The air was thick with dampness, the scent of rusted metal and old stone hanging heavy. Dim emergency lights flickered along the tunnel walls, barely illuminating the passage beneath the city of Belmount. Puddles reflected the pale glow, disturbed only by hurried footsteps echoing through the underground space.
A blonde-haired boy dashed forward, his breath steady despite the chase. His emerald eyes burned with determination as he spotted his target—a ragged old man leading a group of men deeper into the tunnel.
"You're not getting away this time!" Kirito shouted, his voice cutting through the darkness.
The old man clicked his tongue and turned back, his face twisted in frustration. "Again?! You lot are useless at your best!" he barked at his men.
Without hesitation, the group of thugs raised their guns and opened fire. Muzzles flashed, filling the tunnel with deafening cracks as bullets tore through the stale air.
Just before the shots could reach Kirito, a voice called out.
"Kirito! Here's the weapon!"
A young girl with long, flowing silver hair appeared, wielding a massive yellow blade. With precise aim, she hurled it toward him.
A smirk tugged at Kirito's lips. "Perfect timing, Mizuki!" He caught the weapon mid-air, its weight solid and reassuring in his grip. He barely had time to admire it before more bullets fired his way—
—only to be stopped by an unseen force.
"Hmph. Small fries," a cold voice muttered.
From the side, another girl stepped forward, her deep violet eyes sharp and unreadable. She raised a hand, fingers twitching as she murmured a single word.
"Mesmerize."
A ripple of invisible energy spread outward. Barrels, broken planks, and rusted metal rods trembled before launching themselves into the air. In an instant, they formed a floating barricade in front of Kirito, blocking every bullet with pinpoint precision.
Kirito exhaled, regaining his composure. "Thanks, Ayame," he said with a grin.
She said nothing, merely lowering her hand as the floating objects clattered to the ground.
"Now then," Kirito muttered, tightening his grip on the massive blade. A faint yellow glow pulsed from its edges. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he chanted—
"Greed."
A surge of energy coursed through his body. The weapon in his hands burned with a golden radiance, as if responding to his call.
"My power, Greed, allows me to wield any weapon at its fullest potential—without any prior knowledge," he declared.
The thugs hesitated, but it was already too late.
Kirito swung the blade, striking the ground with its guard. A powerful shockwave erupted, sending out golden ripples that expanded in all directions. The very air trembled as the wave crashed into the enemies, locking their bodies in place as if unseen chains had wrapped around them.
The boy smirked, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Heh. That's my power."
Mizuki chuckled softly. "And thanks for being the sword, Mizuki?" she teased.
Kirito scratched his head. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Mizuki."
She waved him off. "No big deal."
As the dust settled, footsteps echoed through the tunnel. Two figures approached them—one a broad-shouldered man standing at least 5'10", the other a much shorter man barely reaching 5 feet.
The taller one grinned. "Wow, you already handled the main mob? That was quick."
The shorter one crossed his arms. "Not bad," he admitted.
Kirito rubbed the back of his head. "It wasn't that big of a deal, Kaeya."
Kaeya, the shorter one, narrowed his eyes. "Maybe, but weren't we specifically told to be careful here? Not to damage the tunnel structure?"
Kirito blinked. "Eh? Why do you ask?"
Kaeya sighed and pointed.
Everyone followed his gaze—and their eyes widened. A gaping hole had formed in the tunnel's roof, cracks splintering outward. It wouldn't take much more for the entire section to collapse, potentially causing casualties above.
Mizuki stepped forward. "I'll handle it," she declared.
She extended her hands, magic swirling around her fingertips.
"All Cure."
A massive magic circle bloomed beneath her feet, casting a soft glow over the group. In an instant, everyone's wounds closed, injuries mending as if they had never existed.
"Whoa…" the team muttered in awe.
But she wasn't finished. The circle expanded, and suddenly, the scattered debris lifted into the air. Broken pieces of stone and metal floated back into place, slotting into the cracks like a puzzle being restored. Within moments, the tunnel was as good as new.
Kaeya stood there, mouth slightly open. "How the hell did you do that?"
Kirito smirked. "Her ability isn't just for healing people. She can restore anything disturbed in a fight she's part of."
Mizuki folded her arms, beaming at the praise.
Kirito turned to Ayame. "And you, your help was appreciated too."
Ayame flicked her hair aside, her expression unreadable. "Hmph. I suppose."
Kaeya, meanwhile, noticed a pile of scrap metal in the corner. He sighed. "Time to use my ability."
With that, he opened his mouth—
—and dark, twisting tentacles shot out, latching onto the metal scraps and pulling them into his stomach.
Ayame recoiled, eyes filled with disgust. "Ugh. Your ability is as gross as you are."
Kaeya pouted. "What's your problem, ice queen?"
"Your ability is worse than Gluttony," she muttered, crossing her arms.
"Now, now," Kaeya said, finishing his 'meal.' "Let me enjoy my lunch, tundra girl."
Ayame scowled. "It's tundra woman, you dumbass."
He shrugged. "Whatever."
Kirito sighed. "Alright, let's head back."
The team nodded in agreement and began their exit.
—But high above, hidden within the shadows of the tunnel's upper ledges, a lone figure sat watching.
He smirked, resting a hand on his chin. "Such a pleasing display of teamwork. That confirms my data."
Rising to his feet, he turned toward a small tunnel leading deeper into the underground. But just before vanishing, he gave one last glance at Kirito, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
Kirito, sensing something, abruptly stopped in his tracks and turned around.
Nothing.
His team looked at him curiously. "Something wrong?"
Kirito hesitated, then shook his head. "No… It's nothing."
Still, as they walked away, a lingering sense of unease settled in his chest.
Something—or someone—had been watching them.
And they weren't alone in this city.
To be continued..