"Can you do one job for me."
David's tone was calm, his voice barely above a murmur, like he was just talking about the weather.
"No."
Jin didn't even look at him. He gave the answer as he lifted his cup and took a slow sip of coffee, eyes fixed on the ripples in his drink.
David didn't react. He just sat there for a moment, letting the silence hang.
"I know you guys left that work," he said quietly, keeping his gaze steady.
"But I can't go there myself. And the other Evolvers... they're refusing every job lately. Not a single one is accepting."
He looked at Jin, searching for a flicker of interest.
Shun leaned forward just a bit, his fingers dipping a biscuit into his black coffee.
"Crime rates dropped to zero after what happened."
He took a bite, calm as ever.
"And now you want us to make a mess… when everyone else is finally sitting still?"
David didn't flinch.
"It doesn't involve humans. No harm. I just need something from the evolved beasts."
His voice remained steady, almost too composed.
Jin finally looked up, his eyes gentle but sharp.
"If you're asking us to kill an evolved beast..."
He placed the cup down softly.
"Then you know better than anyone—that as long as a beast doesn't hurt innocents, it's protected by law."
David gave a slow nod.
"I'm not asking for that."
He took a sip of his coffee, as if weighing every word.
"I want one alive. Safe. I just need to observe it. Run a few tests. That's all. We've developed a new weapon. I need to study how a beast reacts to it."
Jin tilted his head slightly, his tone still calm.
"You're going to experiment on it."
"No harm."
David leaned back in his seat, hands relaxed.
"Just observing. Reading movements, behavior. That's it. I promise they won't be hurt."
Shun exhaled through his nose.
"You've got government contacts. Access to big labs. If you just want movement and behavior data, go through the proper channels. Shouldn't be hard for you."
He brought the cup to his lips and finished it in one long sip.
David hesitated, then let out a breath.
"I would.. but I need data on an SSS-rank beast."
He paused for a second, letting that sink in.
"No one has any real data. Just pieces—fragments from battles Evolvers had with them."
Shun blinked.
Then scoffed.
"Are you stupid or something?"
He stood up, the chair scraping faintly against the floor.
"You know the difference between an SSS-rank beast and a human SSS-ranked Evolver, right? It's not even close."
He looked down at David.
"And you want one alive? Even getting a dead one is almost impossible."
He turned to Jin.
"Let's go. I'm hungry."
But Jin didn't move. His eyes stayed locked on David, thoughtful.
He spoke quietly.
"We can't bring you one."
A pause.
"But… we can track it. Watch it. Record its movements. Observe its behavior."
Another pause.
"Give us a portable gadget that can record everything. Have it ready by next week."
David looked at him, almost surprised.
"So what do you want in return?."
Jin stood up slowly.
"A lightweight katana. The best possible one you can make."
Then he glanced at Shun.
"What about you?"
Shun stared off for a second, then shrugged.
"Since we're doing it."
He lifted his hand, snapped his fingers.
A faint puff of black smoke curled around his palm.
"Nothing for now."
The smoke warped them both upward then both of them were gone.
----
[Japan]
They stood quietly on the bridge.
Beneath them, cars hummed along the road headlights streaking through the night like silent ghosts. The cold air brushed against their faces, sharp and fresh, carrying the quiet of a city that had finally learned how to sleep.
Shun walked slowly, hands in his pockets.
"Why did you accept that offer?"
His voice was calm,
Jin's eyes stayed on the road for a moment before answering.
"You really think this peace I created with that attack... is going to last?"
His words were soft, like he was thinking out loud rather than talking.
"If something like that happens again... people will realize their savior is gone."
He took a long breath, the cold air filling his lungs.
Shun glanced at him.
"If something like that happens again, then just use the attack again."
Jin shook his head slightly.
"That's not the point, Shun."
His gaze lifted to the sky where the stars shimmered quietly, scattered across the black canvas like dust on glass.
"That attack only worked because people thought it was him. it won't work again."
He paused.
"If we help David develop stronger weapons.. then maybe, there's still some protection left for the innocent if the peace break."
Shun was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"You've got a point there."
He slowed his steps slightly.
"But why ask him for a katana? You could just buy one."
Jin finally looked over at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"It's not for me. It's for Hinata."
He let the breeze touch his face for a second before continuing.
"Her sword broke in that fight against the Water Princess. David's company makes some of the best weapons out there. I figured. if I'm helping him with this, he can at least forge a proper sword for her in return."
Shun raised an eyebrow, but there was a softness in his expression.
"Makes sense."
He looked down the road and then up at the sky.
"We should probably get going. It's dinner time, and we didn't tell anyone we were stepping out."
He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers.
A swirl of black smoke rose around them calm, quiet, and smooth.
And just like that, they were gone.
[Chapter 29]