The overwhelming energy descended in the shape of a dome. And as it did so, 1 began to shout.

1: “Gravity field – 400 times gravity!”

He then extended his left wrist waved it at his teammate. A cold sensation overcame him and a thin layer of that very same invisible energy settled upon him like clothing wrapped around his skin.

1: “Anti-gravity layer: nullify my field’s effects and grant him movement!”

Noel: “...Was saying all of that really necessary? It doesn’t seem wise to focus this hard on preparations when you’re still destined to fail.”

1: “Try holding this conversation when you’re tasting 400 times earth’s gravity!!”

The gravity field descended, and Noel suddenly felt like a boulder was placed on top of his shoulders. Rise was equally stressed for a moment…

Yes, only for a moment…

Because what is a boulder to these two?!

Rise ordinarily can shear through metal like it was nothing, and that was BEFORE he...um, as Noel put it...’evolved’.

Noel’s body has been effectively and successfully experimented on from the very moment it arrived at its mother’s womb, upgraded beyond what even peak humans can reach with their fully tapped into bodies – and technically still undergoing massive development, considering it barely surpassed Malierano standards in its infancy stages alone…!

.

.

It won’t be reaching a higher state of growth at this time, though. He needs to ‘age’ for that to happen.

However, even if they can easily adapt to the gravity – enhanced environment, it doesn’t mean the ‘weighted’ effect goes away. They’ll still be a tad slower, forced to exert minimal levels of energy GREATER than their opponents from the numbers…and their concentration will begin to wane.

Not only this, but the effects will slowly stack as the battle progresses, and both sides begin to tire…

...That is, assuming either side tires to begin with.

Rise: “Hmph! A little trick… ahaha! Something like this is--”

*SHHING!*

Rise cocked his head to the right as a bladed knife cam flying from behind his head.

It was one of the pair Four wielded at the start of this assassination against Leos and Noel. A military - grade combat knife. Upon closer look of the battlefield, one would begin to notice that most of the metal 4 unearthed began transforming into weapons of varying shapes and sizes! And more was still rising from deep below!

4: “Heh! Even if I’m planning on using these to repair your incoming damage – who’s to say that I couldn’t attack with them first?!”

While Four spoke about his idea, those metallic lumps – turned – weapons took to the sky, robotically. That process now in motion, a recurring scenario vividly reminiscent of the previous fight between Rise and Four started taking form. They pointed straight at Rise though, alone this time. Without the need to concentrate on Noel, or a handful of targets at once, 4 could increase his concentration, focus, the material’s stability AND sharpness. He could discover new tactical fronts or a variety of formations to entrap and impressively PIN his target down!

This child adversary of his was dangerous, sure. Incredibly so. Everything he needed to watch out for about this young target, probably skyrocketed several times over after he took this alternate form.

.

.

BUT! He ‘REFUSED’ to believe the kid could not be stopped with his metal manipulation ability! There was absolutely no POSSIBLE way that could be true! In the end: the kid is still made of flesh! Even if his claws can create weird vacuums in space or rip through metal as if it were butter: the kid is STILL mortal! The ‘monster’ still bleeds! In fact, he ‘DREW’ blood in their very first bout! Although it wasn’t much, it was enough to prove that they had NOTHING to be concerned over!

Rise: “Grrraahahah...! And why should I be worried? Because you increased your toys? ‘This’ level of attack is supposed to scare me? Hahaha!!”

As Rise kept on laughing, that very laughter soon transitioned into a bellowing roar.

And finally: after sucking in a bevy of air; The young werebeast released his pent up fury with violent fervor.

When the creature opened his mouth, two sounds came out.

One was a howl.

A powerful moan filled with terrifying bloodlust and excitement that shook your very soul…

The other came forth as an ear-splitting cry – a cry that instilled anxiety… hopelessness...

and absolute fear.

With these two waves of sound colliding...a brand new sound wave was born.

.

.

And that brand new sound wave erupted like a volcano towards the sky. Everything within its path, be it traces of metal transformed into weapons or the massive gravity dome, seemingly blew apart as if they were all balloons in disguise.

…Though the gravity dome repaired itself hastily, soon after.

Rise: “Graaahahahaha! Again, tell me.

Why should I be afraid? Your creations are as fragile as blown bubbles. Even if I just stand here, I could still kill you~”

4: “...Be careful what you say brat. If you truly mean that, then just stand right there and die to your own stupidity!”

Rise: “Die? Me? Hmph! You think too highly of yourself AND your partner. Neither of you can ever HOPE to touch me today!”

…

Noel: “*Glances* Hey. Don’t you want to help your partner out? He doesn’t seem to realize what Rise is capable of. Well, I don’t know much about it either, to be honest.”

1: “I’m fine where I am. After all, the sooner I take care of the ‘weaker’ adversary on this battlefield, the quicker I can move on with my initial objective: to finish slaughtering your friends.”

Noel: “They’re NOT my friends.”

{Not all of them anyhow. I didn’t ask yet.}

1: “*Shrugs* friends, classmates, comrades...it’s all the same. You’ll die together anyways, so why not just let yourself become headless, like your ‘friend’ lying over there? I’ll make it a little less...painless.”

Noel looked around.

The dome seemed to cover a massive area, not just the battlefield. It even went a little farther out of the clearing they were in, and expanded over the closest cluster of trees surrounding their isolated death match.

{Did this man calculate that nobody would spot us going wild, or did he ‘ensure’ it? Is he taking a reckless gamble in order to kill his ‘targets’ and risk catching other people’s attention, because the two of us are being viewed as genuine threats to their goal?

...Or…. Could it be that…

.

.

.

could he have help? Someone, or someONES inside of the school? Hmm.}

Noel: “Either way, he’s gonna die. I have that responsibility to fulfill, at the very least. Leos… I’m sorry I didn’t go along with you both.”

1: “…”

Noel: “Oh. You asked me a question didn’t you?? How rude of me...what was it? To give up, or something along those lines…?

I already said this about your partner over there, that fool jumping around the battlefield like a bean, but I don’t think YOU really realize the situation you’re in, either.

Simply put…

.

.

Are you ready to die?”

1: “I think I have an...idea…of what you’re truly capable of, kid. After all: Not that many families train their children so efficiently in the ability to murder. Right now, I can think of only 5. Are you--”

*Shiing!*

Without word of warning, Noel disappeared from his starting position: a small crater was all that remained as evidence he’’d been there. Even blinking would be too slow. Their distance was regrettably too close! Even with the gravity hindering him, the tiny killer absolutely managed to take his opponent by surprise!

But…

The exact moment Noel struck, his hand seemingly phased though his opponent!

Noel: “...What?”

And behind him..One appeared, unsure of what exactly just transpired.

That is, until a metallic patch surgically fixed onto his arm, shattered into bits of debris.

The cracking sound alerted his attention, until he once more found his body in another location. And once more, that same cracking sound drew his gaze to his right elbow. Then before he could mentally process what was happening…

He teleported again. And again. And once more.

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

each cracking sound signaled to him that one of the precious teleport badges he’d paid for was destroyed. Although very expensive, they were treasured by everyone working in the mercenary business. If you couldn’t register an attack coming at you from specific angles – these patches, depending on where they’re ‘installed’ onto the body, can sense the unnatural presence nearby and forcibly teleport the wearer away from harm. The amount of charge depends on how much money is forked out, and they’re each single use items. But right now… those cracking noises were equal to cherubs singing for 1. They just saved his life! His arms shivered as he broke out into a cold sweat. He vaguely knew what to expect, but to think there was such a difference in speed! Luckily he had purchased over 30 of those teleport patches – this was definitely worth the investment!

It’s too bad they were each only designed to release enough charge for single uses. He himself has teleportation powers, along with other skills pertaining to space – but the speed at which this brat was moving while under 400 times earth’s gravity was just too scary!

An unending invisible radiance poured out of his eyes like valves releasing pent up sewage. It was time for him to give this battle his all – even if that meant his wallet would suffer tremendously for it.

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