Between Rocks and Traitors

Even with dismembered cybernetic bodies scattered around them, the miners didn't flinch. They barely reacted to the grotesque mechanical graveyard.

Truth was, nothing fazed the survivors of the star's arrival anymore. Their nerves had turned to stone long ago. Nothing compared to the hell they endured ten years ago.

It didn't take long for the government's cleanup agency to arrive. Tasked with erasing every trace of battle, they moved swiftly, dismantling the counterfeit cyberware used by criminals. Even low-grade tech held value in the right hands, and the government had no intention of letting it spread.

Japan had done everything possible to curb the rise of cyberpsychopaths. With the Awakened working alongside the state, crime had dropped by 15%. Attacks had become less frequent.

But they hadn't stopped.

The few that still occurred were brutal, leaving entire districts in ruins after clashes between the Awakened and the Cybers.

To minimize the destruction, European scientists had developed impact-containment technology—force fields powered by Astrostone. Japan adopted it, but only for extreme emergencies. They had no choice. After Kage no Homonsha, Japan was left in ruins. The world abandoned them to die.

Trust between nations? That was buried along with the wreckage.

Forced to rebuild alone, Japan sealed itself off. No foreign equipment. No people. No food. Nothing from the outside was welcome, and the world returned the favor.

Some claimed this resentment birthed the strongest concentration of Awakened on the planet. Awakening wasn't just strength. It was a mindset. A fire fueled by determination and rage.

Legends even spoke of a new breed—immune to the virus, able to filter contaminated air, purging toxins within their own bodies. Proof that years of hatred could shape not just the mind, but the flesh itself.

The battle ended. The miners returned home, murmuring among themselves before fading into silence.

All except one.

Reiji didn't follow them.

Instead, he slipped through the star's atrium, heading deeper into Kael.

Adrenaline still burned in his veins. He had witnessed one of Japan's strongest Awakened in action today. The sheer power… It was terrifying.

And yet, that terror was nothing compared to the bitterness gnawing at him.

I'll never be like them.

His body. His strength. He would never develop like the others.

No matter how hard he worked, it all felt insignificant.

The clock read 8:50 PM.

"My God, time flies when we switch to autopilot."

The tunnels were silent.

Until they weren't.

Reiji froze. Voices echoed from the sector closest to the star's core—the area with the highest concentration of Astrostone.

And, more importantly…

Relics.

He tightened his grip on his pickaxe. Silent steps carried him closer. As the voices sharpened, unease curled in his gut.

Something was wrong.

Chan had been clear—no one was supposed to be here this late.

So what the hell was happening inside Kael?

Pressing himself against the wall, he spotted their shadows first.

Three men.

Laughing, striking the rocks without stopping.

— Too easy! Definitely the easiest job we've ever had!

— Easy and well-paid! Not even Cho suspects our plan. But I could smell Daiki shitting his pants when he saw that Awakened up close, - one of them sneered.

— Shut up! That fool Ryūga would never suspect the brilliant plan I came up with! - The third grinned, leaning on his pickaxe. - After today, we'll be filthy rich!

For a moment, silence.

The three thieves let their minds wander—dreaming of their soon-to-be fortune on the black market.

Then, one of them spoke.

— Hey, Daiki… how do you know no one's on watch near Kael?

Daiki smirked.

Exhaled a slow stream of smoke.

Then clapped a hand on his companion's shoulder. - Simple, young grasshopper. - He chuckled. - Since it's the most protected area, no one would ever imagine someone daring to rob it. Reverse psychology, you imbeciles.

Reiji clenched his jaw.

He had heard everything.

His pulse pounded in his ears.

Gem trafficking.

A crime far worse than staying past curfew.

But if he reported them, would his punishment be lighter? Would he be absolved for exposing such a serious crime?

None of it mattered.

For the first time in his life, he had to act.

He pulled out his phone. Dialed emergency services.

No signal.

Of course. The star nullified all communication within a two-kilometer radius.

His only option? Take a picture.

But in his panic—

He forgot the flash was on.

A burst of light.

Daiki's eyes narrowed.

— We have company…

Three heads snapped toward the source.

A small silhouette.

A boy.

Reiji.

— Well, well, Kageyama… - Daiki cracked his knuckles. "For someone like you, I gotta admit… you've got guts."

Reiji ran.

The tunnels twisted into a labyrinth.

Even veterans got lost without a map.

He tripped. Staggered. Slammed against the walls.

But he didn't stop.

He clutched his Relic, fear and adrenaline burning in his chest.

His legs were getting heavier.

Breaths sharp. Vision swimming.

— Someone… please… help me! Don't let me die!

Then—

His foot caught on the tracks.

He hit the ground, hard.

Footsteps closed in.

Laughter.

— This is your end, bastard!

Reiji pushed himself up.

Looked around.

No exits.

No escape.

This was it.