Chapter 26: Ember City Massacre - Part 8

The Art of Matter

Matter: The Power Beyond Power

The Mid Rankers and High Rankers of the world did not rely solely on brute strength, elements, or abilities.

They wielded something far more profound.

Matter.

A force that made up everything—from the smallest particle to the entire universe.

Every living being had Matter flowing through them, but only those who understood it could wield its full potential.

Matter Manipulation allowed a Ranker to:

• Enhance their physical capabilities beyond natural limits.

• Create objects out of pure Matter.

• Detach their Matter and control it freely.

• Break things down into pure Matter and reshape them at will.

However, mastering Matter was no simple feat.

It was divided into five disciplines:

1. Conjurer – Users who could create anything out of absolute Matter.

2. Enhancer – Users who could multiply the Matter within their bodies, greatly increasing their physical power.

3. Emitter – Users who could detach their Matter and control it from a distance.

4. Shōsai – Users who could reduce anything to pure Matter and break it down completely.

5. Transfigure – Users who could convert one form of Matter into another.

Matter was not colorless—it reflected the soul of its wielder.

• Simon Shepard's Matter was white.

Simon was primarily an Enhancer, allowing him to perform inhuman feats of strength and speed.

However, he had an average understanding of Conjurer and Emitter, allowing him to create basic energy projectiles and manipulate his Matter externally.

His understanding of Shōsai and Transfigure was limited.

But against Bethalamoew, he didn't need mastery.

Just power.

Simon charged forward, his white aura surging as he threw a rapid barrage of punches.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Each strike shattered the air, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

Bethalamoew blocked, his metal arms denting with every impact. His red cybernetic eye scanned Simon's movements, but Simon was too fast.

"Tch."

Bethalamoew's arms shifted, revealing built-in plasma cannons.

FWOOOM!

A beam of red energy shot toward Simon.

Simon dodged, flipping into the air and hurling an energy sphere straight at Bethalamoew's chest.

CRASH!

The explosion sent the cyborg flying backward into a building.

Simon didn't stop.

He extended his white Matter, forming two long energy blades from his fists before dashing forward.

Bethalamoew recovered, his body morphing, metal plates shifting to reinforce his defenses.

CLANG!

The two clashed, energy blades vs. mechanical fists. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows at inhuman speed.

But Simon was winning.

Each of his punches broke through Bethalamoew's armor, and his energy projectiles forced the cyborg on the defensive.

Finally—

Simon leaped high into the air, gathering a massive sphere of white energy in his palm.

With one swift motion, he hurled it downward.

"You lost the moment you meet me"

BOOOOOOM!

The explosion sent Bethalamoew flying through multiple buildings, debris raining down as smoke filled the air.

Silence.

Simon exhaled.

And then—

A voice called out from the shadows.

"Impressive," a calm, dead voice echoed.

Simon's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the source.

A black-hooded figure stood on top of a collapsed building, a flag waving behind him.

The Resistance.

A group of people stood behind him, watching silently.

Simon observed the man's spiky black hair and lifeless, dead eyes.

The man stepped forward, his voice as uninterested as ever.

"…Do you remember me?"

Simon raised an eyebrow.

"Should I?"

The hooded man removed his hood, revealing his face.

"My name is Quinn Eloise."

Simon's expression changed.

"…Oh."

Memories flooded back—

The Storm of Sovereign War.

A war that raged for two years between the Resistance (rogue Rankers) and the Ranker Guild.

The Resistance had tried to crush the Rankers Guild, believing them to be corrupt tools of the government.

But the Rankers fought back.

And they won.

Simon had been on the front lines.

Quinn Eloise—back then, just a nameless fighter in the Resistance—was one of the people Simon fought and defeated.

Simon smirked.

"So, you're still alive."

Quinn blinked, his expression never changing.

"…Yes."

Simon cracked his knuckles.

"And what brings you here?"

Quinn gazed at him, his voice never rising, never lowering.

"…I'm here to end the reign of the government. And the Rankers."

Simon's smirk widened.

"That so? Then come and try."

A black aura began to rise from Quinn's body, dark and suffocating.

Simon's white aura flared in response.

The two warriors charged at each other.

A clash of black and white.

The battle was about to begin.

To be continued..