Chapter 6: Shadows Behind Orders

The man with the claymore stepped back, muttering, "We knew he was strong... but this much?"

Nectar gritted his teeth, frustration evident in his voice. "This guy is really strong, and it's pissing me off. Should we retreat?"

The man with the claymore tightened his grip on the hilt, his gaze unwavering. "No… we have to complete this mission, even if it costs one of us our lives."

"Alright then, I'll go all out and keep him busy. Take that chance to finish off the brat."

"Captain Zeth, are you alright?"

"Don't worry about me—just stay focused, Ito."

"Looks like we underestimated you... but let's see how you handle this—Zone: Art Creation!"

A sudden burst erupted in the sky, unleashing a surge of energy that expanded outward, engulfing everything within a 50-kilometer radius.

Ito muttered, "This layer in the sky... it looks just like Captain Zeth's Zone power from that day."

Zeth tilted his head, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "What now? Planning to put on a little dance show for me, small fry?"

"Heh, don't act so high and mighty. You're inside my Zone now—let's see how long that smug smile lasts."

As Nectar unleashed his Zone technique, he could now create as many creatures as he wanted.

"Feast, my pets—tear him apart!" Nectar roared, pointing at Zeth.

Ten massive dragons surged forward, their roars shaking the air as they charged like a tidal wave of destruction. But just before they reached him, Zeth's eyes flicked sideways—sharp and alert.

In that instant, he caught the glint of steel. The man with the claymore had vanished from his place and was now hurtling toward Ito, blade poised for a lethal strike.

Zeth burst forward with explosive speed, the ground beneath him splintering from the force. He vanished from sight before the dragons—or even Nectar's eyes—could register the movement. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared between the claymore-wielding man and Ito.

"Did you really think this cheap trick would work?" Zeth said coldly.

The man with the claymore smirked. "Cheap or not… it worked."

High above, the dragons opened their jaws in unison, gathering massive energy in their throats. In the next moment, a barrage of devastating blasts rained down from the sky—each one powerful enough to level a city block—engulfing the battlefield in utter chaos.

As the dust began to settle, the man with the claymore lay sprawled in the distance, groaning in pain. Nectar scanned the battlefield, searching—but Zeth and Ito were nowhere to be seen.

A grin spread across his face as he let out a triumphant laugh."See what happens when you mock me?" he sneered, satisfaction dripping from every word.

Then, a voice rang out behind him—calm and mocking.

"You really are having fun."

Nectar's grin froze. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he turned slowly.His instincts screamed at him to move, but before he could even blink, Zeth was already there—standing right in front of him.

In a blur, Zeth grabbed him by the mouth, his grip unrelenting. With a single, monstrous motion, he hurled Nectar into the air. The wind roared as Nectar soared helplessly skyward—only for Zeth to appear mid-air again, catching him like a hawk snatching prey.

Without hesitation, Zeth drove him straight back down, slamming him into the ground with an earth-shattering impact. Cracks spiderwebbed through the battlefield, and dust and debris exploded into the air.

As Nectar slipped into unconsciousness, his Zone shattered, and the colossal dragons dissolved into thin air. Silence fell like a blanket over the scorched land.

The man with the claymore remained standing despite his ruined body—his sword shattered, one leg twisted grotesquely. Yet, through sheer willpower, he refused to fall, locking defiant eyes with Zeth.

Zeth exhaled slowly, lifting a single finger.

Boom!

A sharp, focused blast of force erupted forward, striking the man's head. It exploded like an overfilled balloon—blood and fragments splattering across the battlefield. His body stood still for just a moment… then crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Zeth lowered his hand, eyes calm and cold."I should've let him speak his last words."

"Captain Zeth…"

Zeth turned."Oh, Ito… sorry for tossing you like that earlier. You alright?"

Ito's expression darkened, his eyes falling to the ground as his fists clenched at his sides. After a long moment of silence, he looked up at Zeth, his voice quiet but heavy with emotion."How were you so calm… when you killed that man?"

Zeth met his gaze, eyes steady and voice firm."Ito, when you choose to kill, you must also be prepared to face the consequences. Don't let your kindness become your weakness. Got it?"

"I know they attacked us first, but… why do I still feel sad for them? Is this... sympathy?"His voice trembled before he took a deep breath and straightened."Yes, Captain."

Before more could be said, the thunder of boots echoed through the trees. Moments later, the First Squad's vice-captain and several members arrived, weapons at the ready. The vice-captain surveyed the scene—cracked earth, scorched trees, and the scent of blood still fresh in the air—before stepping forward.

"Captain, are you alright? We heard multiple blasts, and Captain Naeris said you were fighting bounty hunters."

Zeth gave a slight shrug, his tone indifferent."You're late. I've already handled it."He gestured toward the defeated enemies."One's dead. The other's at death's door. Take him with you."

The vice-captain's gaze shifted to Ito, who still looked shaken."Hey, kid. You still in one piece?"

Ito blinked, clearly still caught in his thoughts."Huh? Oh… yeah. Thanks to Captain."

"Close enough." The vice-captain grinned and gave him a hearty slap on the back—perhaps a bit too hard."Let's get you out of here before Zeth starts a round two just to stretch his legs."

Without another word, he helped lift Ito and led him toward the extraction squad as the others secured the area.

A few hours later...

Zeth stepped through the towering double doors into the grand office of Chief Executive Velthorn Blake. The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the polished black floor as a massive holographic screen bathed the walls in a soft, bluish glow.

At the far end of the room, Velthorn sat behind a sleek, obsidian desk, his fingers steepled, his sharp gaze already locked on Zeth—as if he'd been expecting him.

Velthorn leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips."So, how did your test go? I hear you had some… unexpected company out there."

Zeth crossed the room with steady steps, his voice cool."Yeah, but they weren't after me. Their target was Ito."

Velthorn's smile faded slightly, his brows knitting together."Hmm... don't you find that strange? As far as we know, bounty hunters like them don't move unless someone pays them—or their boss gives the order."

Zeth's eyes narrowed."What exactly are you trying to say?"

Velthorn leaned forward, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the desk, the tone in his voice shifting—measured, heavy."Zeth… about Ito's execution. Only three people knew the details—you, me, and the higher-ups."

Zeth stiffened, arms crossing as realization clicked into place."So you're saying… the higher-ups might've hired those bounty hunters?"

Velthorn didn't answer right away. Instead, he let out a long breath and looked Zeth square in the eye."This is just the beginning. More will come for him. More who won't stop until that kid is dead."

He stood, stepping around the desk until he was face to face with Zeth, his voice low but firm."That's why I'm telling you now—you must protect him. No matter what. Because Ito... he's our last hope to reclaim the Flauta Kingdom."