, and Ikku had just crashed down as well. But not far off, Carla stood proudly, hand raised and smiling mockingly. Her chain danced around her like a taunt. "You¡¯ll pay for this!" Shu roared. "Let me go ! now!" While he struggled, a blinding light flashed to his side. He turned, and saw Yum¨¦ leaping at him, his fist radiating a blinding golden glow. "A Sun Warrior? Crap¡­ this one''s gonna hurt," Shu thought grimly. Yum¨¦¡¯s punch struck Shu¡¯s face squarely, sending him flying across the clearing. He smashed into a nearby building, raising a huge cloud of dust and debris. "Nice work, everyone¡­" Ikku groaned, barely managing to stand. Still lying on the ground, Kenny raised a thumbs-up in victory. Yum¨¦ raised two fingers, grinning. Carla smiled in relief. "We got him," Kenny panted. "I don¡¯t think so¡­" Ikku replied, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the building. A massive surge of spiritual energy burst forth. Shu emerged from the rubble, his clothes torn, his body covered in blood and wounds. "I think that¡¯ll do for the warm-up, kids," he said, his tone far more serious now, eyes glinting with intensity. "Now¡­ let¡¯s get serious." chapter 41 : Fight continue Back to Z¨¦no¡¯s Fight Blood coated Demba¡¯s fists, still dripping from the wound on his chest. A surge of spiritual energy flared around him like a living flame. He raised his head, locking eyes with Z¨¦no, the fire of battle burning in his gaze. His arms suddenly lit up, and in a flash, two golden metal gauntlets appeared, covering his forearms entirely. He took a fighting stance, his mouth curling into a confident smirk. ¡ª Don¡¯t disappoint me, Z¨¦no, he said calmly, but with a spark of excitement. Z¨¦no didn¡¯t reply. He dashed forward, straight at Demba. The latter didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe threw a punch to meet him head-on. But Z¨¦no slipped past it with ease and countered with a slash of his sword. This time, however, Demba didn¡¯t even try to dodge. He blocked the blade with his armored fists.
¡°So his fists can block my attacks... but are they just for defense?¡± Z¨¦no thought as sparks flew from the impact.
Demba lunged, unleashing a flurry of punches like a storm. Z¨¦no danced through the onslaught, dodging and parrying without taking a single hit. But Demba didn¡¯t let up. His pressure was relentless. Eventually, Z¨¦no jumped back to gain some distance and reassess the situation.
¡°His punches don¡¯t seem special at first glance¡­¡±
But then, something changed. Z¨¦no¡¯s sword suddenly felt heavy. Unnaturally so. His grip tightened, his arm trembling slightly. It was as if the blade had turned to stone. He looked up. Demba was still smiling¡ªclearly, this was no coincidence. ¡ª Looks like you¡¯re catching on, Demba chuckled. ¡ª So this is your Brand, Z¨¦no replied, narrowing his eyes. ¡ª Exactly, Demba confirmed. It¡¯s called HeavyPunch. Every time one of my punches lands, the weight of what I hit doubles. You blocked me eight times. Assuming your sword weighs around one kilo, it should be over 250 now. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. He tilted his head mockingly. ¡ª Good luck swinging that thing. But Z¨¦no had already vanished. ¡ª Where did he¡ª? Demba turned instinctively¡ªand there he was. Z¨¦no, sword raised, ready to strike. He brought the blade down in a clean vertical arc. Demba leapt back just in time. The blade hit the ground with a deafening crack, shattering the stone beneath it under the sheer weight. ¡ª I¡¯m impressed, Demba said, unfazed. Didn¡¯t expect you to wield that thing with such weight. But don¡¯t forget¡ªnext time it¡¯ll weigh half a ton. Then a full ton. And if I hit your body, your limbs will get heavier too. Eventually, you won¡¯t even be able to move. That¡¯s when I finish you off. ¡ª Tch. This fight¡¯s far from over, Z¨¦no growled. Without warning, he slashed his own palm and let blood drip onto the ground. He quickly drew strange symbols with it, then placed a scroll on the ground. His voice rose in chant. ¡ª Pure light pierce the darkest night¡­ Radiant sun, birth the shadow¡¯s flight¡­ ¡ª Like hell I¡¯m letting you finish that! Demba roared and charged straight at him. But just as he threw his punch¡ªZ¨¦no was gone again. ¡ª That damn trick again?! Demba shouted, spinning around. There he was¡ªZ¨¦no, standing exactly where he had started. Calm, composed, still chanting: ¡ª Wailing wind, unleash your sorrow¡­ Sacred skies, bring down your fury¡­ ¡ª Mantra Level 3: URANO METRIA! The sky above them blackened in an instant. Dark clouds swirled with unnatural speed, crackling with impending doom. Demba looked up, realizing it was too late to run. He summoned all his spiritual energy and crossed his arms to brace himself. A blinding light burst from the sky. Then a massive beam of energy tore through the clouds and slammed straight into Demba. ¡ª Aw, shit¡­ Demba muttered, just before the impact. The blast crashed down with terrifying force, obliterating nearby buildings and shaking the earth across a full kilometer. Meanwhile, miles away, Ikku and the others felt the tremor under their feet. They all turned instinctively toward the direction of the explosion. ¡ª Sounds like they¡¯re having fun over there, Shu commented, eyes still fixed on the distant battlefield. ¡ª Unfortunately for you, not even the Angel of Death stands a chance against Demba. ¡ª Hate to break it to you, Ikku replied, steadying himself, but Master Z¨¦no doesn¡¯t lose. ¡ª Exactly, added Kenny. You should be more worried about yourself.* ¡ª Fine then, Shu said, cracking his knuckles. No mercy it is. He rushed toward them. Round two was about to begin.