"So... is there really no way to stop them?" Ito asked, uncertainty lacing his voice.
Naeris stood before a glowing holographic map, her sharp gaze scanning every fluctuation. "Those tree-like creatures are only vessels. The real threat lies underground—a swarm of parasites. They infect massive trees, turning them into cores that drain the life around them."
She glanced at him. "And you've seen what they do to humans."
Ito's fists clenched.
"But if we eliminate the parasites," Naeris continued, "we can wipe out any nearby Dark Zone."
"Then we just keep hunting them down, right? But… where are they all coming from?"
"Their origin's still a mystery," she said, her usual flirtatious spark absent. Her tone had cooled, now analytical—almost cold. "But right now, every recorded spread points to one place—Flauta Kingdom. It was devoured whole four years ago. Nothing remains."
Ito swallowed. "So why not destroy the source?"
"If it were that easy, we would've done it already." Naeris exhaled sharply. "A large-scale mission that deep would be suicidal. No one's made it back alive."
She turned to face him fully.
"That's why we're heading into a Dark Zone for your special training. If we want to change things… we need people like you."
Ito's breath caught in his throat. Her words lit a fire inside him—and yet, the pressure they carried nearly crushed it.
"Can I really help you all…?"
Naeris stepped closer, brushing a finger gently under his chin, her emerald eyes locked on his. "If you're still unsure… want me to give you a little motivation?"
"Th-Thanks, but, uh... sorry, Captain. I should head back. Sara's waiting for me… and if I'm late, my 'reward' will be a lecture."
From behind, Zeth chuckled.
Without warning, he grabbed Ito by the collar.
"No time to waste."
FWOOOSH.
In a single blink, they soared through the sky—wind howling, clouds slicing past—and landed with a hard thud.
"Ugh... Captain Zeth," Ito groaned, stumbling. "That was way too fast… My brain hasn't caught up yet."
Zeth stood tall, hands in his coat pockets, his aura faintly flickering. "Focus. Look carefully—can you see it now?"
Ito blinked, then narrowed his eyes.
The air around Zeth shimmered—heat-like waves rippling in all directions. A distinct pressure.
"Yes, Captain. I see it. Your aura—you're controlling it perfectly."
"Good. That's the foundation of a Zone Technique. How long can you hold yours?"
"At least twenty seconds now."
Zeth gave a slow nod. "Keep at it. With time, your senses will sharpen. Your strength will multiply fivefold. And eventually… you'll forge your own Zone."
Ito raised a hand. "Captain, I've got a question."
"Go on."
"When you fought before… I saw something beyond the sky. Like a layer. Was that—?"
Zeth smirked. "Good eye. That wasn't the sky—it was the edge of my Zone. When you master aura control, you can shape an entire space around you. A Zone. The bigger and more stable it is, the stronger your technique."
He turned toward a twisted tree, pulsing with dark veins.
"Enough theory. Time to get practical."
Suddenly, whips lashed out from the corrupted bark.
Zeth vanished.
CRACK.
One clean strike—and the tree split in half. From the shattered trunk, something squirmed—sickly, translucent.
Zeth knelt, grabbing the writhing parasite.
"So this is what Naeris meant…"
Ito recoiled. "You're not seriously going to eat that… are you?!"
Zeth didn't answer immediately. "It didn't react until I was alone. That's interesting. I suspect it's connected to your black aura."
He looked at Ito. "Will you do it?"
Ito stared at the parasite. Its body twitched in his hand.
He hesitated… then nodded.
"…Yes."
He shut his eyes—and forced it down.
His body convulsed. A sharp burn surged through his chest. He dropped to one knee, fists clenched.
"Ito—are you okay?" Zeth asked calmly, watching every movement.
"…Tastes… like garbage…"
Zeth narrowed his eyes. It's reacting. That aura… it's growing stronger.
"Ito. Try to harness the energy. Can you feel it?"
Before he could answer—
BOOOOM.
A sudden shockwave struck the ground nearby. Dirt flew, smoke billowed—and through it, a massive claymore cut through the air.
Zeth raised a hand.
BANG.
The blade halted mid-air, deflected by invisible force.
"We've had company since we landed," Zeth muttered, stepping forward. "Show yourselves."
Three figures emerged through the smoke. At the front, a tall man grinned beneath a hood, a folded paper in one hand.
"We were just curious, Captain Zeth," he said. "Wanted to see if the rumors were true. That you're the strongest among the 25 nations."
The claymore wielder cracked his neck. "Nectar, stop talking. Let's finish this."
"Yeah, yeah," Nectar replied lazily.
Ito glanced up. "Captain… who are these guys?"
"Bounty hunters," Zeth said, his tone turning colder. "Ten mercenaries who take any job… and every one of them is deadly."
"Even for you?"
Zeth smiled—calm, unshaken. "Small fries. Not even a warm-up."
"Don't underestimate us!"
The claymore wielder leapt from above—weapon raised.
Zeth vanished again.
CRACK.
A fist connected with the attacker's face. The man flew backward, slamming into a rock, blood spilling from a gash across his cheek.
Nectar remained composed.
He flicked the paper in his hand.
It unfolded mid-air.
FWOOOOOM.
From the parchment, a colossal dragon emerged—its eyes glowing, its roar shaking the trees. Energy coiled around it as it launched a searing blast.
Zeth raised his hand.
BZZZT.
An invisible wall shimmered into existence.
The dragon's blast collided—BOOM!—but Zeth didn't budge.
Dust settled.
Zeth stepped forward, brushing his sleeve.
"Is this all you've got…?"
His voice dropped, heavy and cold.
"…Small fries."
The air froze. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
The real fight was just beginning.