Reborn: Apocalypse - Volume 2

Several hours later…

Up in the sky, the sun beat down relentlessly, signifying the coming of noon . It was turning into one of the hotter days on the First Layer, a world that didn"t have seasons . The temperature swung between the low 60s and high 80s (16 - 32 Celsius), without much regularity . Some scientists argued that the lack of seasons was a result of a steady, circular orbit, based on data brought up by astronomers that observed the stars or sky before they left the First Layer .

Within the territory of the Angels Arcadia, the Steel Guard Branch served as a stalwart fort of safety that relentlessly annihilated any and all foes, creating a safe zone . It was located relatively close to the Permanent Nest that the Angels Arcadia controlled, only a few Branches off to the west of it .

This Branch was run by the A Ranked Steel Guardian Kenneth Brown, a man that possessed the same Ability as the Ex-Officer Cain of the G.o.dfather Organization, the Steel Body Type Ability .

Unlike Cain, Kenneth possessed Peak Earth Tier Ki Cultivation and both the Enhanced Strength and Enhanced Recovery Abilities, boosting his physical prowess significantly . He also had an Ability known as Black Reaving Fists, a power that allowed him to draw in black energy from the air, causing his punches to create shockwaves .

As a result, he was an A Ranker that was listed at Rank 121, one of the strongest Branch Commanders . The strength of Branch Commanders varied wildly, but even the weakest were still listed in the top 2,000 A Rankers .

Right now, Kenneth was frowning as he looked at a certain woman . He was currently standing on the center of the rooftop of his Branch"s Tower . Around him, various soldiers stood guard at each bridge entrance that connected, talking jovially . As a Commander, he was known for giving his men some leeway .

The woman was looking at him with an open and frank expression, looking slightly exasperated . She had long black hair and pale, green eyes, with a dainty nose and a face that was speckled with freckles . If anything she looked rather cute and adorable, nothing like a feared Supreme A Ranker that had killed thousands . She didn"t even opt to wear a mask like most Emissaries, showing her ident.i.ty without fear or caution .

"Leila, I respect the power you hold, but I can"t just okay any request you make . You"re a high-ranking Emissary, if you need access to th-" Kenneth began, shaking his head . He was a large, muscular man, with long, silver hair that was tied up in a ponytail, wearing an open, brown vest and a set of loose, khaki pants . He looked to be in his early 30s, with a handsome face that currently bore a rather displeased expression .

"Kenneth, Kenneth . " Leila Almawt interrupted the Commander, her voice warm,

"I"m not asking you for permission . I"m letting you know that I"m going to check the data and then head to the Temporary Nest that has appeared . " She smiled at him sweetly .

Kenneth sighed and then glared at her,

"d.a.m.ned woman . " He grumbled and then added,

"Whatever . "

She nodded, her eyes demure, as if nothing he could do would bother her in the slightest .

Kenneth threw his hands up into the air in defeat . As he did that, however, a faint, warm gleam appeared in his eyes as he looked at Leila . His movements looked familiar, as if he had done this many times before . He hid a small smile as he turned around, barking orders out loud,

"Johnson, Haiju, get over here!"

Immediately, two men rushed forward, both clad in white leather armor . One was an asian man with a huge greatsword on his back, while the other had black skin with an array of guns at his disposal .

"Commander!"

"Commander!"

The two chimed almost identically as they responded, saluting Kenneth .

"Gather all the information we have on the Temporary Nest and present it to Miss Almawt! Off with you!" He nodded as he finished, punctuating his words with a wave .

The two men exchanged knowing glances, ones that Kenneth promptly ignored, before they saluted again and headed off downstairs, to where the secure information was kept .

"Thank you, Commander . " Leila gave him a pleased smile .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntKenneth simply shook his head again, this time ruefully, hiding a smile .

A short while later, Kenneth"s subordinates returned, carrying a stack of paper . They handed the information off to Leila, waiting patiently as she quickly looked it over . As an Emissary, Leila was more than used to going over large amounts of information in a relatively small period of time .

Not long after that, Leila handed them back, giving Kenneth a slightly grateful nod .

"If the information is accurate, I will set off to the Nest right now . "

"Leila… we haven"t even secured the area yet . It"s currently left on its own . Can"t you at least wait till tomorrow when we have permission from the HQ to take control of it . " Kenneth held his hands up appeasingly .

Leila simply stared back at him, blinking slowly .

Kenneth sighed deeply,

"Alright . Fine, fine . I"m coming with you . " Kenneth flexed his arms, his entire body taking on a metallic gleam . All of a sudden, a huge force of presence appeared as the energy within his body flared .

"Do as you wish . " Leila turned off to the left, her eyes zeroing in on one of the bridges . The air around her took on a faintly white Aura, the sounds of the ocean, of cras.h.i.+ng waves and turning seas, appearing .

She then jumped up into the air, a trail of water appearing behind her feet as she shot across the sky . The water shot out in front of her, making it look like she was surfing on it as she flew off into the distance .

The Ocean Treading Steps Ability, a mobility Ability that allowed for fast and stable movement, though it required one to be within 10 meters of a solid surface for the water to maintain its coherency .

Kenneth watched her leave, frowning fiercely .

"d.a.m.n woman . " He began to sprint after her, his body fully taking on a metallic glow as his Steel Body Type Ability showed through . He didn"t have any mobility Abilities, but instead depended on his extremely powerful physical body to simply sprint after her at top speed, his very high Endurance meaning he wouldn"t become exhausted .

He waved as he sprinted across the bridge she"d flown over, yelling a few order at the guards as he raced off .

The guards watched all of this with knowing expressions, none of them looking remotely surprised .

"Someone tell Sub-Commander Tella . Commander Ken has gone off chasing Leila again!"

"…"

Several minutes pa.s.sed as Kenneth trailed after Leila, crossing dozens of skysc.r.a.pers . Whenever a Morenkai tried to obstruct him, he bashed them aside almost casually, directly killing anything in his path . His movements were confident and sure, his years of experience in the First Layer showing through .

Halfway through their journey, Kenneth"s head jerked to the left as he froze, a frown appearing on his face .

He stood still for an entire three seconds, scanning the area behind him . After a moment, he sighed, shaking his head, and returned back to chasing after Leila .

Somewhere far behind him, a very faint sigh of relief quietly echoed out…

In what felt like no time at all, the duo arrived at a visually nondescript skysc.r.a.per, one that looked as normal as any other . The only unusual thing about it was the fact that there were a dozen regular Morenkai and a single, green-skinned Abnormal standing on its roof .

Commander Kenneth wiped the floor with them like they were nothing, slaughtering them all in a few scant seconds . Their bodies were beat and broken, skulls bashed in, hearts crushed . The rooftop transformed into a scene of slaughter .

"Still a brute as always, Ken . " Leila"s eyes had an odd look in them as she looked at the warrior, a look that quickly vanished as he looked back .

"Hahaha, you know me, dearie . " Kenneth grinned as he flicked his arms, using his Ki to burn off any blood he missed . He didn"t rely upon a weapon, but instead used his own body, like most Steel Body Type users .

The duo entered the building and quickly descended downstairs . Kenneth led them, easily handling anything in his path as they reached all the way down to the bottom floor . At one point he had to take down a quartet of Abnormals, including one that was Pseudo-Monster Cla.s.s .

That was the only one that took even a bit of his focus . The particular Morenkai had lashed out with a pair of fists that bore spikes and actually managed to scratch him, injuring him very lightly . Killing it had taken him 4 entire seconds .

Finally, they entered the bottom floor of the skysc.r.a.per .

And came upon a glowing, black sphere that occasionally flashed out with white light .

A Nest Core .

There were a few, final stray Morenkai in the room that Kenneth made short work of, but nothing else noteworthy .

"Well, we"re here Leila . " The Commander began as he finished wiping himself off again . He walked back over to where she was standing, just a few meters away from the floating Nest Core .

"I still don"t understand what you want . It"s not like we, or anyone, can move the d.a.m.n thing . " He shrugged as he spoke, rolling his muscular shoulders .

"I don"t think th" Kenneth"s voice cut off, abruptly, as the world around him seemed to sway . All of a sudden, a lightheaded feeling swarmed over him and he fell to one knee, everything appearing fuzzy .

"Arrrrgh!" He grunted and yelled out loud as he felt his body s.h.i.+ver, pain spiking through him as he tried, and failed, to overwhelm this sensation .

"Leila watch out! Poison…" His voice trailed off as his heart pounded, adrenaline trying to pump through his veins as he stared at the woman .

Leila was staring back, her eyes perfectly calm . A peaceful, green Aura of light was currently glowing around her, strands of green energy flowing out from her feet all the way to Kenneth"s .

The Black Witch was renowned for her Poison Ruler Type Ability and incredible understanding of how to use that Ability . This Ability was a limited one that cost 205,000 Points in the shop, so only an Irregular could possess it here on the First Layer .

This Ability was known for its potent poison powers . It was the same Ability that a new Chosen had picked and ended up fatally poisoning Head Cameron of the G.o.dfather Organization with, just a few weeks prior .

The Ability was not invincible, but if one was caught off guard, it could prove extremely dangerous .

Especially if it was from someone you trusted .

"Leila? What are you doing?" Kenneth"s breath was ragged as he stared at her, his eyes transfixed . He stared at the strands of green energy, recognizing them .

Malwa Poison Energy, one of the strongest poisons a Poison Ruler could access on the First Layer, given the difficulty in raising one"s Soul stat . This poison invaded the nervous system of a being, attacked and paralyzing their entire body, bit by bit, in excruciating detail .

More importantly… the poison made it almost impossible to activate Abilities that modified the body . Kenneth was unable to transform his body to steel, leaving him unable to activate his strongest power, nor could he focus and use his Black Reaving Fists .

Worse, as far as Kenneth knew… there was no known cure, apart from using one"s Ki to burn the poison away .

Unfortunately for him, the poison had taken him completely by surprise, and already invaded every part of his body . It was impossible for him to burn it away now, not without a large amount of time and focus .

The woman merely shook her head slightly at his words, her lips tightening for a brief instant as she looked into his eyes before she turned away .

"Leila! Answer me!" Kenneth found that he was still able to move, albeit weakly . He struggled to his feet, blood bursting from his lips as he felt his entire body seem to shriek against him, the poison running in his veins ravaging him from the inside .

Instead of replying to him, Leila took a few steps back, and turned to the side, speaking aloud,

"I have proven my sincerity now, have I not?"

Kenneth stared at her in confusion before his eyes widened as he saw one of the doors to a stairwell open up .

"Oh my, it seems like everyone and their mother uses the Steel Body Type these days . " A voice that was neither purely masculine nor purely feminine warbled into the air as a figure emerged from that doorway, stepping into the bottom floor .

A figure dressed in a long black robe with only a white mask visible, a mask with the number "14" carved into it in a fancy golden script . A pair of blue eyes were visible through a set of holes in the mask, but the rest of the figure"s features were completely hidden .

"Hohoho, Number 14, you aren"t wrong . Us werewolves really need to step up our game, there"s too few of us . " Another figure emerged, a huge, bulky man with a similar mask, but instead of 14, the number 11 was visible, carved into it .

"What? The Nightrunner Numbers? Leila…" When Kenneth saw who he was facing, his face went pale, but twisted, not in fear, but in rage .

"What have you done, woman?! Why?!" Kenneth flexed, his arms quivering as he reached out and touched a Spatial Ring . Abruptly, a set of golden gauntlets appeared on his wrists, covered in gemstones .

"How dare you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds b-" His voice abruptly cut off as a long, metal tentacle slammed into his throat, moving so quickly he was unable to activate the Artifact he had just pulled out . Kenneth, in his heavily poisoned state and now injured state, simply wasn"t able to react in time .

In just a split second, two other metallic tentacles wrapped up his arms and legs, sealing his movements and holding him tight . They wrapped around the gauntlets he"d pulled out, ripping them out of his hands .

"Proper use of the Steel Body Type requires innovation . Talent . Foresight . Vision . " Number 14s voice was cutting as he or she stepped forward, each step imperious,

"Things you lack . "

Rising from the sleeves of Number 14"s black robe were a set of eight metal tentacles, 3 of which were occupied with Kenneth . The other 5 wrapped around Number 14, covering his arms, legs, and chest protectively .

The famed Number 14 of the Nightrunners, the Steel Kraken, Ranked 42nd in the Main Cl.u.s.ter Ranking .

"Yes…yes… don"t kill him, him alive will be far more useful . " The big, bulky man stepped forward, his body barely contained by his robes as his voice rumbled aloud .

The famed Number 11 of the Nightrunners, the Lupine Menace, Ranked 35th in the Main Cl.u.s.ter Ranking .

"Death is the final option, for all our kind . Even I myself…" Number 11"s voice trailed off as he looked over at the captured Kenneth, an odd tone appearing, as if he was arguing with himself .

"Mr . 14, Mr . 11 . " Leila broke into the discussion, using the common nickname for Numbers members, her eyes flas.h.i.+ng with light as the energy from her extensive Ki Cultivation glowed within her .

"Yes, Witch . You have sufficiently proven your sincerity . " Number 11 nodded, regaining his sense of self as he looked at her, and then around the bas.e.m.e.nt . The flas.h.i.+ng Nest Core at the center of the room hovered ominously, but was unable to do anything with them here .

"Leila… how could you…" Commander Kenneth"s eyes were bloodshot as he strained against the metal constraints, his voice ragged as he barely managed to speak .

"Kenneth, never once did I return your favor . I told you multiple times I"m not interested . " A frown appeared on the Black Witch"s face as turned to look down at him resolutely .

"But… why… how…" Blood dripped down Kenneth"s lips as he stared at Leila, wheezing as he struggled to breathe .

"Kenneth… I don"t even like men…" Leila sighed as she shook her head, turning away, her voice cold,

"You should"ve moved on when I told you to . "

When Kenneth heard this, his eyes widened in shock . At the same time, the metal tentacle that had wrapped around his neck tightened, cutting off further discussion . He sat frozen, poison ravaging his body as he watched her turn her back to him .

"I apologize for his rudeness . " Leila ducked her head as she spoke .

"It is forgiven, Leila . Are your intentions still the same?" Number 14 replied, waving her off .

"I will be given full access for my work, and freedom to observe and test the Permanent Nests still, correct?" She returned, her eyes gleaming .

"Yes, yes, nothing has changed . " As Number 14 replied, the being twisted their right hand .

Immediately, Kenneth"s body flew up into the air, flying till it hung just a few meters away from the figure . Blood continued to drip out of Kenneth"s lips as his face grew more and more pale, slowly losing consciousness .

"Then I have no problems . " Leila ignored Kenneth entirely . Her nickname as the Black Witch didn"t arise from her having a sense of compa.s.sion .

"Excellent . We"ll take him prisoner for now and then-" Number 14 continued but abruptly paused as his or her words were cut off .

*clap, clap, clap*

"Huh?"

All three of them froze and then slowly turned to stare off to the side .

The sounds of a man clapping echoed across the ground floor as a brown haired man with piercing blue eyes, the rest of his features hidden away by a cheerful theater mask, walked into view, giving them all a wave .

"Oh man, what a real tear-jerker . It"s like I"m watching a television drama . " The man"s voice was cheery and full of enthusiasm .

They all stared at the man in shock . None of them had detected or sensed his approach at all .

"Oh, my bad, guys . Am I intruding on something important?" Micheal waved his hands apologetically .

"…who are you?" Number 14 spoke slowly .

"Me?" Micheal smiled beneath his mask,

"I am Emissary Heron of the Angels Arcadia . " Michael flashed his Emblem before quickly storing it .

"I"m afraid I have to ask what the Nightrunner Numbers think they"re doing this deep into our territory . And Emissary Shar…" He began, using Leila"s official Emissary name,

"Are you betraying the Angels Arcadia? Why are you not defending Commander Kenneth? What exactly do you think you"re doing?"

The three attackers exchanged glances .

"Kill him . " Number 14 spoke again, the metal tentacles around his body slowly beginning to unravel .

WHOOSH

A huge strand of green Malwa Poison Energy shot through the air right at Micheal"s face . The energy crossed the distance in a heartbeat, exploding into a turbid cloud of corrosive and poisonous air .

*sizzle*

Abruptly, a sizzling noise echoed out as that cloud of green gas began to spark . An instant later, a small-scale explosion shook the room as the entire cloud went up in flames, rapidly burning itself out of existence .

"Well now…" Micheal"s voice echoed out as he strode through where the cloud had been, casually wiping off his shoulders,

"That was a bit rude . "

.