Chereads / PROJECT ALPHA / Chapter 17 - CHAPTER 17-Echoes of Vengeance

Chapter 17 - CHAPTER 17-Echoes of Vengeance

Zephyrios Aeternal stood in the dimly lit office of Genta. The nation was draped in darkness, with only the moon casting its cold glow through the glass doors leading to the balcony. The eerie silence of the night was broken only by the faint rustling of papers and the slow, deliberate breaths of the man seated in the chair. Genta sat menacingly, deep in thought, a sinister smile creeping across his lips as he reached for the phone.

A trembling voice answered on the other end. The fear was evident—ragged breaths and barely contained gasps seeping through the receiver.

Genta's voice was cold, almost amused. "Hello. It's been a while. I have something I'd like to give you."

The voice on the other end hesitated, then stammered, "W-what is it that you wish to give me, Sir Genta?"

A chuckle escaped Genta's lips. "It's nothing grand—nothing befitting a king. But think of it as a gift." He sighed before continuing, "If I recall, you once told me that your child was a coward, unworthy of inheriting your throne. I don't know if my gift will satisfy you or not."

The voice replied quickly, eager to please. "I will gladly accept your kindness, Sir Genta."

Genta laughed, the sound thick with excitement. "Then expect your gift in a day. Do what you will with it. Consider this my gratitude for your loyalty—for handling the power serum production for fifteen years. Even as a king, you listen to me. I appreciate that."

"Thank you, Sir Genta. Your appreciation means everything. I would do anything for you."

Genta chuckled darkly. "I know. I know."

Razor crouched, his voice laced with mockery. "Big talk for a brat who just lost. Genta needs your blood, but maybe I should just kill you and bring him your corpse instead."

His claws gleamed as he raised his hand for the finishing strike, aiming for Yoto's skull.

Then—

A hand caught Razor's wrist mid-strike.

His eyes widened slightly, his gaze shifting to the figure standing before him. A masked man, gripping his arm with bone-crushing strength.

"Kaito," Razor muttered, a smirk curling on his lips. "You're here too? Heh. Been a while. Nice to see my old squad again—the family I had, even if only for a moment."

Kaito's grip tightened, his voice a low growl. "What do you think you're doing to him?"

Razor sneered. "What does it look like? Genta wants this boy. It's my job to bring him."

Kaito's eyes burned with fury. "And why does that bastard want this kid?"

"I don't have to tell you anything."

Kaito exhaled sharply. "It's a shame to kill you now. You were once one of us, Razor. But you chose him—the killing maniac. So I won't back down either."

Razor scoffed. "Don't hold back just because I used to be one of you. I won't." In a flash, he pulled a dagger with his free hand and thrust it toward Kaito's face.

Kaito barely moved. "Pathetic."

With a swift turn, he dodged and drove his foot into Razor's face. Razor, mid-attack, had no chance to block. The impact sent him slamming into a building wall, where he collapsed to his knees.

Kaito stepped forward, his gaze piercing. "Do you regret teaching me that?"

Razor wiped blood from his lip, chuckling. "You really want to play, huh? Don't you remember what happened eighteen years ago when you all went against Genta? You couldn't even save Yumi or Rik—"

Before he could finish, Kaito was in front of him, inches away, his movement faster than the eye could follow. He grabbed Razor's face and slammed him into the ground with immense force. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ruined city, the nearby buildings trembling on the brink of collapse.

Razor coughed blood, his body sprawled on the ground. Kaito loomed over him, eyes blazing with rage.

"RAZOR," Kaito growled, "you don't have the right to utter her name. Say it again, and it will be your last word."

Razor laughed maniacally, lying on his back. "Kaito, Kaito… Now you've done it. Let's see how you handle me."

In an instant, Razor vanished into thin air, reappearing mid-air, aiming a devastating kick at Kaito's face.

Kaito reacted with precision, blocking with one hand. The sheer force of the impact sent another shockwave through the ruins, toppling an already crumbling building.

The battle intensified. Razor and Kaito exchanged blows with ferocious speed, their attacks creating shockwaves that made the ground tremble. Fists and blades clashed, each strike threatening to tear the battlefield apart.

Meanwhile, Ken fought against Rena, irritation evident in his eyes. She wasn't taking the fight seriously—just toying with him, buying time for something.

Then, the ground rumbled violently. The earth quaked as if struck by an earthquake.

Ken's mind raced. "What are these tremors? Who's causing this…?" Then it hit him. "No… don't tell me—it's him. He's grown even stronger."

Rena smirked, hurling knives at him. "Oi, Ken! Where's your head at? I'm right here!"

Meanwhile,

Hataki slowly pushed himself up, groaning. "Damn that Razor. I shouldn't have let my guard down… Where's Yoto?"

His eyes scanned frantically—until he saw it.

A brutal sight.

Yoto lay unconscious, a pool of blood forming around him. His arm—gone. Blood poured from the wound, his pale face barely clinging to life.

Hataki's heart pounded. "No…!"

He sprinted to Yoto's side, tearing off his sleeve to bandage the wound. "Yoto! Stay with me! Come on!" His desperate cries filled the air.

Then—

The battle cries of Kaito and Razor roared in the distance.

Kaito's katana and Razor's daggers clashed, sparks flying from every strike. Then Kaito saw an opening. He drove his foot into Razor's stomach, sending him hurtling into a building. Before Razor could recover, Kaito launched him skyward with another kick, his body crashing through multiple floors.

Kaito leaped after him, but Razor twisted mid-air, grabbing Kaito's leg and hurling him toward the ground. Kaito's body plummeted through the collapsing structure, slamming into the ground floor with earth-shattering force.

The entire building began to crumble, debris raining down around them, but neither warrior ceased their battle.

Hataki watched in horror. "Kaito… what have you become?"