Ren woke up about ten minutes later to see Koco sitting beside him.
"Finally," Koco said. "I didn't even hit you that hard and you got knocked out. After fighting you, I think you need to improve your durability and increase your speed. You think well, you can pack a punch, and you're very skilled."
Koco stood. "Now get up."
Ren pushed himself to his feet.
"I'm going to teach you how to be faster," Koco continued, "and at the same time, increase your durability. I'll call Carmen and let her know you won't be home until late."
"And after that, what do I do?" Ren asked.
"After that, you run," Koco said flatly. "And you will not stop running until your legs fall off. No matter what happens—you will not stop."
"Yes sir," Ren said.
Koco pulled out his phone and called Carmen, contacting the house phone at Ren's apartment. She picked up, and Koco explained what was happening. When he finished, he turned back to Ren.
"Start running."
Ren took off.
He ran as fast as he could, starting halfway from the Academy in the middle of Rusticka. His goal was clear: run around the entire continent and return to this exact spot—without stopping. This wasn't just a goal anymore.
It was his mission.
His way of getting stronger.
His way of beating the White Reaper.
His way of saving hundreds of people.
As Ren ran, he glanced back and saw Koco waving, mouthing the words good luck. Ren turned forward and kept running.
Suddenly—crack.
A sharp zip flew past his head. Ren only saw it for a second—a rock. Thrown by Koco.
He didn't stop. He didn't even think about it.
He ran like his life depended on it—because it did.
Ahead of him, a man with pink hair and two differently colored eyes stood in the road.
Koco.
Somehow, Koco had gotten in front of him.
Confused but reacting instantly, Ren activated a ring from his pocket and hurled it at a traffic pole. The base exploded, collapsing the pole toward Koco. Of course, Koco dodged—but the falling pole lined up perfectly with another controlled explosion.
Instead of nullifying it, the rock Koco had thrown earlier absorbed the blast, detonating harmlessly away from him.
Ren sprinted forward, expecting to see Koco—
—but there was no one there.
Suddenly, Koco was right behind him, winding up for a punch. Ren knew he couldn't dodge in time.
Instead, Koco kicked him with his heel.
Ren blocked it with his right arm, reinforcing it with his left. Before he could fully recover, Koco doubled up and struck him again—harder.
Still, Ren kept running.
"Good," Koco said. "Resilience is key, Ren. But how much more can you take?"
Then Koco vanished.
For over an hour, there was nothing.
No attacks.
No voice.
Just Ren—and his thoughts.
By then, Ren had entered Sector 5 of Rusticka, heading toward Sector 6, then on to 1, 2, 4, and finally back to 3—where he began.
Hours passed. Darkness crept in.
Ren was nearing the middle of Sector 6 when he heard it again—
Crack.
This time, there was no zip.
Instead, he felt something warm, wet, and itchy on his calf.
Blood.
Ren looked down while still running. A small rock had sliced into his left calf.
Koco knows where I am.
From behind him, Koco's voice rang out.
"This one's going to hurt."
Koco kicked the same spot that had been struck earlier. Pain exploded through Ren's leg. He screamed, staggering forward, limping—but still moving.
Koco jumped in front of him, throwing ten rapid jabs, striking Ren across his body.
Ren didn't stop.
"You've done good, Ren," Koco said. "You made it much farther than I thought you would. Can you feel it, Ren? Can you feel the PAACC buried deep inside?"
"Use it."
Suddenly, the pain faded.
Ren felt light.
Strong.
Whole.
What is this? Ren thought. Adrenaline? No… it can't be just that.
"This is a second wind," Koco said. "Now you know what it feels like."
Koco stepped in and slammed his hand down on the back of Ren's neck.
Everything went black.
Ren woke up in his bed the next morning. His body felt fine—except for soreness in his arms and calves.
"You got your second wind," Koco said.
"Now that you know what it feels like, you should be able to access it on command—whenever you think you can't keep fighting. Now your training is up to you"
Ren shot up and hugged him.
"got you," Ren said with a smirk