Military Base, USA
The rhythmic sound of leather boots echoed through the tiled floor as a group of high-ranking officers made their way through the halls. Among them were the captains of the USA base, including Alann, and the head chief himself. Their presence alone exuded a commanding aura that forced anyone in their path to step aside without hesitation.
They arrived at a reinforced cell, where the head captain placed his hand on the security panel. The scanner processed the recognition, and with a soft hiss, the heavy door slid open.
Inside, Leonard lay on a comfortable bed, staring at the pristine white ceiling. Sensing the presence of visitors, he sat upright and turned toward the entrance. His gaze met the head captain's, locking eyes in silent recognition.
The captain gave a subtle nod to a ranger holding a wrapped suit in his arms. The ranger stepped forward and placed it on a nearby table with careful precision.
"Herbert Leonard, as of this moment, you are reinstated as a Ranger Captain," the head chief announced firmly.
Leonard's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's going on?"
"There's a lot to talk about," the head captain replied. "Get prepared—we'll discuss everything on the way."
Without another word, the officers exited, leaving Leonard to ready himself. He unwrapped the suit and placed the metal plate on his chest. With two taps, the suit automatically strapped around his shoulders, and from the metal plate, the full ranger armor coated his body.
Stepping out of the room, his eyes immediately landed on Alann's face. The man wore a smug, knowing smirk—something had definitely happened.
And Leonard had a feeling it was about Ryuma.
As they walked across the gleaming tiled floor, the head chief began to speak.
"Your former squad member… er, what was his name again?"
"Tokita Ryuma," Leonard answered.
"Ah, yes. Ryuma." The chief's tone hardened. "He was spotted in Shibuya base today. The last we heard of him, he and his so-called 'gang' were wreaking havoc there."
"Gang?" Leonard's confusion deepened.
"Yes. We have no idea what's going on. First, we discover that Nephilims—so-called mindless monsters—are capable of speech. Then we find out that Ryuma was one of them all along, hiding within our ranks undetected. And now, he returns with a group of Nephilims? None of it makes sense."
Leonard clenched his fists. "So that's why you're freeing me now? You didn't believe me before."
The head captain abruptly stopped walking, turning to face him.
"Listen, Leonard. It doesn't matter what I believe. In this building, in this very organization, we deal with facts. If you don't have evidence to support your claims, then they don't mean anything." He resumed walking. "You're going to Japan as soon as possible. We're giving you a second chance—to apprehend Ryuma and bring him back. Understood?"
"I understand, sir."
"Good." The chief glanced at Alann. "Captain Alann will accompany you. Don't fail this time."
Shibuya Base – Residential Area
The city lay in ruin. Buildings flattened to their foundations. Smoke and dust clouded the air, making it nearly impossible to breathe. It was a scene of complete devastation.
And yet, despite all this destruction, there were no civilian casualties.
Every man, woman, and child had been evacuated to underground bunkers before the chaos unfolded. The extent of the damage was unknown, but the North Wing, East Wing, and Central districts had all been affected, leaving only the South and West intact.
But amidst the destruction, a battle still raged on.
Masaiko hovered in the air, trying to steady himself, his gaze darting around the ruins. His face was twisted with terror.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck! I knew they were strong… but this?"
A whisper brushed against his ear.
"We aren't done yet… Captain."
Masaiko barely had time to react before Ryuma's hand seized his face. In a flash, he was plummeting toward the ground at breakneck speed.
Struggling, Masaiko gritted his teeth and drove a dagger into Ryuma's arm. It sliced through with unnatural ease, like a hot knife through butter. Using the leverage, he kicked off and escaped just before impact. The force of Ryuma's dive shattered the earth, forming a massive crater and kicking up even more dust.
"This could've been more fun if only you were a Nephilim!" Ryuma's voice rang out in exhilaration.
Masaiko rolled across the ground, quickly picking himself up. He pressed a button on the dagger, transforming it into a firearm. Without hesitation, he fired multiple rounds into the dust cloud, clearing it—only to find nothing.
Ryuma was gone.
"Harder! Try harder!"
The taunting voice came from his side. Before Masaiko could turn, Ryuma struck. A brutal uppercut to the gut sent him soaring into the air. A shadowy tendril lashed out, wrapping around Masaiko's leg, and in one swift motion, Ryuma flung him downward.
The impact demolished another building.
Coughing up blood, Masaiko struggled to his feet. His vision blurred, and the dust made it nearly impossible to see.
"Humans are weak and ignorant," Ryuma said, approaching with his hands buried in his robe's pockets. "This is just proof of that."
His tone was unsettlingly calm.
"I do this to open your eyes—to make you see. There's a vast, uncharted expanse beyond this world. Lifeforms greater and stronger than us exist. We don't stand a chance in this galactic war—"
"RYUMA!!!"
A desperate voice cut through the air.
Kitetsu.
Panting heavily, he had finally caught up.
"Oh, that's right." Ryuma reached into his pocket and pulled out a transparent tube containing a strange liquid. "Here, give this to Aya." He tossed it to Kitetsu. "Apply half of it to her skin, and she should drink the rest. It'll take time, but she'll recover."
For a moment, Ryuma surveyed the destruction around him. He had lost control. He hoped it was worth it—that they would learn.
"My job here is done."
A portal opened beside him. He stepped forward but paused halfway.
"Kitetsu…" His voice was quieter now. "He is not me. He looks nothing like me."
Kitetsu frowned. "W-What do you mean?"
But Ryuma was already gone.
Unknown Location – Ryuma's Base
Inside a healing chamber, Saiya floated in a liquid-filled pod, stripped bare except for the tubes connected to her mouth and nose, providing her with oxygen.
Ryuma sat nearby, staring at her unconscious form. His hands rubbed against each other anxiously.
"Am I making the right choice?" he murmured to himself, replaying everything that had transpired in Shibuya.
Standing, he exited the spacecraft, stepping into the ruins of what was once a thriving civilization. His thoughts raced. A part of him wished things could return to the way they were—back to his small, dimly lit room, watching adult videos to ejaculating to it.
But if things went back… so would his time with Saiya, Kitetsu, and the others.
He cherished those moments dearly.
"You seem troubled," a voice echoed behind him.
Anix.
"What is it?" Ryuma asked, not turning to face her.
"I once loved a human. I still do," she admitted. "Whenever he returned home, sad or defeated, I always did my best to cheer him up in any way I could. It hurt to see him like that." She approached him. "You have that same look on your face. That troubled look. Let me fix that."
"Know your place, robot—"
"When all this is over, I know you'll kill me. But when you do… please, bury me beside him. That way, if there is an afterlife, I won't betray him again."
Her words struck something deep inside him.
On the outside he was made of metal and wires, but in this moment, she was more human than anyone he had ever known.