Deep in the forest, hidden within a moss-covered cliff, stood a brick hut—camouflaged for secrecy.
Karuv inspected his vehicle, preparing for a raid on the abandoned city to scavenge supplies.
*"Damn it! Why won't it start?"*
He examined the black alloy machine, a craft he'd smelted himself.
*"What's the problem? A punctured fuel tank, a faulty spark plug, and dents all over the chassis! Should've never tangled with that Wilton bastard… Barely got away."*
*"Now what?"*
*"Right—gotta see Diffu. The courier with scrap metal for the alloy should've arrived by now."*
Karuv slung a weight-dispersing kilo-bag over his shoulder and set off.
The night was thick, the sky dotted with sparse clouds. Stars burned brightly, illuminating Karuv's figure:
Ash-gray hair tied into a careless ponytail. Brown eyes, cold and indifferent. A sharp, handsome face. He wore a dark violet hoodie and black pants.
Wind rustled the leaves. Beetles hummed.
Karuv pushed through bushes, avoiding spies from rival guilds. He paused, recalling the route.
*"Past the boulder, turn right, reach the oak—Diffu's house is behind it."*
He followed the path to a wooden cabin with a metal door.
A knock. Footsteps echoed inside. The door swung open.
A black-haired, blue-eyed man of average build stood there, clad in a gray shirt and black trousers. A coffee cup steamed in his hand.
*"Long time, Karuv!"* He extended a hand.
They shook.
*"Just a month and fourteen days."*
---
**Diffu smirked.**
*"Still keeping count? Old habits die hard."*
*"Can't help it. I manage rations for the spec-ops squad."* Karuv shrugged.
They stepped into a hallway lined with perforated metal panels—cool as the night air.
Diffu huffed.
*"What brings you? I'm upgrading gear to counter those Wilton bastards. Only their tech can crack your alloy!"* He took an irritated sip of coffee.
*"Need scrap metal to repair my ride for the city run."*
Diffu drank again.
*"Bad timing. Courier's two days late—never happened before. Bet the company boss finally tracked the 'defective' shipments."*
Karuv frowned. *"How'd he figure it out?"*
*"Hey, Karuv!"*
*"We were careful. A spy, maybe?"*
*"Hellooo? Snap out of it!"*
Diffu waved a hand in front of his face.
*"What's on your mind?"*
Karuv shook his head sharply.
Diffu arched a brow.
*"Well?"*
*"Too many coincidences lately."*
Diffu nodded, draining his cup.
*"Agreed. Let's contact Valisia. She's a damn good informant. For now—gear up. You're taking the open trail, yeah?"*
Karuv agreed. They moved through a red-lit corridor to the armory.
---
**The door hissed open.**
The gray room held capsules of specialized gear.
*"Take your pick."*
Karuv pointed to a violet capsule. Inside: twin sickles and forearm guards—concealable under sleeves.
*"Solid choice. Armor's made from your custom alloy."*
Diffu tapped a button. A robotic arm equipped Karuv with sickle sheaths and an alloy regulator.
*"Hope no Wilton ambushes you. This won't save you."* He chuckled.
*"Thanks. Gotta go—dawn's coming. Don't wanna waste half the day fending off Zharovs."*
*"Anytime."* Diffu set down his cup.
Karuv left—not through brush, but a wide trail, hidden from helicopter patrols.
Rain began. He walked calmly, then froze.
*"Someone's behind that tree."*
A whistle! Karuv spun, grabbing an unusual spear—sword-like. Pain seared his arm.
*"Damn!"*
He hurled the spear, tore his pant leg. His palm throbbed. Twin sickles flashed as he yelled:
*"Come out and fight!"*
A figure emerged: crimson cloak, sword on back, more spears in hand.
*"Who the hell are you?"* Karuv barked.
The stranger lowered his hood. A man in his thirties—steel-gray eyes, short silver hair, trimmed beard.
*"Mernad Delonsky."* A mocking, mid-toned voice.
---
**Karuv Senta!**
He charged, testing tactics. Attacks useless—Mernad blocked effortlessly. Switching to defense, Karuv barely countered Mernad's relentless strikes. Seven volleys left him exhausted, scratched.
Mernad lunged again, hurling spears, then unsheathed his sword—raised to the sky! Starlight energy crackled along the blade.
Karuv crossed his sickles.
A flash! White stars rained down.
Karuv tumbled, sickles shattered. He stood, aching, as Mernad recalled his spears.
*"You're skilled, Karuv Senta. Don't resist—your death will be painless."*
*"Who sent you?"* Karuv triggered a hidden wrist device. The armor blinked twice.
*"My employer prefers anonymity. I eliminate… inconveniences."*
Mernad sprinted, striking hard.
*"My alloy—Icarus! Adapts to body heat, invisible to thermals!"* Karuv kicked him back.
Dawn crept in. Rain stopped.
Mernad grinned.
*"Clever. But you missed the fuel tank."*
*"So that's how you tracked me!"*
*"Not just you. My team's already handling your bases."*
*"Why? What's your boss's damn problem with us?"*
*"You interfere."* Mernad hurled a spear.
Karuv deflected it. Mernad's sword glowed—solar energy this time.
*"Two magic sources? Interesting."* Karuv braced.
A blast! The sword cracked. Both flew backward. Karuv's spear incinerated.
*"Damn… Armor's overheated. Next hit's fatal."*
Wind howled. They clashed again—harder, faster. A kick to Mernad's ribs bought Karuv distance.
Mernad winced.
*"Enough games."*
Fire sparks flared.
*"Kalo ta dori tis fotias!"*
Flaming spears materialized behind him.
Karuv smirked.
*"Going all out, huh?"*
He whispered. Violet swords materialized in his hands.
Spears rained. He dodged, sliced—but they kept coming. *"How much mana does this guy have?!"*
A spear pierced his shoulder. Pain! He staggered behind a tree, blood flow magically staunched.
*"Tree won't save you. Die with dignity!"*
A roar—an engine! A woman's voice shouted:
*"Pagos!"*
Ice encased Mernad. A katana flashed. The frozen statue shattered.
Karuv peered out. A blonde girl in a white tee and blue skirt stood beside Diffu. Mernad's corpse lay between them.
*"Valisia? Diffu? How'd you escape his team?"*
*"Barely,"* Diffu panted. *"Saw the flare and raced here."*
Valisia giggled.
*"Oops, shoulder's leaking. Hold still."* Frost sealed the wound.
Diffu crossed his arms.
*"Plan?"*
*"Desert base. Then—find their boss."*
They piled into the car.
As they sped off, a woman in a blue cloak materialized where the car had been.
*"Interesting… Very interesting."* She vanished into the trees.