Location: Absolute Prison
It was silent… but not an ordinary silence.
It felt as if, in a vast forest, every creature had fallen quiet at the exact same moment -as if even the wind had lost its direction. The dampness between the stone walls carried a heavy scent, and the cold seeped straight into the bones. The candle flames were unstable; now and then they bent slightly, trembling as though the breath of something unseen brushed past them.
For a moment, everything seemed frozen.
Then-
CHAINS.
Iron rings fell to the ground one after another.
They collided. Scraped. Echoed through the long corridor.
The metallic clang struck the stone walls and bounced back, as if the prison itself refused to swallow the sound.
After that noise, voices rose.
Arthur: If you insult me one more time… I will personally execute you.
His voice wasn't loud. He didn't shout.
But within that calm tone was a certainty that left no room for argument.
Jack: Finally free from these damn chains.
Jack rotated his wrists. The marks left by the shackles had reddened his skin. As circulation returned, a dull sting spread through his arms. He flexed his fingers; muscles long unused slowly came back to life.
He took a step forward.
It looked as though he would walk out before Arthur.
Arthur raised his hand.
Just a single motion.
But that motion… was a command.
Jack stopped. He frowned and glanced around.
There was nothing. The corridor was empty. No visible danger. No immediate threat.
Jack: What?
Arthur kept his eyes locked on Jack.
Arthur: Don't relax just because you became my student, Jack.
Jack's frown deepened.
Jack (In his mind): He just unlocked my chains. Now he's talking like he's threatening me?
Jack: What do you mean?
Arthur's expression hardened. The faint amusement in his eyes disappeared.
Arthur: I can order the Guardians not to harm you.
But I can't stop them.
The words lingered in the air.
For a moment, even the candle flames seemed to tremble less.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Jack: Them?
Arthur's gaze sharpened. For a split second, he looked at Jack not as a student… but as a prisoner.
Arthur: The strongest alliance after the Guardians. An organization that carries responsibility equal to theirs.
A cold sensation ran down Jack's spine.
Jack (In his mind): After the Guardians? I've never heard of something like that…
Arthur spoke slowly.
Arthur: The alliance that houses the second strongest individual in the world…
The Superior Detectives.
The name echoed against the stone walls.
As if even the prison recognized it.
Jack's throat went dry.
Jack (In his mind): Second only to the Guardians… So even Arthur doesn't stand above them.
Jack: What's their role?
Arthur tilted his head slightly, thinking.
Arthur: We eliminate creatures. We protect humans. We maintain order.
But they… control the darkness behind that order.
Jack listened carefully.
Arthur:
They hunt rogue entities.
They seal forbidden zones.
They investigate crimes committed by technique users.
If necessary, they capture… and if necessary, they eliminate.
A brief pause.
Arthur: And most importantly…
They reassess those whose execution has been revoked.
Jack's heart began to pound.
Arthur: If they deem it appropriate… the sentence is reinstated.
Silence swallowed the corridor.
Jack (In his mind): So Arthur saved me… but if that alliance decides otherwise… I get killed.
Arthur delivered the final blow.
Arthur: Especially since five of them… is among the world's top ten technique users.
Now Jack fully grasped the severity of the situation. Arthur was powerful. But that alliance was not under his command.
And if they chose to act Jack's vision darkened for a split second before sharpening again.
(In his mind): If they come now… I'll die.
But if I grow stronger before they do?
Then either they won't be able to execute me… or I'll fight.
That thought rooted itself in his mind.
But it wasn't alone.
Location: Jack's Subconscious
Complete darkness.
Not an empty darkness but dense, heavy, almost tangible.
Masses of shadow layered upon one another, forming a towering mountain of black. At its peak sat a figure.
Liberty Sacred.
One leg crossed over the other. A hand resting beneath his chin.
Liberty: Playing with that muscle-head isn't bad… but my techniques consume too much energy.
He slightly moved his fingers.
The dark surface beneath him rippled.
Liberty: That super technique… drained ninety percent of my energy. In my old body? Not even one percent.
A faint irritation flickered in his eyes.
Under normal circumstances, developing a technique was already difficult.
Adding new attacks to an existing technique?
It multiplied energy loss. It caused spiritual strain.
But Liberty was different.
Liberty: My soul may be fragmented… but the rules still bend for me.
He smiled.
Liberty: I'll develop new attacks. I won't care about the energy loss. This body will adapt.
He paused briefly.
Liberty: Though…
He tilted his head slightly.
Liberty: A permanent contract with that boy might be more efficient.
His red eyes glowed faintly within the darkness.
Liberty: After all, the Key is in him…
And I am patient.
He continued to think.