Chapter 39 — Ember City Massacre - Part 19
Katsu charged forward, flames curling from his clenched fist as he aimed directly at Aenedleah. His heart pounded, his body screamed—but he refused to stop.
The moment his fist neared, Aenedleah caught it without flinching.
In the next second, Katsu was hurled into the air like a doll. Before he could catch his breath or react, Aenedleah appeared above him in midair and brought his fist down.
Boom.
Katsu slammed into the ground with crushing force. Blood exploded from his mouth. That hit alone… it should've knocked him out completely.
But somehow, he stayed conscious.
Barely.
His body was already at its limit after fighting Caleb and Achtur. He wasn't just tired—he was drained. There was nothing left in the tank. And now, he was facing a high-ranker.
Ranks weren't determined by strength alone. Battle experience, adaptability, and overall awareness all contributed. The system was divided into three classes:
Low Rankers: T-1 to Z-10
Mid Rankers: K-1 to S-10
High Rankers: A-1 to J-10
Aenedleah was certainly above everyone currently present in Ember City. Even if he was at the lowest level of High Rankers, J-10, there was no one else in this city who could compare.
Katsu lay still, dazed, his thoughts spiraling.
Wait… If he's a High Ranker… does that mean he had to kill people to rank up?
The question echoed through his mind like a bitter realization.
He tried to move, struggling against the weight of pain pressing on every inch of his body. But before he could even get on his knees, Aenedleah was already charging toward him. His fist was raised, aimed right for Katsu's face.
But Katsu didn't feel fear.
No.
It was something more.
It came and went in an instant. Not fear. Not hesitation.
It was as if time itself paused.
It was—
Death.
As the fist neared, Katsu was suddenly shoved out of the way.
Simon.
Simon's body collided into him, pushing him to the side just in time. But the sheer pressure of Aenedleah's attack still sent both of them flying.
A few seconds earlier…
After Aenedleah had smashed him into the ground, Simon had felt pain unlike anything before. It wasn't just physical. It was pressure, heavy and unrelenting. His body ached with every breath.
He lay there, staring at the sky, thoughts racing through his head.
"So the rumors were wrong," he muttered to himself. "They underestimated him."
He had already taken heavy damage fighting Quinn, Bethalemoew, and that annoying mystery fighter—Anime-Kun. He was worn out. No buffs. No boosts. Just raw instinct.
But then he heard something—Katsu groaning in pain.
Simon turned his head weakly.
Katsu... he's still standing?
The boy was barely holding on. But he was fighting. Trying.
Simon felt something stir inside. He's grown a lot… but this won't be enough.
He raised one hand, his palm trembling. His eyes darted to the unconscious Achtur, lying vulnerable in the distance. And then—a shadow.
Someone was creeping toward Achtur.
Simon squinted, trying to focus. Blood blurred his vision.
A whisper.
Akiko?
Yeah—it had to be her. She was moving to retrieve Achtur, quietly, while Simon and Katsu kept Aenedleah busy.
Simon looked back at his palm. He had only a sliver of Matter left.
He wasn't a master of it, not like some others. But he had a solid grasp of the basics and had specialized in a few types. If there was ever a time to push beyond his limits… this was it.
He forced himself to stand.
Suddenly, a cold sensation ran down his spine.
Death.
He didn't think—he sprinted.
Back in the present.
Simon's body collided with Katsu's just in time. Aenedleah's fist missed them by inches—but even that was enough.
The blast wave flung them both across the city, smashing through rubble, walls, and whatever else stood in the way.
The direction Aenedleah had punched… was no longer there.
The entire stretch—seven blocks—had been wiped clean. Flattened.
Simon groaned, coughing blood, his vision tilting.
As he struggled to sit up, he stared at the destruction.
His mind screamed:
"You've got to be kidding me…"
To be continued…