After everything that happened during the training and with the discovery of Arthur's powers, they decide to take a break from activities and relax somehow. Arthur goes back inside the house with Alice looking for Hanna and sees her rummaging through the cupboard and fridge for food.
Alice caught Hanna messing up the kitchen and quickly moved forward, grabbing her by the neck firmly, though not brutally... while Hanna, in turn, lightly pulled Alice's hair, but without malice. More of an impulsive touch than a violent one.
— Can you two stop this nonsense...? You look like two kids fighting over candy — Arthur said, casting a serious look, but without real harshness.
— Arthur, this girl is going to bankrupt us! She eats like she's an entire army, it's not normal! — complained Alice, holding Hanna's neck tighter than necessary, but still keeping it gentle.
Hanna narrowed her eyes at Alice's comment, and on an impulsive act, pulled her hair a bit harder.
I-I only eat this much because I need to maintain my regeneration, got it? My body needs a lot of protein every day! — Hanna retorted, raising her voice a little.
Arthur noticed their voices getting louder, as well as the hair pulling and neck gripping. He sighed, knowing he needed to intervene before things got worse.
— Alright, alright... let's stay calm. Alice, let go of Hanna. She got the message — Arthur said, raising his hands in a soothing gesture.
Alice let out a loud sigh, still clearly irritated with Hanna, but decided to let her go, muttering as she walked away.
— Ugh... crazy as hell... — Hanna grumbled, making a face at Alice while rubbing the back of her neck.
Arthur just sighed, realizing it was going to be complicated to have these two in the same place for too long.
One hour later...
Arthur returned to the kitchen and saw Hanna sweeping the floor carelessly, while Alice was organizing some things in the backyard.
— What are those things, Alice? — Arthur asked.
— Oh, just some old stuff that was piled up downstairs. I'm going to get rid of them to free up some space — Alice replied, not giving it much importance.
Arthur noticed that Alice was always doing something... and never stopped to have a moment of leisure. So he had an idea and decided to share it with the two of them.
— Hey, you two... how about we go out for a bit and enjoy the night? — Arthur proposed with a smile.
— Hm... doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'm in! — said Hanna, coming closer to Arthur and nudging his arm with her elbow.
But Alice hesitated, crossing her arms.
— I don't know if it's a good idea, Arthur. Especially in our situation... — she started, her voice firm.
Alice reflected for a moment... Humans Upper could still be monitoring their moves and wouldn't hesitate to attack them in a public place. Besides, the distrust she felt toward Hanna was still present, although now more restrained. But she also understood that this intense routine, without any break, would end up overwhelming them at some point... both her and Arthur. So, taking a deep breath, she decided to accept the idea.
— Ah... okay, I'm in. But I want you to stay alert while we're out — Alice warned, her tone cautious.
6:00 PM...
After everyone agreed to go out, each started getting ready. Arthur chose black pants, white sneakers, and a white shirt, looking calm. Hanna, on the other hand, wore a black skirt, a cropped top, and black boots, showing her usual confident attitude.
— What's with that outfit? Going to a funeral or just trying to get attention? — Arthur joked.
— Shut up, Arthur... I just like black clothes, that's it — Hanna snapped back, showing him the middle finger.
— Well, the outfit looks good on you, so whatever. But where's Alice? Don't tell me she gave up — Arthur said, already impatient.
After three minutes, Alice appeared wearing a long skirt that reached her knees and a soft pink shirt. She also wore some discreet accessories on her ears and in her hair, reflecting her tough personality.
— Hm... first time I see you this "proper" and elegant, Mrs. Grumpy — Hanna commented with a teasing smile.
— Whatever, let's go...? — Alice said, looking toward Arthur, ignoring Hanna.
Arthur nodded, and the three set off.
They arrived at an ice cream shop, and Hanna went straight to the flavors, making Arthur laugh and Alice call her greedy.
After choosing their flavors and paying, they walked toward the park, where a small but engaging performance filled the air with lightness. The park was big enough to accommodate the crowd, with a clear night sky, just a few clouds passing by slowly. The stars moved toward the horizon while the streetlights cast a soft glow, completing the relaxed atmosphere of that night.
Hanna pointed excitedly toward the stage.
— Wow... this guy performing has quite a voice. I'm interested, let's go! — Hanna said, excited about the outing.
— Uh-huh, let's go — Alice said, unable to hide a smile seeing Hanna's enthusiasm.
Getting closer, they noticed the excitement of the people; everyone was happy, cheerful, and singing along with the vocalist.
— Really, Hanna. This guy has a beautiful voice — Arthur said, impressed by the man's vocal power.
Alice looked around, her face showing continuous alertness. Her eyes moved quickly, as if any noise could be a threat.
Arthur noticed her unease. He approached slowly, almost silently, and placed his hand on her shoulder. Alice was startled but relaxed a little when she recognized him. Arthur looked into her eyes.
— Hey, just relax... okay? Everything's fine... nothing's going to happen — he murmured, his voice low and comforting.
Alice looked around and saw children, families, and people having fun, realizing Arthur was right, and tried to enjoy the night as best as possible.
The two talked and smiled together, playing at various game booths around while Hanna took photos of the scenery on the other side of the park... completely relaxed and carefree at the moment.
A few minutes passed, and the vocalist paused, leaving only the soft instrumental echoing through the park. Arthur, however, sensed something strange. While Alice and Hanna were distracted, the vocalist left the stage and stared directly at him. Arthur watched him type something on his phone, keeping a serious expression, and immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
— Damn. Alice, stay alert. I... I have a bad feeling... — Arthur said, keeping his guard up.
Alice noticed Arthur's unease and quickly adjusted her stance, senses on high alert. Even though Hanna was on the other side of the park, capturing the scenery with her phone, Alice also kept her attention on her, ready to intervene if she did anything suspicious. She didn't completely lower her guard, still wary of Hanna's intentions.
A few minutes later...
The vocalist returned to the stage with an innocent smile, adjusting the microphone as if it were just another part of the show. Arthur took a deep breath, believing for a moment that the man was simply resuming the performance and nothing more.
—I guess it was just my paranoia — Arthur said, as Alice's guard faltered for a moment.
But suddenly, the man turned to Arthur and Alice, and the smile on his face twisted into something more sinister. He opened his mouth and let out a scream so piercing that violent sound waves shot out in all directions, destroying everything in front of him without warning.
— Damn, get back! — Arthur shouted, pushing Alice away and taking the attack instead.
Arthur froze amid the destruction, his body stiff and his ears throbbing with pain... blood dripping from the corners of his eyes and ears, staining the ground beneath him.
— Arthur! — Alice tried to pull him out of the attack's range, but the vocalist let out another deafening roar that threw her almost fifty meters away, her body crashing brutally against a pole.
The scene had turned into a true hell. Trees, poles, and wires were shattered, and the people who had been smiling and celebrating moments ago now lay on the ground... some dead, others just groaning and crying, unable to speak or hear, begging for help with desperate gestures and pure terror in their eyes.
— Ah... so you're the problem that bothers our organization so much. I should congratulate you, you're the only test subject who escaped for so long — the vocalist murmured, walking toward Arthur, who was still on the ground trying to regain consciousness.
— Pleasure... I'm Darian, singer, songwriter, and of course... member of Humans Upper. And you must be Arthur, right? Hm... no need to introduce yourself. After all... you don't seem like a big deal — Darian said with disdain, observing Arthur lying there, injured and vulnerable.
He quickly glanced at Alice, unconscious, and whispered that he'd deal with her later.
— Well... I'll take you and end this mess as quickly as possible — Darian said, his gaze fixed on Arthur.
He reached out to grab Arthur but forgot that Hanna was still nearby. She appeared with a katana made from her power, delivering a vertical strike to cut his arm. Her movements were fast and precise, as if she had been waiting for this moment to attack.
But Darian was fast too. He dodged part of the attack, taking only a superficial cut on his arm. He didn't look surprised at all.
— Well, well... if it isn't Hanna. Our boss is pretty mad at you, you know? — Darian commented with a cynical smile, watching Hanna position herself between him and Arthur.
— I don't give a damn about you or that damn Humans Upper. Now, if you want to avoid me ripping your head off, get out of here — Hanna threatened, furrowing her brow.
Darian laughed and pointed a finger at her.
— You should have run before I remembered I have to take you too... now, you'll suffer until your last breath — Darian whispered with a cold smile, adopting a threatening stance, ready to face Hanna in a fierce and merciless fight.