Chapter 33 – Ember City Massacre - Part 14

The earth trembled beneath its weight.

Each step of Leviacrypt crushed the ruins of Ember City, leveling everything in its path. Buildings crumbled into dust. Streets were torn apart like fragile paper. The monster's glowing blue eyes scanned its surroundings, uninterested in the chaos it caused—only focused on its destination.

The Ember Tower.

Slow, yet unstoppable.

⸻

Katsu walked.

The flames raining from the sky, the screams of dying civilians, the ongoing battles—none of it fazed him. His torn scarf fluttered in the wind, and his expression remained blank, lifeless. The tower was still 50 kilometers away. Step by step, he continued forward.

A voice called out from behind him.

"You're going the wrong way."

Katsu stopped and turned. A young man clad in armor stood before him, blonde hair, yellow eyes, a sword in hand. It was Achtur.

"Civilians need to evacuate," Achtur said. "That means you too."

Katsu slowly raised his Ranker device, the glowing interface proving his status. Achtur's expression darkened. He took a step back, his grip tightening on his sword.

"Surrender," Achtur ordered, his voice firm.

Katsu said nothing. He simply turned back around and continued toward Ember Tower.

Achtur charged.

The whistle of steel cut through the air as his sword slashed forward, but Katsu easily dodged to the side.

"What's your deal?" Katsu muttered.

Achtur kept his stance. "The Rankers caused this," he said. "They should be punished."

Katsu's eyes widened slightly. A memory resurfaced—the terrified faces of the civilians he had tried to protect. The fear in their eyes when they looked at him.

Like he was no different from the monsters they were running from.

A small tear slid down Katsu's cheek. He wiped it away.

"I'm not like them," Katsu said.

Achtur didn't waver. "All Rankers are the same. Their hands are stained with too much blood."

Katsu's gaze dropped. He clenched his fists.

"You're a Ranker too, aren't you?" he asked.

Achtur hesitated. His expression faltered, but his grip on his sword remained firm. "…Yes," he admitted. "I've killed people. Rankers, on my way here."

Katsu wasn't surprised. "Your name?"

Achtur stiffened. "…Achtur Vilma."

Katsu slowly extended his hand. "Katsu Blazewood."

Achtur didn't take it.

Katsu didn't mind. He simply turned his palm upward, and a small flame flickered to life.

His power was returning.

"Looks like walking helps," he muttered to himself.

Then, looking back at Achtur, he sighed. "I don't want to fight. I'm really not in the mood for it."

Achtur's eyes flashed with irritation. He rushed forward.

"Tell that to the people of Ember City!"

⸻

Simon sprinted through the crumbling streets, Akiko on his shoulders.

Then—a figure appeared before them.

A man, draped in a long, flowing hooded cloak.

Simon skidded to a stop, scowling. "Oh, great. Another mysterious guy in a hood." He sighed dramatically, looking up at Akiko. "How come I keep running into these guys?"

Akiko ignored him. She studied the man.

The stranger slowly removed his hood, revealing white hair, piercing blue eyes, and a pristine white tuxedo.

Simon stared.

Then, bluntly: "Why do you look like that?"

The man tilted his head. "Like what?"

"The tux." Simon gestured vaguely. "And the white hair, blue eyes combo. You look like… you know. That guy. From that one anime."

The man's expression didn't change. "I'm not a reference."

Simon nodded. "Alright." Then, casually, "Move."

The man smiled. "I never said you couldn't pass."

Simon didn't move.

Akiko watched quietly.

"…Then move."

The man's smile remained.

Simon narrowed his eyes. Something was off.

His gaze shifted slightly—to the air around them.

Then, with a knowing smirk, he asked, "Mind getting rid of the thin strings too?"

The man's smile finally faded. His voice carried a hint of surprise. "Thin strings?"

Simon fired an energy blast past the man. It **exploded midair—**before ever reaching its target.

The man's expression darkened.

Simon smirked. "Caught you a while ago."

In an instant, thin, nearly invisible threads lashed toward Simon.

Simon dodged, grabbing Akiko and dropping her to the side.

Akiko landed lightly, dusting off her clothes.

"I'll meet you at the Ember Tower," she said.

Simon gave her a two-fingered salute. "Sure."

She calmly walked past the man.

He hesitated—visibly confused.

How was she so unbothered?

Simon's voice snapped him back.

"Hey."

The man turned—only to be punched across the street.

He crashed through a building.

Yet, when the dust cleared—his white tuxedo remained spotless.

He adjusted his sleeves. "You nearly ruined my outfit."

Simon blinked. "Not even a single stain?"

The man smirked. "Of course not."

Simon cracked his knuckles. "Guess I'll have to try harder."

They clashed.

⸻

Deep underground, beneath the ruined city—

Laughter echoed in a lavish chamber.

Silken sheets. Perfumed air. Women lounged around.

The King of Ember City reclined on his massive bed, a glass of wine in one hand, a communication device in the other.

His voice was amused.

"Start moving in," he said, taking a slow sip. "Ember City won't last much longer."

His grin widened.

To be continued…