*LONG CHAPTER*
_____
Kyoji woke up early, as usual, around five in the morning. He went straight to the gym located within his mansion. The gym was fully equipped, more than enough for a proper workout.
He hadn't always been a gym enthusiast. It was only after failing his Blessing Ritual in his past life that he began focusing on physical conditioning. He reasoned that if he couldn't have superhuman strength, achieving peak human physique was the next best thing. It became a daily ritual, so ingrained in his routine that his body naturally woke up early, ready to train.
Of course, Chosen individuals didn't necessarily require gyms. Their line of work, hunting mutants and fulfilling their duties, was a workout in itself.
The constant swinging of weapons and physically demanding tasks kept them relatively fit. While they might not have the sculpted physiques of dedicated athletes, they were lean, strong, and free from unnecessary body fat.
After his workout, Kyoji showered and changed into a set of well-padded motorcycle gear. He headed downstairs for breakfast.
He found Courtney and Jasper already seated at the dining table, enjoying their breakfast. Butler James, however, was nowhere to be seen.
Both of them greeted him as he entered. He noticed jasper's silence and figured he was still upset about their disagreement the previous day.
Kyoji, however, had more pressing matters on his mind. He ate his breakfast with focused intent, while Courtney, in contrast, was a whirlwind of chatter and energy.
He had to gently remind her to slow down a couple of times, afraid she might choke on her food in her enthusiasm.
When Kyoji finished eating, there was still no sign of Butler James. He left a note on the table and made his way out.
Outside, he summoned Charles and gave him a few quick instructions. Moments later, a sleek black motorcycle pulled up beside him.
Without a moment's hesitation, Kyoji mounted the bike and sped off towards his destination – the headquarters of the Ironrune hunters' organization, also known as the Broken Anvil.
The Ironrune organization was the third most powerful hunter organization in Coliseum City. They were renowned not only for their combat skills but also for their exceptional craftsmanship in forging weapons. Their headquarters was located on the far eastern edge of the inner city, and it took Kyoji a considerable amount of time to reach it on his bike.
He parked his motorcycle, removed his helmet and gloves, placing them securely on the seat. Then, he entered the grand building.
He was greeted by a spacious reception area. In the center stood a large table where two receptionists sat, flanked by a few empty chairs. The table bore the organization's striking logo – a sword piercing through what appeared to be a monstrous head. The sword, resting on a broken anvil, glowed red hot as if freshly forged, with a heavy hammer poised above it, ready to strike.
This was the emblem of the Ironrune hunters, the symbol that had earned them their formidable reputation as the Broken Anvil.
Kyoji approached the reception desk. Both receptionists looked up and greeted him with warm smiles.
"Welcome to the Ironrune hunters' organization, sir," one of the receptionists greeted as he arrived at the desk.
"Thank you," Kyoji replied politely, nodding his head in acknowledgment.
"Are you here to post a mission?" she inquired.
"No, not exactly. I'm here to commission a weapon from your weaponsmith," he explained.
"Oh, what type of weapon are you–" she began, but before she could finish her question, the other receptionist interrupted.
"May we have your name, please, sir?" she asked.
Kyoji was slightly taken aback by the sudden request, but he calmly provided his name.
"My name is Kyoji Ren," he stated.
"Oh," both receptionists breathed, their eyes widening as they heard Kyoji's name. Their professional demeanors seemed to falter slightly.
"Please wait a moment, sir. Our expert will be with you shortly," one of the receptionists managed, her voice a bit higher than before. Kyoji noticed the other receptionist already trying to contact someone, probably the 'expert' they mentioned.
He was taken aback by their sudden shift in attitude. Had his name alone carried so much weight?
"Did Frederick perhaps inform them about my arrival?" he wondered to himself. He couldn't think of any other reason why his name would elicit such a reaction.
"Okay, no problem," Kyoji replied calmly. He walked over to a seating area in the corner of the reception and took a seat.
As he waited, his gaze fell upon a large television screen mounted on the wall. It was replaying footage of the mutant horde attack from a few days ago.
The scene on the screen shifted to a terrifying sight – a massive, swirling black hole tearing open the sky above Coliseum City. Even through the screen, the image was chilling, sending a shiver down his spine. Countless grotesque mutants poured out of the portal, descending upon the city below.
A caption below the screen stated grimly:
'800 confirmed dead, including 300 young students who had just completed their Blessing Ritual. A monstrous horde emerged from a portal above the Temple of gods'
Kyoji stared at the screen, his expression unreadable. The casualty count, though horrific, was still lower than in his previous life, where over a thousand students had perished in the same attack. He knew his presence this time had made a difference.
Just then, the screen switched to a live broadcast. A beautiful woman with long blonde hair and captivating dark eyes appeared. She wore a form-fitting outfit that accentuated her curves.
She flashed a bright smile at the camera, a practiced gesture that hinted at flirtation, before beginning her segment.
"Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Sky News Live at 10 o'clock. I'm your host, Amelia Whites," she announced, her smile widening.
Kyoji sighed inwardly. Amelia was the most popular news anchor on Sky News, renowned for her beauty and charm. She knew how to captivate an audience, making her a household name in Coliseum City, even though she was just an ordinary human.
"Today, we're joined by Major Gareth, a representative of the Human Alliance," she continued as the camera panned to the stern-looking man in military uniform. He looked exactly as Kyoji remembered.
"Welcome to the studio, Major."
"Thanks for having me, Amelia," Major Gareth replied with a polite smile.
"It's our pleasure! We're glad you could make it," Amelia responded warmly.
With the pleasantries out of the way, Amelia's demeanor shifted, turning serious.
"The images coming out of the shelter attack are terrifying. Can you confirm for our viewers what we know so far about the portal?" she asked, her previous cheerfulness replaced by a professional gravity.
Major Gareth paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before answering:
"The attack was indeed terrifying, and I can confirm that. As of now, we have no concrete information regarding the portal," he stated.
"But I assure you, the Human Alliance is doing everything in its power to determine its origin."
Kyoji sighed again. He knew Major Gareth was lying. He knew the portal was the work of a Titan.
But he also understood why the Major couldn't reveal the truth. The news that a Titan was targeting the shelter would incite widespread panic. A single Titan possessed enough power to level the entire shelter in minutes – such was their terrifying might.
From his past life memories, Kyoji knew that an Apex would arrive at the shelter in a few days. Only then would the truth about the Titan be revealed.
The presence of an Apex, a being of immense power, would offer a glimmer of hope, a sense of security against the Titan's threat.
"Speaking of the Human Alliance, what actions are they taking to address the [LRBS-X12] malfunction during the attack?" Amelia asked, revealing her interviewing prowess.
"The Human Alliance is diligently working to uncover the cause of the malfunction. As I stated before, we are committed to getting to the bottom of this situation." Major Gareth chose his words carefully.
"Major, could you please elaborate on the Human Alliance's plans to handle the current situation? Many people are still afraid and grieving the loss of their loved ones. They need reassurance from the Human Alliance." Amelia pressed further.
"The Human Alliance is doing everything in its power to support those who suffered losses during the attack. While nothing can truly replace their loved ones, we are striving to ease the burden on those left behind." Empathy tinged Major Gareth's voice. He paused, his expression heavy with emotion.
"I want to assure everyone that we will not rest until justice is served. That is the essence of humanity. We will not yield until every last one of those ruthless monsters is eradicated from this planet. Humans are resourceful and courageous. We will repay them tenfold for the suffering they have inflicted upon us, I promise you that." Looking directly into the camera, Major Gareth addressed the public with unwavering resolve.
A poignant silence filled the room as Amelia allowed the Major's words to resonate with the audience.
"Speaking of courage, could you share your thoughts on the students who displayed extraordinary bravery during the attack?" she continued, skillfully steering the conversation.
Hearing this, Kyoji couldn't help but sigh. He knew they were talking about him, or rather, Frederick.
During his hospital stay, boredom had led Kyoji to browse the internet. Unsurprisingly, the beast horde attack dominated the news cycle, with Frederick's heroic act of slaying the Corrupted mutant, moments after its breakthrough, taking center stage.
The truth was, after Kyoji had slain the frog-like mutant, its final attack had sent him flying, knocking him unconscious. By the time people arrived, drawn by the mutant's fading aura, they found Frederick standing near its lifeless form. It was only natural for them to assume he was the one who had delivered the fatal blow.
Kyoji didn't mind that at all, he had no desire for the limelight.
Killing a Corrupted mutant as a newly blessed Chosen was an unprecedented feat. While the mutant had been vulnerable during its breakthrough, it was still a remarkable accomplishment.
He knew that being in the spotlight, coupled with the unusual reaction from the Nine Gods during his blessing ritual, would attract unwanted attention. Organizations, both within and outside the shelters, would be watching his every move. Some might even try to recruit him.
Kyoji's life would become a fishbowl, his every action scrutinized by powerful figures and organizations. Even shadowy underground organizations involved in human experimentation might take an interest, putting his life at risk.
Unlike Frederick, who had the protection of the influential Gilles family, Kyoji was alone. His wealth, while considerable, would be no match for the influence and resources of these entities.
Just as Kyoji's focus returned to the television screen, the elevator dinged, signaling someone's arrival. Finally, someone was here to see him.