Chapter Thirteen: A World Without Quirks
---
Crow's body felt an odd sensation as he stepped through the swirling rift. The world around him shifted violently, colors blending and distorting until, with a sudden jolt, everything came into focus. He blinked, taking in his surroundings—a dimly lit cave with jagged rocks lining the floor and ceiling. The air felt heavier here, thicker, as if the very atmosphere was different from his home world.
"Where… are we?" Mirko asked, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and unease as she scanned their surroundings.
Lady Nagant, ever alert, placed a hand on the rocky wall, her eyes narrowing. "This doesn't look like any world I've seen before. It's primitive—nothing like our modern cities."
---
Crow took a deep breath, his senses immediately detecting the subtle differences between this world and his own. No quirks. The creatures here, the air, the environment itself—all of it felt devoid of the enhancements he had grown so accustomed to. The very essence of power he had so readily used in his world was absent here.
---
"This world… it doesn't have quirks," Crow murmured, almost to himself. His voice held an edge of intrigue. "No power like we're used to."
---
He looked around again, this time with a more critical eye. The cave they were in appeared ancient, untouched by modern technology. Stalactites dripped water, pooling in shallow puddles beneath their feet. The faint light that illuminated the cave seemed to come from some unknown source—possibly bioluminescent moss that covered the walls, casting an eerie glow over everything.
Mirko, unable to contain her curiosity, stepped forward, her hand brushing against the wall. "So... no quirks? Does that mean... we're normal here?" Her voice was tinged with disbelief. She was used to the overwhelming power her quirk granted her, and the thought of being 'normal' was a strange one.
Lady Nagant was quiet for a moment, her sharp eyes scanning their environment as if looking for potential threats. "Normal or not, this place feels... ancient. The creatures here, the energy—it's like they've never known the kind of power we have."
---
Crow's mind whirred as he processed the information. He could feel the absence of the quirk-enhanced energies that typically pulsed through his body. Here, the power he commanded—his vast collection of quirks—wasn't going to work. He couldn't summon the might of a thousand quirks at will. He would need to rely on his own abilities, his intellect, and his sheer willpower. It was a challenge he wasn't accustomed to, but it intrigued him nonetheless.
---
"I'm sure there are still powers here we can tap into," Crow said, his voice calm and calculating. "But we'll have to adapt. This place isn't like our world, and we'll have to be careful. This may be a world of creatures with no quirks, but that doesn't mean they don't have their own strengths."
---
Suddenly, the echo of distant sounds reached their ears—low growls, the shuffle of large creatures moving. Crow's senses sharpened instantly, his attention now fully focused on the unknown threats ahead. The air seemed to hum with tension.
---
"Stay close," Crow ordered, his voice hardening with command. "We don't know what's out there, but we can't afford to be caught off guard. No quirks doesn't mean we won't face something dangerous."
---
The ground trembled lightly beneath their feet, and from the shadows ahead, glowing eyes began to emerge—dozens of them. The creatures that appeared from the dark depths of the cave were massive, their forms barely visible in the dim light. They were unlike any creatures Crow had encountered before—feral, primal, their bodies sleek and muscular. They resembled large, reptilian beasts with thick scales, sharp claws, and fangs that glinted in the low light.
---
"They're coming," Lady Nagant said, her voice steady, but a flicker of wariness present in her eyes. "But they don't have quirks... How do we deal with them?"
---
Crow's smirk returned as he observed the creatures' movements, calculating the best course of action. "It's simple," he said, his gaze turning to Mirko and Lady Nagant. "We use what we have. If they don't have quirks, we won't need to rely on them. Let's see what these creatures are made of."
---
Mirko, energized by the prospect of a good fight, cracked her knuckles. "I'll take them down!" she said, her voice full of enthusiasm.
Lady Nagant, always the tactician, remained silent, her hand resting on the gun at her side. She seemed to be formulating a plan in her mind, her gaze flicking back and forth between the creatures and Crow.
---
As the creatures closed in, Crow stood still, a figure of calm in the face of danger. His mind was already working through the variables—these creatures lacked quirks, but their raw physical strength and agility could still pose a threat. They weren't weak, and that made them all the more dangerous in this unfamiliar world.
---
With a swift movement, Crow activated a hidden ability—his ability to enhance his physical strength without relying on quirks. It was a technique he had perfected long ago, one that didn't require the use of external powers but instead focused on his own body's potential.
---
"I'll handle the ones on the left," Crow said, his voice low but commanding. "Mirko, the right. Lady Nagant, cover our flanks."
---
Mirko grinned, her instincts as a fighter kicking in. "Got it!" she said, eager for the confrontation.
---
The first creature lunged forward, its jaws snapping. Crow moved with incredible speed, his enhanced agility allowing him to dodge its attack and deliver a crushing blow to its side. The creature staggered, a low growl escaping its throat as it tried to regain its balance.
---
Mirko, meanwhile, was already in the midst of her battle, her movements fluid and quick. She struck with precision, landing powerful kicks and punches on the creatures attacking her.
---
Lady Nagant's eyes were like hawks, scanning the battle. She fired her gun with deadly accuracy, each shot aimed at the most vulnerable points of the creatures. Despite the absence of quirks, her skill with firearms made her a formidable opponent.
---
As the battle raged on, Crow watched with satisfaction. These creatures might not have quirks, but they were still dangerous in their own right. However, Crow was no stranger to danger. His mind worked through the fight strategically, calculating each move and countering with deadly precision.
---
"Impressive," Crow muttered as he dispatched the last of the creatures. "But not enough."
---
Mirko and Lady Nagant finished off their respective enemies, panting slightly from the exertion.
---
"Looks like we've got this world to ourselves for now," Mirko said, wiping sweat from her brow.
---
Crow's gaze lingered on the cave entrance, the darkness beyond still alive with the unknown. "This is only the beginning," he said softly, a dark grin spreading across his face. "There's much more to this world, and I intend to conquer it."
---
End of Chapter Thirteen.
---