A mysterious man appeared—towering at nearly 210 centimeters, with short crimson hair. He wore a white shirt layered beneath a long black coat, black trousers, and a heavy chain draped across his chest.
{Macto, the Lord of Destruction} strode forward with a cold expression.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"I already know… You must be the one who defeated Kazat. And you even managed to bring down Septa… impressive."
His furious eyes locked onto Kai, before shifting toward Eugene who stood not far away. Eugene's body trembled, his face stricken with terror. His legs stepped back on instinct, as though guided by sheer survival.
With a voice heavy with power and eyes burning with malice, Macto spoke:
"Eugene, do you want to know who ordered the destruction of your homeworld, who left you wandering with nowhere to return? I know exactly why you joined them… You're searching, aren't you? Searching for the one who destroyed your city."
Eugene's lips quivered as he muttered in fear, barely audible:"You…?"
"Yes. It was me. I gave the order to send the invaders to burn your home. Do you want to know why? … Because your planet held something I wanted—The Vision Eye."
Eugene's fear twisted into rage. He shouted furiously:"You wiped out an entire city just for The Vision Eye?! You bastard!"
"That's right… I did. And what of it? I had to erase all traces. If word spread about The Vision Eye, that would be troublesome, wouldn't it?"
Macto finished speaking and lunged at Eugene with terrifying speed. The ground shattered beneath his feet as his body shot forward like a released bullet. Eugene raised his guard desperately.
CRACK!His defense broke in an instant. Macto's fist slammed into his face, launching him into a wall with bone-crushing force. Eugene collapsed to the ground, sliding down in a seated position.
Macto stepped forward and pressed his boot down on Eugene's head.
"What's wrong, Eugene? No strength left to seek revenge? I'm right here before you. Get up. Get up, Eugene! Before me, the Lord of Destruction, you're nothing but trash."
Kai, unable to stand by, leapt forward and tackled Macto, sending both rolling across the ground. But Macto seized Kai by the throat and slammed him hard into the earth. Lifting him effortlessly into the air, Macto drove a brutal punch into his stomach.
THUD!"Ughh!" Kai's body was hurled across the ground, rolling violently until he collapsed on his knees, blood pouring from his mouth.
"It's fine, Eugene… I'll protect you…" he whispered, raising his blurred eyes toward his trembling friend.
Enraged by the sight, Eugene surged forward, his body wreathed in blazing flames. He charged like a falling meteor, aiming straight at Macto.
Macto raised a single hand and stopped the attack with ease, before kicking Eugene's leg and unleashing a flurry of devastating punches. Blood sprayed across the ground with each strike.
From her hiding spot behind a massive steel container, Rese gasped, covering her mouth with trembling hands. Tears streamed down her face, but terror bound her in place—she could only watch.
Eugene collapsed, motionless, blood pooling beneath him. Macto pressed his foot down on Eugene's head.
"The so-called Lord of Wrath? You're unworthy."
Kai staggered forward, mustering what little strength remained, and threw a punch at Macto's face.
Macto didn't even flinch. "That's nothing more than an insect's bite." With a single counter, he sent Kai flying, crashing violently to the ground.
Kai tried to rise, his body shaking, covered in torn clothes and bloody wounds. One eye was swollen shut. Yet he still shouted, voice hoarse but defiant:
"Is that all you can do? Picking on people who can't fight back? Lord of Destruction? You're nothing but a cowardly piece of trash!"
Macto froze, fury contorting his face. He turned fully toward Kai, no longer sparing Eugene a glance. His murderous eyes locked onto Kai, predator upon prey.
He charged and hammered Kai with relentless blows. Kai's body crumpled beneath the strikes, on the verge of unconsciousness, yet Macto continued, enraged by the insult.
And then—
Inside Kai's mind, a voice of a young girl echoed softly:
"Come to us… The Vision Eye."