The bounty hunter's hover bike tore through the forest like a streak of crimson light, cutting across trees and rock. Sparks trailed behind his thrusters as he pushed his engine beyond safe limits.
"Persistent bastard…" he muttered, glancing up.
Above the treeline — two shadows followed.
Boros and I.
We sliced through the air like meteors, gravity bending beneath Boros' control. Wind howled past my ears as I focused on the fleeing target below.
"There he is!" I yelled.
"I can see him, kid!" Boros grunted, raising his left hand. The air distorted — trees ripped from the ground, roots and dirt twisting midair.
He hurled them like spears.
The bounty hunter dodged with reckless precision — weaving left, ducking under one, vaulting above another.
"Persistent, aren't you?!" Boros barked.
The man laughed through his comms, his armor glowing red. "You think some wood can stop me?"
The cliff was up ahead — a long drop that ended in white mist. If he jumped, he'd vanish.
"Boros! He's going for the edge!"
"Not today."
Boros' eyes flared — the gravity field around the bounty hunter's bike snapped. The hover bike jerked midair, engines screaming before it froze completely.
"What the—?!" Raghnar gasped, thrown forward.
His body flew past the edge — arms flailing — before gravity reclaimed him.
"Got him!" I shouted, but Boros shook his head.
"Criminals like him don't die that easy."
Falling through the mist, Raghnar grinned and pulled something from his belt — a dark, crystalline stone pulsing with light.
He smashed it.
A ripple of energy spread.
Space twisted.
Boros' expression turned grim. "Ah… shit. He had one of those."
The air warped as Raghnar's body began to fade, dissolving into glowing fragments. His voice echoed faintly — smug, mocking.
"See you around, Alpha Killer."
Then, just before vanishing, he raised his middle finger.
And he was gone.
Boros sighed, rubbing his temple. "Teleportation stone. Black market Sky City tech. Only criminals that desperate carry those."
We landed beside the wrecked hover bike. It was like something out of a nightmare — a monstrous machine straight from a heavy metal fever dream.
Its front was a massive alien skull, eyes glowing crimson like blood-soaked moons. The bike's frame was jagged, rusted, and brutal — exhaust pipes snaking from its sides like mechanical veins. The jaw plating was reinforced with dark armor, giving it a savage, snarling look.
Boros placed a hand on it. "So this is the legendary Skull Rider, huh? Didn't think I'd ever see one in person."
He smirked and threw one leg over the seat.
"Come on, kid. We're not walking back."
"Wait—you can ride this thing?"
He twisted the throttle. The engine roared like a beast awakening. He lit his cigar with the exhaust flame and said with a grin,
"Guess we're about to find out."
I climbed on, the engine rumbling beneath us. The bike leapt forward, cutting through the forest in a blur of speed and sound.
We arrived at a small city an hour later. Neon signs flickered across damp streets, and the hum of tech filled the air. While Boros went to report the attack to the local authorities, I stood outside, watching the people staring at us — mostly at me.
To think… a week ago, I was just another village kid.
But what is this some kind of sci-fi setting ?
When Boros came back out, he looked tired but calm. "Alright, kid. The police will look out for that bastard, though I doubt he'll resurface soon."
He handed me a metallic badge. "Take this. Find a hotel nearby and lay low for tonight. I'll track him down and meet you tomorrow."
"Wait—you're leaving me alone?"
"Relax," he said, flicking ash from his cigar. "You've got the badge. Flash it, and the locals will treat you right."
He paused, then pulled out his phone and tossed it to me.
"By the way… this is why you've got a target on your back."
I frowned. "What's this?"
The screen glowed — a page from the Dark Net.
My name. My photo.
Bounty: 2,000,000 B.
"What the hell—?! Why?!"
Boros sighed. "Kid, your second awakening wasn't exactly subtle. You basically glowed like a goddamn festival firework. People noticed. Some want to study your body… some want to control it… others want to sell it."
My stomach turned. "...Sell ?"
"Yep. To scientists, collectors, cultists, or worse — people who'd use you for experiments or… breeding."
I blinked. "Breeding?!"
He shrugged, walking away. "World's full of psychos. Get used to it. Now stay put — I'll be back by morning."
Then, with a wave of his hand, he floated into the air, gravity bending around him.
Once he was gone, I turned back to the Skull Rider.
The engine purred softly — almost inviting me.
I'd never ridden one of these before… but how hard could it be?
I climbed on, grabbed the handles, and kicked off.
The hover bike roared to life, jolting me back.
"WHOOOAAA—!!!"
I nearly lost control — weaving through the streets, scattering pedestrians.
Despite the chaos, I couldn't stop laughing.
It was fast. Wild. Alive.
For once, I felt… free.
By the time I reached a hotel, night had already fallen.
The receptionist's eyes widened when she saw the badge. "O-oh, sir! We've been expecting Libra officials. Please, right this way."
She handed me a keycard and called staff to secure the bike.
I barely managed a tired grin. "Thanks."
Once inside my room, I collapsed on the bed.
My whole body ached. My head buzzed with everything that had happened.
The hum of the city faded as my eyes closed.
Tomorrow, I thought.
Tomorrow, I'll find out just how deep this world's darkness goes.