Neo finally fell asleep, his body succumbing to exhaustion despite the magical healing. He was still badly damaged from the blood loss.
Sosiego knelt beside him, his doctor's instincts taking over. He checked Neo's pulse and breathing. "He'll be okay," he announced, his voice clinical. "But he needs serious rest to recover from the blood loss. The magic mended the wound, but it didn't replace what was spilled."
Kiro turned his attention to the bodyguard. "I still didn't catch your name, Green Guy."
The bodyguard offered a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Just keep calling me that for now."
"So, where did this fake Silas go?" Kiro asked, his voice low.
The bodyguard handed Kiro a small, sleek tracker. "I put this on him before he left. But listen to me do not go after him. I could barely hold him off. I couldn't take him."
Kiro took the tracker. His eyes burned with a determined, calm rage. A faint, eerie blue light seemed to leak from his irises for a split second, a visible sign of the power simmering beneath his calm exterior.
"Okay," Kiro said, his voice deceptively even.
The bodyguard looked him up and down, sensing the change. "Kiro... you look stronger. But you've been warned."
Without another word, Kiro turned and sprinted off into the night, the tracker clenched in his fist.
Sosiego was immediately on his feet. "Wait up!" he called, and took off after him.
Sosiego pushed his body to the limit, barely able to match Kiro's pace.
SOSIEGO: (Breathing heavily) "You've... gotten faster! How?"
KIRO: (Eyes fixed ahead) "I don't know. But this Negative-F Cube... it makes me stronger every time I get damaged and heal. It happens fast. There's no info on a Cube like this."
Sosiego ran alongside him, his mind racing faster than his feet.
SOSIEGO: "That's... interesting. Did you get this Cube right before the lockdown of the slums?"
KIRO: "Yes."
SOSIEGO: (Letting out a sharp, incredulous laugh) "Oh! That means you're the thief the entire Navy is after! You've got guts, kid."
KIRO: "No, it wasn't me! A hooded man gave it to me. I just touched it and passed out. I must have broken it by accident. The Navy spotted me right after, and that's when the lockdown started."
SOSIEGO: "That man... he must be a rebel." A look of genuine respect crossed his face. "I'm a big fan. Anyway, be careful. The hunt for you is serious. A Vice-Admiral and a Rear Admiral are being deployed. The Minister of Police is personally on the case."
KIRO: "I'll be careful."
The signal on the tracker pulsed insistently. They were almost there.
They arrived at the edge of a vast airfield, a wide-open space that stretched towards a monumental sight Kiro had only ever seen from a distance: the Great Wall. It was a colossal barrier that seemed to hold up the sky itself, spanning as far as the eye could see in both directions.
KIRO: (Stopping for a moment, awe in his voice) "The Great Wall... I always saw it from the slums, but up close... it's immense. The last wall we climbed was nothing. I never got this close. Seeing its full length... I always wondered what was beyond it."
SOSIEGO: (Not even breaking stride, his tone dismissive) "I've been beyond it. It's nothing special. Just desert."
KIRO: "Are you sure?"
SOSIEGO: "Yes. But beyond that... there are other things. Mostly abandoned ruins of the old world. Anyway," he said, pointing, "there's our target."
An airship was powering up its engines, preparing to leave.
Forgetting the wall, they sprinted toward the vessel.
They made it just in time. The imposter who wore Silas's face was already there, sitting casually on the edge of the rising airship, looking down at them as if they were insects.
THE IMPOSTER: "You kids just made it. How did you track me? Wait..." He smirked, pulling off his jacket and letting it fall to the ground. "Did that Green Clan guy put a tracker on me? Little old me? Nice try." He looked directly at Kiro. "Bounty hunter, I won't fight you right now. You're too weak."
KIRO: "Get down here, or I'm coming up!"
Shadowy hands erupted from the ground, gripping Kiro and Sosiego's ankles, rooting them in place.
THE IMPOSTER: "Poor, poor kids. You are simply too weak."
As Kiro struggled, sparks crackled to life around his left arm. A white, jagged bolt of energy—like static electricity—wrapped around his forearm. It wasn't powerful, but it burned, a sharp, stinging sensation in his hand. Sosiego saw it from the corner of his eye, his own struggle momentarily forgotten in surprise.
Kiro, gritting his teeth, swiped his arm toward the airship as if throwing a knife. A thin, slicing bolt of energy shot from his hand, aimed straight for the Imposter.
The Imposter didn't even move. A shield of pure darkness enveloped the airship. The bolt hit it with a loud BANG, leaving a small, quickly-sealing hole in the dark energy.
THE IMPOSTER: (His voice echoing down) "Nice. You're full of tricks. Until next time."
The airship flew away, disappearing into the sky.
SOSIEGO: (Placing a hand on Kiro's trembling shoulder) "Calm down, bounty hunter. We'll get him next time. I promise."
kiro ok but i promise i be stronger next time.
they returned to the group VESPER there organise them to be tranportedto sky city
VESPER you 2 back i am setting them up for healing.
KIRO: (A tired, but genuine look at Sosiego) "Sure. I trust you."
SOSIEGO: (His expression unreadable) "I don't."
The group returned to the safety of Vesper's mansion. They spent the night in the advanced healing tanks, the green liquid working its miracles.
NEXT DAY - SATURDAY
The morning found them fully restored, the horrors of the previous night sealed away as scars and memories. Raiji stretched, feeling the vibrant energy coursing through his body.
RAIJI: "That tech works good. I've never seen anything like it. The clans really are on another level when it comes to wealth." His expression turned serious, a competitive fire igniting in his eyes. "I really should start prepping for my champion match against King Croc."
The bodyguard, who had been silently observing, stepped forward.
THE BODYGUARD: "I could spar with you."
The bodyguard led Raiji to a specialized training area an open yard with a solid iron floor and a complex machine system humming against the far wall. He held a steaming cup of coffee, completely at ease.
THE BODYGUARD: (Taking a slow sip) "Come at me. Your goal is to try and hit this coffee. At the very least, make me spill it."
Raiji shot forward like the wind, a blur of blinding speed. He unleashed a flurry of attacks: a horizontal slash, dodged with a slight lean; a side slash, avoided with a sidestep; a thrust, countered by a simple step back. Finally, with a grunt of effort, he unleashed a Super Wind Slash.
The bodyguard didn't dodge. He simply reached out and caught the blade of compressed air in his free hand. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it back at Raiji.
RAIJI: "Whoa!" He crossed his blades just in time to block his own reflected attack, the force pushing him back several feet, his shoes scraping against the iron floor.
The bodyguard took another calm sip of his untouched coffee.
THE BODYGUARD: "You need to work on your footwork. And your damage output. Speed is nothing without precision and power behind it."
The bodyguard walked over to the machine interface and typed in a command. A panel in the wall slid open, revealing a sleek, humanoid robot. It was armored like a samurai, wielded two swords, and had a green dragon emblem emblazoned on its back.
THE BODYGUARD: "Here's your new sparring buddy. Level 2. That's about where you're at."
Kiro, who had wandered over to watch, burst out laughing. "Poor little baby!"
VEYRA: (Watching from a bench with a sarcastic smile) "Interesting. He definitely needs a break, poor thing."
RAIJI: (Ignoring them, eyes locked on the robot) "Not funny! I'll beat this hunk of bolts! I'll reach max level!"
He dashed forward, spinning into a powerful cut. The robot blocked effortlessly with one blade, then instantly countered with the other. Raiji saw it coming, but it was too fast. He managed to block the counter-strike, but the sheer force slammed into him, pushing him back across the iron floor.
Back in the training yard, Raiji focused, trying to implement the bodyguard's advice. He moved with deliberate steps, his focus entirely on improving his footwork, learning to ground his speed with precision.
[FLASHBACK - 17 YEARS AGO]
The air in the mid-sized dojo was thick with the smell of metal and the sounds of clashing swords and smiths hammering in the background. Young Raiji, no more than a child, practiced relentlessly on a dummy with a wooden sword.
His father, the Dojo Master, called him over. "Raiji, your next fight. A small spar with him." He pointed to a teenager from a rival dojo. "Just a fun spar, no formal competition yet. The winner gets a spot in the upcoming tournament."
They entered a small, sand-covered arena, surrounded by watching students. The teen boy, about 15 years old and a tall 5 feet, smirked as Raiji stepped in.
TEEN BOY: "You're not so scary as the rumors go." He laughed.
They got into their stances. In the blink of an eye, they dashed at each other. But Raiji was faster a blur. He disarmed the teen with a strike to his palm, and in the same motion, placed the tip of his own wooden sword against the boy's neck.
The match was over.
DOJO MASTER: "Raiji wins."
The teen boy stood frozen, his smirk replaced by a look of pure fear and shock.
The other students whispered amongst themselves.
A STUDENT: (Muttering) "He moved like the wind..."
ANOTHER STUDENT: "He's not normal. Better stay away from him."
Without a word, the young Raiji simply walked away from the stunned silence, already isolated by his own talent.
[FLASHBACK - 1 YEAR LATER]
Kiro had settled into life at the dojo. He picked up a sword for the first time, and the Dojo Master began his training, quickly recognizing a natural, if unrefined, talent. He taught Kiro the basics: how to parry and use a fast step. During their sessions, the Master would block nearly all of Kiro's wild attacks, intentionally letting a few through to give him experience.
KIRO: "Can I fight Raiji for practice? He's my age."
THE MASTER: "He fights against adults... and wins."
Nearby, Raiji watched the exchange, a nervous gulp catching in his throat. This new kid was different.
KIRO: (Grinning) "Yes, I am. I'll take it easy on you," he joked.
The master nodded. "Okay."
They stepped into the arena and picked up the practice swords. Raiji fell into his perfect, practiced stance, his mind racing. (Here goes another one. We could have been friends. Come on, I need to learn to hold back.)
Kiro, in contrast, couldn't even settle into a proper stance; it was one of his first days.
They dashed at each other. Raiji tried the same disarming technique he'd used a year prior, moving even faster, aiming a precise strike at Kiro's wrist. But Kiro's raw instincts kicked in he blocked.
They stood locked, blades pressed together. Raiji darted again, but Kiro stepped back and blocked once more. (He knows? No, must be a fluke.)
Raiji went for the wrist strike a third time. This time, Kiro's grip was knocked loose, his sword about to fall. But in a burst of pure reflex, Kiro grabbed the falling blade with his bare hand and, using the momentum, swung it up to tap Raiji's neck.
A stunned silence fell over the yard.
Raiji's eyes were wide with disbelief.
RAIJI: (Voice barely a whisper) "Father... I think Kiro won."
The Dojo Master finally broke from his surprise. "Kiro wins."
He looked at the panting, unrefined boy who had just beaten his prodigy son not with technique, but with sheer, unbelievable instinct.
THE DOJO MASTER: "Kiro... are you a prodigy? Or just a genius?"
KIRO: (Panting, but with a huge grin) "That was a good match! I had fun. Let's have a rematch next time. But stop holding back! I want to see how good you really are. I can tell you're copying your past moves use new ones!"
RAIJI: (A genuine, surprised smile spreads across his face) "Really? Okay. Tomorrow. 2nd round."
Kiro spent the rest of the day practicing, desperately trying to improve his grip and stance.
THE NEXT DAY - THE REMATCH
Raiji began with the same disarming move, but this time it was a feint. He instantly dropped low, sweeping at Kiro's ankle. Caught off guard, Kiro jumped back, almost losing his balance. In that moment of vulnerability, Raiji moved in at high speed. Kiro almost reacted in time, but Raiji's practice sword tapped him squarely in the chest.
Raiji stood over him with a fierce, triumphant grin.
THE MASTER: "Raiji wins."
KIRO: (Getting up and brushing himself off) "Good match."
Raiji looked down, his usual confidence mixed with something new respect.
KIRO: "Let's have a rematch next week! I want to improve and beat you!" He laughed, taking the loss in stride.
Raiji finally looked up, meeting Kiro's challenge. He saw a determination that mirrored his own. For the first time, he made a joke.
RAIJI: "Someone as weak as you? Never."
And in that moment, a bond was forged. They both dashed at each other again, not as rivals, but as friends pushing each other to become the strongest versions of themselves.
KIRO: (Panting, but with a huge grin) "That was a good match! I had fun. Let's have a rematch next time. But stop holding back! I want to see how good you really are. I can tell you're copying your past moves use new ones!"
RAIJI: (A genuine, surprised smile spreads across his face) "Really? Okay. Tomorrow. 22nd round."
Kiro spent the rest of the day practicing, desperately trying to improve his grip and stance.
THE NEXT DAY - THE REMATCH
Raiji began with the same disarming move, but this time it was a feint. He instantly dropped low, sweeping at Kiro's ankle. Caught off guard, Kiro jumped back, almost losing his balance. In that moment of vulnerability, Raiji moved in at high speed. Kiro almost reacted in time, but Raiji's practice sword tapped him squarely in the chest.
Raiji stood over him with a fierce, triumphant grin.
THE MASTER: "Raiji wins."
KIRO: (Getting up and brushing himself off) "Good match."
Raiji looked down, his usual confidence mixed with something new respect.
KIRO: "Let's have a rematch next week! I want to improve and beat you!" He laughed, taking the loss in stride.
Raiji finally looked up, meeting Kiro's challenge. He saw a determination that mirrored his own. For the first time, he made a joke.
RAIJI: "Someone as weak as you? Never."
And in that moment, a bond was forged. They both dashed at each other again, not as rivals, but as friends pushing each other to become the strongest versions of themselves.
THE MASTER: "Kiro, you improve fast. You have talent, but not talent in the sword." He gestured to Kiro's form. "At this point, you should at least have a weak stance, but you have none. You don't have a style, and your footwork is garbage."
RAIJI: "I noticed that, but... it's not important." He defended his friend, valuing his spirit over his technique.
THE MASTER: "No, it is important. It is the base for a swordsman. Strong legs and good footwork equal strong attacks." He looked at Kiro thoughtfully, not with criticism, but with clarity. "So, I am going to send you to two other masters. Kiro, you will be a brawler. It is much better for you. Good luck. I will have it prepared for you both by tomorrow."
[PRESENT DAY]
A look of pure clarity dawned on Raiji's face. "I got it! That's how!"
He quickly adjusted his footwork, planting his stronger side firmly and using it as an anchor. He spun, keeping his other foot grounded for stability, and then launched into a devastating dash. His blade cut through the air and slammed into the training robot with a loud CLANG, leaving a visible dent in its armored chest.
THE BODYGUARD: "Impressive."
RAIJI: (A triumphant grin spreading across his face) "I landed a hit! And I damaged it! Hey, Green, did you see?!"
KIRO: (Nodding with a proud smile) "He called you 'Green'."
VEYRA: (From the sidelines, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm) "Not bad for a swordsman with no brain. Right, Green?"
The bodyguard, who had been patiently enduring the nickname, finally snapped. He turned to them, a vein twitching on his forehead.
THE BODYGUARD: "My name... is not Green."