Suddenly, world had gone into silence as if someone hit "mute" on reality itself.
One second, Sato City's evening buzz of distant mag-lev hum, street vendors yelling about skewers, and the faint electric crackles on billboards was everywhere.
The next, silence.
People stood frozen mid-step, a kid's half-thrown frisbee hung in the air, even the wind stilled to a soft whisper. A cold shiver crawled up Hiro's spine, the kind that told him this wasn't some random event.
"You've been surprisingly tight-lipped," a voice said, smooth and mocking, like an old friend who only showed up to ruin your day. Malphas materialized a few feet away, that same smug little entity in his tailored black suit, little eyes glowing faintly as his metallic wings hummed.
Hiro's stomach dropped. The thing flashed a shit-eating grin and sang out, "ta-da" as he circled the frozen group.
Hanako was frozen with her jet-black hair catching the last rays of sunset, Kaito looked bored as ever, and Lumina was mid-huff with arms crossed.
Malphas was nodding like as though he inspecting produce.
Then, he spun back to Hiro. "All thanks to the power of friendship." He burst into laughter, high and grating.
Hiro felt heat flood his face. "Fuck off with that."
Malphas shrugged, still chuckling. "Hey, I'm just the messenger. No clue which higher-up cooked up this particular joke. Could be any of them pulling strings." He floated closer, hands in pockets. "Anyway, I'd love to babysit you longer, hold your hand through the big scary world, but I've got places to be. Quick check-up only."
Hiro noticed something off this time. There was no red hostile aura this time. Whatever that meant, meant that Malphas want hostile. So, Hiro analyzed him.
[Entity unknown. It is imperative not to engage this creature. Let the meaning of its name be your hint.]
Malphas froze, then shook his head slowly. The pain hit like a freight train made of knives straight to the brain.
Hiro dropped, knees buckling, hands clutching his skull as waves of agony pounded him.
It felt like his head was being split open by boulders. He hit the ground, convulsing as his vision tunneled.
[Your HP has dropped to 10%.]
Just as fast as it started, the pain vanished. Malphas hovered inches from his face, eyes narrowed.
"Next time you try scanning your betters, I won't play nice. 'Don't shoot the messenger…' but think of it reversed. My trigger finger gets itchy." He said to Hiro, a menacing look in his eyes as he mimed pullinga trigger with a hand.
[Your HP has been restored to 25%.]
Hiro pushed himself up, legs shaky but defiance still burning hotter than the fear churning in his gut. He wasn't about to cower in front of this smug, evil Tinkerbell bastard. That's exactly what the thing wanted.
Malphas straightened, tone shifting back to casual. "You passed the check-up, barely. Might be a while before I swing by again, but try to hit level fifteen, twenty at least. You're embarrassing me out here. The End will mop the floor with you if you keep slacking. Take the academy seriously, lean into your… friends." He sneered the word. "You'll rack up EXP faster that way. Damn humans. Always such a pain." He shimmered, then winked out of existence.
The world resumed and the sound rushed into his ears all at once. Hiro staggered and dropped to one knee.
The others snapped out of whatever frozen state they'd been in and Hanako was kneeling at his side in a heartbeat, worry etched across her face.
She pressed delicate hands to his chest, eyes closing as soft light pulsed.
"Healing wave."
Warmth spread through him, soothing the lingering ache as new vitality crept back into him like sunlight after rain.
[Your HP has been restored to 55%. Your HP is slowly restoring over time.]
"You were fine a second ago," Kaito said, arms folded, eyebrow raised. "Lumina barely grazed you."
Lumina shot him a death glare sharp enough to cut steel. That had zero effect on the guy.
She harrumphed in full anime fashion, then reached over and pinched his cheek hard.
Kaito just stared back blankly, which somehow pissed her off more. Her electric-blue hair practically sparked with anger.
Hiro exhaled, stood slowly. "Thanks," he told Hanako, forcing his brain to stay cool.
Hiro didn't notice how her dark eyes glistened with genuine concern, or how close she was. Nope, totally did not register that at all.
"So, are we're still on for eight, right?" he said, glancing around. "What about you, Sparkles?"
Kaito snorted at that, then wiped his smirk when Lumina whipped her head toward him.
"We were planning to head to my place," Hanako said, then winced like she heard how that sounded. Hiro caught it but let it slide because Kaito's deadpan face killed any urge to joke.
Hiro's phone buzzed. Rin's latest text roasted their alchemy professor so perfectly he almost lost it. A small laugh slipped out before he could stop it. He cleared his throat.
"Guess I'll catch you all at eight."
Everyone stared.
"We're going the same direction," Hanako said softly.
"I've got one more stop," Hiro lied smoothly.
Lumina perked up. "Want company?"
He shot her a look. "I'll pass on babysitting."
Somehow, Hanako ended up tagging along anyway when he hit the night market for supplies. He protested, albeit weakly.
However, it wasn't so bad as Kaito had made a solid point a bit earlier: certain stuff like medicines, foods, and drinks could heal HP on the spot. As much as the rich prick grated on him, the advice was solid. Better safe than dead because he was too stubborn to stock up.
That's when he spotted the silver-haired girl from before, working some poor guy in a suit like a fiddle. The guy's eyes were glazed, handing over a thick stack of bills with a dopey grin.
Even from across the lane, her charisma tugged at the edges of Hiro's mind, promising warmth, comfort, waffles, endless sushi—
'F*ck,' he shook it off with a hard pinch to his arm.
Then, analyzed her reflex. He really wanted to see who she was.
Name: Sienna
Level: 11
Type: Silver-Tongued Manipulator
Relationship: Burning Hatred
HP: 100%
MP: 100%
Stats: Relationship too toxic. Pray she doesn't target you for real.
Special abilities: Good luck charming your way out. Haha, as if.
Skills: Stupid much? Keep pushing and see what happens.
Magic abilities: Idiot, birdbrain.
Hiro's eye twitched. The system was getting way too creative with these remarks. A little too creative…
"No way am I dealing with that Seductress again," he muttered to himself. "That charisma is total bullsh*t."
Hanako followed his gaze and frowned. Before he could backpedal toward the exit, she grabbed his arm.
"We should call her out. Maybe get her to stop."
"Wait—"
"You!" Melody's voice cut through the crowd like a siren as she just so happened to turn and glance their way.
She pointed dramatically, unleashing a wave of charisma that nearly buckled his knees. "That's the asshole who humiliated me and made me cry in public!"
Three absolute units of muscle and tattooed necks, turned toward Hiro and co, eyes manic with protective rage. They cracked knuckles and started toward him.
Not knowing what else to do, Hiro did what any Protagonist would do: he Analyzed fast.