🌆 Rooftop, Night
The city lights stretched beneath them like a sea of fireflies.
Ren wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced at Kiyomi, who was already in her battle stance — calm, poised, and definitely not awkward.
Ren, meanwhile, was trying to look cool but failing spectacularly.
"So," Ren said, breathing heavy, "what's first? More ghost-swatting lessons? Fight Kazuki again?"
Kiyomi smirked. "Pulse Step. It's your new movement skill. You'll thank me when you don't eat concrete in the next fight."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Pulse Step, huh? Sounds like a techie dance move."
Kiyomi rolled her eyes but didn't stop him from trying i
t out.
⚡ Pulse Step Trial
Ren focused.
He pushed off the rooftop wall.
And suddenly—
He blinked.
One second he was here, the next, a few feet to the right.
It felt like teleporting—but only a few meters.
"Whoa. That's actually… pretty sick," Ren said, grinning.
Kiyomi nodded. "Only downside? Seven-second cooldown. Use it smart."
Ren's grin faded.
"Seven seconds feels like forever when you're running from a monster."
🥋 Sparring Match: Ren vs. Kiyomi
"Alright, show me what you've got," Kiyomi challenged.
Ren swallowed. "Uh, does running away count?"
"Nope."
The two clashed, fists and energy flying.
Ren was faster thanks to Pulse Step, but Kiyomi was precise—like a hawk stalking its prey.
Ren got tagged once—hard enough to send him sliding across
the rooftop.
"Ow," Ren wheezed. "Okay, you're terrifying."
Kiyomi smirked. "You're learning
."
💬 Moment of Vulnerability
As they caught their breath, Ren looked out over the city.
"You ever miss… just being normal?"
Kiyomi's eyes softened.
"I lost normal a long time ago."
She glanced at him, then looked away.
"But we don't get to choose. Only how we fight."
Ren nodded.
"And maybe who
we fight with."
🌑 Somewhere Else: The Seed Moves
Meanwhile, deep in a forgotten subway tunnel, the Sky Eater Seed slithered through shadows.
Its pale hands scraped the walls, searching.
It stopped.
Sensed something.
A flicker of power.
A Skyborn.
The hunt had begun.
🐔 Post-Rooftop Chaos
Back at home, Ren opened the door to a fluffy explosion of feathers.
Kazuki was waiting, perched on Jin's ramen cart, looking more judgmental than ever.
Jin chuckled. "That chicken's got more fight in him than half the city."
Ren rubbed his head.
"Don't r
emind me."
🔥 Chapter 10 Teaser:
> Ren's training pushes limits. Kiyomi shares a rare smile. The Watcher watches closer, and the first Sky Eater Seed targets its first victim. Chaos is coming—and Ren's ready or not, he's in the middle of i
t.