* * * *

“*Wheeze* *Wheeze* God... *Wheeze* Seriously what with that speed?”

Meanwhile, Takeharu and the other two is trying to catch up with Shou but end up exhausted and out of breath. How Shou ran was just like a violent wind, and thus the three of them can’t catch him. Even Hal who is a hero with tremendous power was shocked by how fast Shou ran. Not just speed, even his endurance was beyond what normal human could reach.

It was by the spur of moment, but it had happened twice. When Selia reported that Mao had been kidnapped, he also ran just like this time.

It was as if something gave Shou the power to overcome the limit of humans.

“It was like my skill. Sigh, I’m tired. Seriously just what is that guy?”

, it was one of Hal’s skill. He could overcome his own limitation and receive tremendous boost of power, speed, and endurance. Although, it could only be used for 5 minutes a day. Because of the burden to his body wasn’t a joke if it was used for more than 5 minutes, Hal rarely use it even just for barely for 5 minutes.

“Anyway, we almost reach the place. Let’s go. That idiot forgot to take his gear, we need to hand it over to him.”

Suddenly, a big shadow from above cover the three of them. When the three tried to look up, iron cages fell down from the sky. Takeharu jumped forward and managed to get away but as result he got separated from Selia and Hal.

“Takeharu-sama!” Selia tried to bend the iron bar but it was useless. She tried to lift it up but it pierced deep into the ground and stuck there. She tried to cut it but it was even sturdier than her sword.

“It’s useless, only I can remove it.”

A figures of a girl approached them. Takano Akina, Shou’s childhood friend and former girlfriend.

“Takano!!”

“I won’t let you pass.”

As Akina stands in their way, she also summoned many monsters besides her. It was a pinch for Takeharu. Hal and Selia got captured in the cage and the monsters Akina summoned to stall Takeharu weren’t something that could be ignored. Besides there’s many of them, all of them looks very strong.

“I see.” Takeharu draw his katana. This time, he didn’t use his shield. More like, he throw it away. “So Shou and Kuroda also settling their score there huh?”

“Yeah, that’s why, I won’t let you interfere. I will definitely stall you here.”

* * * *

*Bang*!

A sound of gunshot rang.

The bullet just missed a few centimeters away from Shou’s ear.

“You... deliberately missed that shot right?”

“Of course, that’s a warning. You know that it’s a live bullet right?”

As if the temperature got drained, Shou felt the chill. Kuroda is serious, and he is at disadvantage. There’s no bullet proof Kevlar to protect him. There’s no cover to take. His means of attack is melee weapons and magic will took time. While he chant a simple magic, Kuroda can shoot 2 times at once. It was certainly his disadvantage here. And moreover, his mental state is in disorder because he worry about Mao and deluded with rage towards Kuroda.

“...”

“Oh right, your Mao, she was quite delicious. Maybe I won’t be lending her back to you after all.”

*Snap* inside Shou, something snaps. He can’t no longer contain his rage.

“YOU!!”

It was a quick rush. A very quick rush that closes his distance with Kuroda in just a split second. Surprised from the speed, Kuroda paralyzed for a moment there. Shou already in front of him, and he is going to swing down his sword.

*Clank*

Right before it struck Kuroda, Shou’s sword was blocked with the guns in Kuroda’s hand.

“Whoa, that was just by reflect but fortunately my gun didn’t broke. I’m glad I upgraded it durability before.”

“Tch!”

*Clank* *Clank* *Clank!*

Shou retract his sword and swing it again and again. But it was all blocked by Kuroda.

“What’s with this pathetic swing? I could block it all with ease.”

Shou’s attack was different than how it was normally. It didn’t have the same sharpness and speed like usual, far from that, even all of it was very easily predicted even by Kuroda.

Just like what he said, it was pathetic. Even Shou himself know about how his attack somehow dulled, but he didn’t understand the reason. He was too agitated and as result his attacks grew monotone and dulled.

“What a disappointment, I think your attack was better when you fight with Blaze and Hannibal.”

“Eh?”

“You didn’t know right? I was there, with someone from Mao’s world. In fact he was the one behind Blaze’s zombie and the one who had Hannibal to attack you.”

“You bastard!”

*Clank*

This time Kuroda didn’t let Shou retract his sword. He confront him.

“Whoops, calm down dude.”

*Thud* Kuroda headbutted Shou as hard as he can.

“*Groans* Ugh...”

“Oh you still didn’t fell unconscious?”

“Heck if I fell down easily like that.”

“Then...” Kuroda once again headbutted Shou.

“KH!”

Both Shou and Kuroda slowly retreated while touching their own head. The both of them suffered some pain from Kuroda’s headbutt. Shou’s head also felt like it had begun to spin from dizziness from the shook.

Kuroda who can still withstood it took the chance to hit Shou’s lower abdomen, making Shou involuntarily bend forward. And then he follows it with upper cut towards Shou’s chin.

“K-GH!!” Shou still tries to hold his ground.

With this chance, Kuroda aimed his gun towards Shou.

“Have a nice rest.”

* * * *

“!!”

Takeharu who was surrounded by monsters spun his body and create a roundhouse slash. Just like its name, , it successfully cut down all of the monster that surround him, but it wasn’t enough, there’s still many of them. Too many in fact.

“Takeharu-sama!” Selia shouted towards Takeharu from inside the cage. “Use the beast form!”

Beast from, another set of katana skill Takeharu managed to learn from his journey. The name means about the way or sword of beast.

“!”

, it means a wild monkey. It was one of the top tier form of the style that Takeharu learnt.

Unlike before, Takeharu moved precisely just like a wild monkey. He slashed, dodged, jumped around, thrust, and many series of movements that makes him looked like a wild monkey was executed by Takeharu.

“!!”

Shishimai, lion dance. But it was different, Takeharu didn’t dance a lion dance, but rather was dashing and slashing many times. Rather than “Lion Dance” it was much closer to the lion in the wilderness who hunts its prey in succession.

With series of technique Takeharu used, the number of monster had cut down greatly. But it was useless, Akina quickly summoned new monster one after another.

“Why are you so persistent..? Daichika?”

“I should be the one saying that. How many monster do you have anyway? It doesn’t seem to be any end to this. Why won’t you let me pass, Aki?!”

*Throb*

“Aki”, it has been a long time since she heard it from Takeharu’s or Shou’s mouth.

Take, Kuro, Aki, and Shou. That’s how they used to refer each other. It was some kind of nickname, well except for Shou...

“I’m sorry, I still can’t let you pass yet... Take... sorry.”

“Why... are you crying?”

“!” On Akina’s cheeks there’s tear flowing from the edges of her eyes. “Th-this is--”

“No, I know. Sorry.” Shou let down his sword, signaling that he don’t want to fight anymore.

“Why are you apologizing?” Akina also stopped her monster. Rather, her monster never actually attacked Takeharu in the first place.

“I... actually I know about it. Sorry, I’ve known everything about it all along. But still, I think that your method is wrong. So that’s why I choose Shou, and decided that you guys are the one who betrayed him. That’s why, I’m sorry.”

“You stupid, that’s alright. We know that Kuro’s and my method is wrong, we know that we have betrayed Shou since that time... so that’s why don’t apologize... please.”

“... You’re right.” Takeharu sheaths his katana back. “Could you please let us pass? I promise we won’t bother Shou and Kuro. I also want them to properly settle it all.”

“... Fine, I guess.”

Akina then released the cage and dismiss the monster she summoned.

“... Come.”

The four of them walk together, but Selia and Hal still put their guard up against her. Well, that’s to be expected.

* * * *

-Shou’s Perspective-

It’s dark... did I die?

The last thing I remember was...

I can’t move my body properly and fell down to my knees, and then Kuroda aimed his gun at me.

‘Have a nice rest’...

Did he shot me? I died? Or am I still alive?

“Is this the afterlife?”

“Buzz, that’s wrong. You’re still alive.”

From behind my back, Phantom walk up to me. I see, so this is not the afterlife, but this is huh?

“You sure make appearance more frequently lately huh?”

“Hahaha, probably.”

Phantom laughed and then he created a chair out of nowhere and sit down smirking.

“So, I didn’t die?”

“Yeah, you’re still alive. But--” The smirk on his face suddenly disappear. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this.

“What a pathetic fight you gave there. I’m disappointed.”

“Urk...” I can’t deny that. Because even I know that it was very unsightly. I totally lost my calm and just running amok. I guess that’s why Kuroda easily block my attack, my attack was just like a child flailing his sword.

“Losing your calm and throw attack in rage. Sigh, what a mess. I waste up time to teach you my technique. Forget winning against me, you couldn’t even win against that wimp. Might as well surrender and give me your body right now.”

“I can’t...”

“Huh? What was that?”

“I can’t.”

“Speak louder you wimpy brat.”

“I can’t just give up that easily!” I raised my voice. It was frustrating that I lost, but I don’t want to give up!

“... just forget it kid. You better just spend your entire life here.”

“I... I don’t want to give up. I still care about my friends, my family, and also... Mao...”

“If she is your main concern, I could take care of her.”

My chest tighten when I hear that. Certainly, probably Phantom can rescue her. But somewhere in my heart I don’t want it. Even though Mao’s rescue should be the priority, but I don’t want to lose my pride here. I’ve been helped by Phantom many times. I Can’t--

“Heck, I’ve been with you for some years. I could act like you perfectly without anyone suspecting. She won’t suspect it. You just rest here for the rest of your life, I’ll have fun with her.”

Hearing that, my heart stirred. I felt hot rage. I don’t want to be substituted!

“I won’t!” I quickly rushed towards phantom while creating a knife out of nowhere. Since this is a dream, I also could do it.

*Klang*! He blocked it easily. What do I expect? Phantom is definitely stronger than me... That’s natural.

“Hey you blockhead.” I raised my face towards him.

*Bam*

In an instant my face was hit by Phantom, and I flew away. I-it hurts!! I think that this is just a dream, but it hurts!!! I thought that we can’t feel pain in dreams?! I rubbed my cheek that felt hurt in pain. Seeing me, Phantom slowly approach.

“Pain is something simulated in your brain, of course it would hurts even in dreams, if you think a dream is real enough you would feel pain. But, that’s not my point...” He lifted me by my collar and closed his face intimidatingly. “You bastard think that it was natural that I could block it right? ‘It can’t be helped, I still can’t win against him.’ That’s why you could never do anything right.”

I could only hung my head and look down. I see, it wasn’t that it’s because it is Phantom that he could block it easily... it was too predictable. I was easily provoked and as result my attack become predictable. That’s what Phantom want to tell me.

“Have you realized it?”

“That... I’m easily provoked.”

“Seems like you have realized it.” Phantom released his grip, and as result I fall down on my butt. “How does it feels? To be pathetic when wanting to help the one you loved? It hurts right? It’s frustrating right?!”

“It is frustrating... Even though she is in front of me needing my help, I couldn’t do anything because I wasn’t cool headed.”

I don’t know when, but somehow and somewhere while Phantom preached me, I already cried. There are tears from my eyes. I felt so useless. I’m useless...

Phantom throw a dagger to my side.

“Take it, I will re-educate you from scratch again.”

Wiping my tears, I took the dagger he gave me. I stand up.

I will...

I will try harder. I will certainly take Mao back!

* * * *

“Have a nice rest.”

*Bang* *Clank*

Another shoot aimed towards the paralyzed Shou. But, it was blocked with the sword on Shou’s hand. Shou, no more precisely, Phantom possessed him, moved Shou’s hand and blocked the shot with Eltain.

“You have finally comes out. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“... Seems like you know about me huh?”

“You are the one who defeated Hannibal right? What are you? Why are you inside Shou?”

“Me? Hmm, just call me Phantom. As for why I am inside this brat, beats me. Even I don’t know why. All you need to know is if this kid dies I will also probably die, so I can’t have him dying easily. Not before I fulfill my promise with him at least.”

Phantom behaving calmly like usual. With smirk on Shou’s face, it was the usual smug face of Phantom. Feeling alarmed, Kuroda aimed his gun towards Phantom.

“Oi oi don’t be that wary. I won’t do you any harm.”

*Bang*! *Clang*!

“Whoa, that’s dangerous.” Kuroda unhesitantly pulled the trigger while Phantom somehow quickly block the bullet aimed at his chest.

Once, twice, thrice, Kuroda shot many times but Phantom block all of it with ease.

“I see, ‘Accuracy’ huh? So that’s your cheat.”

“!” Kuroda seemed startled with what Phantom muttered. “Cheat” and “Accuracy”, Phantom indicating that Kuroda got some cheat and that cheat is accuracy of his shoot. “How do you know?”

“You see, I once read that human involuntarily look at what they aimed for before shooting. But even so, there would be some margin of error. A small shift from where they aimed. But whenever you shoot, the bullet would certainly go towards the spot you are looking at. I guess that cheat is your downfall. Eltain!!”

At the moment Phantom called out Eltain’s name, the sword begun to change its shape.

“Two dagger please. Oh but you can’t change into separate weapon huh? Then connect the two dagger with chain or something.”

The sword shrunken into the size of short sword and begun to constructing chain from its pommel/end cap (sword’s butt). After the chain around 1 and a half meters is constructed, it construct another short sword connected by the chain.

“Perfect.”

“What have you done to Yoshitaka Shou?” Kuroda aimed his gun which he had silently reloaded once again. Confronting Phantom with uneasiness, he braved himself.

“Ah don’t worry he’s okay. Just as you told him to, I let him to take a rest (physically). So, to kill time while he’s not here, let’s play together.”

“Don’t joke with me!!”

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

A total of 20 shoots. That means Kuroda emptied both of his guns at the same time. Despite the 10 pair of bullets shot at different interval each was shot towards Phantom, there’s not even a scratch wound on his (or more precisely Shou’s) body. He avoided and parried all of them with ease.

Kuroda suddenly realized. What monster he faced right now. This monster in front of him can’t be called normal human. No, is there even a trace of ‘human’ in him? He avoided the barrage of 20 shoots with 100% accuracy aimed at all different parts of his body with a smirk on his face. It was terrifying. There’s no way that this thing in front of him is a human.

“Se-seriously, ju-just what the hell are you.”

“As I said I’m Phantom. Have we done playing around?”

‘Playing around’, to him this is just playing around. To him, this is no threat. After all, this guy is the one who single handedly fight with Hannibal. Kuroda once again reminded about the fact.

“Sigh, I give up. Just kill me.”

“Kill you? Why should I, that’s no fun.”

“H-huh?!”

“Like I said before, I’m not here to fight you, I’m just here to play with you while waiting for Shou to come back.”

“...” Kuroda began to loosen his guard. “Really?”

“Yeah, so just wait a bit. I’m sure he will come back in a bit.” Phantom then sat down and release his weapon. “Trust me, I won’t lie. Moreover you are Shou’s friend. Why would I lie to you?”

“... Friend huh? ‘Was’ would be appropriate, he won’t want a friend like me anyway.” Kuroda also sat down following Phantom who was in Shou’s body. He can only threw a wry smile towards Phantom’s words.

“Who knows? Why won’t you ask him later?”

Meanwhile Phantom possessed Shou’s body, the Shou who was in deep slumber is training with Phantom’s soul inside . No, it was more appropriate to call it inside his soul.

* * * *

“Hah... Hah...”

“What’s wrong? Tired now?”

“Please continue!!”

Inside the , Shou is under stern training against Phantom. It was clear that he is already worn out mentally (since they don’t have real physical body here), but it seems he still want to continue.

“That’s good response!! Prepare yourself!”

Phantom moved in an instant. Just like a lightning, he suddenly appear in front of Shou. Not only that, when he attacked, it wasn’t like any normal attack. Ten, twenty, twenty five slashes comes from him in just a few second.

At first, Shou only managed to parry 1 slash, and it was only by pure luck. But now...

*C-c-c-clang*!!!

“Kh, damn 10 slash got through...”

“What’s with that pathetic speed? Come one do it faster you scum!”

Again, Phantom slashed like crazy. 25, 30, now 35 slash executed in just 5 seconds. Surprisingly Shou managed to block 28 of them. Only 7 slashes got through and cut his skin.

“Blaze! Do it!”

The moment Phantom shouted, a barrage of shoots appeared from behind Shou aiming at him. Shou managed to dodge and blocked most of the shoot, but he still got shot by 4 bullets.

Behind Shou, there’s a man wearing some kind of futuristic armor and holding firearm. It was Blaze. No, it was Blaze’s soul.

“Oy useless Mage!”

“, , , !”

Now from behind Phantom a mage appeared. Of course he didn’t attacked Phantom, but Shou was the target of his spell.

Of course in an instant, Shou also released his spell.

“!!”

The spell caster had a similar feature to Shou, but there’s some difference. Hair color, eye shape, eye color, and height. But anything else is similar to his feature.

This mage was the renowned mage from Grand Eden Land. And was Shou’s ‘avatar’, ShowTime.

“Hmph, quite good. You’ve improved kid.”

“Thanks...” Shou who was still out of breath somehow felt a great achievement. It was indeed a great improvement from how he was at first.

“Now rest. The two of you too. Rest for 5 minutes, after that we will continue to slaughter this kid, got it?”

“““Yeah!”””

The three of them, Shou, Blaze, and ShowTime responded. It was an intensive training for Shou. Inside, it felt like it had been weeks, maybe months that Shou had trained. But outside, probably not even 10 minutes have passed, or so Phantom told him. It has always been like that. Whenever he’s here, Phantom would force him to train for days. But when he woke up, it hasn’t even pass one day.

And Phantom had said that now the time will moves even slower. So he might not need to worry about how long he trained here. He need not to worry, Phantom had never lied, so he believed in Phantom.

* * * *

So here it is, the new chapter.

Expect the next chapter in four or five days. unless I do it quickly.

Shall I start the poll as some of you guys propose for it.

I do plan to "kill" Kuroda anyways, so how is it in your opinion?