Chapter 42
Kexzaz Town was divided into five major jurisdictions—four districts spread along the outer edges, and the palace standing cold and proud at the center.
The Port, Market, Forest, and Residential jurisdictions formed the outer ring, each already swallowed by conflict.
Brocky & Sophia — Residential Jurisdiction
Ren — Forest Jurisdiction
Umi, Kris & Ross — Port Jurisdiction
Keptyn — Palace Jurisdiction
Former King & Guards — Market
Jurisdiction
[Port Jurisdiction]
"METEORITE SLASH!"
A violent arc of light tore through the port for a split second—bright enough to bleach the shadows white. The slash passed cleanly through the charging enemies, and only after the light faded did their bodies collapse, weapons clattering uselessly across the stone docks.
Ross appeared behind them, already sheathing his twin swords. The metal whispered softly as the blades slid home.
"Tch."
Umi clicked his tongue.
"These dogs are easy. Can't you give us something challenging?"
Steam rolled off his body as his transformation reversed.
Scales shrank back into skin, thick muscles compressed, and the massive dinosaur frame melted down into a fat, average-height man. His tail vanished last, bones cracking softly as his body settled.
Umi exhaled deeply, chest rising once before he adjusted his shirt with annoyance.
"Yeah," Kris added lazily.
The tall man rested his long, modern-looking rifle on his shoulder, its metal worn smooth by age. His prison clothes fluttered slightly in the sea breeze.
"These people don't even give me half the adrenaline I had back in prison."
Ross snorted, rolling his shoulders as he walked toward Ren's warship. His boots left faint wet prints on the dock.
"Relax. The captain said he's on his way."
A grin crept onto his face.
"And he mentioned something about bringing a new crew."
"Huh…?"
Kris stiffened.
His relaxed posture vanished instantly.
The rifle slid down from his shoulder into his grip as his head slowly turned toward the sea. His brows furrowed, and his breathing slowed—controlled, deliberate.
"There's a strong aura coming from that direction."
Umi blinked. Ross frowned.
At first, they felt nothing.
Then—
The air shifted.
A pressure rolled in from the horizon, subtle but unmistakable, like the sea itself holding its breath. The waves beneath the docks trembled slightly, slapping harder against the wood.
Umi's lips curled into a strange grin.
"Hehehehe… looks like things won't be boring after all."
Ross cracked his neck, eyes gleaming.
"It's about time that bastard came back."
[Keptyn — Palace Jurisdiction | POV]
"Huff… huff… huff…"
My lungs burned as my boots touched the marbled floor of the central palace. Silent Walk faded from my legs, the tension draining out in waves. Sweat ran down my temple, soaking into my collar.
"That was one hell of a journey…"
The palace smelled like polished stone and blood.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Gunfire echoed through the grand hall.
I raised my head.
Citizens screamed, scattering in panic as agents disguised as royal guards fired mercilessly into the crowd. Bodies dropped like sacks of grain—old men, women, even teenagers clutching rusted weapons.
They knew they stood no chance.
And yet… they fought.
Their eyes burned with desperation and resolve, hands shaking but steady enough to swing blades and throw stones. My chest tightened.
"Even knowing they'd die…"
I swallowed hard.
"They still stood for their kingdom."
Clank.
I yanked my double-barrel pistol from the rack.
Bang! Bang!
Two agents dropped instantly, their rifles slipping from lifeless fingers mid-trigger pull. Blood splattered across the marble.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I moved while firing, knees bent, breath controlled. Each shot bought the civilians a second—then another—to escape.
Clank.
I ejected the empty magazine, the metal ringing sharply as it hit the floor. My hands moved on instinct, sliding a fresh magazine in place.
The moment I turned—
My mind screamed.
I rolled.
BOOOOM!
The floor exploded where I'd stood. Marble shattered, chunks flying past my face. Three massive craters formed in an instant, dust swallowing the hall.
If I'd been half a second slower… I'd be paste.
As the dust settled, three enormous figures emerged.
They looked… wrong.
Huge. Misshapen. Like deformed versions of Whitebeard Jr.—all muscle and stupidity.
"Oooooouuuuu! Weeeeeeee!"
They shouted, huddling together into a strange triangle formation.
My eye twitched.
"We are the Trio Brothers!"
The tallest one—bulky and broad—shouted proudly from the base of the triangle.
"United fall, together we stand!"
"…That's not right," the one on the left muttered, scratching his head.
"Yes it is," the fat, short one replied confidently.
"United we stand, together we fall."
"That still doesn't sound like what squad leader said…"
I rubbed my temple. My head throbbed.
"Can you idiots just—"
CRAAAASH!
They collapsed.
The triangle broke apart, the floor cracking under their combined weight. They stood back up, dusting their clothes like nothing happened.
Now I could see them clearly.
The tallest — massive and thick-necked
The average-height one — still absurdly huge
The short, fat one — round like a cannonball
"Damn it!" the fat one complained.
"Brother, why couldn't you hold on? You ruined our introduction!"
"Don't you know how heavy you are?" the tall one snapped back.
Slap.
The sound cracked sharply through the hall.
A short, stout man stepped forward from behind them. His eyes were sharp—cold and calculating. He didn't even glance at the bodies littering the floor.
Instead, he stared straight at me.
"Enough."
His voice was calm, commanding.
"Kill the boy. He's reducing our numbers."
"Yes, sir," two of them replied instantly.
Tucking my pistols I placed my hand on my sword.
I tightening my grip on the sword hilt.
My chest rose once.
Then I smiled grimly.
"So… this is the palace welcome party."