Valmer charged toward the remaining Geminis, his black coat flapping wildly in the roaring storm, leaving the Scarbone and Giga Titan to Kenshi. The ruins trembled under the tempest, lightning cracking the sky like a shattered mirror. Rain pounded the broken streets, turning the ground into a greedy mud pit that splashed with every step. The air stank of scorched metal and sour monster ichor, a bitter stench that clung to the throat.
The lesser Geminis were no match for Valmer. He moved like a radiant avenger, his rosary beads glowing around his neck, his fists blazing with holy light. He smashed a Gemini's skull into the pavement with a bone-crunching CRUNCH, mud spraying like a geyser. Another lunged, its claws slashing, but Valmer sidestepped, his street-rat instincts sharp, and drove his glowing fist through its chest, ichor bursting like black ink. The beasts fell one by one, their roars drowned in the storm's howl.
Kenshi was a blur, his katana a silver streak in the maelstrom. He darted behind the Geminis before they could swing, slicing their backs with deadly precision, or leaped above, dicing their limbs mid-air. The Giga Titan, its fist severed and one leg gone, was easy prey, lumbering helplessly, its roars shaking the ruins. Kenshi spun, his ponytail whipping in the rain, and slashed its remaining leg, the beast crashing into a broken pillar, stone shards flying like shrapnel. The Scarbone, its bone armor cracked, fared no better. With a single, razor-sharp slash, Kenshi severed both its legs, the beast collapsing with a thunderous roar, kneeling in the mud like a fallen giant.
Kenshi paused, his amber eyes burning with grief, his voice breaking as he spoke in Japanese, low and raw. "emini, oshiete kure."
("Tell me, Gemini.")
Memories tore through his mind. His daughter's sweet voice echoed: "Papa, shigoto kara kaettara, purin katte kite ne!"
("Daddy, buy me some pudding when you come back from work, okay!") It was the last time he heard her, her laughter bright as sunlight. That day, as the apocalypse began, Kenshi raced home through streets choked with chaos, only to find a Gemini ripping his daughter's limbs apart, her screams piercing his soul. His wife's broken body lay nearby, blood pooling in the dust, barely alive. The pain seared, fresh and raw, his hands trembling on his katana.
"Omaera o minagoroshi ni shite mo, ore no ikari wa kienai."
("Even if I eradicate all of you, it won't quench my fury.") He growled in Japanese, his voice thick with rage. With a brutal strike, he sliced the Scarbone's head clean off, ichor spraying like a fountain. The Giga Titan met the same fate, his katana flashing through its horns and neck, the massive head thudding into the mud, its two horns severed. The beasts' lifeless bodies slumped, steaming in the cold rain.
Ariel watched from the shelter of a crumbling building. She decided that the best thing to do was to ask Valmer and Kenshi for help to save her brother, Zane. The Geminis had taught her a harsh lesson—she wasn't as strong as she'd thought, her copied skills too weak to match a true Primordial's power. Her eyes traced Kenshi's blade and Valmer's fists, their strength a beacon in the storm, but the Whisperkin's chilling presence lingered in her mind, a shadow of greater threats.
Valmer and Kenshi tore through the last Geminis, a whirlwind of destruction. Valmer split a beast in two with a glowing punch, its halves splashing into the mud. Kenshi's katana danced, cleaving skulls and limbs, ichor painting the pavement. Moments later, the battlefield fell silent, the Geminis slaughtered, their bodies littering the ruins like broken toys.
Celine's eyes sparkled, her voice bright. "They really did it, didn't they?" she said, hope warming her words.
Ariel nodded, her gaze distant. "Yes, they did. But… they're not enough," she said softly, her voice heavy with dread. She recalled the Whisperkin's dominating aura, its faceless menace, and the chilling truth: there were others like it, maybe stronger, lurking in the shadows.
A glowing screen flickered before Valmer, its light piercing the storm's gloom, though only he could see it.
[System Notice]
Total Number of Geminis Killed: 10
Geminis Rank killed: Savage-Beast
Rewards will be calculated and distributed after the Tutorial.
Another appeared before Kenshi.
[System Notice]
Total Number of Geminis Killed: 7
Geminis Rank killed: Savage-Beast
Rewards will be calculated and distributed after the Tutorial.
Valmer grinned, wiping rain from his face, his sable-rose eyes glinting with mischief. "Hey, Kenshi, how many did you kill? One? Half a beast? Too embarrassed to say 'cause I beat you, right?" he teased, his voice loud over the storm.
Kenshi's eyes narrowed, his katana still dripping ichor. "Shut it, you fake priest," he snapped, his tone sharp as his blade. "Stop acting like we're friends."
Valmer laughed, strutting through the mud, his coat swaying. "You're such a grump, you bald old bastard. Whatever, I've got better things to do." His cheeks flushed pink as he glanced at Celine and Ariel, sheltering in the ruined doorway.
"I'm not bald or old, you sleazy priest!" Kenshi shot back, gripping his katana tighter, his ponytail whipping in the wind. "You're a disgrace."
"Whatever," Valmer said, waving him off. "All bald guys deny it." He sauntered toward the girls, his boots splashing in puddles, a playful bounce in his step.
"Hey, Valmer!" Kenshi called, his voice cutting through the rain.
Valmer paused, turning slightly. "What now?" he asked, irritation creeping into his tone.
Kenshi smirked, pointing at Celine and Ariel. "They're minors, you know that, right?"
Valmer froze, his face paling as if the storm had struck him. "How would you know?" he demanded, squinting at Kenshi, his hands on his hips.
Kenshi rolled his eyes, gesturing at the girls. "Anyone with eyes can see the red-haired one's in a school uniform, and the blonde-haired one doesn't look older than fifteen," he said, glaring at Valmer, his voice thick with disgust.
"Is that so?" Valmer muttered, his voice low, like a kid caught stealing sweets. He slumped slightly, his flirtatious grin fading.
Kenshi shook his head, his katana resting on his shoulder. "You lived with a Pope for years. How did you end up such a flirt?"
Valmer's steps faltered, the Holy Father's words echoing in his mind: "Stop chasing women, Valmer. Find one to love unconditionally." He clenched his fists, rain streaming down his face. "I'm trying, damn it," he yelled, his voice raw with frustration, as he trudged toward Celine and Ariel, the storm swallowing his words.
The storm outside raged like a furious beast, lightning slashing the sky like jagged knives. Rain hammered the sagging roof, leaking through cracks and pooling on the warped floor, slick with mud. Shattered windows rattled in the wind, letting in icy gusts that carried the stench of scorched metal and monster ichor. Broken furniture—splintered chairs, a cracked table—lay scattered like bones, coated in dust and grime.
Valmer strode in, his black coat dripping rain, his rosary beads glinting faintly around his neck. Kenshi followed, his boots squelching on the wet floor, his katana resting against his thigh, the blade still slick with ichor. Valmer's eyes sparkled with mischief as he clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"I've met Celine already, but let's all introduce ourselves—names and abilities—for teamwork later," Valmer said, his voice warm but commanding, echoing in the hollow room.
Kenshi leaned against a cracked wall, his amber eyes narrowing. "Why share our abilities?" he asked, his tone sharp, his fingers brushing the hilt of his katana. "Smart to keep some secrets, don't you think?"
Valmer grinned, leaning forward with a playful glint. "What, scared I'll find your weak spot, old man?" he teased, winking at Ariel and Celine.
Ariel, sitting on a broken crate, spoke up, her voice steady despite her damp clothes. "It doesn't have to be everything—just enough to work together, right?" Her sharp eyes met Kenshi's, showing a flicker of resolve.
Kenshi's gaze softened slightly as he thought 'Kashikoi na, Primordial dake no koto wa aru. Kodomo dakara yakutatazu da to omotta.' ("She's sharp, no wonder she's a Primordial. I thought she'd be useless since she's just a kid.")
Valmer plopped onto a splintered chair, its legs creaking under his weight. "Good idea, young lady. I'll start," he said, flashing a charming smile. He leaned back, his coat rustling, and spread his hands like a preacher addressing a crowd.
"I'm Valmer Valgrace van Ruvoch—just call me Valmer. I'm a Primordial, titled the Second Guardian of Earth. My class is Path of Religion. I don't have a specific skill, I can turn holy words into weapons or shields, but it costs Fate Points. I'm also handy in a fistfight, thanks to my street days. That's all you get for now." He smirked, pointing at Kenshi. "Your turn, bald old grump."
Kenshi's jaw tightened, his veins pulsing as he muttered in Japanese, 'Suu, Kenshi, suu. Kono yatsu o korosu mae ni.' ("Breathe, Kenshi, breathe before you actually kill him.") He stayed against the wall, arms crossed, his katana glinting faintly. "I'm Kenshi Aokawa. My class is assassin. That's all you need to know," he said, his voice cold, eyes half-closed.
Valmer laughed, slapping his knee, the sound echoing in the dim room. "Such a coward! Didn't even say your rank—probably a Beta, huh?" he teased, his grin widening.
Kenshi's eyes snapped open, his hand twitching toward his katana as he muttered again, 'Suu, Kenshi, suu. Kono yatsu o korosu mae ni.' ("Breathe, Kenshi, breathe before you actually kill him.")
Celine, huddled on the floor beside Ariel, shifted nervously, her wet hair plastered to her face. "Um, I'm Celine," she said, her voice small, barely rising above the storm's howl. "I'm a Beta rank. I'm a healer, and I can boost allies or weaken enemies, but it takes Mana Points. That's all I can do." Her shoulders slumped, feeling like a faint candle next to the Primordials' blazing light.
Kenshi's gaze flicked to her, his tone gruff but firm. "Tch, don't get all gloomy. You're only two ranks below a Primordial—don't sell yourself short, or others will too."
Celine's eyes widened, a faint blush warming her cheeks. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice steadier, a spark of courage flickering.
Valmer frowned, leaning forward, his chair creaking. "Hey, why scold her, you bald old bastard? When you were her age, you were probably shaking in your boots in front of bullies!" he said, pointing at Kenshi, his grin half-teasing, half-challenging.
Kenshi's temple veins throbbed, his knuckles whitening on his katana's hilt, but he stayed silent, glaring daggers. Celine stifled a giggle, the tension easing slightly.
Ariel stood, brushing mud from her dress, her sharp eyes meeting each of theirs. "I'm Ariel Walker," she began, her voice calm but carrying weight, echoing in the ruined room.
Valmer's eyebrows shot up. "Walker? Like the President of the United States, the guy running this country? That's lucky!" he said, leaning forward, his rosary beads clicking.
Ariel's gaze didn't waver. "He's my father," she said plainly.
Kenshi's foot slipped on the wet floor, nearly losing his balance, but he caught himself against the wall, his composure snapping back in a heartbeat. Valmer's jaw dropped, his playful grin fading to shock.
"For real?" Valmer asked, leaning closer, his voice a mix of awe and curiosity. "Then what are you doing out here in this mess?"
Kenshi's eyes narrowed, his silence screaming the same question, his katana glinting as he shifted slightly.
Ariel's lips tightened, a shadow crossing her face. "It's a long story," she said, her voice quieter now, heavy with unspoken pain. "Anyway, I'm a Primordial, titled the First Guardian of Earth. I don't have a fixed class—I can copy other people's abilities." She paused, letting the words sink in.
The room went still, the storm's howl filling the silence. Valmer froze, his hand mid-gesture, his eyes wide. Celine's breath caught, her hands clutching her knees. Kenshi's gaze sharpened, his thoughts racing in Japanese: 'Hoka no hito no nouryoku o kopii dekiru nara, ore no nouryoku mo kopii dekiru no ka?' ("If she can copy other people's abilities, does that mean she can copy mine too?")