A Little Earlier
Ron descended in front of NACHIO's tower.
"Ron, Lia and Carter have headed toward the Scars' headquarters," Dream's voice echoed in his mind.
"I've reached NACHIO's headquarters," Ron replied calmly.
The moment Ron stepped inside, a blazing fireball shot toward him. He raised his hand, a shimmering armor forming around it, and swatted the fire aside.
From every direction, armed men rushed at him. The instant they crossed a certain distance, crackling electricity burst around Ron — and they collapsed before even touching him.
Ron stepped forward as if nothing had happened.
Suddenly, multiple missiles streaked toward the building. Ron teleported outside in a flash — and the tower exploded behind him in a deafening blast.
Who fired those missiles? Ron thought.
Then… he felt a presence.
A man emerged through the smoke, walking steadily toward him, a massive scythe resting on his shoulder.
"You Foster fools… I will end you all," the man said coldly.
"Who are you?" Ron asked.
"What? You don't know me? You must be new to Foster," the man replied.
Ron smirked. "No… Foster and I have a very old relationship."
The man stopped walking.
"I am Eric. The head of NACHIO."
Ron met his gaze. "I am Ron… the head of Roster."
Eric burst into laughter. "Kid, are you joking?"
Ron laughed as well. "No. I'm not."
Eric's laughter faded. So did Ron's.
"Bring me the head of Foster," Eric said firmly.
Ron said nothing.
The wind howled through the night as the two men stared each other down.
Suddenly, something blew into Eric's eye.
"Ouch! My eyes!" Eric yelled.
Ron laughed — but a plastic bag flew straight into his mouth.
Eric laughed now.
Ron ripped the bag away. Eric rubbed his eyes, now clear again.
They locked eyes once more.
Then — in an instant — both vanished.
---
Somewhere in Hero Town, sparks flew as Blade of Vengeance clashed with Eric's scythe. The shockwave shattered nearby buildings.
They disappeared again — reappearing elsewhere in the city, weapons colliding midair.
Strike after strike echoed through the streets.
"Damn… how can you handle such a huge weapon?" Ron said while parrying.
Eric grinned. "You're impressive with that sword. I've rarely seen someone move like you."
Their blades met again. Metal screamed.
Eric swung with brute force, sending Ron crashing through several buildings despite his block.
Ron looked up — but Eric was gone.
In the same moment, Eric rushed around the ruins and attacked from behind.
Ron barely blocked, grabbed Eric's hand gripping the scythe, and slammed a series of kicks into his body. With one final powerful kick, Eric flew across multiple structures.
Ron chased him — but Eric slashed forward, forcing Ron to teleport behind him at the last second. Ron punched Eric hard, slamming him into the ground and creating a massive crater.
Before Eric could stand, Ron tried to stomp him — but Eric caught Ron's leg mid-air, leaped upward, and slammed Ron violently into the ground.
Ron retaliated with a spinning kick to Eric's face, sending him crashing into a petrol station.
The entire place erupted in flames.
Eric burst through the fire and drove his scythe toward Ron's stomach. Ron teleported — but Eric anticipated it, swinging the handle backward and striking Ron.
Eric followed up with a kick to Ron's head — but Ron vanished again, appearing above him.
Ron grabbed Eric's face and drove him into the ground.
Eric shot his elongated hands upward, grabbing Ron by the throat and hurling him into a nearby shopping district, reducing it to rubble.
Eric stood — but Ron reappeared behind him and slashed.
Eric blocked, yet was still sent flying miles away.
Ron reappeared in front of him. Eric swung — but hit only an afterimage.
The real Ron struck him from behind, sending him crashing through countless structures… and landing right beside Louis.
Eric rose first, helped Louis up, exchanged a few words — then flew away.
Ron tackled him at lightning speed into a nearby forest.
Ron summoned his sword and aimed for Eric's head — but Eric dodged.
Eric extended his arms unnaturally and delivered a brutal combo, forcing Ron back.
Ron teleported above — aiming for Eric's throat — but Eric narrowly dodged.
Ron sliced through Eric's extended arms — but they regenerated instantly, grabbing Ron by the leg and slamming him into the ground repeatedly.
Ron hurled his sword toward Eric's throat.
Eric shot into the sky.
Ron teleported again — appearing inches from Eric.
"Very predictable," Eric said.
With his elongated hands, he caught Blade of Vengeance and drove it straight into Ron's chest.
Ron staggered, coughing.
"I enjoyed this fight… but one of us had to die," Eric said coldly.
Then — Eric froze.
He felt something sharp against his neck.
"Yes… one of us does," Ron's voice came from behind him.
Eric turned slightly — the Ron he had stabbed vanished into thin air.
"An… afterimage?" Eric muttered.
"Exactly," Ron replied, scythe now pressed against Eric's neck.
"Any last words?" Ron asked.
Eric exhaled slowly. "No… just finish it."
Ron tightened his grip.
"Very well."