The city buzzed with normal life, unaware that a storm was brewing. Obsidian had already begun the first phase of his plan, his elite team in position, each member assigned to create maximum chaos and fear.
Explosions erupted in industrial districts.
Armed mercenaries blocked key streets, trapping civilians.
Advanced surveillance drones tracked Mikey and Jin's movements, predicting their responses.
Mikey and Jin React
Mikey clenched his fists, Phantom Tempest energy flaring, his eyes scanning for threats.
Jin activated Mirror Flow and used his Copy skill to anticipate Obsidian's mercenaries' techniques.
"They're trying to separate us," Jin said, dodging a barrage of attacks.
"We can't let civilians get hurt… we have to move fast!" Mikey replied, rushing to intercept a group threatening a crowd.
Obsidian's Manipulation
Obsidian watched from a high vantage point, calm and calculating.
His plan wasn't just to destroy—it was to force Mikey and Jin into choices that would test their limits, both physically and morally.
"Reacting emotionally makes them predictable," he murmured. "Let's see if they can adapt."
First Clashes
Mikey and Jin split up to save civilians and intercept mercenaries.
Mikey's punches, infused with Phantom Tempest, shredded obstacles and neutralized attacks with precision.
Jin moved like a shadow, copying enemy techniques and countering with Pure Taekwondo Strikes.
Yet, even together, the sheer coordination and strategy of Obsidian's forces kept them on the defensive, showing how deadly and intelligent he had become.
Cliffhanger
Just as Mikey rescued a group of civilians, a massive explosion erupted behind him.
Jin intercepted just in time, but both realized: Obsidian wasn't merely fighting—they were being tested in a large-scale war scenario.
Obsidian's voice echoed from the shadows through hacked communications:"This is only Phase One… survive, and maybe you'll see Phase Two."