Valmer charged toward the remaining Geminis, his black coat flapping wildly in the roaring storm, leaving the Scarbone and Giga Titan for Kenshi. The ruins trembled under the tempest, multiple bolts of lightning cracking the sky like a shattered mirror.
The rest of the Geminis were no match for Valmer. He moved like a radiant avenger, outpacing them, his fists blazing with holy light. He smashed a Gemini's skull into the pavement and sidestepped as another lunged at him, whipping downward with its thorny elongated limbs. Valmer drove his glowing fist through its chest. The beasts fell one by one, their roars drowned in the storm's howl.
Kenshi moved faster than they could react. He darted behind the Geminis before they could swing, slicing their backs with deadly precision, or leaped above, dicing their limbs mid-air.
The Giga Titan, with its fist severed and one leg gone, was easy prey, lumbering helplessly, as it roared, trying to intimidate its attcker. Kenshi charged and slashed its remaining leg, the beast crashing into a broken pillar.
The Scarbone fared no better with its cracked armor. With a single, razor-sharp slash, Kenshi severed both its legs, the beast collapsing with a thunderous roar, kneeling in the mud like a fallen giant.
Kenshi paused, his amber eyes burning with grief, his voice breaking as he spoke in Japanese, low and raw. "Gemini, oshiete kure."
("Tell me, Gemini.")
Memories tore through his mind. His daughter's sweet voice echoed: "Papa, shigoto kara kaettara, purin katte kite ne!"
("Daddy, buy me some pudding when you come back from work, okay!") It was the last time he heard her, her laughter bright as sunlight. That day, as the apocalypse began, Kenshi raced home through streets choked with chaos, only to find a Gemini ripping his daughter's limbs apart, her screams piercing his soul. His wife's broken body lay nearby, blood pooling on the broken tiles. The pain seared, his hands trembling on his katana.
"Omaera o minagoroshi ni shite mo, ore no ikari wa kienai."
("Even if I eradicate all of you, it won't quench my fury.") He growled, his voice thick with rage. With a brutal strike, he sliced the Scarbone's head clean off, ichor spraying like a fountain. The Giga Titan met the same fate, his katana flashing through its horns and neck, the massive head thudding into the mud, its two severed horns falling several feet away. The beasts' lifeless bodies slumped, steaming in the cold rain.
Ariel watched from the shelter of a crumbling building. She decided that the best thing to do was to ask Valmer and Kenshi for help to save her brother, Zane. The Geminis had taught her a harsh lesson—she wasn't as strong as she'd thought, her copied skills too weak to match a true Primordial's power. Her eyes traced Kenshi's blade and Valmer's fists, but the Whisperkin's chilling presence lingered in her mind.
Valmer and Kenshi tore through the last Geminis, a whirlwind of destruction. Valmer split a beast in two with a glowing punch, its halves splashing into the mud. Kenshi's katana danced, cleaving skulls and limbs, ichor painting the pavement. Moments later, the battlefield fell silent, the Geminis slaughtered, their bodies littering the ruins like broken toys.
Celine's eyes sparkled, her voice bright. "They really did it, didn't they?" she said, hope warming her words.
Ariel nodded, her gaze distant. "Yes, they did. But… they're not enough," she said softly, her voice heavy with dread. She recalled the Whisperkin's dominating aura, its faceless menace, and the chilling truth: there were others like it, maybe stronger, lurking in the shadows.
A glowing screen flickered before Valmer, its light piercing the storm's gloom, though only he could see it.
[System Notice]
Total Number of Geminis Killed: 10.
Geminis Rank Killed: Savage-Beast
Rewards will be calculated and distributed after the Tutorial.
Another appeared before Kenshi.
[System Notice]
Total Number of Geminis Killed: 7.
Geminis Rank Killed: Savage-Beast
Rewards will be calculated and distributed after the Tutorial.
Valmer grinned, wiping rain from his face, his eyes filled with mischief. "Hey, Kenshi, how many did you kill? One? Half a beast? Too embarrassed to say 'cause I beat you, right?" he teased, his voice loud over the storm.
Kenshi's eyes narrowed, his katana still dripping ichor. "Shut it, you fake priest," he snapped, his tone sharp as his blade. "Stop acting like it's over."
Valmer laughed, strutting through the mud. "You're such a grump, you bald old bastard. Whatever, I've got better things to do." He glanced at Celine and Ariel, sheltering in the ruined doorway.
"I'm not bald or old, you sleazy priest!" Kenshi shot back, gripping his katana tighter, as if to control a pending attack. "You're a disgrace."
"Whatever," Valmer said, waving him off. "All bald guys deny it." He sauntered toward the girls, his boots splashing in puddles, a playful bounce in his step.
"Hey, Valmer!" Kenshi called, his voice cutting through the rain.
Valmer paused, turning slightly. "What now?" he asked, irritation creeping into his tone.
Kenshi smirked, pointing at Celine and Ariel. "They're minors, you know that, right?"
Valmer froze, his face paling as if the storm had struck him. "Come on Kenshi, what do you take me for? You and I are old buddies so you should be aware that I have my limits."
"I know, just making sure is all. And did I hear you admit you're a womanizer? You do realise you're a priest, right? Oh I forgot, you're a fraud." Kenshi teased.
"Tch, such a mood killer," Valmer growled, in annoyance.
Kenshi shook his head, resting his katana on his shoulder. "You lived with a Pope for several years. How did you end up with such a habit?"
Valmer's steps faltered, the Holy Father's words echoing in his mind: "Stop chasing women, Valmer. Find one to love unconditionally." He clenched his fists, rain streaming down his face.
"And whose fault is it, huh? Wasn't it you who infected me with it? I'm still trying to be rid of your curse," he yelled, his voice raw with frustration, as he trudged toward Celine and Ariel, the storm swallowing his words.
"Enough chatter, let's join the girls." Kenshi suggested, shrugging off Valmer's accusations.
A few moments later..
Valmer strode in, his black coat dripping with rain. Kenshi followed close behind, his katana resting against his thigh, the blade still slick with ichor. Valmer's eyes sparkled with mischief as he clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Good to see you all still alive. I've met Celine already, but let's all introduce ourselves—names and abilities—for teamwork later," Valmer said in a commanding voice, which echoed in the hollow room.
Kenshi leaned against a cracked wall, his amber eyes narrowing. "Why share our abilities?" he asked, his fingers brushing the hilt of his katana. "Smart to keep some secrets, don't you think? Besides, we can't even predict what will happen in the near future. Carelessly sharing information might not be a good idea in the long run."
Valmer grinned, leaning forward with a playful glint. "What, scared I'll find your weak spot, old man?" he teased, winking at Ariel and Celine.
Ariel, sitting on a broken crate, spoke up. "It doesn't have to be everything—just enough to work together, right?" Her sharp eyes met Kenshi's, showing a flicker of resolve.
Kenshi's gaze softened slightly as he thought, 'Kashikoi na, Primordial dake no koto wa aru. Kodomo dakara yakutatazu da to omotta.' ("She's sharp, no wonder she's a Primordial. I thought she'd be useless since she's just a kid.")
Valmer plopped onto a splintered chair, its legs creaking under his weight. "Good idea, young lady. I'll start," he said, flashing a charming smile. He leaned back, and spread his hands like a preacher addressing a crowd.
"I'm Valmer Valgrace van Ruvoch—just call me Valmer. I'm a Primordial, titled the Second Guardian of Earth. I can turn holy words into weapons or shields, but it costs Fate Points. That's all you get for now." He smirked, pointing at Kenshi. "Your turn, bald old grump."
Kenshi clenched his jaw, his veins pulsing as he muttered in Japanese, 'Suu, Kenshi, suu. Kono yatsu o korosu mae ni.' ("Breathe, Kenshi, breathe before you actually kill him.") He stayed against the wall, arms crossed. "I'm Kenshi Aokawa. My class is assassin. That's all you need to know," he said, his voice cold, eyes half-closed.
Valmer laughed, slapping his knee, the sound echoing in the dim room. "Such a coward! Didn't even say your rank—probably a Beta, huh? Come on, let's see your Systems Status to confirm you're really one of us." he teased, his grin widening.
Kenshi's eyes snapped open, his hand twitching toward his katana as he muttered again, 'Suu, Kenshi, suu. Kono yatsu o korosu mae ni.' ("Breathe, Kenshi, breathe before you end up killing him.")
Celine, huddled on the floor beside Ariel, shifted nervously, her wet hair plastered to her face. "Um, I'm Celine," she said, her voice small, barely rising above the storm's howl. "I'm a Beta rank. I'm a healer, and I can boost allies or weaken enemies, but it takes Mana Points. That's all I can do." Her shoulders slumped, feeling like a faint candle next to the Primordials' blazing light.
Kenshi's gaze flicked to her, his tone gruff but firm. "Tch, don't get all gloomy. You're only two ranks below a Primordial—don't sell yourself short, or others will too."
Celine's eyes widened, a faint blush warming her cheeks. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice steadier, a spark of courage flickering.
Valmer frowned, leaning forward, his chair creaking with the motion. "Hey, why scold her, you bald old bastard? When you were her age, you were probably shaking in your boots in front of bullies!" he said, pointing at Kenshi, his grin half-teasing, half-challenging.
Kenshi's temple veins throbbed, his knuckles whitening on his katana's hilt, but he stayed silent. Celine stifled a giggle, the tension easing slightly.
Ariel stood, brushing mud from her dress, her eyes meeting each of theirs. "I'm Ariel Walker," she began.
Valmer's eyebrows shot up. "Walker? Like the President of the United States, the guy running this country? Lucky to have a name like that!" he said, leaning forward.
Ariel's gaze didn't waver. "He's my father," she said plainly.
Kenshi's foot slipped on the wet floor, nearly losing his balance, but he caught himself against the wall, his composure snapping back in a heartbeat. Valmer's jaw dropped, his playful grin fading to shock.
"You're not kidding, are you?" Valmer asked, leaning closer, his voice a mix of awe and curiosity. "Then what are you doing out here in this mess?"
Kenshi's brows furrowed, his silence screaming the same question
Ariel's lips tightened, a shadow crossing her face. "It's a long story," she said, her voice quieter now, heavy with unspoken pain. "Anyway, I'm a Primordial too, titled the First Guardian of Earth. I don't have a fixed class—I can copy other people's abilities." She paused, letting the words sink in.
The room went still, the storm's howl filling the silence. Valmer froze, his hand mid-gesture, his eyes wide. Celine's breath caught, her hands clutching her knees. Kenshi's gaze sharpened, his thoughts racing in Japanese: 'Hoka no hito no nouryoku o kopii dekiru nara, ore no nouryoku mo kopii dekiru no ka?' ("If she can copy other people's abilities, does that mean she can copy mine too?")