Location: Sacred Temple, Bob's Forge
Only three people were inside, yet the surroundings were filled with bizarre objects.
A custom-made classic motorcycle stood nearby though it looked designed only for ground travel. A cold furnace sat in the corner, strangely containing several abandoned pizzas despite clearly not being meant for food storage. Empty barrels were scattered everywhere.
Two figures stood still, watching something.
What they were watching was…
Jack: Was it worth it?
Arthur: Oh, absolutely.
Bob: İndirin beni anasını ###########
Bob was once again stuck inside the handle of the gigantic hammer.
This time, however, Arthur had put him there and he was clearly enjoying it.
Bob: I'll make that damn weapon you want! Just get me down!
Jack glanced at Arthur. The man was struggling not to burst into laughter. Jack placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder.
Jack: I think that's enough.
Arthur made a fake disappointed expression. Still, continuing any longer would have crossed a line. He walked toward the hammer, grabbed it-
but instead of gently rotating it, he violently swung it one hundred eighty degrees.
Bob flew straight toward the wall.
CRACK.
The moment he hit, the wall fractured, cracks spreading outward as nearby objects fell to the ground. Gold ornaments, metal scraps everything rattled noisily.
Bob: That was extremely rude.
Bob slid down the wall like a sticker losing its grip before dropping into a pile of fallen barrels and equipment.
Arthur: We told you to make us a weapon. Something worthy of my student.
Jack (Thoughts): Now that I think about it… we're basically acting like villains right now.
Bob dusted himself off.
Bob: Fine, fine… I'll forge armored weapons for both of the kid's arms.
Arthur: Excuse me?
Both of them were surprised. Bob was essentially proposing combat gauntlets.
Arthur had imagined Jack wielding an axe.
Jack, however, looked excited this was one of the most compatible weapon types for his Cosmic Combat Style.
Bob: The kid's physical strength is abnormal for a standard Guardian.
Arthur: That's true, but why that weapon?
Bob pointed toward Jack's hands.
Bob: Look at those hands. These are the hands of someone who kept punching walls nonstop. They almost look like metal already.
When Jack was younger, he used to punch walls whenever he felt angry or sad. Bob had understood that with a single glance.
But Bob had noticed something else too.
Bob: Only a handful of people besides me can lift that hammer without using energy. That brat lifted it easily… and even spun it.
Arthur fell into thought.
Arthur (Thoughts): He's right… Jack's body shouldn't possess this level of physical
power. Especially since he never received energy training…
Jack had been born physically weak. He grew stronger over time but not this strong.
Something had supported him.
Liberty.
When Liberty once took control of his body, Jack's physical limits had been completely surpassed. Compared to his old self, the difference was massive nearly three times stronger than before.
Arthur smirked slightly and scratched his head.
Arthur: Make the highest-quality armored arms you can. And if you succeed… I'll buy you one of those classic antique cars.
Bob nearly jumped with excitement but quickly forced an indifferent expression, trying to hide it.
Bob: Add ten barrels alongside it, and I'll forge you a weapon with a Technique.
Arthur: Perfect.
They shook hands.
Meanwhile, Jack sank into deep thought.
Jack (Thoughts): Wait… how can a weapon have a Technique? I'm getting confused.
While excitement, satisfaction, and confusion filled the forge
Outside, a dangerous atmosphere was forming.
Location: Ten Kilometers Away from the Sacred Temple
Flying vehicles moved through the sky while crowds filled the streets below, each person heading somewhere different.
On top of a tall building stood a man dressed entirely in black.
He wore a dark gambler-style cowboy hat, his face hidden beneath shadows. In his hands rested an ancient relic a sniper rifle aimed directly toward the Sacred Temple.
Inside his eyes glowed a symbol.
A skull locked inside a sniper scope.
Bright crimson.
Yes.
That man was Revenant.
Revenant (Thoughts): The moment my target lowers his guard… I'll hunt him. The reward will be mine.
A mysterious figure suddenly appeared behind him landing silently as if dropping from the sky.
Revenant sensed the presence immediately and turned, frowning.
Revenant: El juez ha llegado.
The judge has arrived.
- - - : What is a bounty hunter doing here?
A man wearing a black suit and brown hair stood there calmly.
It was Marcus Diesel.
The King of Justice.
Marcus: Let me guess… you're hunting a Guardian.
Revenant: Your guess isn't bad. You're right. But if you knew which one… it would be far more disturbing.
Marcus smirked. A scale-shaped mark appeared on his right hand.
Marcus: According to my Technique… you're after Liberty's vessel, Jack Horizon.
Revenant shivered slightly. The guess had struck perfectly.
His eyes narrowed, though a smile remained hidden beneath.
Revenant: I need a test subject to try this relic… and you look perfect.
Marcus: I'll beat you properly before the Chains of Justice bind you.
Jade-green energy gathered in Revenant's hand then suddenly split into a deep crimson glow.
Marcus released energy as well, a faded golden aura spreading around him.
Two overwhelming forces faced each other atop the rooftop.
Who would strike first?
And who would emerge victorious?