The room was dim, tension thick in the air as the higher-ups of the city gathered around a long, obsidian table. A grave silence filled the space until one of the older men finally spoke.
"We sent all of the most skilled and elite C-rank assassins to kill him... but it's been almost a week, and we haven't had a single report. Could Kazuki have killed them?"
Another member of the council frowned, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Impossible," he said. "We dispatched fifty C-rank assassins after him. And let's not forget—one of Lady Rimeta's most skilled students was among them."
A third member muttered, concern lacing his tone.
"I can't believe that spirit kid actually took down all fifty assassins by himself. He's becoming a real threat... one we must deal with."
Lady Rimeta, still as a sculpture of steel, finally spoke with calm authority.
"There's nothing else we can do. Kazuki has proven himself deadly. The best thing to do now is kill him. There shouldn't be much thinking to this."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Remember, he trained under Diablo, who caused the Great Calamity, and Veronica, an S-rank soldier feared by entire armies. That alone explains his growth..."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"And besides... let's not forget who his father was according to the history book of this city. And to top it all off, his elder brother is currently the most deadliest criminal known to man right now."
A Gentle Breeze Through the Forest
The forest was quiet. A calm wind blew through the trees, rustling leaves and stirring a sense of peace.
Kazuki stood silently atop a tall branch, arms crossed, his cloak fluttering behind him. He gazed down at the intricate mark glowing faintly on his arm.
"Looks like my spirit mark evolved again… That's good" he muttered, examining its new diamond-like shape.
"Maybe it's from all the training... or the fifty assassins they sent after me." A light chuckle escaped his lips. "I think there were around fifty... yeah. Those guys were pretty damn skilled and deadly, I had to continuously active my forcefield to protect myself."
He remembered the moment it changed—when he'd used God's Devastation against Mirio.
A long sigh escaped him.
"Well, I guess I'm getting stronger like I always wanted."
He smiled faintly.
"I wonder how Alex is doing. He's probably training his balls off like the idiot he is."
By the City Stream
Alex walked alongside a peaceful stream running through the city, the water reflecting the golden rays of the setting sun.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face.
"Hey! Grandpa Ranpo! It's been a while!"
His voice was filled with excitement. "I've got so much to tell you!"
Ranpo turned with a warm smile, his eyes soft.
"Alex… how are you doing, boy?"
But after a brief pause, Ranpo's tone turned serious.
"I want to apologize."
Alex blinked. "Huh?"
"I haven't always been there for you. I wasn't around enough to train you or be part of your life like when you were just a child. I'm sorry for that. But now, I want to be here—for real this time. I want to see you grow... and become someone strong."
Alex smiled warmly.
"You don't have to apologize. I know you're out there risking your life every day to protect the city... even from the shadows. There's nothing to apologize for, you're doing your job. I'm proud of you."
Ranpo smiled—but then his eyes lowered.
"There's something important I have to tell you."
Alex's smile faded.
"The higher-ups of this city… they see you as a threat, Alex. They've been planning your execution. Since the day you were brought here as a child.". Ranpo explained to Alex.
Alex's eyes widened. His body went still.
"…What?"
Ranpo continued with guilt in his voice.
"I should've told you sooner. I kept it from you all this time. I'm sorry."
Alex looked down, his expression shadowed. Then...
He burst into laughter.
"So you're telling me... I'm like some kind of monster?"
"A special threat?"
He grinned.
"Man... I've always wanted someone to say that! Being considered a threat means I'm really strong, right? Damn, I'm happy."
Ranpo paused for a moment and chuckled, eyes glimmering with emotion.
"You crazy kid. Your 're just like him…"
Alex tilted his head. "Like who?"
"The Spirit Lord… when he was your age."
Alex blinked. "The Spirit Lord?"
Ranpo nodded. "I'll explain later. But for now, I need to take you somewhere."
He placed a hand on Alex's shoulder.
"A place far from the city. You're going to learn a special form of power. But it's not easy. This training is brutal, and only the strong endure it."
Ranpo looked at him with unwavering seriousness.
"So, Alex... are you ready?"
Alex cracked his knuckles and grinned.
"You know me—I'm ready for anything."
The Wastelands of Dust and Fire
The air shimmered in the middle of a broken, scorched wasteland.
Two figures stood across from one another—Diablo and Ukina.
Diablo folded his arms, a tired yet amused smile on his face.
"Looks like I finally found you, Ukina."
Ukina grinned back, eyes sharp.
"Not surprising. Looks like you were sent to kill me, huh, Diablo?"
Her grin widened.
"I can't wait to see what the Reincarnate of Bansha is capable of."
Diablo sighed.
"Honestly... you're a pain. Creating the most dangerous terrorist group in the world? That's wild even for you."
He tilted his head.
"Let's get this over with. I want to go home and sleep."
Ukina's smile turned diabolical.
"Oh, you'll get plenty of sleep soon. So much that you'll be tired of sleeping."
Diablo narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about, you deranged bastard?"
In an instant, a blinding golden light surged around Ukina.
A radiant halo with a small cross formed above her head. Her revealing pink dress turned into glimmering gold. Her eyes shone pure white.
Diablo's expression turned grim.
"That's... the Divine Form. What the fuck? Only gods are supposed to use that. How the hell did Ukina obtain that power? She was only A-rank!"
Ukina raised her arms, golden light swirling.
"I look good, don't I?"
Diablo scoffed.
"The only thing I see is insanity. How did you get godlike power?"
Ukina's voice was laced with madness.
"All I can say is this—I'll be putting you away, Diablo. That's all you need to know."
Diablo's body pulsed with darkness as waves of pure black energy surged from him. His form twisted, becoming a silhouette of dark energy. His jacket turned into dark energy, along side with his hair, and the rest of his body, with the exception of his face.
His voice dropped into a low growl.
"We can't fight here. One blow and we'd obliterate the planet—no, the entire dimension."
Ukina chuckled and opened a dark golden portal.
"Then come. I've made a special place for us to kill each other."
They stepped into a realm bathed in crimson light. The red sun of the dimension loomed over endless jagged mountains. Ukina extended her arms wide.
"This is the smallest dimension I've ever created. The planet alone is the size of ten Earths."
She licked her lips.
"Let's go all out, shall we?"
Diablo grinned, his voice now serious and resonating with power.
"Better."
He thought to himself, his expression sharpening:
"Ukina… she now holds power only I should have. Even at 50% of my strength, this is dangerous.
"Though no attack can harm me due to my Almighty ability, her power… it's not to be ignored."
End of Chapter.