Volume 0 — Part 1 — Chapter 4: The Blade and the Trap
The city was sleeping.
Silent. Cold.
In this modern bourgeois city, the suspended roads crisscrossed in superimposed layers, covering the space in all directions. A masterpiece of type A-modern architecture, where technology had redesigned the horizon.
Above her, the night breathed.
Black — and yet luminous.
The new moon was enthroned in a sky studded with stars. An icy breeze swept through the heights, brushing against the roofs and suspended arteries. The universe seemed visible to the naked eye — vast, splendid, almost unreal.
But the calm would not last.
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Coming into play — Nine
— No need for your gusts of wind... look at the expert.
Nine got into position.
—Nine tails—Kitsune Form.
Nine tails shot out behind him, vibrating like rotors.
He rushed forward.
His speed became dizzying—he crossed the entire area in an instant, like a living projectile.
Soon, a superior road appeared before him.
The target.
The carrier.
Without slowing down, he leapt—a colossal leap—and slammed into the vehicle head-on, causing it to wobble.
His fingers transformed: long, sharp claws emerged like those of a feline.
A precise shot.
The armor tore.
But as he entered, his instinct screamed danger.
He jumped back — and a sphere of compressed air tore through the space where he had been a moment ago.
A man got out of the truck.
Thin aristocratic features.
Blonde hair, blue eyes.
Red cape, noble outfit and rapier at the side.
A hero.
Nine smiled.
— Oh… another A-class hero after Third Wonder.
Looks like this is the Masked Aristocrat.
The man remained impassive.
— Oh… you will witness your decline alone.
Facing a true blade of justice.
Because I… I am the hero.
Nine sighed.
— Hypocrisy, arrogance... you give me the sheaf.
He approached slowly.
— Come on. I will crush you without even reaching my limits.
Arrived within range:
— Junk hero...
With all respect due to a true blade — and contempt due to a hypocrite...
Let me show you what a real blade is.
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Rescue — 63
On a roof, 63 jumped up.
Blood wings sprouted from his back.
He gained height, observed the city — then spotted the target.
He dove.
— Hemoglobin: Bloody tornado
Blood swirled around him, forming a destructive tendril.
Impact.
BOOM
The shock pulverized the upper road. Debris cascaded down to the lower level.
Right — 36, chained.
63 cut his bonds remotely by manipulating his blood.
She immediately freed herself—jumped on his back, joyful.
— It took you a long time! They were mean!
He walked towards Third Wonder.
Their blood materialized into weapons:
Fake binoculars for him
Sharp ribbon for her
Under the scarlet moon, they marched together into battle.
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On the roof
During this time…
First rested his head on Luó.
—Are you going to stay like this for a long time? he asked.
— Does that bother you?
"Not really… as long as it's you, Aliss.
She smiles.
- Really ?
He looked away.
"As long as you're here... everything will be fine.
I can stay lazy.
—Those who are alike flock together...
Watch them run towards their goals. And you ?
— I am with you.
Silence.
He blushed slightly.
— Tell me… will you always keep your promise—
She put a finger to her lips.
— Shh.
She stood up.
— I only have one word. I always come back.
So stay here…and watch.
She disappeared.
A card—Nine of Spades—remained in its place.
—This tiara that they think they took from me...already belongs to me.
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The trap
Aliss appeared near a gate in a park.
A few steps — and she reached the road.
The transporter appeared at high speed on her left, turned suddenly, forcing her to follow it towards the center of the park.
She stopped.
One second.
Then an invisible force threw her violently.
She fell in the center.
Chains.
Spells.
Encirclement.
A young man appeared behind her, hand close to her forehead.
His draconic aura resonated against hers.
Without hurting her, he placed a parchment:
— The Enclave of Torment
A blood-red sphere engulfs Aliss.
They exchanged a look.
She did not speak - yet he thought he heard:
- Not bad.
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