Roco moved forward, punching and shooting everyone he saw. Kichu slashed through his enemies relentlessly, wearing a grin that only made him look more dangerous.
The entire gang was shaken by their sheer speed.
From their perspective, it felt like a hurricane had landed—one that destroyed everything in its path.
"What's the matter? Afraid?" Kichu called out mockingly. "You've got the numbers—over a hundred against two."
He laughed as he sliced down another man.
"You little bastard... How dare you mock us?" The scarred man staggered to his feet, blood pouring from the gunshot wound Roco had given him earlier.
"You're still alive?" Roco said coldly, raising his gun to the man's head.
"You won't kill me. I know it," the man said, smirking. "You just want to leave this planet. But forget it—I've already contacted the other gang leaders. They'll be here soon."
"Oh?" Roco raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for the update."
He glanced at Kichu. "So? Should we just kill them all or head back?"
"We should leave. I've got other things to do," Kichu replied, casually slashing through two more thugs without breaking eye contact.
"You heard him," Roco said, reloading his gun and pointing it back at the scarred man's head.
"No! You can't do this—"
"Oh, I can," Roco interrupted. "But today, I choose not to."
He turned and walked away.
The man stared at him, stunned.
Even Kichu was speechless, his jaw dropping slightly.
"Who are you and what have you done with the real Roco?" Kichu teased.
"Shut up. Can't I show a little kindness?" Roco grumbled.
"Didn't expect that word to come out of your mouth. The universe really is changing," Kichu replied with a chuckle, sheathing his sword.
"So, are we leaving or charging in?" Fizz suddenly appeared beside them.
"Shit! Don't scare me like that," Kichu flinched. "We're leaving."
"Good." Fizz grabbed Kichu, and in an instant, they vanished.
Roco holstered his revolvers and looked around at the carnage.
"Whew... There were so many of them," he muttered.
Suddenly, a bloodied man grabbed Roco's ankle.
"You... You're going to suffer," the man said weakly.
"Thank you, but I already know that" Roco said trying to push him away.
"I have a sin—called the Bad Omen. I can pass it by touch. Everyone close to you will suffer. You'll wish for death, but you won't find it. You'll live to see hell itself..."
He let out a chilling laugh.
Roco punched him unconscious.
"Bad omen, my ass."
Fizz reappeared. "Let's go."
Roco gave the fallen man one last look, then disappeared with Fizz.
Inside the spaceship...
"Are you okay?" Kichu asked Mira, Marly's sister.
"Yes…" she said softly, patting Marly's head. He was still unconscious.
"Why is this happening to us?" she whispered. "Our parents left him to me and died. I did everything I could. Now I'm sick, and he's the one struggling to take care of me. I'm the reason he's suffering."
"He's a good brother, from what I see," Kichu said. "He's fighting remove the thing you're doing right now—crying. He's trying to give you something you lost. That's what I admire in him."
She looked at Kichu, eyes still wet.
"You asked why I'm helping you," Kichu continued. "It's not out of kindness. It's because of his effort. He's trying so hard to help you. And I'm just showing him the way."
She smiled faintly, glancing down at Marly.
"Oh… I didn't ask for your name," Kichu said.
"It's Mira."
Kichu nodded. "Alright, Mira. Let's get you some rest."
Fizz and Roco entered the ship.
"Ready?" Roco asked.
"Yeah," Kichu replied, walking to the control panel.
"Texa, start the ship," he commanded.
"Yes, Kichu. Initializing launch sequence. Destination: Hedaxipotomous. Estimated arrival time: three days and two hours."
"Good."
The ship slowly lifted into the air and shot into the stars.
"Is he okay?" Roco asked Mira.
"He'll be fine," she replied, stroking Marly's hair.
"There are only three beds here. You can use mine. I'll manage."
"No, it's okay. Even the floor is fine. We're used to it." Mira gave him a grateful smile.
"Alright, let's talk this out." Kichu sat down.
"I'm Kichu. That's Roco. And the old guy there is Fizz."
"Hey, I'm only 35!" Fizz protested.
"35? Damn, that's ancient," Roco whispered to Kichu.
"What did you say?" Fizz growled and lunged at Roco.
Kichu sighed. "As you can see... this is our dynamic."
Mira laughed quietly. "Quite lively, I must say."
"Yeah," Kichu nodded. "We're headed to Hedaxipotomous. Can't share the full mission, but I'll arrange a doctor to check on you first thing once we land."
"Thanks… but I've given up hope," she said.
"Yeah, well... that's my weakness too," Kichu admitted. "But in this messed-up universe, you need hope just to survive."
He stood up. "Get some rest. If you need anything, let us know."
She nodded and went to the guest room, amazed by how spacious it was.
"Can I really stay here?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's fine. We're short on beds, but it's only for three days," Kichu said, helping her into bed.
As she lay down, tears welled in her eyes.
"How can I thank you? I know words aren't enough."
"Nah, don't worry about that. Rest well. I'll wake you in the morning," Kichu said and left.
She looked at Marly beside her, then slowly closed her eyes.
Outside, Roco was waiting. "So… mind explaining?"
"That kid suffered too much. I just want it to stop," Kichu said, collapsing onto the couch.
"What's wrong with her? Some illness?"
"Yeah. Don't know the name, but it's serious. That kid almost joined a gang for money."
"I'm not against helping people, but next time—tell us. You were almost dead out there."
"Dead? Pfft, I was just having fun," Kichu chuckled.
"Fun? You were bleeding all over the place!" Roco shot back.
"Come on—it's not fun without a little blood."
"So… what's next?" Roco asked.
"Want to learn soul analyzing?" Fizz walked in with a coffee cup.
Kichu and Roco exchanged glances and nodded.
Fizz explained:
"Soul analyzing is one application of soul sensing. It lets you read another's soul energy and understand how well they use it. Roco knows the basics of soul projectile, so this'll be easier for him. Kichu, you'll need to push yourself."
"Sounds complicated," Kichu said.
"It is," Fizz replied. "Mastering all the applications of soul sensing takes time:
Soul Projectile
Soul Analyzing
Soul Unleashing
Soul Linking
Soul Pulling
Soul Pushing
...and many more."
"So it's going to take a while," Kichu muttered.
"Exactly. Now, close your eyes. Feel the soul energy inside you."
Kichu and Roco closed their eyes.
"What do you see?" Fizz asked, sipping his coffee.
"A light," they both said.
"Good. Focus on that light. Make it brighter—imagine feeding it oil like a lamp."
They were silent for a while. A faint white light began to glow around their bodies.
Fizz watched with curiosity.
"They're both doing it... Interesting."
"You've entered activation mode," Fizz said. "It's the foundation of all soul-sensing techniques."
A moment later, Roco collapsed.
"Forgot to mention—it drains your soul energy fast," Fizz added, casually sipping his drink. "Takes training to hold it."
"Ugh, I feel wrecked," Roco groaned, gulping water.
Kichu, however, remained standing—unshaken.
"This is what creeps me out," Fizz thought, narrowing his eyes.
"Kichu, stay in that state. I want to see how your soul energy behaves."
"Didn't you say I couldn't use soul energy?" Kichu asked, eyes still closed.
"This stage isn't about power—it's about control," Fizz replied. "And you're using your soul energy differently than us."
"I don't get it."
"Kichu, you've got a massive reservoir of soul energy inside. You just need to stop hiding it. This activation mode works differently for everyone. Roco focuses entirely on his energy, so it leaks out quickly. But you… you're doing something else. That's what I need to understand."
Kichu sighed.
"Try opening your eyes without breaking the mode," Fizz said.
Kichu slowly opened his eyes. The light around him faded after a few seconds.
"As I thought," Fizz murmured, setting down his cup.
"Kichu and Roco… now I see how your energy flows," Fizz said. "From now on, we train seriously."
He pointed at Kichu.
"You—practice keeping activation mode even with your eyes open. Do it over and over until you master it."
Then to Roco:
"You—focus on maintaining the mode for longer without collapsing."
Fizz leaned back in the chair, finishing his coffee.
"These next few days are going to be exciting."
-To Be Continued....