The rangers who specialized in firearms cocked their guns and aimed, ready to fire at any moment. But hesitation crept in. Ryuma was carrying Saiya, a civilian, putting her life in grave danger.
According to Kitetsu, Ryuma was using a defensive mechanism—one they couldn't see—shielding both himself and Saiya. Even if they fired, only three outcomes were possible. Ryuma could block every bullet like he had done before. Saiya could end up getting harmed in the crossfire. Or they could hit Ryuma, but as a Nephilim, he could regenerate.
Despite knowing the risks, they couldn't just stand by and watch as Ryuma abducted an important member of the Ranger Force like it was nothing.
"Hold your guns down!" Issei barked, stepping in front of the rangers.
"What? What are we going to do?" one of them asked, murmurs spreading through the group.
"I don't know, but put those guns down. He has a hostage—not just any hostage, but Lieutenant Saiya. She's not someone we can afford to lose." The tension among the rangers eased slightly, making it a little easier for Issei to breathe. "There's no captain available right now, but we received orders—they're on their way. We should calm down and wait for—"
"To do what? Wait for them to come and save you?" A whisper brushed against Issei's ear.
"Huh?"
Before he could react, Ryuma's hand struck his face, sending him flying into a nearby building. The impact shattered concrete as debris crumbled around him.
The rangers stood frozen, their faces painted with disbelief and fear.
"F-F-Fire…" one of them tried to command, but his voice faltered. They were about to open fire when Ryuma called out,
"Nero, Anix, come to me."
"Yes!"
Nero appeared instantly, his massive frame shielding Ryuma as bullets rained down, blocking the rangers' vision in the process.
"Take her back to the base and tell Nera to commence treatment immediately." Ryuma handed Saiya into Anix's arms.
"What about you?" Anix asked.
"My whereabouts are none of your business. Get going."
"Yes."
A portal opened behind them, and Anix casually walked through.
"You too, Nero."
Nero shrank his size and entered the portal, leaving Ryuma alone with the rangers.
The gunfire ceased as the rangers noticed Saiya's sudden absence.
"Where is she?" Haruchi demanded.
"Relax. She's getting treated," Ryuma answered.
"Huh? I don't understand what you're saying, dude."
"And you never will," Ryuma said. "Even if I explain everything, even if I tell you all I've seen, you'll never understand a damn thing. I've already been labeled the enemy of humanity. Even though I never wanted this, I might as well play the role to the bitter end."
"Damn you, WIMP!"
Issei burst out of the debris, lunging at Ryuma. Ryuma took a step back, dodging the punch before countering with a strike to Issei's face, slamming him into the ground. The lieutenant was knocked out cold.
"Hm… and he was a lieutenant?" Ryuma whispered to himself. "She was right after all. Humans are weak."
His gaze shifted to the rest of the rangers.
"What? Are you coming, or should I—"
"Arghhhh!"
Haruchi screamed and fired. Ryuma swayed left and right, effortlessly dodging the bullets before appearing in front of Haruchi, slicing his gun in half with the sharp tendrils protruding from his back. Before Haruchi could react, Ryuma drove his fist into his gut.
The impact should have been enough to knock him out instantly, but thanks to the suit, the pain was absorbed. However, Ryuma didn't stop there. He swung his leg, striking Haruchi's jaw and knocking him out.
"Here I come."
Ryuma danced through the battlefield, weaving between the rangers, destroying their weapons and knocking them unconscious one by one. Within seconds, the entire squad lay defeated.
Kitetsu, struggling to his knees, stared at Ryuma. "I know there's humanity in you… I saw it the first day we met. Every moment we shared, both on the battlefield and within the base, I saw it. So tell me, is this the path you've chosen, Sir Ryuma?"
Ryuma's gaze softened. He turned his head slightly, hiding the tears welling up in his eyes.
"What do you know about me huh?"
"I don't know anything, so tell me. Tell me something I should know"
Ryuma's voice cracked
"There was never a choice to begin with, Kitetsu. My greatest wish was for friends I could trust. But here I am, fighting the very people I wished for. I prayed this day would never come." He raised his head, looking at Kitetsu, his red, teary eyes startling him.
"There's a lot I want to tell you. I want to tell you everything I've seen, but—"
"Then tell us! We're your friends, right? You just said it yourself."
"Yeah, that's right. We are friends." Ryuma took a breath "The thing is, there's a—"
BOOM
Ryuma's head exploded into pieces. Blood and flesh scattered everywhere, some of it splattering onto Kitetsu's face.
"Ryuma?! Ryuma?!"
His headless body staggered forward before collapsing, blood pooling rapidly from the gaping wound.
"Ryuma!!!"
Kitetsu forced himself up, stumbling toward Ryuma's lifeless form but fell just meters away.
"Haa, that was a clean shot."
A voice echoed through the air. A figure dropped onto the ground, kicking up dust as he slowly stood.
"Captain Masaiko," Kitetsu whispered.
"Just look at all the damage this beast caused. We could have prevented this by killing him a long time ago. Well, he's dead now."
Masaiko casually kicked Ryuma's body, holding a long sniper rifle nearly as tall as him. He pressed a finger to his communicator.
"Reiko, do you copy? Sorry, when you called earlier, I transferred it to one of my men. Guess he's been knocked out. Hmm… Reiko, do you—hope she isn't dead."
He turned to Kitetsu, who was kneeling in tears, staring at Ryuma's corpse.
"What is this? You look like you just lost a friend. If you can walk, get up—we've got work to do. We need to—"
Schlkkk!
A sharp tendril burst through Masaiko's abdomen. He followed its path back to Ryuma's body, which was now kneeling. His head slowly regenerated before his darkened eyes met Masaiko'
s.
"You… monster…" Masaiko choked out.
With a smirk, Ryuma gestured to his chest.
"You should've aimed for the heart."