Chapter 40 - Chapter XVII: Junichiro vs Damien - Desperate Measures (Pt. 4)

Junichiro abruptly turned and sprinted toward them, weapon ready. He slaughtered two while they were still on horseback, then the others wised up and dismounted. It was then Junichiro vs thirty-three of Edo's best men. Junichiro could only vaguely remember what followed. He was a breeze on the field, whipping through man after man, moving primarily on instinct. He'd use one weapon to impale a man, take that victim's weapon, and then move on to the next. Of course, eventually, their numbers overwhelmed him. He'd managed to take out twenty of them before his strength waned. They had him surrounded. Junichiro remembered being out of breath and barely standing. He didn't want to die. Had he finally managed to exact revenge on the man responsible for his tragedies, only to die by his men? Where was the justice in that? He was sick of powerful taking from him. He had seen it his whole life and lived on its receiving end. He remembered thinking, "If only I were powerful." Then, no one could take anything or anyone from him again. He'd secure the safety of everyone he loved. But now, that'd never happen. He was about to be impaled to death by those who didn't deserve to live. Those who have never experienced discrimination and misery they inflict upon others. He gritted his bloody teeth in defiance and glared at the men. "I will not end here! In my death, I will curse each of you! I will curse your families. My will shall remain!" Each man yelled as they charged forward, their pointed blades and spears at the ready. Miraculously, though, none ever reached him. The men behind him had somehow been turned into golden statues, while a man who had intercepted the rest of the blades stood before him. Junichiro remembered seeing the tips of the blades struggle to break through the man's skin. His remaining strength had finally given in. He fell to his knees and watched as the mysterious man effortlessly wiped out the rest of the men. No human could move as he had. No human could hold the presence he held. Junichiro instinctually knew that the man before him was one of divinity. Grateful for being saved and spared, he bowed his head. He felt a heavy hand be placed on his head. "Raise your head," said a strong and charismatic voice. He remembered thinking it was ancient when he first heard it. The man spoke fluent Japanese but did not look native to Japan. Junichiro raised his head to see the man dressed in lavish black and gold attire looking down at him with eyes like amber. "Why did you save me?" "Pity. Your skills are too great to let slip. Your will is wasted as you are. I did not wish to see it snuffed out by the likes of them." Junichiro had nothing to say. He sat there, honored to be saved, yet disappointed for needing saving. "If you wish, I can grant you power. Real power," the man spoke. "I can make you reborn as my son and grant you a family that will never die—that will never be taken from you. And should a threat arise, you will possess the strength to protect anyone you love." Back then, those words, that singular promise, birthed a new hope in Junichiro's heart. The dream of having the power to prevent anyone, despite their status, from snatching anyone he cared for away from him. To be able to strike fear so powerful no one would dare target them... This was what he wanted. He eagerly accepted the man's incredible proposal, and over a century later, he remembered waking up possessing power unlike anything he'd ever felt. The one responsible—the man who extended such a gracious offer to a peasant like him—greeted him with a proud smile. Junichiro remembered first hearing his name, Avarice, from the shorter woman who approached next to him, who somehow sent chills through Junichiro. Then another male, shorter than Avarice, came from somewhere as well. "So, you're the second," he said. Junichiro hadn't detected any hospitality from the guy. But he didn't have time to dwell on it as Avarice extended his hand. "Welcome to your new family, son." ****Junichiro's mind returned to the present. He gripped his blade tightly, his resolve further hardened. "You ask why we support him?" Junichiro said as he steadied his breathing. "It is because he saved each of us and granted us the power to achieve our dreams. For me, that is to protect what is important to me." Junichiro conjured a ten-inch-thick shield around himself. "Going on the defensive now?" Damien asked quizzically. He pulled out the third and final energy converter from his pocket. The moment Damien saw it, lightning struck violently against Junichiro's shield. It began to crack beneath the force. Junichiro looked at the piece of technology in his hand. His body already ached from the active effects of the previous two converters, and his wounds had already become numb. "I will not lose them," he thought as he placed the last one onto himself. His body tensed painfully as he coughed up blood. He could see the veins in his body bugle unnaturally as more blood pumped through them. [Speed boosted. Speed level: Low Special Level 2– 268,544mph. Flight speed: Low Special Level 2 – Mach 360. Temporary enhancement completed. Alert: Further enhancement will stop the user's heart. Enhancement removal advised.]--------------------------------------------------------Fun fact: Auric Touch: a temp-class cintracy that gives Avarice the ability to coat anything he touches with enhanced (crystalline) gold, giving him greater durability and the power to turn others to gold. The gold formed can then be freely manipulated by the him as if manipulating an element.Enjoying the story? Have any constructive criticisms? Leave a like or comment to share your thoughts with me. :)Super Supporters: Wanna learn everything up-to-date? Get exclusive information about your favorite character(s)? 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