Jack didn't understand.
It felt as if time had stopped, yet his mind was still working.
The silence around him rang in his ears.
Jack: What?
The voice of - - - came from the void.
It had no direction, no echo.
It felt as if it was speaking directly into Jack's mind.
- - - : Come on… do you want to defeat this guy or not?
Jack wanted to look around, but not even his eyes would move.
A heavy pressure pressed down on his chest.
The situation felt extremely strange.
He couldn't tell whether what he felt was fear, anger, or despair.
Jack: Why are you helping me?
The voice fell silent for a moment.
As the answer delayed, Jack grew even more uneasy.
It didn't explain the reason but it said this instead:
- - - : Would you like me to talk about what you went through as a child?
Jack's breathing became erratic.
His heart pounded violently.
Anger surged through him.
Jack: How could you know what I went through!?
What could you possibly understand!?
His voice trembled with rage.
This voice knew things it should never have known.
- - - : A lot, Jack.
Instead of running from that pain, I'm giving you the chance to face it.
His mother's voice echoed in Jack's mind:
"Because you are very different!"
Jack: Then why… why are you helping me!?
This time the voice was calmer almost mocking.
- - - : There's no need for a reason.
So then, what's your wish?
Defeat him… or drift away in unrest?
Jack's eyes instinctively turned toward Peter.
He remembered his body lying on the ground.
Rose's cold gaze.
Jack wasn't ready to cross over yet.
Jack: Please… please tell me what kind of Technique I have!
The voice let out a short laugh.
- - - : Hahaha! You'll find out soon.
Give me your body for a while, and you'll see what kind of Technique you possess.
A bad feeling crept into Jack's chest.
This offer wasn't free he could feel it.
His throat tightened.
Jack: …Alright. I accept.
At that moment, the voice changed.
Satisfaction was unmistakable.
- - - : A wise choice, Jack.
They shook hands.
A violet warmth wrapped around Jack's hand.
Light exploded.
Purple light swallowed everything.
Time returned to normal.
Just as Peter was about to deliver the finishing blow,
a purple light flared.
Peter: What the hell is going on!?
The light burned his eyes.
Peter reflexively stepped back.
Rose noticed the light from behind and narrowed her eyes.
Rose: What is this?
The light grew brighter.
The forest's shadows trembled.
The air became heavy.
Peter: You insect! What did you do!?
Rose: Purple light…
Peter and Rose stared in shock-
Jack's body had risen.
His breathing had changed.
Jack: This clean oxygen… How long has it been since I last breathed air like this?
Peter's mouth fell open.
Peter: Are you an insect or what!?
Jack smiled.
It was a smile filled with confidence Jack never used to have.
Jack: Sorry? Oh, you mean that kid.
Rose grew uneasy.
Rose: The atmosphere's completely different… And Jack is talking strangely.
Jack: I'm simply the one who's going to defeat you instead of Jack.
Peter: What!? Just say who you are, you insect freak!
Another voice cut in mocking in tone.
- - - : Damn, your mouth's filthy.
Anyway, I'm the one replacing Jack.
The name's Liberty—remember it well.
Rose frowned.
Rose: That name… I feel like I've heard it somewhere.
Peter: Whatever. No matter who you are, you're still an insect!
Peter charged.
He lunged at Liberty-
Liberty merely watched him, disgust in his eyes.
Liberty: Pathetic, Jack… You lost to this?
In an instant, Liberty vanished.
He reappeared behind Peter.
Peter: What-!?
Liberty: Miserable…
Liberty clenched his fist.
Red energy wrapped around his hand.
The air cracked.
Liberty: If you can endure my energy punch,
I'll show you my Technique.
The blow landed.
Peter: (in his mind) This insect… ignored my reinforced muscles completely!?
Liberty slammed him into the ground.
When Peter's body hit, his muscles and bones were no longer the same.
Rose: What is happening here!?
Liberty turned toward Rose, his gaze cold.
Liberty: Pathetic being.
Liberty looked down at Peter lying on the ground.
Liberty: Muscle freak…
Attack me with everything you've got.
Peter clenched his teeth.
Peter (in his mind):Looking down on me like this… No… no! I'll show him!
Peter poured all his rage into his Technique.
His muscles swelled grotesquely.
His skin cracked, bones twisted under strain.
His body became monstrous.
The ground trembled.
Liberty tilted his head.
Liberty: Disgusting…
He shrugged.
Liberty: Whatever. I'll pity you, maybe I'll show you my Technique… maybe.
Peter let out a monstrous roar.
The sound echoed through the forest,
branches snapped, the ground cracked.
Peter: Let's see how long you can endure… insect!
Liberty paused then burst into laughter.
Liberty: Hahaha!
He pointed at Peter.
Liberty: You… you seriously- hahaha!
You called me an insect!?
Rose tensed behind a tree.
Rose: Strange… Jack's appearance has changed.
There's a crown-shaped mark above his eyebrows…
And… gemstone-like red eyes…
Foam spilled from Peter's mouth.
Liberty: That was a good laugh… whew.
He grew serious.
Liberty: Anyway. Watch your head.
Peter reflexively turned—
PUF!
Liberty was already behind him.
Peter (in his mind):
What-!? When did he-!?
Liberty threw a single punch.
BOOM!
Peter was smashed in the face and sent flying.
Everything in his path was destroyed
trees fell, rocks crumbled.
The forest was no longer orderly; it had become a battlefield.
Liberty sprinted at extreme speed and grabbed Peter midair.
Liberty: I'm warming up… muscle freak.
But you're still boring.
He kicked Peter hard.
WHAM!
Peter flew sideways and crashed into a mountain,
sent hundreds of meters away in seconds.
Peter (in his mind): This… this speed…
No… impossible!
Peter: Damn it… insect!?
Liberty looked up at him.
Liberty: Looks like it's time to use it.
Peter tore a massive boulder from the ground and hurled it at Liberty.
Liberty grinned.
Liberty: Perfect timing, muscle freak!
He raised his right hand.
Dense red energy gathered around it.
Liberty: Erasure Technique - Peak Remover.
The massive boulder simply… vanished.
No dust. No sound.
As if it had never existed.
Peter's eyes trembled.
Peter (in his mind): Gone…? No… no… this has to be an illusion-
Liberty spoke calmly.
Liberty: Sorry…
While erasing the rock-
His gaze shifted to Peter's arm.
Liberty: I erased your arm too.
Peter looked at his left arm.
It was gone.
He stood frozen for a few seconds.
Peter (in his mind):
No… no… I can still feel it…
This… this can't be real—
He screamed.
Peter: AAAAAARGH!!
Fear turned into panic.
Liberty: Come on…
Help me warm up a little more.