Black: What's going on here?
Jack: Have those idiots been exposed?
They listened to the gang members.
Gang Member 1: Where did those two bastards go? How did they disappear?
Gang Member 2: They showed up last night and vanished. Then that girl appeared today and hit one of our men. So they're still in the city.
She felt Jack's gaze burning into her, causing her to swallow hard and glance at him.
Jack (with a menacing tone): Is he talking about you?
Black: No! It can't be. We're not the only ones hitting them... right?
Gang Member 1: She's a doctor. She saved someone in front of the pharmacy today. And that fast kid took her and vanished.
She spoke silently to herself, glaring at the man.
Black: Won't a rock just fall on your head and crush it so I can finally rest?
Jack (coldly): We have something to settle once we're back home.
Black smiled foolishly, about to speak, but he left her and walked off. She turned to hit the gang members, but he grabbed her by the collar, and they both snuck away toward Grandma's house.
At Grandma's House
More than thirty people were arguing.
Helena: Fahd, what do we do? Many of the gang members came, including Roger. And three men from Alice's gang showed up too.
Grandma: Cancel today's mission.
Fahd: We can't. Too many have died already, and every moment we delay, more people die. We can't postpone it.
Gabriel: Grandma, Fahd's right.
Helena: If they come and help us, things might turn around.
Knock knock knock.
Everyone tensed. Who could be knocking now? Grandma signaled for them to hide. Most hid in the basement while the others stayed close to it.
Grandma went to check the door.
Grandma: Who is it?
Black (whispering): It's me, Grandma. It's Black.
Grandma opened the door slightly and saw Black with Jack behind her. She quickly let them in.
Grandma: Come in. They're friends.
Everyone came out, even those who were hiding in the basement, curious to see who the friends were.
Only six people recognized them: Gabriel, Helena, Fahd, Max, Heather, and the waiter. The rest looked at Grandma with confusion.
Fahd ran up to Jack.
Fahd (excited): Are you really going to help us?
Jack: Just this once.
Then he looked around.
Jack: Are these the only ones going with you?
Fahd: Yeah, the rest are too scared to move.
One of the group: Who are they, Fahd?
Gabriel: They're the ones who killed the royal guards last night.
Helena: And she's the doctor who helped us today.
Fahd: They're strong fighters.
Joy spread across their faces, and excited voices welcomed them.
Gabriel: Don't get too happy. They won't fight for you. They'll fight with you. This is your battle. Don't let others fight it for you.
Jack: How many of you actually know how to fight?
Everyone raised their hands. He asked again.
Jack: How many of you can fight well?
Only ten hands remained raised.
Jack: Who among you can heal themselves during combat?
Seven hands stayed up.
One of them: Are you testing us, kid?
Jack looked at him with indifference.
Gabriel: Don't do it, Adam. He's stronger than you think.
Adam: Really? Then let's see what he can do.
Adam tried a surprise attack on Jack, but Jack dodged it easily and punched him hard, holding him to prevent him from hitting the wall and making noise.
Jack: That's your first lesson. When on a stealth mission, your strikes should be silent. Otherwise, they'll notice you.
Then he let him go.
Jack: You already have ten fighters. So why haven't you taught the others how to fight?
Grandma: The emperor banned power training for anyone not in his army.
Gabriel: We've already surrounded this house with a light energy barrier. It's enough to hide the large group of sick people downstairs. But if we build more barriers elsewhere, they'll detect them.
Fahd: We're all trying to learn, but due to the detection teams, we can't risk pushing to higher levels.
Jack: Fine then. We need an undetectable energy barrier. Black?
Black (smiling): Yes, sir.
She gathered some energy in her hand and struck the ground.
Most of them had no idea what she did until Grandma spoke up.
Grandma: Girl… do you know how to use the Mud Wall technique?
Fahd: What's the Mud Wall?
Gabriel: It's a strong wall that blocks all energy within a defined area. It also can't be detected.
Gabriel looked at Black in amazement.
Gabriel: You can use two of the core energy elements, can't you? At such a young age… that's impressive.
Fahd: How big an area did you cover, B?
Black: The whole city. And I hid this house too.
Grandma: Then we can train here without worry and move outside without being detected.
Jack: You can now use your powers freely. So let's begin the training.
Helena: Training?! You're going to train us?
Jack: I'll train you in combat. Black will train you on healing yourselves.
He continued seriously:
Jack: I need to understand your abilities well before the mission. Training will help us cooperate properly.
Grandma: You're right.
Jack: It's eight o'clock. We have five hours before departure, so there's no time to waste. Let's begin.
Elsewhere…
We find the leader of the Kroger gang furious at his men.
Steven: What are you doing? Playing around? How have you still not found the strangers?
One of the men: Sir, we're searching all over the city, but we can't find them. They show up only to beat our men and vanish. We don't even find a trace.
Three men walked in, each with a spider tattoo on their arm.
One of them mocked him.
Saruri: Looks like some kids turned your whole gang upside down, Steven.
Steven: Saruri! Did Alice's gang really send you just for a couple of brats?
Saruri: Not for brats. For two people my boss specifically ordered us to find. I'm here for them.
Steven: Who are they?
Saruri: Jack Anderson and Black Caesar.
They all spent 4 hours training and planning the infiltration into the pharmaceutical factory.
Fahd: Why did we stop training now, Jack?
Jack: We all need to take a short break before the fight so we can keep going.
Gabriel: Listen to me, everyone.
Everyone turned their attention to him.
Gabriel: You've already seen how many members Kruger's gang has — they're a lot. So, anyone who wants to leave, do it now.
Jack: If anyone shows up during the fight and I see fear or hesitation in completing the mission assigned to them, I will kill them myself without hesitation. Believe me.
Grandma: If any of you want to survive, I'll understand. I won't tell you that you must stay and fight. If you want to stay, stay. If you want to leave, leave.
Helena: What are you all saying?! Of course, we won't leave. We'll stay. Those criminals have killed many of us, and more lives are on the line. The disease is spreading, and we need the medicine. We're not cowards who would run away and leave strangers to fight for us. That would be shameful.
Helena's words ignited everyone's spirit. They all supported her, and no one left. They were determined to get the medicine for their sick family members too.
One of the group: How are we going to fight that many of them?
Jack: With fear.
Adam: How?
Jack: Like this.
He was surrounded by an aura filled with an overwhelming desire to kill. Everyone stepped back in terror, their bodies trembling.
Gabriel: That's enough, Jack. They got the point.
Fahd: So we just have to want to kill them?
Jack: No, of course not. You have to channel that desire into your energy so it becomes focused and grows stronger.
He looked at everyone and continued: "All of you — this gang took something precious from you. You want revenge, and you're angry because of the disease, the lack of medicine, and the injustice that has fallen upon you. Direct all those emotions into your energy so they can feel your desire to tear them apart. At that point, fear will consume them. And when that happens, they'll fall before you like birds. Now, let's divide everyone into teams. Their numbers will depend on their roles."
Gabriel: As we agreed, there will be three teams: a surveillance team that will destroy the city's power station and communication center to disable all cameras and systems, a protection team whose mission is to guard the third team and fight if necessary so that team three can take as much of the needed medicine as possible.
Grandma: Let's now decide the leader of each team.
Gabriel: May I choose the team leaders, Grandma?
Grandma: Speak, and if everyone agrees, so be it.
Gabriel: I suggest Jack lead the protection team. He's skilled in combat, quick-witted, and good at giving orders. He adapts quickly in battle. Max and Fahd should be in charge of the third team — Max knows the medicines we need and the quantities of each, and Fahd is extremely fast, so he'll be a great help to Max.
Jack: That leaves the leader of the first team. Who do you want it to be?
Gabriel (hesitantly): Black.
Jack (coldly): No.
Gabriel: Just listen to me, Jack. Black masters the art of isolation, right? I bet she can create a field around 4 or 5 people, which would hide their energy and allow them to move freely in the city. She's also used to fighting like you. So if they face any problem, they can handle it. And those who master isolation usually excel at sensing too. Her team could be our eyes.
Black: Jack...
Jack (interrupting): Don't forget what I told you before we left the house.
She fell silent. Jack truly wouldn't hesitate to pull her out and cancel the mission.
Grandma: Jack, I need to talk to you in private for two minutes, if you don't mind.
Jack followed Grandma into one of the rooms a bit away from the others.
Jack: What is it?
Grandma: You're already fighting your own war, aren't you?
Jack: That's none of your business.
Grandma glared at the block of ice standing in front of her, trying to stay calm.
Grandma: Tell me — are you going to stop Black from fighting forever?
Jack: If you want to talk about the mission, I'm listening.
Well, that really annoyed her. She took a deep breath and then screamed:
Grandma (screaming): Are you stupid or just a fool?!
She startled Jack with her sudden outburst. He replied:
Jack: What?! What are you saying? And why are you yelling at me, old woman?
Grandma (angrily): I'm saying you're stupid and a fool!
Jack: Are you insane?
Grandma: Listen, genius — if someone has a weak point, they shouldn't show it. Don't make it obvious to everyone that she's your weakness. You should let the girl go and fight on her own, so she doesn't depend on you too much during battle. She needs to rely on herself and gain the combat experience necessary to protect herself without you. So, is this your war alone, or is it hers too?
Jack (hesitantly): Our war...
Grandma: Then why are you stopping her? Wait… are you her father?
Jack: No.
Grandma: Then are you her brother?
Jack: No.
Grandma: Then her husband?
Jack: No.
Grandma (shouting): Then you have no say over her! Why are you meddling in something that doesn't concern you?
Jack (shouting back): You old hag! What do you mean it doesn't concern me? Looks like you've lived long enough and want to leave this world already!
Grandma: Don't be selfish. Let her do what she wants. If you have the guts, ask her yourself—does she want to take on the mission or not?
Jack was about to lose his mind. He genuinely wanted to kill her.
Just before they could tear each other apart, Black rushed in.
Black: What's going on with you two? Calm d—
Jack (interrupting): Do you want to take the mission?
She didn't answer. He repeated the question, but she stayed silent, staring at his anger, not wanting to escalate it further.
Black: Please don't be mad, Jack.
Grandma: Black, answer him. Do you want to lead the mission or not?
Still, she remained silent. Jack looked at her, then back at the grandma.
Jack (threatening): You better pray she doesn't get even a scratch on her!
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Black was about to follow him, but Grandma stopped her.
Grandma: This is your chance to prove he can depend on you.
Black: Grandma, Jack does depend on me. He trusts my abilities. He just can't bear seeing me hurt.
Grandma was left puzzled by their bond. Meanwhile, outside, Jack was terrifying to look at—his fury radiated such a violent aura that no one dared go near him... except her.
Adam: I'm starting to feel sorry for Kroger's men. My god, even Steven might wet his pants if he sees that death aura—he might even see the Grim Reaper waving at him.
Everyone laughed at that.
Black: Jack, please don't be angry. I didn't mean to upset you. I'll do what you want.
Jack: Black, don't talk to me right now. Just let this day pass peacefully. Honestly, I want to go back and rip that old hag's tongue out.
Black burst into laughter. It was the first time she saw him so fired up—he was always calm and collected, but the grandma had made him show his emotions, even if it was anger.
Gabriel cautiously approached him.
Gabriel: Jack…
Jack (coldly): What do you want?
Gabriel felt chills down his spine.
Gabriel: It's time for the first squad to move out. Is Black going with them?
Black looked at him eagerly.
Jack: Go ahead. Choose who'll go with you.
Black (smiling): Can I really go?
Jack: If you don't leave within five minutes, I'll cancel—
Black (interrupting): I'm already gone!
She rushed off and picked four people to accompany her—Helena and three others. She then placed small energy barriers around each of them, allowing free movement and ability usage.
Gabriel: Don't forget—you'll be using numbers, not names. Black, you're Number 1. Helena, you're Number 2. And you, 3. You, 4. And you, 5. Got it?
Recon Team: Got it.
As they were about to head out, Jack stopped her, placing a cap on her head and a mask over her face.
Jack (worried): Black, cover your face so no one recognizes you. Make sure your earpiece is working. Your mission is just surveillance. Do not engage in any fights. If anything happens, come straight back to me, got it?
Black: Understood, Jack. I have to go now.
Jack: Take care of yourself.
Black: You too.
Black's team then split into two: one heading to the power station, the other toward the communication tower. Along the way, they scouted the roads to determine the best routes and times for the next squads to move.
Helena: Black, there are a lot of gang members out today.
Black: That's because they're hunting for Jack and me, after what happened at the diner and the pharmacy.
Helena: Yeah… they're clearly shaken. Serves them right.
They snuck into the power station—it wasn't heavily guarded, as most guards were busy searching the city for strangers.
Black and Helena took care of the four guards and moved in, while the second team infiltrated the comms tower simultaneously. They planted the explosives and backed away.
Black: Jack, can you hear me?
Jack: Loud and clear.
Black: Get ready. The explosion will be in 30 seconds.
All teams activated their timers. After 30 seconds, the power station exploded, plunging the entire city into darkness. Simultaneously, the communication tower blew up, cutting all signal across the city.
At Kroger Gang's Headquarters
Stegen: What the hell is going on?! Why is the power out?
Sarori: Has this happened before?
Steven: That dumb engineer told me the station needed repairs. I didn't care.
Sarori: Aren't you making enough money? Why didn't you fix it? Now look at us, sitting in the dark. Do you want me to kill you?! Don't we have a backup generator?
Steven: No.
Sarori: Greedy. Stingy.
(Angrily continues) Anyway, their energy signatures just popped up—on this side of the empire.
Steven: They must be important to the boss.
Sarori: The boy, especially. We need to find him—and fast.
Steven: Do they have any distinctive features?
Sarori: The girl has violet eyes. That's an extremely rare color.