"What the heck is someone like Hawkins doing here?" Layla blurted out in shock. "The organization must have been onto us," she reasoned.
"What's your business with my brother?" Hawkins asked in a firm tone.
"Your brother? You mean that Harden kid is your brother? That's news to me," Jason said, struggling to stand.
"The plan was to beat them and take them to the boss after they fulfill their objective so we can finally know what they want in the Abyss. But since he's lost his cool, there's no point keeping the disguise," Owen thought. A sludge-like substance fell off his body, and his facial features returned.
"Jayden is here too? The organization must be serious about stopping us for them to send in the top two platinum rankers."
"Oh well, even they can't match up to an awakened weapon," Jason said with a smirk.
"Awaken," they said simultaneously. Layla's leather-like whip peeled off, revealing a bone whip, while Jason's dagger grew larger and sharper.
"If all of you are taking this seriously, then I might as well join the fun," Jayden said as he activated his innate skill called The Beast.
Jayden's eyes narrowed like those of a predator. His teeth grew into fangs, his fingernails became claws, his body grew larger, tiger-like stripes appeared on his skin, and his legs bent backward like an animal's.
"He looks like some humanoid beast," Jason commented.
"All the more fun it'll be for me to defeat him," Layla said with a smile as she rushed forward.
"Defeat me?" Jayden asked with a smile. "If it's a joke, it's not funny," he said with a serious expression.
"Let's put them in their place, Hawkins," Jayden said.
"Yeah," Hawkins replied as he rushed towards Jason, who readied his dagger.
"Even the great Hawkins can't measure up to an awakened weapon," Jason thought as he ran toward Hawkins.
Jason leaped into the air and activated a skill called Lightning Fang, shooting bolts of lightning at Hawkins, who jumped to the side and evaded with ease.
"That's not an assassin's skill; it's a mage's skill," Hawkins thought. "Is it because of the weapon, or is it something else? No matter. If that's all you've got, you're nowhere near me," Hawkins said with a smile.
"It's only the beginning," Jason said as he activated his Stealth Skill and Blink Skill, moving rapidly around Hawkins.
"He's faster than before," Hawkins thought.
"Even you can't do anything in the face of my unmatched speed!" Jason declared.
"Unmatched speed? Seems like all you guys have going for you are bad jokes," Hawkins said as he suddenly appeared behind Jason and performed the skill Crescent Kick, sending Jason flying.
"He packs quite a punch," Jason said, wiping blood off his mouth.
Just as Jason managed to stand, Hawkins' fist met his face, sending him flying once more. Jason struggled to stand as Harden walked up to him, looking down.
"You know, it's really annoying when inferior weaklings like you think they can stand up to people like me," Harden said.
"Sounds familiar, doesn't it?" Hawkins said with a smile as he bent to Jason's level, lifting him by his hair. "What is your business with my brother?" Hawkins asked.
Jason remained silent.
"You wanna play hardcore? Let's see how long you can keep that up," Hawkins said. "You'll be properly interrogated by someone with the Truth innate ability," Hawkins thought as he dragged Jason by his hair.
"What's taking so long, Jayden? We don't have time for this," Hawkins said.
"Relax, I'm almost done," Jayden replied calmly, looking at Layla, who lay helpless on the floor, bleeding.
"You're a monster!" Layla screamed.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Jayden said as he continued walking toward her. But just then, a Quadgor, bigger and stronger than any they'd seen, landed between Jayden and Layla.
The Quadgor released an ear-piercing roar louder than any they'd heard.
"So the boss finally arrives," Jayden said.
"We don't have time for this. Let's end it quickly," Hawkins said.
"Yeah," Jayden replied as he activated his skill Universal Impact, and a purple hue surrounded his fist. Hawkins activated his skill Phoenix Fist, flames erupting from his hand and burning intensely.
"Let's do this," Hawkins said.
"Yeah," Jayden replied.
"Combo skill: Calamity!" they shouted simultaneously as they threw their fists forward. A reddish-brown hue erupted, reducing everything in its path to dust.
"Layla!" Jason shouted.
"She's gone," Hawkins said. "And you'll end up worse if you don't talk at HQ. The Abyss is closing. Let's go."
---
Just outside the Abyss, a car was already waiting to take them to HQ.
"How was your mission?" Finn asked.
"It was a success," Hawkins replied. "We apprehended one of the members while the other one died. I've taken him to the interrogation room, awaiting questioning."
Finn went to the interrogation room. Upon reaching there, a woman with curly black hair was seated.
"Shall I begin?" she asked.
"Yes, you may," Finn replied. "Use your innate skill to make him tell the truth to any question."
She held Jason's head, and his eyes turned white.
"You may proceed," the woman said.
"What was your objective there?" Finn asked.
"We were on a mission to collect—" Splat! Jason exploded before he could finish, his blood splattering everywhere.
"What the heck?!" Finn exclaimed.
"Cataclysmic Revolt... what exactly are you planning?"