The boy then shouted using a light energy — like a sound wave infused with brilliant light — that burst outward from his mouth with devastating force.
The attack erupted as a visible cone of shimmering white-gold energy mixed with concussive sound, slamming directly into Rin's chest and sending him flying across a considerable distance.
His taller, muscular body in the dragon-embroidered emperor attire cut through the air before crashing heavily into a cluster of abandoned buildings on the edge of the industrial area, concrete and metal groaning under the impact as dust and debris exploded outward in a thick cloud.
Rin stood up slowly from the rubble, dusting his dark robe and tunic with deliberate, unhurried motions.
The golden dragons on the fabric seemed to shift and gleam as he brushed off the dust.
An anticipating smile spread across his face, golden eyes lighting up with genuine excitement as he realized that this boy was far stronger than Bakuteriya and that he would really enjoy every second of this fight with him.
The burn on his hand from the earlier attack throbbed faintly, but the pain only sharpened his focus and thrill.
So then Rin sprinted back toward the boy at a speed too fast as lightning that the SCO agents couldn't even comprehend.
His powerful legs propelled him forward in a crimson-and-gold blur, the flowing robe whipping violently behind him as the air itself seemed to crackle and part around his accelerating form.
In less than a heartbeat, he closed the distance across the street.
Then Rin said to the boy in a deep, confident voice that carried across the battlefield, "I want to fight you now."
The boy, having a thousand-yard stare, a flat monotone voice, and a complete lack of reaction to surprises, replied "fine by me."
When he was with the organization, his expression changed completely — no glasses on, a deep tone voice paired with a deathly hollow stare that made his eyes look almost empty and unnerving.
But when he was with Chiyo, he didn't really act vacant or with a hollow expression; he was more lively, with a lighter voice tone, glasses perched on his nose, always smiling shyly and showing a gentle, awkward warmth.
Then immediately Rin moved and the boy also moved toward his direction, and suddenly they started fighting.
The SCO agents standing around couldn't really have a clear glance at the fight.
All they could see were streaks of lights moving rapidly with sharp sounds of lightning-like impacts — explosive cracks, booming clashes, and flashes of energy that blurred the two figures into near-invisible motion.
The air vibrated with the sheer force of their exchanges, concrete cracking beneath their feet as shockwaves rippled outward.
Then Chris appeared before the SCO agents, materializing with their usual composed elegance in sharp business attire, golden hair neatly styled and glasses reflecting the chaotic light of the battle.
Of course the SCO recognized and knew Chris as the author selling books on behalf of Ryū and also suspected him as a criminal too, but they couldn't arrest him due to lack of evidence. Their gazes hardened with suspicion as they watched the androgynous figure approach calmly.
Then a member of the organization shouted out, voice tense and accusatory, "You criminal, so you've shown your true colors huh?"
And Chris replied with a perfectly calm and straight face, "What are you talking about? I'm a journalist, I'm just here to document what happens here for my book with my friend over there — that's Ryū — as usual.
Nothing to worry about."
But the SCO agents were still cautious of him, their hands staying close to their weapons while their visors tracked every subtle movement Chris made.
Then Chris said to them firmly, "Do not interfere in this fight."
Then the SCO replied with clear suspicion, "And why is that?"
Then Chris said with a straight face, "If you want to, you can go ahead… but I have already told you not to interfere.
Let them fight."
Then the SCO said, voices rising with tension, "Are you trying to stand against the SCO?"
Then Chris struck a glowing purple straight line in front of them on the ground, the magical barrier humming with restrained power as it stretched across the street like a clear warning.
Chris said calmly, "Whosoever wants to butt in should then cross this line."
Then one of the SCO agents told the rest to stand down for now, saying they would surely catch up to Chris's scheme and send him to jail. He smiled thinly while telling Chris, "And by the way, the boy is very strong.
He can control sound and light… meaning Ryū will be defeated."
As all the commotion was going on, Bakuteriya saw this as an opportunity to escape. Using his slimy skills, the black venom-like creature suddenly scattered its body into a fluid, fast-moving pool of glossy darkness that flowed rapidly across the ground, slipping between the distracted agents and buildings with incredible speed.
It left the entire area behind and escaped into the monster realm, arriving at the shadowy, otherworldly domain filled with twisted landscapes and faint, eerie lights.
There, it met other monsters — grotesque silhouettes and glowing-eyed beings lurking in the mist.
Bakuteriya explained what had just occurred in a trembling, hurried voice, telling them he was not going back there again.
He described how Rin was there — knowing full well that Rin was Ryū — and how overwhelmingly powerful he was, his slimy form still quivering with residual fear as the other monsters listened intently in the dim, foreboding realm.