( Outside the Tower. )
Things didn't go well, for the ones outside, the ones inside the barrier of the T District, many of them died because of the overwhelming swarm of monster hoards, even many High Inquisitors that died after taking the initiative being the offensive.
" Retreat! retreat! " Inquisitor Vincent Wong orders the others to retreat from the T district, per the higher-ups' orders.
"( This is no longer a work for humans, anymore. )"
"( Even us, the Gifted ones are still no match for the hundreds of hoards, that came out from the Tower. ) " he says as the Gate was opened, a [Divine Gate] from the gods, opened for them all to leave the whole place, immediately.
" Lord Muruga, please help us. " he prays to Muruga, asking him to strengthen him while he protects the others to fall back from the hoards of darkness.
" [Muruga's Fist, Murder's Repent]!!!! " Vincent says, using his [Muruga's Hand] Gift to destroy many monsters that come near the [Divine Gate].
" We must evacuate now!!! "
" Evacuate the wounded first!!! "
" The rest of you, who can still fight, help me prevent the monsters from coming near! " Vincent says, assuming command after the High Inquisitor that led them before he died, in the hands of the hoard.
As he regains the spirits of some of those that could still fight, he immediately tells them to bring their best to the battle, covering the others to escape.
" Dammit, I can't hold it much longer... "
" Lord Muruga, please... "
" Don't worry, boy! " Muruga says out of nowhere.
" Lord...! " Vincent shouts in the midst of battle.
" Where are you!? " he asks.
" I can't come, but... "
" Help is on the way! " he says to Vincent, despite not being present, Muruga still supports him with his instructions in order for him and the others who can still fight to survive.
" The other gods, had also been troubled on helping their humans, Vincent... "
" Even now, I'm still trying to permit myself to help you, asking the gods' in charge of this battle against the [Abyss Tower] to let me and the others help our humans here. " Muruga explains as it can be seen that he and the other gods' from the other Pantheon are having some debate with the Olympians and the Aesir, even had some mouth fight with the Valkyries and Eihenjar.
" Let us help our mortals, Olympian retards! "
" Don't interfere our pantheons from helping those who were affiliated with us! "
In the skies, the Divine gods from their Pantheons sent their representatives to negotiate terms, in order to gain allowance to help their mortals inside the barrier the Olympians made in District T, the place the Abyss Tower landed.
" I and the others are still trying our best to help you, Vincent... " Muruga says.
" Please wait for us... " Muruga can only order him to wait for he had also summoned their own people to go battle with them inside the barrier.
As Muruga says that to Vincent, Vincent begins to see the tower and remembers that Kara was inside it. Seeing it, Vincent tries to assemble his bravery, in order for him to stay strong, knowing that he was only given mere trouble, compared to Inquisitor Kara inside the Tower.
" Vincent, how many are there for us to shoot!? " an Inquisitor approached him, asking him how many more of the monsters are.
" Just attack them with whatever you have! "
" That's my order! " Vincent ordered, assuming command to her, that Inquisitor who suddenly come to him.
" Inquisitor Nora Veil, you better do your job! " Vincent just tells her that, ordering her to stay focused on firing the monsters using her Thunder Gift.
" Of course! "
" I would always stay focused before my friend helps me! " she says, bragging that her 'friend' is coming here, from Japan to Trinia since they were so close.
" Huh!? " Vincent was confused to hear that, why the hell was Nora's friend coming here?
" You know her, Wong! "
" She's a strong person, once an S-Rank Hunter and a High Inquisitor! " Nora tells Vincent he slowly grasps who she just meant.
" You're kidding, that's your friend, Nora? " Vincent asks while attacking the monster that comes near him.
" You don't believe me, I've been commissioned to help international affairs before, so don't blame me if I know exceptional figures. "
" Such as her, the daughter from one of the 'Divine Mortal Clans' " Nora says even telling Vincent that she already phoned her to come which she responds that she will.
Despite what she said, Vincent still doesn't believe that it's true, and still can't make the sense of someone from outside the country to go help a friend in trouble, in another country.
" Don't put your hopes high, Nora! "
" Stop blabbering and please shoot more monsters, the evacuation is nearly over! " Vincent says while monsters keep attacking from the Tower.
...
( Meanwhile. )
[ Japan. ]
" My lady, do you really want to go to Trinia...? "
" For the sake of your 'friend'? " an old family maid asks her young lady, worried about the lady's decision in these times.
" Of course Kikyo, don't forget that before I returned to Mother-Sama and relinquish all that in Trinia. "
" I already told her that I would return there if those I cared about are in peril. " she strapped herself, preparing her weapon before her while waiting for her private air transport that her family provides, she even bring some of her powerful bodyguards in order to be more prepares against the odds.
" Shall we get going, young lady? " her bodyguards say as the air transport came into the landing dock, an air transport looks like a chopper and jet combined.
" Let's go, it's time for me to return there," she says as she entered the transport first.
...
( At the same time. )
[ Abyss Tower, 6th Floor ]
" So, you won't teach me the [Stinger Martial Arts] due to my physical deficiencies, huh? "
" Yes, since it's not suitable for your weak leg. "
" I see..., so are you going to teach me other Martial Techniques or some sort? "
" Well... "
" Do you know that [Stinger Martial Arts], like all other martial arts, requires a lot of footwork? " Galen asks.
" Yeah, so I've heard. "
" Do you know why? " Galen asks.
" I don't know, for their stance foundation maybe? " Ragna replies.
" Since based on what I've seen in many media, many martial arts require their practitioners to have successfully mastered their stance position before even doing anything. "
" Hmm..., you're right... "
" Despite you're almost correct, the real reason why it's heavily needed is not that, but for the first method of strategy needed for a martial artist to destroy their enemy... "
" And that is... "
" Speed! " Galen says at the moment while looking at Ragna's leg which Ragna can see him looking at his 'weak crippled' leg.
Hearing what Galen says, Ragna immediately realized why, for when he thinks of it, every time he sees any kind of martial arts on TV or in his phone or in his game, he always noticed that every fighter he sees always had their feet active either jumping or bouncing and always move with great speed.
"( I see..., so basically they all using speed to overcome strength. )"
"( No wonder, no matter how hard I tried to punch a monster, my punches feel not effective enough. )"
"( For the problem for me is not my strength, I already gained the muscles to do so, but instead. )"
"( It's my speed, the thing I was hardly perform due to the damage that damn Indura did to me, at that... )"
"( Stop it, before you make the Twelve Eye show you that event again! )" Ragna says for he understands the concept now while preventing the Twelve Eye to show the trauma again.
" I see, thank you for making me understand. " Ragna says as he now understands the concept of martial arts techniques that relies on high velocity rather than great density.
"( I've been so relied on my heavy armory of items, for many long I've relied on them to kill my enemies before they get close. )"
"( Hence making me slower as I also relied on my Skills too, slowly rejecting the need to increase physical speed. )"
" But Galen, wait when you're implying this... "
" Are you saying that...? " Ragna begins to think, begin to realize that the reason why Galen reveals the key of martial arts to him is...
" Don't be so negative, 'disciple'! " Galen says to Ragna before he continues his thoughts.
" I will still teach you martial arts, but not that usual one, and... "
" I'll promise that it will cost less footwork for you. "
" But!!! "
" Let me warn you!!! "
" The training will be so different, so please release all thoughts of memories you know about 'normal' martial arts things you've known from your references! "
" Because this training is designed, specifically for you! " Galen points at Ragna, which made Ragna gulp.
_____________________________________________________________________________
This is the last chapter for 2022, thank you for waiting for the Hiatus.