— What is your plan, Master Zéno? asked Ikku.

  — Well, for now, the important thing is to regain strength. Let's go eat a little.

  Zéno and the others went to a fast-food restaurant, settling down quietly while waiting for their orders. The relaxed atmosphere contrasted with the intensity of their first mission.

  — How do you find your first mission? asked Zéno, his piercing gaze resting on each of them.

  — Well, I think we could have started with something simpler, replied Carla with a tight smile.

  — Don't say that, Carla, said Yumé with enthusiasm. After all, we are soldiers of Nexus, we must be ready for any eventuality.

  — Well said, said Zéno.

  The waiter approached Zéno to bring him his dish, which was rather well served. A large plate of rice accompanied by gigantic pieces of meat.

  — Here you go, sir, said the waiter.

  — Thank you very much, replied Zéno.

  — Your plate is huge, Master, said Ikku, laughing.

  — Your meals will be served shortly as well, added the waiter.

  — Thank you, replied Carla with a bright smile. By the way, Master Zéno, we should think about an attack plan...

  But Carla couldn't finish her sentence, shocked by what she was seeing. The same was true for Ikku and Yumé. The three adventurers had only turned their heads to the waiter for a few seconds, but when they laid their eyes back on Zéno's plate, they found it completely empty, and Zéno wiping his lips.

  — That was delicious, said Zéno simply, his face still as stoic.

  — BUT WHAT DID YOU JUST DO!!!! shouted the new recruits simultaneously, their faces pressed against Zéno.

  — Well, it's a rather natural process called... eating, replied Zéno sarcastically.

  — I don't call that eating, Master Zéno, said Ikku. You absorbed the food!

  — We didn't even see you do it, added Yumé.

  — Are you even human? concluded Carla.

  — Easy, easy, kids, said Zéno, your meals are going to get cold, eat instead.

  — Yeah... muttered the young recruits in unison, staring at him with a suspicious look.

  The atmosphere being relaxed, Ikku and the others enjoyed the meal. They devoured everything they found in front of them with great appetite.

  — We need to let Kenny know, Master Zéno, said Carla.

  — Don't worry, Kenny is already nearby, replied Zéno. Now that you know how to use spiritual energy, you are surely able to feel an energy that is familiar to you.

  Ikku and the others focused on trying to sense Kenny's energy. After a few seconds of concentration, they managed to feel it.

  — It's true! I feel Kenny's energy, said Yumé.

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  — It's weird, he doesn't really seem to be moving, added Ikku.

  — You are doing well, said Zéno, he must have stopped somewhere to eat.

  — But the only fast food still open is this one, replied Ikku.

  — So that means... said Yumé, who began to understand and laughed at the situation.

  — It means that this big pig is in a room enjoying the neighborhood! shouted Carla, her fists clenched with frustration. He's going to hear from me!

  Yumé and Ikku couldn't hold back their laughter, falling to the ground.

  — Anyway, we will have to go get him, said Zéno, we will prepare an attack plan for tomorrow.

  — But how? We don't even know what kind of enemy we are going to face.

  — For that, we will use your abilities to our advantage. Kenny and Yumé will be at the front, Carla can support them with her chain while staying back. Ikku can use his ability to surprise them.

  — And you, Master Zéno? asked Yumé.

  — Obviously, said Zéno, I will also be on the front line.

  Several kilometers away, in a hospital bed, Derek woke up. He laid his eyes on what was left of his arm and couldn't hold back his anger.

  — You will pay for this, Zéno, he growled.

  At the same time, someone entered the room. He was of normal height, his skin tanned, his hair short and blond.

  — So, you're the one who saved me, Shu, thank you, said Derek.

  — And me who was supposed to be resting, replied Shu, you did too much, Derek, don't take yourself for what you're not. Combat is my domain.

  — I know, but I never thought he would be so strong.

  At that moment, Shu's phone rang and interrupted their conversation, Shu answered. The caller was none other than the head of the Mafia.

  — It looks like you managed to get out, Derek, said the boss.

  — Yes, Boss, I'm sorry for bringing shame to you. I will make up for my incompetence.

  — I expect nothing less, replied the boss. But the most important thing is to neutralize Zéno, I intend to send my 3 best men. Shu, I obviously count on you. Samba and Demba will be part of it.

  — Don't you think you're going a bit too far, Boss, said Shu, surprised. I am more than enough to handle this guy.

  A silence settled before the boss spoke again.

  — Do you know why Zéno is called the Angel of Death, Shu?

  — Well, from what I've heard, he was the best assassin in the history of the underworld. Replied Shu.

  — Do you know how he operated?

  — No.

  — When a person was targeted, Zéno would meet them. But instead of killing them directly, he would tell his victim that there was a contract on their head and give them a deadline to enjoy their last moments. This deadline could vary from 2 to 8 days. But once the deadline was over, death inevitably followed. Over time, the next victims, realizing that it was impossible to escape him, made the decision to enjoy the last moments granted by Zéno and made the most of it with their families, telling them that they had little time left before the Angel of Death came to collect them. His success rate was 100%.

  Hearing this story, Shu understood that he was not dealing with an ordinary enemy. He then turned to Derek.

  — Derek, what could you learn about his abilities?

  — This guy, he is extremely skilled. His swordsmanship is exceptional. Shu, I know you are an expert in hand-to-hand combat, but I doubt you are on his level.

  — Do you know anything about his Brand?

  — At first, I thought his energy was neutral when he made his sword appear. But later, I understood, he is of the negative type, and not just any, his level of mastery is exceptional, he is surely class S.

  — Class S? replied Shu, surprised. This is the highest level of mastery in a category, which means that...

  — Exactly, Derek continued, he can manipulate the immaterial, and in this specific case, he can manipulate space and teleport, as well as teleport his sword.

  — I understand better why he was so effective in his assassinations, replied Shu.

  — There you are warned, added the boss, do not underestimate him, pass on your information to the other two, and be there by 10:30.

  — Very well, replied Shu.

  Back in the pleasure district, Kenny emerged from a neon-lit building, two young women clinging to his sides. His confident grin vanished when he saw Zéno, Ikku, Yumé, and especially Carla, whose expression was darker than a brewing storm.

  — Kenny, what are you doing, you filthy pervert? shouted Carla.

  — Haha, uh... hi everyone! I... I was just looking for you and...

  Before he could finish his sentence, Carla's chains flew out, wrapping around him like a hungry snake. Kenny was dragged on the ground, his pleas accompanying each bump.

  — Let's go, said Zéno in a calm tone, as if it was a Sunday walk.

  — Yes! replied Ikku and Yumé, still laughing.

  — Wait! Please, release me ! shouted Kenny, crying, his feet tracing desperate furrows on the ground.

  They all returned to the hotel to sleep and regain their strength. The next day promised to be full of surprises.