A new day rose, bright and clear.
The Zodiacs began preparing for their heist.
One of the members went out early to scout the parade. Hide went with her under the excuse of buying food and observing the crowd.
It was Kyoko — Number Ten.
She looked young — and she was. Only seventeen. Yet most of the group relied on her.
Hide had seen why.
When Helm's hand had shattered during their arm wrestling match, she repaired it as if rewinding time itself.
Her ability was called "Mend."
She could heal broken bones, stitch flesh, restore damage — even repair objects if she focused enough. It wasn't just healing. It was restoration.
And that made her terrifying.
The town was alive with celebration.
Music filled the streets. Masked performers danced between circus wagons. Exotic beasts walked beside handlers. Vendors shouted over each other, selling sweets, trinkets, and strange curiosities.
Hide walked beside Kyoko through the crowd.
He paused at one booth selling unusual items.
A mask caught his eye.
It had a wide, exaggerated smile carved into it — playful, almost mocking.
Hide stared at it for a moment.
Then he bought it.
Kyoko tilted her head.
"So what's the mask for?"
"For the mission," Hide replied calmly.
She studied him for a second.
"So… are you planning to join our group?"
Hide shook his head slightly.
"I'm sorry. I have somewhere I need to go."
Kyoko didn't seem upset.
"I see… Well, have fun on your adventure then. Maybe we'll cross paths again."
"Maybe."
They returned to the inn as the sun began to set.
Night fell.
The parade still roared with celebration — perfect cover.
Each Zodiac member wore their own mask.
Hide placed the smiling mask over his face.
Chronos gave final instructions.
"It doesn't matter if blood is spilled. What matters is the money and antiques."
Hide stayed silent.
He still wasn't sure how they planned to move that much treasure.
Then he remembered Rose.
Number Twelve.
Her ability allowed her to create small, adorable creatures — soft, doll-like beings.
They could consume objects and store them inside their bodies, expanding as they did.
An entire vault could disappear into something that looked like a stuffed toy.
They moved toward the manor.
Security was tight.
Guards lined the walls. Adventurers stood watch.
The Zodiacs split immediately.
Kyoko and another member created a disturbance outside.
Rose and two others slipped toward the vault.
Number Twelve positioned herself in a tree, relaying information through communication stones.
Hide stayed beside Chronos.
Trust wasn't given easily.
They entered through a side corridor.
Soon, they stepped into a wide, elegant chamber.
Suddenly—
The lights flared on.
Two figures stood waiting.
"It seems we have company," Chronos said calmly.
An old man with sharp eyes stepped forward.
"No need for the masks. We know you're the Zodiacs. Surrender now… or die."
Chronos removed his mask.
Hide followed.
"So you must be the leader," the old man said. "And this is your subordinate?"
Chronos smirked.
"Enough talk."
The old man nodded to the man beside him.
"Pierre. Take the boy."
The old man and Chronos vanished into another corridor.
Pierre remained.
He moved first.
Fast.
Hide barely reacted before a strike forced him back.
Pierre's fists carried monstrous force.
Hide dodged, but one blow shattered his arm.
Pain shot through him—
But the bone reformed instantly.
Pierre was already behind him.
A glowing fist slammed into Hide's ribs.
He flew across the room, crashing through furniture.
Pierre's arms glowed brighter.
His power was rising.
Hide steadied himself.
He's enhancing physical output… pure power type.
Pierre charged again.
Walls cracked. Floors split.
Hide countered with a punch — strong enough to send Pierre sliding back.
But Pierre didn't flinch.
He smiled.
His arms glowed again.
Hide was struck in the gut and thrown into a wall.
He tasted blood.
Then—
Hide caught Pierre's next punch mid-air.
Pierre's eyes widened.
Hide's arm glowed faintly.
He mirrored the same energy Pierre had used.
A copied movement.
A copied surge.
Hide struck back.
Pierre flew through the wall and dropped from the third floor, crashing into the lower level and leaving a crater.
At that same moment—
"Rose is done," came the message over the communication stone.
The vault was empty.
Hide didn't hesitate.
He vanished from the room.
The old man arrived below, kneeling beside Pierre.
"What happened?"
Pierre coughed.
"That boy… copied my move. One strike."
The old man's eyes narrowed.
"His hand had no number mark?"
"No."
"I see…" the old man muttered. "I'd like to fight him properly one day."
At the rendezvous point, the Zodiacs gathered.
Chronos stood at the center.
"Glad you made it," he said. "Have you made your decision?"
Hide removed his mask.
"I'm sorry. I have somewhere I need to go."
One member bristled, but Chronos lifted a hand.
"No. Let him go."
Chronos looked at Hide carefully.
"You handled yourself well. Those two you fought? Top-ranked adventurers."
Hide nodded.
"Well then," Chronos continued, "goodbye, Cyrus-kun. May we meet again."
One by one, the Zodiacs disappeared into the night.
Hide stood alone for a moment.
"They're not bad people," he murmured. "Just walking a different path."
He turned away.
The smiling mask hung loosely in his hand.
His journey continued.
And somewhere in the city, two powerful adventurers now knew of a mysterious boy who could copy abilities.
Hide smiled faintly.
This world is bigger than I thought.
Then he walked into the night.