Kaito Sora stood at the edge of the glitch zone, staring out at the glowing cityscape in the distance. The shimmering lights felt like a taunt, a reminder of the System's all-encompassing control. Despite his exhaustion from the rift-closing incident, Kaito's mind buzzed with questions. How far could he push this new ability? And what would happen if he pushed too far?
Behind him, the group was regrouping. Ryuu was tinkering with his portable console, muttering about "data anomalies," while Yuki sat on a crumbling wall, sharpening her blade with deliberate strokes. Aria, as always, was the quiet observer, standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.
"So, what now?" Kaito asked, breaking the silence.
Ryuu looked up from his console. "We celebrate your newfound superpowers and plan our next big move. Preferably one that doesn't involve accidentally summoning a drone army."
"Funny," Kaito said dryly. "I was hoping for something more practical."
"Practical?" Ryuu grinned. "You just rewrote the System's code and closed a rift. Do you have any idea what that means?"
"That I'm probably going to die young?"
Ryuu chuckled. "Maybe. But it also means you've got the potential to do way more than just survive. You could change everything."
"Change everything?" Yuki cut in, her tone skeptical. "We barely made it out alive. If Kaito keeps drawing this much attention, the System will send something worse next time."
Aria nodded. "Yuki's right. The Moderator we encountered was just one of the System's tools. There are more, and they're stronger. We need to proceed carefully."
Kaito sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. More pressure. Just what I needed."
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The group decided to lay low for a while, using the glitch zone as a temporary safe haven. But their respite didn't last long.
The first sign of trouble came in the form of a low, rhythmic hum that echoed through the air. Kaito looked up, his heart sinking as he spotted a swarm of drones hovering in formation above the glitch zone.
"They found us," Aria said, her voice grim.
Ryuu swore under his breath, frantically typing on his console. "This isn't just a random patrol. They're scanning for anomalies—specifically for Kaito."
"Fantastic," Kaito muttered. "I've got my own personal fan club."
Yuki stood, her blade at the ready. "If they're scanning for him, they'll find us sooner or later. We need to move."
Aria shook her head. "We can't just run. If we don't disrupt their scan, they'll pinpoint our location and send reinforcements."
"And how exactly do we disrupt their scan?" Kaito asked.
Aria's gaze shifted to him. "You're the glitch. You disrupt the System. If anyone can do it, it's you."
Kaito groaned. "Why is the answer always me?"
"Because you're special," Ryuu said, flashing a grin.
Kaito shot him a glare. "Not helping."
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With no other options, the group devised a risky plan. Kaito would use his glitching ability to interfere with the drones' scanning signal, creating enough distortion to mask their presence. Meanwhile, Yuki and Aria would act as his protectors, fending off any drones that got too close.
"This is insane," Kaito muttered as they positioned themselves near a crumbling tower.
"Welcome to our world," Yuki said, smirking.
Ryuu stayed behind to monitor the situation from a safe distance, his console hooked up to a network of improvised sensors. "Alright, Kaito, you're up. Just… don't break reality too much, okay?"
Kaito rolled his eyes. "No promises."
Closing his eyes, he focused on the hum of the drones above. The flickering energy in his hands returned, stronger this time, and he could feel the System's presence pressing against him like an invisible weight.
"Come on," he whispered, willing the energy to spread. "Work with me here."
The air around him shimmered, and the drones' formation faltered slightly. A few of them began to drift off course, their scanning beams flickering erratically.
"It's working," Aria said, her voice steady but urgent. "Keep going."
Kaito gritted his teeth, pushing harder. The flickering energy intensified, and more drones began to lose their focus. But the strain was immense, and he could feel his strength waning.
"I… don't know how much longer I can hold this," he said through clenched teeth.
"Just a little longer," Yuki said, slashing through a drone that had strayed too close. "We've got your back."
Aria fired a precise shot at another drone, her movements calm and efficient. "Focus on the signal. We'll handle the rest."
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Just as Kaito felt like he was about to collapse, a new presence made itself known. A figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, hooded individual with an air of quiet authority.
"Who the hell is that?" Yuki demanded, tightening her grip on her blade.
The stranger raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "I'm here to help," they said, their voice calm and measured.
"Help?" Kaito repeated, his voice shaky. "Who are you?"
The stranger pulled back their hood, revealing a young woman with sharp features and piercing silver eyes. "My name is Celeste. I'm like you—an anomaly."
Kaito blinked, too exhausted to process her words. "Anomaly? You mean you can do… this?" He gestured weakly at the shimmering energy around him.
Celeste nodded. "Yes. And if you don't let me take over, you're going to burn yourself out."
Kaito hesitated, but Aria's voice cut through his doubt. "Let her help, Kaito. We don't have time to argue."
With a reluctant nod, Kaito released his hold on the energy. Celeste stepped forward, raising her hands as a similar flickering light surrounded her. The effect was immediate—the drones' signals collapsed entirely, and the swarm began to retreat.
"That… was amazing," Ryuu said over their comms. "Whoever you are, I like you already."
Celeste ignored him, her attention focused on Kaito. "You've got potential," she said. "But you're not ready for what's coming."
Kaito frowned. "What's coming?"
"The System knows you're a threat now," Celeste said, her tone grave. "And it won't stop until you're neutralized. If you want to survive, you'll need more than just raw power. You'll need control."
Kaito swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. "And you can help me with that?"
Celeste's silver eyes gleamed. "If you're willing to learn."
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As the group regrouped and caught their breath, the hum of the drones faded into the distance. But Kaito knew this was just the beginning. With Celeste's arrival, the stakes had risen yet again.
For the first time, Kaito felt a sliver of hope—but it was tempered by the growing realization that his journey was far from over.
"I'm willing," he said, meeting Celeste's gaze. "Teach me."
Celeste smiled faintly. "Good. Because the System won't wait for you to catch up."
The chapter ends with the team retreating deeper into the glitch zone, the shadows of the System looming ever closer.