Chapter 3: The Oni
Peter's blood-covered fingers trembled as he stared at the glowing screen in front of him.
🔷 Do you wish to accept the offer?
A single spark can change fate.
The words pulsed softly, as if waiting for his will to ignite.
Peter clenched his jaw. Kordon's blood was still warm on his hands.
"...Yes."
The screen flashed blinding blue.
[System Activated]
🧠 Welcome, Peter.
💥 Initializing Base Combat Protocol...
🎁 You have received:
[Skill: Stealth Level 1]
[Skill: Stun Fist - Basic]
[Skill: Spinning Stun Kick - Basic]
Peter felt something burn inside him — but not pain. It was like instinct awakening. Muscles realigned. His breathing slowed. Vision sharpened.
He stood up.
Bloodied. Bruised.
But different.
Rico groaned on the floor, rubbing his temple, starting to rise.
Peter walked toward him, hoodie shredded, eyes locked on target.
"You again?" Rico grunted. "You really want to die?"
Peter didn't answer.
He vanished from Rico's sight — a blur of motion.
[Stealth Activated]
Then—
WHAM!
Peter's foot slammed into Rico's ribs, followed by a twisting jump.
[Spinning Stun Kick – Basic]
CRACK!
Rico's body was launched into a broken wall. Dust exploded everywhere.
Bar patrons screamed. Witnesses gasped.
"That's not possible!"
"Wasn't he just… dying?"
"He took down Rico?!"
Peter stood, fists clenched. His breathing was calm, steady. He didn't even understand how he was doing it — but the system was guiding him.
But it wasn't enough.
Rico rose again, face twisted in rage. "You little—! I'll break you into pieces!"
Then—
Click. Click.
Polished shoes echoed on the broken floor.
A calm, confident voice said:
"That's enough, Rico."
From the shadows stepped a man in a black suit, sunglasses glinting under the flickering lights. His slicked-back black hair gleamed like obsidian, not a single strand out of place. He looked elegant, quiet... and deadly.
Kuroi Akuryo.
Everyone froze.
Even Rico's rage halted.
"You…"
Kuroi adjusted his cuffs and looked down at Rico like one would a stray animal.
"You've embarrassed the Ecos. You disobeyed direct orders. Attacked a retired Saviour. You're no longer one of us."
Rico's expression twisted in disbelief. "What?! After all I did for you bastards?! I bled for you—!"
He lunged forward.
Foolish.
Kuroi shifted his foot — aikido-style. Rico was flipped midair with ease.
THUD!
Rico hit the ground hard. Before he could even scream—
BOOM!
Kuroi's palm struck his chest with a sound like thunder. The ground shattered beneath them. Rico's body slumped, unconscious — twitching.
Silence fell.
Kuroi exhaled slowly. Around him, a faint dark aura pulsed — not energy, not magic, but a pressure that made others hold their breath. A weight.
Everyone was staring.
Not one person moved.
Kuroi turned toward Peter.
"You look… interesting."
Peter flinched, unsure if he was next.
But Kuroi simply pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped a speck of dust from his glasses.
"I've seen many rats rise from the gutter," he said. "But few get back up after getting stomped by a C-rank."
Peter said nothing, staring him down.
Kuroi smiled slightly. "I like that stare."
He
paused, then offered a gloved hand.
"Peter… would you like to join me?"
Chapter 3 Ends.