"Time to get rid of these weights."
"What the hell does he mean by weights?" the man muttered, stumbling to his feet.
Then he saw it – Boros crouched low, unstrapping thick black weights from around his ankles.
Clank. Boom.
The moment they hit the ground, the earth cracked – and a storm of dust exploded around them.
The man's eyes widened. "How heavy were those? He's been wearing them this whole time?"A sick realization hit him.
"He caught me off guard….. with his back turned….. while weighted down."
Before he could piece it together – Wham! A foot shot out from the dust cloud and slammed into his chest, launching him across the field like a ragdoll.
He crashed into the dirt, skidding hard."Shit….. he's way faster now," he growled, dragging himself up.
The dust finally cleared.
Boros stood in the open, hopping lightly on his feet, cracking his neck with a wide grin stretched across his face.
"C'mon….." he said, eyes gleaming."Get up."
"Tch…. so he's been holding back this whole time," the man muttered, realization hitting hard.
"And here I was thinking I had the upper hand because I flexed my weapon."
He narrowed his eyes, then drew in a breath – pulling the red aura from his blades straight his arms.
It wrapped around him from shoulder to finger tips like burning thread. He sheathed his swords and dropped into a new stance, deadly calm.
Across from him, Boros mirrored the motion, ice creeping up his arms, turning them into glacial armor.Then they clashed.
"This guy is really strong," Kinuko thought.
"I've seen Shiro mop the floor with weaker opponents like at the tournament, he beat them without breaking a sweat. I didn't think anyone could push him like this."
Boom. Crack.
Fists collided – raw power meeting power. Boros flowed with precision, using his finger technique to parry each hit and land counters of his own.
Suddenly, the man leapt back – A feint.
Boros took the bait, rushed in – And caught a brutal punch to the gut. He flew back, hit the dirt hard, coughing up blood.
"Shiro!" Kinuko screamed.
Still on the ground, Boros groaned and slowly pushed himself up, blood trailing from his mouth.
"Shut the hell up, Kinuko –"He wiped his chin, eyes burning. "Tryna concentrate here."
Boros exploded out of the ground, a blur of motion aimed straight at the man.
"Tch," the man muttered, locking eyes with him – But something was different. Boros's eyes were colder. Focused. Frost leaked from his mouth with every breath.
They collided again – blow after blow traded in a brutal rhythm, neither backing down. Then the man leapt –But Boros was already there.
With a flick of his wrist, he dragged two Ice-hardened fingers across the man's across the man's throat – clean and fast.
Blood spilled before the man even processed it. And before he could react –Crack!
Boros fist – now spiked in jagged ice – drove straight through his chest.
The red aura around the man's arms fizzled and vanished.
He dropped to his knees, breathless.
Eyes wide.
Defeated.
As the dust settled and the man collapsed, Kinuko stepped out from where she'd been hiding and moved beside Boros.
Boros crouched, meeting the dying man at eye level.
"Aww don't feel bad," he said with a smirk. "It's not like you were gonna win anyways."
The man chuckled weakly, blood trailing down his lips.
"You're strong….. that's means they'll be coming for you."
"They?" Boros asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'll just beat the hell outta all of 'em."
The man laughed, raspy. "I'm a killer, always have been, Just incase you wanted to know." He coughed, face twisting in pain.
"But my comrades? They're worse. Stronger. And they're coming. Don't waste your strength by joining a guild, it won't save you anyways."
Boros stood slowly, letting frost creep across his hand until it shaped into a jagged Ice blade.
"That's enough," he said flatly.
"Got no last words?"
The man smirked, breathing shallow. "Nope."
"Really?" Boros tilted his head. "Thought you'd beg or something."
"Nah, I –"
Shhk.
The blade flashed.
His sentence ended with silence. His head hit the dirt.
Kinuko flinched, grabbing Boros' arm."You could've at least let him finish….."
Boros shrugged. "I asked if he had anything to say. He said no. Not my fault."
He turned, ice melting from his fingers. "C'mon. We're done here."
...…..
Boros and Kinuko strolled back toward the merchant's shop.
"Yo!" Boros called as he pushed open the door.
"Shiro!" Akeno shrieked, launching herself at him. Boros sidestepped effortlessly, and she flew right past him – crashing through the doorway and into the street.
"Old man, you good?" Boros asked, stepping further in. The merchant emerged from behind the counter, bowing repeatedly.
"Thank you – thank you for saving my shop." Boros waved it off. "Didn't save anything."
"You did," the merchant insisted. "You had every reason to throw down right here, but you took it outside. That means a lot."
Boros scratched the back of his head, grumbling, "Yeah, whatever….."
Suddenly, he ducked – Akeno came swinging a stick right at his head.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You tryna kill me?!" he barked.
"Oh, now you notice me?!" she snapped, slamming her forehead into his as they butted heads.
"Uh – can I give you something?" the merchant interjected, trying to cut through the chaos.
"Huh?" Boros blinked.
"I want to give you something. As thanks," the merchant said.
"Is it food?" Akeno asked, eyes lighting up like it was her birthday.
"Shut up," Boros muttered, palming her face and pushing her aside.
"I already told you, old man – I didn't save anything."
"I know," the merchant said with a small smile. "But I still want you to have this. Will you come with me?"
Boros let out a sigh. "Yeah, alright."
He followed the merchant toward the back, Kinuko and Akeno trailing close behind.
"So... here we are," the merchant said as he came to a stop. Boros glanced around. "This part looks different."
"That's because I keep the special stuff back here," the merchant replied with a smirk. They passed display cases draped in cloth, whatever was hidden from view.
The air felt heavier, like the room itself was holding its breath.vAt the far end, the merchant knelt in front of a locked chest. He pulled out a key, turned it slowly, then opened the box.
Inside... was another box.
"Seriously?" Boros raised an eyebrow. The merchant chuckled awkwardly, then unlocked the second container.
With careful hands, he lifted out a weapon resting on a deep red pillow.
"Now that's some security," Boros muttered. The merchant gave a sheepish grin.
"What is that?" Boros asked, eyeing the strange weapon. "You said you need your fingers free to use your abilities, right?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, with this – you'll be able to fight, defend, and still have full control. No restrictions. This, my friend... is an Awakened Weapon."
He lifted it slightly toward the light – a sleek, black gauntlet, jagged and crowned with curved, horn-like ridges. It pulsed faintly, like it was breathing.