The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows over the streets.
Warm air carried dust and smoke from earlier clashes as the sounds of people, passing cars, and wind through narrow alleys filled the city.
The streets remained busy, yet tension lingered as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for chaos to erupt.
Kryne stood on the rooftop, his cap pulled low over his eyes as he observed the chaos below.
Police clashed with the Troublemakers in the middle-class district. Shouts and metal rang through the streets, but despite some injuries, the officers held their formation and kept the upper hand.
The attackers tried to destroy nearby buildings, but Novara's energy shields protected them. Sparks flew from walls as their strikes failed, only fueling their frustration.
From a rooftop, Kryne watched carefully, studying the battlefield and noting every movement. The situation was tense, but the city's barrier kept the damage contained.
He murmured to himself:
"Seems I don't need to intervene… The Troublemakers are far weaker than I expected… But…"
His gaze shifted to Julian, standing calmly on a rooftop, observing without acting.
Kryne added quietly:
"What is that person doing? He doesn't seem nervous… nor worried at all."
He raised his phone and called Celestine.
Elsewhere, Celestine ran through crowded alleys with Milo beside her and answered immediately.
"Celestine?" Kryne's calm voice came through.
"Kryne?" she replied, slightly out of breath.
"Where have you reached?" he asked, his eyes scanning the chaos below.
"We're almost there," Celestine said, determination in her voice. "We're approaching the abandoned district."
Kryne replied calmly:
"If you manage to capture the Numbers, we will have already defeated them.
Their followers are far too weak…"
Celestine smirked slightly.
"Alright. They're just a bunch of young troublemakers anyway. I don't expect any serious strength from them."
She added firmly:
"I'll call you later, Kryne. Goodbye for now."
"Goodbye," Kryne replied.
He sighed, put his cap back on, and leapt from the rooftop toward Julian's position.
Minutes later, he landed calmly on the target roof.
He placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it.
Julian looked up at Kryne, his purple hair partly covering his face while his scarf fluttered in the wind. His sharp eyes showed no fear.
Kryne exhaled smoke and said calmly:
"Hello, troublemaker."
Julian raised a finger toward him.
"You are Guild Agency member don't you?"
Kryne adjusted his cap, brown hair slipping from beneath it.
"Yes…I am "
He took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly.
"And I'm here to put an end to all this chaos you're causing.
Julian didn't reply. He shifted his stance as a quiet violet aura rose from his body.
Kryne studied it.
"Not bad… Compared to those down below, you're very good. But… I don't think you're one of the Numbers."
He exhaled another puff of smoke, calmly observing his opponent.
Julian spoke softly, his tone laced with a mix of hatred and challenge:
"Aren't you going to unleash your energy?!"
Kryne exhaled his last puff of smoke before tossing the cigarette aside.
"Alright… then force me."
The scene with Kryne and Julian ended there, tension hanging thick in the air.
The focus shifted to Milo and Celestine running through the alleys toward the abandoned district.
They moved cautiously through the poor district, their steps quiet on the worn cobblestones. Broken walls and stray cats darting through the shadows made the place eerily familiar to Milo.
"This is the place…" Milo whispered. "The same area Toxifar showed me earlier. Hardly anyone comes here… the worst part of the poor district."
Celestine nodded, her eyes scanning the cracked walls and silent buildings around them.
They advanced carefully, aware danger could be hiding anywhere.
"This way," Milo whispered, leading her to the abandoned house Toxivar had entered earlier, its door slightly open.
Just before entering the abandoned house, a voice called out.
"Celestine, wait!" Selvara's calm tone reached her.
Brane stood beside her, his massive frame towering slightly, and asked,
"Is this the place?"
Celestine looked around carefully and noticed the Fenrir Twins standing silently behind her.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Everyone has arrived, then."
She glanced at Milo.
"Are the Numbers in this house?"
Milo nodded.
"There's a secret floor below… that's where they hide."
Selvara narrowed her eyes at him.
"If you're lying to us, I'll kill you here and now!"
Celestine gave her a firm look.
"Calm down. Milo wouldn't deceive us."
Milo said nothing and stepped into the house. Celestine followed.
He pressed the worn floorboards. A faint click echoed as a hidden door opened, revealing a staircase descending into darkness.
Milo glanced at Celestine.
"This is it… the secret floor."
They descended quietly.
At the bottom, Milo froze.
Toxivar stood against the wall, long green hair over his shoulders and a sly smile on his lips.
"You've finally arrived… Milo!" he said calmly.
"Toxivar!" Milo exclaimed.
Toxivar glanced at Celestine and frowned slightly.
"Oh… it seems you didn't come alone."
Milo shouted angrily:
"You fool! Why are you killing innocent people?!"
Celestine stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"I don't have time… I need to capture him fast!"
She unleashed her Tier 1 Technique: Nerve Break, electric-blue energy flashing toward Toxivar.
Before it reached him, a massive figure burst from the shadows and struck her arm, a small explosion erupting on impact.
Celestine slammed against the wall and fell to the ground.
Milo's eyes widened as he rushed toward her.
"Celestine!"
But before he could reach her, he sensed something unusual behind him.
A massive figure stood there, hidden beneath a long black cloak, his presence radiating danger.
Milo stared.
The figure slowly raised his head, revealing a horrific smile that exposed every tooth.
"It seems today… will be full of excitement," he said, his voice trembling with madness.
He lowered his body as if to sit then energy suddenly gathered in his abdomen.
The air vibrated.
He inhaled deeply, then
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"
A thunderous roar shook the entire underground hall.
Toxifar's eyes widened in terror.
"Damn it he'll kill us ALL with that attack!"
Toxivar sprinted down the corridor, panicked and stumbling.
Milo tried to follow, but a hand grabbed him Celestine.
She forced herself to her feet, eyes sharp despite the pain, yanking Milo back and leaping up the stairs with him.
Selvara, Brane, and the Fenrir Twins peered from the doorway, scanning the dark interior.
Suddenly, Celestine appeared, dragging Milo.
"Watch out!" she shouted.
BOOM!
An explosion tore through the abandoned house. Debris and dust filled the air.
Selvara and Brane rushed forward, checking on Celestine and Milo.
The Fenrir Twins moved toward the wreckage, surveying splintered wood, rising dust, and scattered debris a harsh reminder of the unleashed power.
Selvara helped Celestine to her feet.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concern in her eyes.
Milo spoke up, his voice slightly trembling with fear.
"Toxifar appeared… and there's another terrifying person with him. I think… he might be one of the Numbers."
Selvara looked at Milo, listening carefully to every word.
Brane, closer to the debris, called out to them.
"Get ready! Someone is very close!"
The Fenrir Twins stared at the wreckage below. As debris shifted, a massive figure emerged muscles defined beneath a torn cloak, loose pants, messy brown hair with two strands framing his face.
His eyes locked on the Twins. He took a deep breath and let out an earth-shattering roar.
In a single powerful leap, he landed before them, cracking the ground.
"I am Deton," he boomed.
"Number 3! I can blow up anything in my way!"
The Fenrir Twins remained calm, their expressions unreadable, unaffected by his presence.
Selvara and Milo stared at him, tense and alert.
Milo spoke in a calm voice, trying to steady himself.
"So… this is the one!"
Celestine stood, wiping her mouth with her hand, ready for whatever would come.
Brane watched closely, muscles tensed, prepared for any sudden move.
Deton moved his massive arms with blinding speed toward the Fenrir Twins' necks, attempting to lift them off the ground.
"You two are boring!" he snarled.
Before he could fully act, the Fenrir Twins struck in perfect sync, landing a double punch that sent Deton crashing back into the pit.
The impact rattled the walls, sending dust and debris flying.
Brane turned to Milo, concern in his voice.
"What about the other Numbers? Is this the only one here?"
Milo said, alert:
"We didn't see anyone else… just him and Toxifar. Wait… Toxifar fled down a corridor before the explosion."
Celestine cut in sharply:
"Maybe the other Numbers escaped elsewhere. Let's move quickly and leave Number 3 to them."
Milo, Celestine, and Selvara advanced cautiously, scanning the area.
Brane and the Fenrir Twins stayed, vigilant.
Novara police set up barriers, warning citizens and blocking streets to control the chaos. Shouts, distant explosions, and sirens filled the tense air.
As the trio moved through a narrow alley, a figure appeared Toxifar, blocking their path. His green hair caught the dim light, eyes piercing, and the alley seemed to shrink around him.
Selvara and Celestine charged at incredible speed, attacks aimed at Toxifar. Milo followed closely, guarding himself.
Toxifar stood calmly, a faint smile on his lips. He planted his scythe firmly on the ground.
Toxifar leapt, his scythe arcing gracefully past their attacks. In one motion, he aimed it straight at Milo.
Celestine darted faster than Selvara, moving to intercept, her eyes full of concern for Milo.
Suddenly, small white spheres fell toward her. She jumped back just in time. The spheres hit the ground, sizzling and scorching the surface.
Celestine glanced right. A cloaked figure stood atop a lamppost, face hidden. With a sudden leap, they landed before her slim, tall, radiating eerie calm.
Toxifar stood before Milo, his scythe vanished as if by magic.
"I guess… we'll finally have some time alone," he said, slyly.
Milo threw a punch, but Toxifar caught it mid-air.
"Oh… I see you're angry," Toxifar teased.
Milo's eyes burned with rage.
"We'll talk… after I defeat you!" he shouted.
Toxifar grinned wider, the thrill of the fight evident in his expression.
"Hoho… I accept your challenge!"
Meanwhile, Deton leapt up from the rubble once again, stretching his neck as he looked toward the Fenrir Twins.
"Not bad... " he said, his voice steady despite the chaos.
Brane heard the ground tremble. A massive, bizarre insect emerged six legs, curved horns, menacing.
Atop it sat a cloaked man. He removed it, revealing sharp hair, a hat, dark-tinged skin, and a neck tattoo. His eyes locked on Brane, a sinister smile on his lips.
"Ah, there you are, my prey," he said.
Brane tensed, muscles ready.
The man scowled, stepping atop the creature.
"Why are you looking at me like that, fool? Want me to torture you before this beast devours you?"
Brane didn't flinch.
"And… which Number are you?" he asked calmly.
A brief silence. Then the man's expression twisted into a terrifying smile, his fingers bending in unnatural ways, activating some unseen power.
He lifted his head, eyes wild and intense:
"I am Number Four… Zeric."
The insect behind him hissed sharply, its horns trembling, as if ready to strike at his command.
The man bent his fingers in unnatural ways, a dark power radiating from him.
Brane lunged without hesitation, fists aimed at the creature beneath the man.
The insect reacted instantly, leaping and twisting to block the attack. Dust and debris scattered with each impact.
The man smirked, dodging Brane's strikes with fluid, inhuman movements.
"You're fast… but not enough," he hissed.
Brane adjusted, observing carefully, every muscle ready. His strikes became sharper, precise, aiming for the weak points of the insect.
With a mighty blow, the insect screeched and recoiled. The man's smile faltered slightly, his fingers twitching as he prepared another attack.
The ground trembled again, tension crackling in the air. Both combatants paused for a split second, assessing each other before the next explosive clash.
He stood quietly, his voice low and steady:
"Are you the ones sent to stop us?"
Celestine and Selvara tensed, eyes tracking his slightest move.
The air thickened, charged with his mysterious power.
Celestine glared.
"That thing you threw… was it salt?"
He let a faint stream of white grains fall from his palm.
"Yes," he said calmly. "I am Number 2. My ability fights with salt… but it's not ordinary salt."
Selvara crossed her arms.
"Oh yeah? What kind of salt?"
His gray eyes met hers, cold and emotionless.
"This salt… will make you suffer in the coming hours."
Selvara smirked, confidence radiating from her posture:
"Let's see, then… who'll make who suffer first."
Tension crackled in the air.
All were ready bodies coiled, breaths steady, eyes locked on their foes. Every move could be lethal.
But one question lingered heavier than any threat:
Where is Number 1?
The city remained tense, debris scattered, energy charged… yet Number 1's absence loomed over the battlefield.