The man only glanced briefly as Tsukishima, fully resolved, swung to sever his neck.
"Ughh!"
Suddenly, his head felt unbearably heavy in midair. His arms went limp as he tried to strike, his vision losing focus just as he aimed to cut off Fallen's head.
Shockingly, Tsukishima's power vanished completely.
His body was violently slammed into the ground—the momentum from his previous strength now uncontrollable as his body turned weak and powerless.
He rolled harshly across the empty highway, surrounded by lifeless bodies left behind by the massive explosion earlier.
…
Within seconds, a large group of security forces appeared. They wore white-gray armored cloaks, each bearing the emblem of an immensely powerful organization.
"Stop right there!"
The officers activated frequency-based technology embedded in their armored sleeves, instantly stripping Tsukishima of his remaining strength.
Ace froze. Then, suddenly, he snapped.
"What… what are you doing?! My friend is being attacked!"
Ace shouted furiously as he sprinted toward the man who was still absorbing the power from Shoryu's broken, horrifying body.
"STOP IT, YOU BASTAAAAARD!!"
Ace clenched his fist, charging forward with rage burning in his eyes, ready to strike.
Suddenly—
Ace's shadow, cast by the sunlight, moved differently from his own body.
"What the—?!"
His eyes widened in shock.
In an instant, the shadow grabbed Ace from behind and slammed him violently into a small roadside shop.
The impact shattered the entrance, collapsing the structure inward.
Ace crashed through the wreckage, dust exploding everywhere, before his body slammed hard against the back wall.
Blood soaked his body. Bruises and grime covered him from head to toe.
…
The officers slowly approached the man, who had finally finished absorbing Shoryu's power.
They glanced at Shoryu's unconscious body lying on the road—with complete indifference.
"Is everything secure… Sir Fallen?" asked the commander of the unit.
Fallen.
The seventh-ranked national hero of Japan.
He held the same authority as heroes placed above the presidency itself—regarded as sacred beings of overwhelming power.
Fallen dissolved into a black shadow.
"Everything is under control. Do not allow children like them to grow and obtain power… someone wouldn't like that."
Before fully disappearing, he added—
"I hate them."
Soon after, the officers departed as well.
They cast one final glance at the victims—an unreadable expression devoid of humanity.
Large armored vehicles drove away, leaving the wounded and dead behind without remorse.
Only ego remained, swallowing what little humanity was left.
…
Elsewhere—far from the tragedy—
Reiko had been waiting at Ace's house for a long time.
Earlier, Reiko and Tsukishima had agreed to meet again after Ace collapsed from being slapped.
Something felt wrong.
Sitting in front of Ace's gate, Reiko continuously sucked on his candy, growing more irritated by the minute.
Sensing something off, he rushed toward the school, annoyed that he had been left waiting.
…
But when he reached the main road—
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Bodies were scattered everywhere.
No ambulances. No help.
People were dying, abandoned.
Then he saw it—
Tsukishima, covered in dust and injuries, carrying Ace's bloodied unconscious body.
"Oi, Tsukishima!!"
Reiko sprinted toward him in panic.
Tsukishima, barely standing, looked up and saw Reiko.
Hope flickered in his eyes despite his injuries.
Without hesitation, Reiko helped carry them both on his back.
"What the hell happened?! What did you guys do?!" Tsukishima stopped him.
"Wait. We have another friend… he's in worse condition than us, Reiko." He stepped down and showed him Shoryu's body.
Reiko stared. "My god… he looks like someone who hasn't eaten in years."
Tsukishima spoke firmly. "He was attacked. His body was drained by someone using dark power… this is what's left of him."
Reiko's voice rose sharply. "Attacked?! By who?!"
Tsukishima clenched his fists.
"I don't know…" Tsukishima tried to lift Shoryu, but his body gave out.
Immediately, Reiko carried both Shoryu and Ace at once.
Just as they were about to leave—
A shadow formed in front of them.
The seventh hero appeared.
Fallen... Its him, there.
Tsukishima reacted instantly, reaching into a dimensional portal to summon his katana.
But Reiko stopped him.
"What are you doing here?" Reiko asked coldly, suspicion clear in his eyes.
Even Fallen seemed momentarily confused by his reappearance.
"I was on patrol. I heard an explosion nearby," he said calmly. "Reiko."
(Who would dare do this?) He smiled faintly.
Tsukishima shouted.
"It was him! He did all of this!" He pointed his katana directly at Fallen.
Fallen remained unfazed.
"Look, Reiko—"
"No." Reiko interrupted, smiling faintly. "Did you do this… Fallen?" His face hardened.
Fallen sneered. "As usual, Reiko. You always see me as the villain." He glanced at Tsukishima and the others before returning his gaze.
"I'm simply enforcing constitutional law. You do the same, don't you?" His eyes locked onto Reiko.
Reiko responded sharply.
"They didn't do anything wrong! That's what's rotten about you!"
"You're nothing more than a disgusting political sacrifice!"
Fallen lifted his chin slightly, his sharp gaze piercing through Reiko's composure.
"And all you can do is talk?"
"Talk about what?" Reiko cut in calmly—his restrained fury like a sleeping dragon.
…
"Wiu! Wiu! Wiu!!"
Sirens echoed through the city.
Ambulances arrived, lights flashing red and blue. Police swarmed the scene, evacuating the wounded—including Ace and Shoryu.
As Tsukishima rode with them, Reiko and Fallen stood side by side.
Same height.
Fallen stared emptily ahead.
Reiko stood silent, his thoughts turbulent.
"I wish I never had this power," Fallen said quietly.
Then he vanished into shadow.
. . .
"Reiko! Where are you going? Aren't you coming with Ace?" Tsukishima called from the ambulance.
Reiko smiled. "I've got something to take care of. I'll catch up." Candy still in his mouth, he walked away.
…
Night fell over the city.
A towering building stood tall, marked by a sharp eagle-wing emblem in white and brown, with a bold yellow-gray "S" symbol above it.
Important figures gathered, some dressed casually, others formally.
They entered a dark circular chamber with a massive round table and a giant display screen.
…
Thirteen mysterious figures were present.
Two stood near the screen.
One stood at the center of the table.
Ten sat around it.
The lights turned on.
They were revealed— Japan's heroes.
A gray-haired elderly man stood at the center, holding a list.
"I will call your names. Absence without notice will carry consequences."
"Ghoul."
Real name: Takana Yamaeda. Rank 10.
Red bangs, sharp black eyes, average build.
Wearing a white school sports uniform.
(He was staring at Reiko.)
"Yoshida Kirietsu."
Rank 9.
Born into wealth.
A highly advanced robotic left arm.
Blond hair, handsome face, deep black eyes.
Focused and serious.
"Torbunal."
Rank 8.
Identity unknown.
Gray cloak. White mask with the kanji 死—death.
Black diamond ring on his index finger.
"Fallen."
Rank 7.
"Reiko Jougar."
Rank 6.
Tension lingered between Reiko and Fallen.
The old man sensed it—but ignored it.
Before continuing—
Yoshida interrupted.
"Where are the other five?"
The old man nodded.
"They've been dispatched to China, Russia, and the United States."
"Last month, global scientists uncovered something terrifying."
"The quantum world is unraveling."
"They found traces of a massive entity."
The screen displayed frozen atomic light distortions.
The man stopped beside Torbunal.
"We will either uncover the truth of God…"
"…or learn that something far greater is coming to collect the debt of our sins."
Reiko spoke sharply.
"Then why does the global elite suppress young divine talents who could protect this world?!"
The old man snapped.
"In 42 years of service—I still don't know, Mister Reiko!"
Then, softly —
"Eighteen years ago. 2007."
"The quantum world… stopped."
Silence, shock... Then their feel cold sweat in their body.
Only Torbunal remained calm.
The old man concluded—
"Throughout history…"
"The truth has always been hidden."
End.