[Shooting star? What shooting star?]
A question came through his companion's earpiece, but Darksteel couldn't bother to answer it.
He stared intently at the oncoming meteor, unable to look away.
"[Kazimierz curse!] There's a person inside!?"
Amidst the blinding firelight, a tall silhouette was vaguely visible.
Darksteel immediately drew his bow and crossbow, nocked an arrow, and aimed.
In a block that had been cleared out long ago, a muscular man suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
He didn't believe the other person was just passing by, and this way of appearing couldn't possibly be a coincidence.
Darksteel's heart sank; a terrible thought flashed through his mind—
Does the Business Federation really dare to discard its former allies after they've served their purpose?
Energy converges at the specially designed arrowhead, distorting the very air around it.
Darksteel's face was ferocious, and an arrow powerful enough to pierce through a building shot out from the sky.
That depends on whether you have such good teeth!
High above, Gregor looked down at the crisscrossing streets and alleys below, his frustration growing.
[Tsk... Haven't we been here before?]
The sky had completely darkened, and Twin Moons hung in the sky.
Thinking of Ifrit —that child has always lacked a sense of security—if he doesn't return soon...
Gregor no longer hesitated and prepared to climb again, even if it would attract attention.
Just then, a loud bang was heard.
Gregor instinctively looked over and saw a furtive figure leaping between the tall buildings.
He doesn't seem like a good person.
But...
[Let me ask for directions...]
The meteor changed direction, attracting the other party's attention.
Then...
A black streak of light flashed by, and Gregor's eyes widened as his internal energy surged.
Gregor: "..."
Below, at the edge of a tall building.
The fierce look on Darksteel's face froze instantly, turning into horror.
"How is that possible?!"
That was a full-force attack from Darksteel, and it was just swallowed up by the flames?
Just how hot was that flame!?
Without hesitation, Darksteel dropped the giant crossbow and leaped off the high building.
He used the outer wall as leverage to swing and conceal himself within the building complex, his mind racing as he considered possible enemies or those who might have hired him in the upper floors.
But the intense heat behind me was relentless, not only not moving away, but getting closer and closer, until the air itself began to distort from the heat.
Cold sweat soaked his clothes. In the instant he sprang forward again, Darksteel caught a glimpse of his reflection in the glass beside him—
A large hand wreathed in flames reached out to grab him, and Darksteel revealed a relieved smile.
My life is over...
Buzz--
Gregor pressed Darksteel down to the ground. Darksteel, who thought he would be seriously injured even if he didn't die, was shocked to find that he was completely unharmed.
"Sneaking around like that, are you a thief or Assassin?"
A calm electronic voice came through, and Darksteel's face twisted in shock as he realized what was happening.
No... you're really just passing by?!
Who in their right mind would use a "human meteorite" to travel in Mobile City?!
"Say."
The pressure on the back of his neck suddenly increased, and Darksteel immediately raised his hands, speaking rapidly:
"Rom! 53 years old! A mercenary who does things for money! You've mistaken your target! It's a misunderstanding! I'll give you all my savings! Let me go!"
[Mercenary?]
Gregor glanced at the other person's attire and only half believed him.
"Explain it to the police."
"Ha?"
Darksteel was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.
Before he could react, a cold female voice came from the alley entrance:
"The mounted police have no control over Darksteel, the leader of the Armorless Union. Even if he's sent in, the Business Federation can still get him out."
The blond-haired Caprinae slowly stepped out of the shadows, the tip of his black greatsword dragging on the ground, slicing through the road and scattering tiny sparks.
She stopped a short distance away, her gaze sweeping across the Darksteel like a blade before finally settling on Gregor.
"Could you please move aside? I have some personal grudges to settle with him." Her voice was flat. "Don't worry, I'll pay you."
And who are you?
Jian was slightly taken aback, and re-examined the strangely shaped armored Giant before him:
"Jian. You can call me that."
"I wasn't asking for the name... never mind." Gregor gave up on pursuing the matter further.
The hand holding the Darksteel tightened slightly.
What is the Armorless Union?
Call out--!
A sharp whistle suddenly rang out, and a swift, cunning streak of light shot out, aimed directly at Gregor... or rather, at the Darksteel in his hand!
Rom was filled with grief and indignation—he recognized the arrow; it came from another of his colleagues.
This is an attempt to silence them!
A golden Gale swept over him, the greatsword was swung out, and he felt helpless.
The guy in front of me is far too careless; the arrow from the Darksteel will pierce through his body along with the person in his hand.
But before that...
I will cut it off.
The sword and arrow were now closer, and the mace's pupils suddenly contracted.
Under the golden light, Gregor slightly turned his body, and his free left hand reached out to grab the flowing light!
Insane! He actually wants to take Darksteel's sniper shot head-on?!
He cursed inwardly, and the greatsword he threw just barely struck the side of the arrow shaft!
Upon impact, the black streak of light deviated from its original trajectory, however—
A third whooshing sound followed immediately!
The timing was perfect, aimed directly at the mace whose form was slightly hampered by the throwing of the sword!
There's a third piece of Darksteel?!
With a sudden burst of power from the waist and abdomen, the body is forcibly twisted.
Tsk! I guess I'll have to switch to dual-wielding weapons later...
She still had time to think about her future plans. She couldn't completely avoid the arrow, but she only paid the price of a piece of flesh.
[Domain Expansion]
The spherical force field suddenly expanded, instantly enveloping the mace.
The streaks of light vanished silently the instant they collided, and Gregor's aura became even hotter.
Releasing the Darksteel, Gregor reached out to support the mace, but the other person swayed and regained his footing.
"Thank you."
Ignoring the other person's thanks, Gregor turned his head, his gaze piercing through the night, locking onto the distant skyscrapers.
"Damn it... what kind of monster is that?!" Darksteel No. 2 cursed, nocking a second arrow.
"I refuse to believe it! You can't keep going like this forever...!!!"
The words stuck in his throat, Darksteel felt a chill run down his spine as he watched Gregor's actions.
Why did he go to get the arrow?
The flames clung to it?
Why assume a throwing stance?
He wanted to attack with arrows thrown barehanded? At this distance?
Darksteel No. 2 felt a sense of absurdity, but still followed its instincts and prepared to leave.
The next moment--
A shooting star has arrived.
Boom--!!!
Looking at the flames that exploded from the distant skyscrapers, Gregor sighed inwardly.
So using [Explosive Flying Shield] with a physical object is an RPG...
Looking down at Rom on the ground, the other person silently crouched down, burying his head in his hands.
"I surrender, really."
Ignoring Rom's declaration of surrender, Gregor turned to his mace.
"He can be given to you, but I have one condition."
"No problem."
Jian looked at the question mark on the Ten Percent Off screen and said calmly.
"Consider this payment for helping out earlier. What do you want?"
Gregor was silent for a moment, then scratched his helmet somewhat sheepishly.
"How do I get to XX Hotel?"
Mace: "..."
She stared at the television for several seconds to make sure the other person wasn't joking.
Are you directionally challenged?
"..."
The air fell silent for a moment.
Jian sighed almost imperceptibly, then raised his hand and pointed in a direction:
"Go straight, turn right at the end, turn right again after getting onto the main road, and continue east after entering the commercial street."
Thank you.
Gregor picked up Rom, shoved him into Mace's hand like a package, turned around without hesitation, and quickly disappeared into the alleyway.
He weighed the lifeless black Darksteel tablet in his hand and muttered to himself:
"... a strange guy."
Her gaze fell, coldly fixed on the prisoner in her hands.
"I'll confess to anything! Really!"
Rom immediately raised his hands, speaking so fast it sounded like he was rapping.
"I've been silenced! I'll tell you whatever you want!"
"Heh." Jian smirked, grabbed his collar, and dragged him away like a piece of trash.
"Then pray. Pray that what you know is enough to buy your life."
Soon after...
Mace: "..."
Gregor: "..."
Jian raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of understanding:
"What? You've changed your mind and want this guy back?"
"... no."
Gregor raised his arm and then lowered it, his expression on the screen turning embarrassed.
"Could you... please show me the way?"
"Ha?
"Hey! Look! Isn't that person...?"
"My God! It really is her! How long has it been since she was last seen on the street?"
"I want to get an autograph! Want to come along?"
"Forget it... Lord Black Knight doesn't seem to be in a good mood..."
The commercial street was brightly lit, and the appearance of Gregor and his two companions quickly attracted a lot of attention.
However, most eyes were focused on the blond Caprinae at the very front, and whispers of astonishment, admiration, and curiosity spread through the crowd.
Gregor was somewhat confused and couldn't help but ask:
"You seem... to be quite famous?"
"I've only lived in this city for a considerable period of time."
He didn't even turn his head, his tone indifferent, clearly not intending to say anything more.
Gregor didn't press further; he was thinking.
When we get back to the hotel, how am I going to explain this to SilverAsh and the others...?
"Arrive."
The sound of a mace interrupted his thoughts. Gregor looked up, and the familiar hotel was right in front of him.
Thank you.
"You're welcome, but... I suggest you go out in a group next time."
Jian lifted the unconscious Rom up a little, then turned to leave.
"Etc."
Jian stopped and turned around. In front of him was a piece of dark red Pure Gold with a lustrous sheen.
"... What's the meaning?"
"Remuneration."
Jian stared at Gregor for a long time, making Gregor feel uncomfortable.
"May I have your name?"
"Gregor."
"I am the mace."
She gave her name again, but didn't take the piece of Pure Gold. After saying that, she turned and left.
Gregor looked at the Pure Gold in his hand with some doubt. With a crowd gathering around him, not wanting to cause any trouble, he turned and left.
At opposite ends of the street, two people walking in opposite directions simultaneously had the same thought flash through their minds—
[A strange guy...]