The searing wind of the desert howled through a craggy cave as Kenji trudged through its dusty interior, his brow furrowed and his expression twisted in annoyance. Before him lay a glowing green energy stone, nestled inside an ancient seal.
"Tch… Looking for these Millennia Stones is a real pain," he muttered to himself. "Why couldn't Sorata or Shinki take this part of the mission? I'm not made for this stuff."
— Two Days Earlier, Dark Sign Organization Hideout —
Inside the hideout of the Dark Sign Organization, all members gathered as Ukina sat on her throne with authority before them.
"I have an important mission for you all," she announced. "It's about time we begin working toward our main objective."
She placed a map on the table. "I need you to retrieve a set of rare stones—the Millennia Stones. These are no ordinary relics. The Demon Clan once used them to summon Divine Beasts."
A silent Interest stirred in the group.
"There are seven Divine Beasts, each with A-rank levels of power. They embody the elements: Fire, Sand, Destruction, Wind, Ice, Water, and the most mysterious one—Power. The Beast of Power hasn't been seen for 30 years."
Sorata crossed his arms. "And how exactly do you want us to find these stones?"
Ukina continued. "Each stone is linked to one of the beasts, and they won't be unguarded. You'll face obstacles—guardians, traps, ancient seals. I'm sending you to retrieve them."
Kenji groaned. "So you do want us to find every single Millennia Stone just to summon some beasts."
"Exactly," Ukina nodded. Kenji replied with a tounge click "Tch!"
Bara leaned back lazily. "If we're dealing with powerful relics like that, there's definitely gonna be trouble."
Kirihai sighed. "Ugh, the last thing I want is another boring challenge."
Mirio yawned. "Honestly… I'm too lazy to do anything right now."
Shinki finally asked, "So… who are you assigning to this mission?"
Ukina smiled. "Kenji, you'll go after the Millennia Stone of the Sand Beast."
Kenji's face twisted into disbelief. "What?! No way. Something that powerful probably has a totem or guardian! I'm not going!"
Ukina raised a hand. "All in favor of Kenji taking the mission?"
Every hand went up.
Kenji yelled, "Why can't Sorata or Shinki go? They're the top two strongest!"
Sorata and Shinki both shot him a cold glare.
"We're not going," they said in unison.
— Back in the Desert Cave —
Kenji let out a long sigh as the flashback faded from his mind. "Ukina could've just gone herself…"
He yanked the Millennia Stone from its seal that was deep in the cave.
Suddenly, the cave began rumbling. Cracks spread across the walls as rocks tumbled.
Kenji's eyes narrowed. "Of course...What else could have happened?"
He created a Yelloe lightning arrow and fired it at the walls, blasting an open path. Flames burst from his feet as he launched himself toward the exit. He leapt out of the cave just as it began to shift and reform—into a massive stone Totem.
Kenji stared blankly as he flew out of the cave "…Knew it."
The totem groaned and began to move.
"Why do I always have to go through so much crap?" he barked in frustration.
The totem swung its arm to strike, but Kenji was already in motion, hurling lightning bolts at it at rapid-fire speed. The resulting explosions echoed across the desert—but the totem began regenerating.
"Damn it."
It hurled giant rock constructs at him. Kenji summoned a flaming sword, slicing through each projectile one by one. Dust and smoke clouded the area as he dashed forward, leapt high into the air, and roared:
"Inferno of Destruction!!"
Fire and lightning swirled together in a blinding spiral. The massive blast struck the totem dead-on, triggering a cataclysmic explosion that left a massive crater in the desert.
As the dust settled, Kenji stood alone amidst the devastation.
He glanced at his trembling arm. "…Did I really do that?"
A memory of his father came to him—telling him he was a strong child, that he'd grow into a great soldier.
Kenji smiled faintly. "Guess you were right, old man."
He stared at the Millennia Stone in his hand. "...Is this really that powerful? Well, whatever. As long as I get the mission done and dusted."
With the stone tucked away in his pocket, Kenji began his walk back—wondering how the rest of the group was doing.
— Meanwhile, in the City —
Raquel and Kirihai clashed in a ferocious street-level duel, their fists and kicks tearing down buildings with each strike. Dust and debris clouded the air as they exchanged blows.
Raquel summoned her crystal ability, launching giant crystal spears at high speed.
Kirihai deflected and sliced through them with her kunai, her sharp eyes tracking every movement.
"She's adapting to my speed" Raquel realized.
A flashback came to her—Kirihai matching Serena, who enhanced her speed with electricity.
"No matter how fast her opponent is, Kirihai always stays ahead…"
Kirihai suddenly leapt and spun midair, using one wide slash of her kunai to clear a full volley of crystal spears. She then blurred—moving so fast she became a streak across the city.
Raquel narrowed her eyes. "She's trying to confuse me with speed… but—"
Her Crystal Eye activated, allowing her to track movement at hypersonic speeds.
Kirihai dashed forward and aimed her kunai at Raquel's throat—only for Raquel to sidestep and prepare a counter "Now I've got you". But Kirihai flashed behind her in a blink, stabbing toward her neck "Shit!" Raquel exclaimed in her thoughts.
CLINK!
Raquel's neck crystallized just in time. Kirihai exclaimed with excitement "WOW! COOL!"
The two began throwing rapid punches and strikes, both moving at absurd speeds.
"You're fast and agile," Kirihai admitted. "But there's one problem."
She reached forward and tapped her finger to Raquel's forehead.
"Total Dispel."
Raquel's eyes rolled back as she collapsed, unconscious.
"You lack skill. Compared to me atleast." Kirihai muttered coldly.
As she raised her kunai to finish it—
BOOM!!
Two giant snakes burst from the ground, unleashing massive energy beams that blasted Kirihai through multiple buildings.
The dust cleared. Kirihai stood, bruised and burned all over her hands and legs, but unfazed.
She looked up to see Veronica standing proudly atop a colossal serpent.
"Am I late to the party?" she smirked.
—END OF CHAPTER—