The Enforcer stood calmly in the center of the valley.
No rush.
No anger.
Just quiet confidence.
The containment net above continued to close slowly, threads of light tightening across the sky like a lid lowering over the world.
Hiroto rolled his shoulder, still bleeding from the earlier strike.
"…You're different from the others."
The Enforcer tilted his head slightly.
"Of course I am."
He tapped the side of his helm.
"I can think."
Akari tightened her grip on her spear.
"That makes you dangerous."
The Enforcer shrugged lightly.
"Dangerous? No. Efficient."
He lifted his blade.
"I'm here to correct a mistake."
Hiroto stepped forward.
"Then start trying."
The ground beneath him darkened as shadow poured outward.
The Enforcer moved first.
He vanished.
Hiroto barely turned before a crushing kick slammed into his ribs, sending him flying across the stone floor.
The impact shattered rock.
Akari swore under her breath.
"…That speed…."
Hiroto pushed himself up, coughing blood.
"Fast…"
The Enforcer walked toward him slowly.
"You destroyed a Commander. I expected more."
Shadow surged around Hiroto's arms again.
He launched forward, fist wrapped in jagged black stone.
The punch connected.
The Enforcer didn't move.
His armor absorbed the strike with a dull metallic sound.
"…That's it?" the Enforcer asked calmly.
Hiroto's eyes widened.
The Enforcer grabbed his wrist.
Then slammed Hiroto straight into the ground.
The valley shook.
Dust exploded into the air.
Yui screamed.
"Hiroto!"
Akari turned to the soldiers.
"We can't let him fight alone!"
She pointed her spear at the sky.
"Archers! Mages! Target the net!"
Dozens of attacks shot upward.
Fire. Ice. Lightning.
The containment strands flickered but held.
The Watcher spoke urgently.
"…The net draws power from the Observers. Destroy them and it weakens."
Akari nodded instantly.
"Then bring them down!"
The resistance forces turned their attacks toward the hovering Observers.
Explosions of magic filled the sky.
Back on the battlefield—
The Enforcer lifted Hiroto by the collar.
"You're disappointing."
Hiroto's shadow suddenly surged upward.
It wrapped around the Enforcer's arm like a chain.
"…Not done yet."
He slammed his head forward.
The impact cracked the Enforcer's helm slightly.
For the first time—
The Enforcer staggered half a step.
"…Better."
Hiroto ripped himself free and jumped back.
Blood ran down his face.
Shadow gathered thicker than before.
Above them, one Observer shattered under the army's attacks.
The containment net flickered.
Akari shouted,
"It's working! Keep firing!"
The Enforcer looked up briefly at the broken Observer.
"…Annoying."
Then he looked back at Hiroto.
"But I'll finish you before they matter."
He raised his blade again.
Energy gathered along its edge.
Hiroto felt it instantly.
That attack would cut through everything.
Even the scar.
Hiroto exhaled slowly.
Shadow crawled across his arms again, deeper this time.
"…Guess I'll have to push further."
The scar beneath the valley pulsed violently.
The Enforcer smiled.
"Good."
"I was hoping for a real fight."
To be continued…