The air around Novara's gate trembled with lingering sparks of energy.
Dust drifted slowly through the sunlight as the last traces of lightning faded into the air. The guards stood frozen in place, their weapons still raised, yet none of them dared to move.
At the center of it all stood Number One.
Aporrhesis.
For the first time in years, his eyes were open.
And the power that had once been sealed inside him now flowed freely once more.
One of the guards stood frozen in place, his entire body trembling.
Fear gripped him so tightly that even breathing felt difficult.
The mere presence of Number One was enough to make his mind scream in alarm.
He had faced dangerous criminals before… but this was different.
The other guards stood frozen, their faces pale with fear. None of them dared to move, their hands trembling as they held their weapons.
One of them quickly pulled out his phone, his fingers shaking as he called for backup.
Number One slowly turned his gaze toward the guard.
"There's no need for that," he said calmly.
"I'm simply waiting for my friends."
"When they arrive… I'll leave."
He smiled gently.
"I promise you… I won't hurt anyone."
One of the guards suddenly stepped forward and lunged at him with his spear.
The sharp tip shot straight toward Number One's chest.
But Number One did not step back.
Not even a single step.
He simply tilted his body slightly to the side.
The spear sliced through the air beside him.
The other guards finally moved.
Seeing their comrade fail to land a single hit, they rushed forward together, surrounding Number One from different directions.
Spears thrust toward him from every side.
Yet Number One remained where he stood.
He didn't attack.
He didn't even look worried.
With calm, effortless movements, he simply shifted the path of their attacks.
A slight movement of his hand, a subtle tilt of his body, and the spears were pushed aside as if an invisible force had redirected them.
The guards were thrown off balance, stumbling back as their own momentum carried them away from him.
To Number One… it felt almost effortless.
Number One stood perfectly still, almost impossible to track.
And then, in the blink of an eye, he was suddenly standing right in front of one of the guards.
The guard tensed up. Even though he could sense the kindness radiating from Number One, there was something unusual hidden behind that calm, serene expression.
Before he could react, Number One moved his hand in a swift, precise motion.
A light strike to the guard's neck, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The leader of the guards, the strongest among them, raised his voice sharply.
"Step back! All of you step away from him! You are no match for him!"
His eyes darted toward the horizon, anticipating the arrival of reinforcements.
"Hurry and fall back! The backup will arrive soon!"
But it was no use. Within moments, Number One had knocked every guard unconscious.
From a distance, Theron sat watching the scene unfold, Luneth by his side.
He's incredibly strong…
The leader of the guards, furious, clenched his teeth.
"Damn it!"
He charged recklessly at Number One, thrusting his spear with all his might.
Number One easily avoided the strike and moved closer, ready to render the guard unconscious as well.
But the guard stepped back at the last second, avoiding the blow, leaving Number One momentarily surprised.
"Impressive… you managed to avoid my attack."
The guard stared at him intently.
"I've faced far worse during my time guarding this massive gate… and I survived."
Number One smiled faintly.
"Congratulations… well done."
As the guard readied his spear for another attack, he suddenly realized something his weapon was broken.
"What?!"
Number One looked at him calmly.
"Give up. You've already lost."
The guard slammed his weapon into the ground and shouted, his voice echoing with frustration.
"I… I refuse! I won't!..."
But in a terrifying, shocking moment, he froze.
Behind him, the massive insect had arrived.
On its back stood Number Four and Number Two.
And inside its gaping mouth… sat Number Five, Toxivar.
The sheer size of the creature made the ground tremble beneath their feet.
Number One's eyes began to glow, a bright, lively shimmer that reflected pure exhilaration.
A wide smile spread across his face, full of joy and anticipation.
"Crystel! Zeric!" he called out, his voice echoing with energy and excitement.
The massive insect stood beside him, its presence overwhelming.
Crystel and Zeric stepped down, flanking Number One.
Zeric looked at him with deep gratitude.
"My commander… you've regained your strength."
Crystel's gaze remained calm, resting on Number One.
"Aporrhesis… I'm truly happy for you."
Number One observed their condition.
Zeric was battered, utterly exhausted. Crystel, too, showed signs of fatigue, though less severely.
"I'm… sorry, my friends," he said softly, his voice carrying both regret and warmth.
Toxivar emerged from the mouth of the massive insect.
"Number One!" he shouted.
Number One turned, his gaze landing on Toxivar.
"Oh… Toxivar." For the first time, Number One saw his face clearly.
His long green hair flowed down his back, two strands framing his sharp features on either side of his face.
His tall, slender frame radiated a deadly grace.
But it was his eyes that struck the most a vivid, glowing green with an eerie radiance, almost like venom coursing from within.
Number One's expression remained calm, yet beneath it lay a spark of fascination.
Toxivar stared at Number One, wide-eyed, taken aback by the sheer presence and power he now radiated.
"Your strength… it gives me chills," he admitted, a spark of excitement in his voice.
"I'm eager to see you fight."
Number One smiled faintly.
"Really? Hmm…" he said thoughtfully.
"But where is your friend you mentioned to me? I think his name was Mi..."
Toxivar's expression darkened, a mix of annoyance and anger crossing his face.
"Milo… I tried to take him with me, but they wouldn't let me," he said, his tone sharp and frustrated.
Number One let out a soft, quiet laugh at Toxivar's first signs of annoyance.
"Alright… don't worry about it," he said, the warmth of nostalgia lingering behind his words.
But the moment was broken by a sudden sound the sharp hiss of a cigarette being lit.
Number One's eyes shifted toward the source.
There, standing calmly a few meters away, was Kryne.
He held a cigarette between his fingers, the tip glowing bright orange as he inhaled slowly.
His hat was tilted low over his eyes, casting a shadow across the upper part of his face.
The sunlight caught the ash-gray fabric of his coat, highlighting the subtle movements of his lean, wiry frame.
He exhaled, smoke curling into the air, a faint smirk on his lips as if he had been waiting for this moment.
The remaining Numbers readied themselves, their eyes sharp, bodies tense.
Toxivar pointed a finger at Kryne, his expression filled with annoyance.
"This is the one who stopped me from taking Milo!"
Number One's gaze shifted to Kryne, calm yet piercing.
Kryne met his eyes without flinching, a faint smirk forming on his lips.
"So… you're their leader…"
Kryne pulled the cigarette from his lips, exhaling a thin stream of smoke that curled into the air.
Number One's eyes fixed on him, calm and unwavering.
"Yes," he replied slowly, his voice steady and commanding.
"I am… their leader. I am responsible for everything that happens here."
Kryne let out a slow sigh after hearing his answer.
"So that's how it is…" he said calmly.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your little reunion."
From the surrounding streets, dozens of Novara police officers began to appear, each holding different types of stun weapons, their formations tightening around the Numbers.
Kryne continued speaking.
"But..."
Before he could finish, several mysterious figures in black suits suddenly appeared on top of the nearby buildings. Their outfits concealed their faces completely, standing like silent shadows overlooking the scene.
At that moment, Celestine and Brane arrived, watching everything unfold.
Number Four and Number Two glanced around, carefully assessing the situation.
Zeric looked both worried and furious.
Crystel, however, remained calm and confident, already prepared for whatever command their leader would give.
Kryne took another drag from his cigarette before finishing his sentence.
"You must be arrested."
One of the guards felt relief wash over him after seeing the reinforcements.
"There's no escape for you intruders!" he shouted.
"The gate behind you is sealed. Even your strongest techniques won't be able to open it!"
Toxivar turned his head toward the massive gate behind them and clenched his teeth.
"Damn it!"
The remaining Numbers trusted his decision completely.
Number One raised his voice to reassure them.
"Leave this to me."
The masses advanced countless, terrifying forces approaching from every direction.
At the last moment, Number One lifted his hand forward, his gaze sharp and his expression fierce.
"Stay back!"
A translucent white energy burst around him, sparks flying violently.
He unleashed his power.
In that instant, everyone felt it time itself seemed to pause.
Then, in mere seconds, the entire crowd was thrown backward.
Officers and intruders alike stumbled, some falling hard onto the ground, others crashing into walls and structures.
Shock and disbelief painted every face.
The remaining Numbers who hadn't been pushed were visibly shocked.
But Crystel, the only one who had anticipated this, let out a calm, knowing smile.
Number One passed by them slowly, heading toward the gate.
"Let's go, everyone."
Toxivar still stared, astonished by the overwhelming power he had just witnessed.
Kryne staggered, unable to stand against the sheer force of the push.
"What… what just happened?!" he coughed, blood trickling from his mouth.
"I felt like my body was going to explode from that force…"
Celestine struggled to rise, but even her strength faltered.
The police squad leader was frozen in fear, helpless.
He realized there was nothing he could do after seeing all his men defeated in such a devastating manner.
He looked around, frustrated.
"Do something! Come on! What are you waiting for? Stand up!"
Number One stood before the massive gate, placing his hand firmly on its surface.
The guard tightened his fists, his right eye swollen and injured from the previous push, panting and unable to walk properly.
"You… you can't open that gate, no matter what you try," he said firmly, his gaze sharp and serious, certain of his words.
Number One glanced at him briefly, then returned his gaze to the gate.
He closed his eyes and radiated his intense energy.
"Push!"
With a tremendous surge of force, he shoved against the gate with all his might.
Despite the immense power, the gate did not budge.
The guard watched closely, then attempted to step forward, but Number One did not relent.
He increased the intensity of his push. A small crack began to appear in the gate.
Not satisfied, Number One pushed harder still, and with a deafening force, the gate splintered, a massive hole forming where none had been before.
The Numbers began to leave through the massive hole.
Zeric smiled provocatively, then leapt through and vanished.
Toxivar emerged next, his face lit with pure joy.
"Freedom!" he shouted.
Number Two placed a hand on the gate, pushing himself halfway out, but his gaze fell on Celestine.
"We'll meet again, Celestine. And then…"
A menacing pause.
"I'll make sure you pay."
He slipped through, disappearing from sight.
Finally, Number One, the leader of the Numbers, stepped forward and passed through the gate.
He turned briefly, his eyes scanning everyone for a single moment.
"See you, Theron."
And then he was gone.
The guard sank to his knees, his hands trembling.
"This… this is impossible… they broke the gate!" he whispered, his voice cracking.
Around him, the shattered fragments of the massive door lay scattered, splintered and twisted under the force that had been unleashed.
Dust hung thick in the air, and the sound of splintering wood and metal still echoed faintly.
Every eye in the area was wide with shock, hearts pounding, unable to comprehend the sheer power that had just passed through.
After a few minutes, they began to rise.
Kryne stood, brushing dust from his body. Celestine also got to her feet. Brane remained nearby as the medics tended to him.
The police squad leader stood before his troops.
"Move! They haven't gone far!" he barked.
The rest of the soldiers refused.
"It's impossible… we can't defeat him! He's not human!"
Despair washed over him, and he turned toward the figures in black suits. He stepped forward.
"You… go after them!"
The black-suited agents passed by him without a word, ignoring his presence, and withdrew.
The leader's anger flared. He looked around and saw only Celestine and Kryne.
"You members of the Guild Agency! You were assigned this mission! Capture them from the start! You must stop them!"
Kryne looked at him with cold disdain.
"Do you realize what just happened? That man is far stronger than all of us combined. If you're so determined, why don't you chase them yourself? You're the police squad leader after all."
Celestine nodded slightly, agreeing with Kryne's words.
The squad leader's face twisted in rage at Kryne's audacity.
"You insolent!"
Theron, who had returned to watching from afar, sat on the ground, a smile spreading across his face.
"Thank God… they managed to escape," he whispered, relief washing over him.
Luneth sat beside him, watching him carefully. She tried to hide her own joy, but the faint smile betrayed her feelings.
She took Theron's hand.
"Come on, let's go. You've already been seen by that guard. You need to stay out of sight until this is all over."
Without another word, she began pulling him, running swiftly alongside him, guiding him safely away from the chaos.
In the final scene, Milo appeared.
He lay on the ground, eyes closed, his heart beating steadily. Slowly, he opened his eyes for a brief moment, sensing that his ability to move had returned and the effect of the poison had vanished.
His brown hair, fell naturally around his neck and forehead. Around his neck hung a simple but distinct necklace, a small token that seemed important to him. His body was of balanced, medium build not too thin, not too bulky, perfectly proportioned.
Serene, the leader of the Sixth Guild, looked at him with concern.
"You're alright, young man?"
Milo met her gaze, then moved his hand, opening and closing it.
"Yes… I think so," he replied.
He slowly stood, taking in his surroundings, then lifted his eyes to the sky for a brief, silent moment.
And with that, the chapter came to an end