At the top of a mountain range which were covered in fog, rendering prying eyesights.
A cocoon of white made up of spiritual energy could be seen lying on top of it. Small dark spots could be seen on it as it stood there motionless while the spiritual energy present in the fog occasionally entered into it.
The still cocoon suddenly shook a little which soon became stronger as if something was trying to break out if it. A crack appeared at its top which soon covered the entire cocoon before it exploded with a bang.
A fat figure stepped out of the cocoon as he slowly stood up from it, stale white air breathed out of his mouth.
Kenji cracked the bones in his body as he clenched his fist tightly in his palms.
"Middle Star rank stage." He muttered as his gaze became unfocused while staring at the land below.
"It's time to hunt for badges, and find my brother." He muttered as his gaze narrowed hearing an explosion beneath the mountain resulting from two participants fighting.
"Then I'll start with you then." Kenji jumped down from the mountain as the sound of battle became louder but soon quieted down.
Kenji stood there holding five badges in his hands as the body of two participants who have been knocked out cold could be seen in the ground behind him, both at the Early Star rank stage.
He immediately directed his attention away as he moved with speed into the distance looking for other participants.
-- -- --
A young man in dark robes stood in front of five people as his raven dark hair gently blew to the wind.
His eyes were cold like that of ice, as his blue eyes stared at the five individuals before him.
One of the five boys who was about 2 metres tall and thin scruffy face with sunken eyes and nose, suddenly screamed at him
"Hey kid, you better hand over your badges and this father will let you go with only a few bruise or else..." he said, the sinister intent in his voice unconcealed as the other four boys behind him let out wicked chuckles.
The five had decided to gather together with the idea of taking the participants solo and taking badges with greater numbers, then they'll each split the badges among themselves.
A very wise decision to obtaining the badges as it will be hard to win a fight of five Early Star rank stage against a single early Star rank stage. Unfortunately they met Lucian.
One of the boys at the side seeing Lucian just stood there dumbly as he sneered to himself.' So easily frightened.'
"Oi, are you deaf or what." he said in a mocking tone causing the other to giggle to themselves as one of them said.
"It seems your mother never taught you to..."
The boy suddenly felt the the boy he was harassing disappear from sight as his face contorted in shock when he saw the frigging blue eyes appear just an inch in front of him.
Before his hands could even reach out to his back to bring out his large sword. A white hand clamped on his shoulder as he was gently pulled forward turning his upper body horizontally when he felt a knee slamming into his stomach immediately blowing him into the air for about three metres before landing on the ground with a thud, causing the other youths to suck in a deep breath.
The boy had been knocked out in a single blow...
Lucian slowly bent as his hands reached for the boy's pocket yanking away the five badges present in it. He carefully stored it in his pocket as he stared at the others who already drew out their weapon as they looked at him in shock, sweat dripping down their nape.
Lucian stared at the boys as he said out loud:
"Will you give it to me or should I take it myself..."
"Make him wish for death" the fat one at the front said as the other three immediately moved towards him.
"HIIIIIIA"
Lucian looked at the three boys heading towards him with an interested look.
This was the first time he would be fighting with humans at the Early Star rank stage. He was curious to which was stronger, an Early Star rank stage beast or a human.
"VROOOOOOOOM"
A staff slammed towards his head with speed, but he didn't bother to dodge as he held on tightly to the staff before dragging forward.
The boys eye's widened as it felt all the force it gathered was unceremoniously absorbed as he dragged forward uncontrollably but his eyes widened as he felt a hand rapidly magnify in front of his face:
"BAAAAAAAM"
The sharp sound of a slap echoed, as a body was immediately sent into the earth like a broken doll, four teeth lying beside it.
"SHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIING"
The sound of a sword slashing forward echoed as it moved towards his face making him slowly raise up his hand and slapped the blade at its tip.
The boy holding the katana immediately felt a powerful force sneaking it's way into his hands from the tip of the sword as it immediately let go of it but proved to be a mistake.
Lucian appeared in front of him in the next second as he jumped and kicked forward with speed causing him to be blown away slamming into the other behind him as the duo were sent flying into the tree.
In less than a minute, three early Star rank stage had been knocked out cold by him.
He slowly moved towards the three youth, taking away their badges and they even had many with them indicating they have been successfully robbing others too but only ended up making Lucian's job easier.
He finally stared at the last one standing. The fat boy who seemed to be the leader of the gang.
Sweat dripped down Zuri's face as he looked at the blue eyed monster in front of him. All his teammates had already been taken care off in seconds shocking him to stupor but it wasn't enough to make him afraid, only scared a lot.
He immediately flung out three projectiles at lightning speed before immediately retreating into the forest.
He knew he couldn't defeat the monster, but he was sure he could escape.
Lucian looked at the sharp projectiles as he simply slapped the projectiles to the side.
Zuri stared back during his run as he saw the boy was no longer behind him making a mocking grin appear on his face muttering to himself.
"So what if you have great strength, when you lack speed." he said as he turned his face forward put found a fist placed right in front of his face as his face voluntarily ran Into it causing his body to be immediately lodged in the tree behind him, three of his teeth dangling beside him.
His face immediately went cloudy as he was also knocked out cold.
Lucian immediately brought out the badges in his pocket as he checked the number of badges now with him.
"Hmm, 23 badges already, but I still need more..." he said causing him to immediately disappear into the distance.
As for the five Early Star rank stage he defeated, they weren't worth much attention from him who once defeated a Late Star rank stage beast.