The crowd slowly dispersed after the Three Savages thundered past on horseback. Their aura still lingered in the air, heavy and sharp like invisible blades. Jackson narrowed his eyes.
"What's with those guys? Everyone here seems to respect them."
Lucy folded her arms, her voice calm but edged with warning.
"They're a bunch of talented prodigies roaming Ashura. They often come by and take on higher jobs—work others wouldn't dare touch. Their strength has even been acknowledged by the Special Darkside Knight himself." She gave a small chuckle. "I bet Sasaki couldn't last five seconds against the youngest brother."
Sasaki clicked his tongue, glaring at her. "Don't underestimate me, Lucy. I'm stronger than you imagine."
"Oh?" Lucy tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "Then why didn't you display that 'strength' when fighting me back then?"
Sasaki gritted his teeth, his pride stung.
"Calm down, Sasaki," Lucy said, her tone softening but still firm.
"I was bring Alfie— and Rebekah—here for a reason. This town is crawling with powerful people. I wanted them to face challenges that will push them past their limits.
"After few seconds of silence"
Don't respond to every provocation, no matter how insulting. Remember, there are Shinras lurking in the shadows even stronger than me."
Her eyes darkened, voice dropping into seriousness. "This is where our life-and-death journey truly begins."
Alfie clenched his fists, determination burning. "We understand, Master. I know you're powerful, but I also know there are Shinras stronger than you. That's not a problem. Because I'll protect you! No one's gonna bully us just because you're a woman. I've got your back."
Lucy turned to him sharply, eyes blazing,land a size fist punch on his head.
"You fool. Gender means nothing here. Most men can't withstand even my Renshi aura." She exhaled sharply. "To cut it short, I'm the strongest Shinra in this town right now."
Her bold declaration made Alfie, Jackson, and Sasaki burst out laughing.
"You said it yourself, Lucy," Sasaki teased. "Powerful Shinras lurk in the shadows of this kingdom. Don't act uncomfortable when you know there are people out there stronger than you."
Lucy looked away, silent for once, her pride stung by the truth in Sasaki's words.
Alfie softened his tone. "We're going through all this together, Master. I promise—I'll protect you and everyone else when I'm strong enough. I swear it."
Lucy didn't reply, her heart briefly stirred, but she quickly masked it behind her usual stoicism.
---
They walked deeper into the bustling town until the towering job board came into view. The front was crowded with Shinras—rookies and veterans alike—scanning missions, arguing, boasting, and pushing for positions.
Lucy touched Alfie and Sasaki laid a hand on Jackson, and in a flash of switching, they appeared right in front of the board.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" a gruff voice snapped.
"Mind your mouth, boy," another replied coldly. "Just because you've got a beard like mine doesn't make us equals."
"Say that again, and I'll rip your guts out through your mouth!" the first man barked, stepping forward aggressively.
The second man didn't flinch. He remained still, his aura calm yet razor-sharp.
"Enough." A lazy, drawling voice echoed from above. The board keeper sat in mid-air, lounging on a chair formed from condensed Renshi. A table floated beside him, a whiskey bottle in hand, his legs kicked up casually. "No fighting near the board. Settle your grudges elsewhere."
The two men locked eyes with killing intent but eventually turned back to their business.
Lucy's eyes narrowed, assessing them.
The first man wore a brilliant reddish Shinra cape embroidered with dragons, its color brighter than fire itself. A warrior proud of his status.
But the second man…
He wasn't even dressed as a Shinra. His white shirt hung open at the collar, sleeves rolled up to reveal a black tattoo coiling around his left arm. His trousers were brown, his shoes scuffed, and his sword—sheath and all—was tucked lazily into his belt. A lit cigarette burned at the corner of his mouth. His short hair and half-sleepy eyes gave him a dangerous, almost untouchable aura.
Even standing still, he looked like someone who could kill without lifting his voice.
Lucy ignored them both and scanned the board carefully. After a moment, her fingers paused on one request.
> Job Request: Extermination of Ten Alpha Darkside Spirits
Location: Meta a Small town outside Ashura (no Shinra protection)
She ripped the paper from the board. "This one. We're going."
---
As they turned to leave, Alfie accidentally brushed shoulders with another figure.
"Ah—sorry," Alfie muttered quickly.
The boy turned his head slowly. He looked barely five years older than Alfie, yet the aura rolling off him was suffocating. His cape was plain black, frayed and torn at the edges. Bandages wrapped tightly around both arms. His shoes were worn, his hair snow-white, and his face pale but sharp, marked by a cold, unforgiving gaze.
But it was the sword that drew Alfie's breath away.
A monstrous blade, taller than the boy himself, strapped across his back. Chains trailed from its hilt, clinking softly as they dragged against the ground.
The boy's gaze lingered on Alfie for a long, tense second—then he turned without a word and walked away.
"What's with the people in this town?" Alfie whispered, his eyes wide. "And what the hell is with that sword? How can someone even use that thing?"
Sasaki frowned, his instincts prickling. "I'm surprised too. He looks strong… Probably one of the top geniuses here in Ashura."
As they walked away, a voice from the crowd called out mockingly:
"Oi! Lone Wolf! What are you up to today? You already finished that job you took yesterday?"
Alfie froze mid-step. Lone Wolf?
But the boy didn't respond. He vanished into the crowd, silent and untouchable.
Lucy's eyes lingered on his back, narrowing. "That kid… he's no ordinary kid. And that blade—" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I've seen it before, somewhere else."