And so, the group reaches the gates of the Pyarod Center, where Cyan fighters stand with Zordo, Naori, and Rodog…
Naori: "Each of you has a mission brief with your target's location. If you ever get lost, Dismantling fighters call for Susa the Owl, Ignition fighters call for Nars the Hawk, and Explosion fighters call for Rero the Crow."
Fighters: "Yes, sir!!"
Zordo: "Now go!"
They open their mission papers.
Rogan (reading): "Yuki Village, south of Lake Katof… the villagers refuse to leave their homes except in emergencies. Over sixteen people vanished, and panic grips the town."
Sumiko (shouts): "Rogan—where are you headed?!"
Rogan: "Roki Village… you?"
Sumiko: "I'm in the Vaho Woods… I'll be calling for Rero a lot, I think."
Rogan (laughs): "Himari—what about you?"
Himari: "Kawarioka Village… it's so far away."
Rogan: "Yes, all our missions are distant."
Sumiko: "We better go! Goodbye!"
All: "Goodbye!"
—It's 7:00 PM. Rogan races down the road toward Yuki Village. Soon he reaches the shores of Lake Katof, faced with multiple forks and unsure which path leads to town.
Rogan: "Nars… Ignition Hawk… Nars!"
Sure enough, he hears a cry overhead. Nars swoops in among the trees, and Rogan follows his path—shifting direction until they descend into Yuki Village.
Rogan: "Thank you, Nars!"
The Hawk vanishes into the night.
In the deserted village, Rogan walks along silent streets—only the echo of his footsteps remains. 1… 2… 3…
Suddenly, a band of men leaps out, wielding wooden sticks and sickles.
Bandit #1: "Thought you were the scorpion!"
Bandit #2: "What're you doing here?"
Rogan: "I'm here to help you rid this village of the scorpion! But this is no trap set by scorpions—these sticks and sickles won't harm them. Please, return home and don't venture out… By the way, when did you last see a scorpion?"
Villager: "Just yesterday morning. It killed three people."
A young voice screams!!!
Rogan sprints toward the shout—a youth is racing away in terror.
Rogan: "Wait! What's wrong? What happened?"
Youth: "It… it's the scorpion! It dragged my mother and father inside!"
Rogan races into a home. A man crawls out, blood pouring from his left leg—scorpion claws ripped out his liver. A woman screams inside the doorway.
Woman: "No!! Please, no!!"
Rogan draws his sword and steps forward.
Scorpion: "Greetings, little warrior… Have you come to kill me?"
Rogan: "You die tonight!"
He lunges, but the scorpion deflects his blade and slams him violently to the ground.
The scorpion turns to the woman.
Scorpion: "I'll enjoy tasting this woman's liver next…"
Rogan feels a surge of power. He springs up just as the scorpion raises its claw—but Rogan intercepts with a strike that severs its pincer.
Scorpion: "Huh… not so small after all."
Its severed claw regenerates instantly. It attacks, laughing maniacally. Blade meets claw in a fierce clash—Rogan blocks blow after blow as they stagger backward.
Scorpion: "Venom Claw Strike!"
With a horrifying laugh, it hammers Rogan's thigh, leaving a deep wound.
Rogan's eyes blaze. He slams his staff into its abdomen, rattling its shell, then follows with a flurry of sword strikes—cracking the scorpion's remaining claw. As its second pincer regrows, they exchange more blows, moving into open ground.
Rogan focuses, channels his strength, and lands a crushing blow—then another—severing its limbs one by one. The scorpion kicks him away, but Rogan holds his ground. He draws his Guyan weapon and hurls it into the creature's neck; he yanks it free, slicing through the spinal cord, then plunges it into its heart.
The scorpion dissolves into dust. Rogan collapses to one knee, blood seeping from his thigh wound.
The woman rushes out, tears in her eyes, clutching her husband.
Woman: "Thank you…"
Rogan: "You're welcome—but I'm sorry I couldn't arrive sooner to save him…"
The youth sobs, kneeling over his father's body and embracing his mother.
Youth: "He saved us."
He turns to Rogan.
Youth: "Thank you…"
Rogan: "Anytime."
Rogan winces, clutching his leg.
Youth: "You're hurt. Let me get a bandage."
The youth brings out a pack and wraps Rogan's thigh.
Rogan stands and limps toward the village edge—mission accomplished; he's already being hailed as a hero. As he leaves, a young man in green stands in his path.
Rogan: "Are you a healer?"
Healer: "Hello… Yes, I'm a healer."
Rogan: "I'm injured."
Healer: "I know—that's how I found you. But I couldn't treat you in the village… Too many questions."
Rogan: "So that's your task today?"
Healer: "Yes—we each monitor one fighter from other units, and we only step in to heal life-threatening wounds or stabilize you if danger strikes. Otherwise, we stay hidden. Now, let's treat your leg."
Rogan: "Alright… I think there's venom—I can't feel my foot."
Healer: "Of course there is venom."
He pulls a vial from his pack.
Rogan: "Where did you keep that? I didn't see your bag…"
Healer: "It's a weightless Kin Bag. We healers hide it. Now stop breathing deep and drink this."
Rogan downs the antidote.
Rogan: "Your name?"
Healer: "I'm Yaru."
Rogan: "I'm Rogan—pleased to meet you."
Yaru: "Likewise… How's your leg now?"
Rogan flexes his leg—it's healed completely.
Rogan: "I can't believe it… That's amazing. Thank you."
Yaru: "Anytime… We should return now."
Rogan: "Right—let's go."
They dash back toward the Pyarod Center.
What are the others doing?
Will they succeed in their missions?
Stay tuned for the next chapter!