Volume 0 — Part 1
Chapter 8 — Flame of Determination
Just one night. Dark, menacing, but clear at the same time.
Shadows lurked in the moonlight.
The icy breeze glided through every corner of the sleeping city, carrying chills to the bones.
The silence reigned, total and deafening, like that of a cemetery.
In the center of the park, a blood-red sphere, marked with deep scratches, was surrounded by seven guards arranged in a circle. They all pointed their weapons at a young man.
The sky gradually darkens, the clouds veiling the white moon and leaving only the scarlet moon visible.
Suddenly, a spear of light crashed into the iron-armored young man, passing through his shoulder in one go.
—Quish!
Before he could even comprehend it, the red sphere, the Enclave of Torment, disintegrated.
From the top of a roof, Luó observed, methodically, as if watching his favorite show... with a tub of popcorn in hand.
The sphere gave way and revealed a teenage girl wearing a black rabbit mask marked with the number 1. The circle formation of the seven guards was broken in a spat of blood, their energy completely drained.
Standing in the center, First (Aliss) faced the young man.
"Hello, apprentice fighter," she said calmly.
She tilted her head, examining her opponent.
— Bad... bad... but I forgive you. This is not how you will succeed the old S-class hero, do you know that?
She added:
— What a disappointment... Do you really think you deserve this position, or are you just an imposture?
The young man, his blood boiling, put himself in a fighting position:
— I will be the successor, with all my determination! And I'm going to make you regret talking about our "fighting lord" like that!
He lunged forward, throwing a colossal punch.
But inches from his impact, First simply shifted, walking quietly, impatient to see him coming.
In an instant, Aliss neutralized his attacks:
Downhill kick to his feet, straightening him up.
Upward punch to the chin, propelling him backwards into the air.
Luó commented from the roof:
— Clinic… just his type.
Aliss continued, implacable:
— Not very resistant, this successor... The golden word of the "Fighter" lineage is: fight even in pain, persist even with your hands in pieces.
If the successor is like this, the old man will remain for a long time. This old guy is getting grumpy with age... isn't he?
— Stop! shouted the young man as he got up, blood flowing.
— I will be a hero... a great hero... a legend of modern tales!
— You, the masters of the game, trample everything. You just let the one flower survive…it's all just fun for you.
Luó sneered:
— Words... eh. Second round? I guarantee it's your worst idea, little bug.
The young man stood up, right foot supporting him.
— My words are not a game! Today you will put respect on my words and the name of my master!
With a dazzling momentum, faster than sound, he charged. First remained impassive… but something had changed.
A few meters away, he gained new momentum, twenty times faster.
Aliss drew the ◇ card to create a unique shield, intercepting the blow at full speed.
A thought crossed the young man's mind:
— [I know I might lose... but could a player like them understand? Just...just me.]
—Ahhhh! he screamed, his heart on fire.
His determination ignited, a nascent flame that was consumed in the climax of the fight.
The two light forces collided. The light devoured everything.
First was thrown back several meters, but she immediately turned around to join her opponent.
Her right foot and hand were in tatters, but she didn't know her limits. The shield had only suffered a scratch.
She passed by him:
— A small flame... barely enough to light wood. Not bad, but insufficient.
A single breath made her sway.
"I said it… how humans like to do as they please," Luó murmured.
She turned to the others, speechless at the spectacle:
—You too, don't move while I get the tiara.
Calmly, she opened the door of the vehicle transporting the goods and grabbed a black cube box, holding it in her hand before darting towards a manhole cover.
An unconscious person tried to follow her... and immediately fell.
First launched, his last sentence before disappearing:
—That's why we shouldn't move.
A spellcaster reacts:
— She had already cast an area enchantment... at the slightest disrespect, a dagger pierces the heart. "Chained Hearts".
Another, more experienced, clarified:
—It contaminated our energy flow at the most fragile moment, as soon as the enclave was destroyed.
The youngest understood:
—That's why she didn't move throughout the fight… like you.
"Exactly," replied the experienced man. She always kept a connection with the ground… a perfect conductor. A free lesson for you, kid.
Luó, from his roof, commented:
— Like her... she even gave them points for improvement. This little one is really so kind.