A Storm (2)

Akira takes a slow, steady breath, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield. The metallic scent of blood clings to the air, thick and suffocating. He counts the still-standing beasts.

"Eleven orcs remain, excluding the one I killed that targeted Hiro."

His fingers twitch in anticipation. With a fluid motion, he extends his hand, and in an instant, his Panthoblade materializes—the sword shimmering with a faint, eerie glow as if eager to taste blood once more.

With a flick of his wrist, he sends the weapon spinning. His eyes track the razor edge, the controlled motion reflecting years of refined skill.

To any observer, it would look like an advanced summoning spell, an intricate display of magical prowess. But to Akira, it was nothing more than a tool—a reward earned in his last dungeon raid after leveling up.

'Flashback'

The sensation of power surging through his veins was still fresh in his memory. The dungeon floor was littered with corpses, and as the last monster crumpled, the system notification flashed before his eyes:

[Congratulations. You have leveled up.]

[+5 Stat Points awarded.]

[Perfected Symmetry in effect. Allocating stat points equally across all attributes: Strength, Agility, Stamina Endurance, and Intelligence increased by +1 each.]

[The user's level has increased, the body will be restored to peak condition.]

And then—

[Since the user has reached the necessary level, the new option "Inventory" has been unlocked.]

[New Option Unlocked: Inventory]

[Capacity: 10 slots]

[Description: Grants the user access to a magical space to store and retrieve up to 10 items instantly. Extremely useful for carrying equipment, weapons, and essential items on demand.]

A smirk had tugged at the corner of his lips.

"This is fucking dope."

Unlike the flashy spells or convoluted tricks the other STARS relied on, his Inventory was simple, direct, and—most importantly—his alone.

Standing amidst the dungeon wreckage, he had tested it, summoning and unsummoning his blade at will. His satisfaction was cold, calculated.

"This will be really useful."

End of Flashback

Now, back in the ruined streets, Akira twists his Panthoblade once more, its blade humming in his grip. His gaze darkens as he sizes up the orcs.

"Time to finish this."

And then—he moves.

A blur of speed. A flicker of steel.

In the blink of an eye, his blade finds its first victim. The orc doesn't even have time to react—a clean, merciless cut across the throat. Blood splatters. The creature collapses before its brain even registers its own death.

"One down."

Without hesitation, Akira pivots, already closing in on his next target.His sword pierces flesh.Another orc staggers back, gurgling, its massive frame convulsing before hitting the ground.

"Two down."

A third orc lunges, roaring, swinging a crude club down at him. Akira doesn't even blink.

One step. A leap. He lands squarely on the creature's shoulders, and in a single brutal motion, he slices open its neck. Before its corpse even collapses, he's already moving—his gaze locked onto the rest.

This time, he unleashes his White Lightning.

Electricity crackles around his form, surging forward in an arc of destruction. The power he had refined over the last two months tears through the battlefield.

Two orcs are instantly reduced to smoldering ash.

"Four down."

Seven remain.

His movements are relentless—ghost-like, untouchable. Legs severed. Arms cleaved. Heads rolling. Every slash is precise, effortless, a testament to the perfection of his killing ability.

In less than a minute—it's over.

All but one lay dead.

The final orc lets out a deafening shriek, its cry so powerful that the other humans stumble back in agony, clutching their ears as blood leaks from their eardrums.

Akira doesn't flinch. His ears don't ring. His instincts are already whispering to him—there's another presence nearby.

Then—it appears.

A hulking figure steps into view from behind the wreckage, towering over the battlefield. Larger, more ferocious than the rest.

A Borzug Orc.

The air seems to grow heavier, the ground trembling slightly beneath its weight. Its deep-set eyes lock onto Akira.

"Ah."

A smirk crosses his lips—sharp, predatory.

"It hasn't been long since I saw one like you."

His voice drips with amusement.

"Did you miss me that much, gorilla?"

The Borzug snarls in response, muscles coiling as it raises its massive battle axe.But Akira's smirk fades, replaced by an icy, detached expression.

"But I don't have time to play with you."

With a swift motion, he flings his Panthoblade at the neck of the last remaining normal orc.

The blade bites well, and the creature folds onto the ground with a gurgling sound. In the same tempo, Akira shifted his position, eyes fixed on the raised huge axe of the Borzug , ready to squash him.

The Borzug swings his axe in a thunderous arc but Akira is faster. In an instant burst of velocity, he flashes forwards and reemerges behind the monster in the fraction of a moment it took him to pass, before refocusing the white lightning and unleashing another storm of crackling energy, every bolt piercing through and branding a smoldering wound in the monster's flesh.

It lets out one final, agonised roar and then falls, its enormous body twitching once more before lying still.

Akira stares at the smoldering corpse. A streak of warm blood slides down his cheek.

"I said—I don't have time to waste with this."

Hiro, still clutching the little girl he had shielded, watches in awe. His hands tremble, but his grip on her remains firm. As the dust settles, he gently sets her down, ensuring she's safe before stepping forward.

"I... I don't believe it, Akira." - His voice is barely a whisper.

"That power... you really awakened, didn't you?"

Akira's expression remains calm, but his eyes burn with quiet intensity.

"Yeah.It's real, as you see now."

He glances at the ruined street, his voice detached.

"They were just minor pests."

Hiro swallows hard, still trying to process everything.

"Minor pests, huh?" He exhales, shaking his head. "I mean, I'd be dead if you hadn't been here."

"Thanks, Akira." - Akira turns to him.

"Forget it, Hiro."

His voice is quiet, firm.

"You are the real hero."

"You did great protecting that girl. Most wouldn't have reacted—they would've left her behind."

Hiro opens his mouth, but Akira cuts him off with a sharp look.

"Just don't be reckless anymore."

Deep down, Akira knows the truth. If Hiro hadn't acted first, he wouldn't have bothered moving.

But because Hiro chose to act—Akira did too.

As he turns to leave, Akira's gives one final glance toward the road leading to his grandmother's house.

He clenches his fist, the weight of her words settling on his shoulders. For all his power, he still had a long way to go. The higher-ranked gates, the stronger monsters—they were the real challenge.

"I need to go now."

He hands Hiro his number.

"Call me if anything happens."

With that, he turns and walks away, his figure melting into the shadows—almost as if he was never there.

Then—

The sound of boots striking pavement.

Hiro's heart stops.

A team of operatives from T.E.R.R.A. step into the ruins.

"Oh fuck." - Hiro mutters, his pulse hammering.