The alley stretched before them like a dark throat, shadows pooling at its edges. Ken felt the tension in the air tighten like a wire. Beside him, Josuke cracked his knuckles, Crazy Diamond flickering into existence for just a moment, a pink aura that radiated quiet menace.
Ken's System pulsed in the corner of his vision:
[Proximity Alert: Hostile Stand Detected]
[Scanning...]
Name: Angelo Katagiri
Ability: Stand - Aqua Necklace
Type: Liquid form; can infiltrate bodies through water or open orifices. Fatal when uncontrolled.]
Threat Level: Medium.
Ken kept his face calm, even as his mind raced. So this is the first real fight. If Aqua Necklace gets into Josuke, it's over. And me? I'm a civilian without a Stand. One mistake, and I'm dead.
Josuke gritted his teeth. "Angelo. I knew it was you."A harsh laugh echoed from the shadows. "Smart kid. Shame you brought a friend to die with you."
Water dripped from a broken pipe nearby. It slithered unnaturally toward them like a snake, forming a shimmering liquid face, eyes glaring with malice.
Ken's System pinged again:
[Option Available: Temporary Buff – Reflex Boost (30 sec)]
Cost: 500 points. Purchase?
Finally, something useful.Ken mentally confirmed.
[Purchased: Reflex Boost Active.]
His senses sharpened instantly. The sound of water sliding, the faint hiss of the evening breeze, everything felt crystal clear. Feels like bullet time, he thought grimly.
"Stay back," Josuke barked, Crazy Diamond flickering fully into view, fists raised. The Stand punched the ground, sending fragments of concrete scattering.
Aqua Necklace lunged, darting through the shards like a streak of mercury. Josuke swung, but the water split, reforming around the blow.
Ken moved instinctively, snatching a piece of rebar from the rubble. Not much, but better than nothing. The water veered toward him, sharp as a blade.
"Shit-"He swung hard, the bar connecting with the stream mid air. It scattered, droplets flying, but Ken knew it wasn't over.
Think! I don't have a Stand, but I have the System and the death note.
He triggered Analyze again:
[Weakness Detected: Containment required. Solid, airtight confinement neutralizes ability.]
Ken's eyes darted to a broken glass bottle nearby. He grabbed it, smashing the bottom off. Not perfect, but…
"Josuke!" he yelled. "Bottle it! Force it inside!"
Josuke blinked, then grinned. "Not bad."Crazy Diamond blurred into motion, grabbing Aqua Necklace mid lunge and shoving it into the bottle with inhuman precision. The Stand screeched as glass shards sealed its form.
Josuke sealed the top with tape in one fluid move. "And stay there."
Ken exhaled hard, his heart pounding. He'd just survived his first Stand battle without a Stand and proved useful.Josuke turned to him, smirking. "You've got quick thinking for someone who doesn't fight."
The System chimed sweetly:
[Trust Level Increased: 42%]
[Reward: +500 Points for slight divergence in story.]
Ken's smile was calm, but his thoughts were electric. Almost halfway there. Once trust hits 100%, Crazy Diamond is mine.
As they walked away, Ken's mind raced with plans. If this is what mid-tier Stands can do… I can't waste time. I need power before something worse shows up.
His eyes flickered. And I know just how to get it.
End of Chapter 7.