____________________________Chapter 108: Restless Resolve
April stepped out of her room, the cool air of the HQ hallways helping to clear her mind.
The weight of the nightmare still clung to her, but she shoved it down. She had more important things to focus on.
The training hall was dimly lit, the soft hum of distant machines filling the space.
As she entered, she spotted Jax leaning against the wall, arms crossed, wearing his usual smug grin. Saya was already in the middle of the room, rolling her shoulders as she stretched.
"You took your time," Jax said, pushing off the wall.
April shot him a look. "It's 4 AM."
"And? We don't exactly have a sleep schedule here."
Saya cracked her knuckles. "I needed to let off some steam. Thought I'd beat Jax up for a bit."
Jax scoffed. "Like hell you would."
April exhaled slowly, walking forward.
The tension in her body was still there, her muscles tight from the lingering memories.
Maybe a fight was exactly what she needed.
"I'll spar," she said, rolling her wrists.
Saya grinned. "Good. I want to see that Partial Takeover of yours again."
Jax whistled. "Oh? This'll be fun."
April ignored him and took her stance. Her left arm raised diagonally in a defensive forearm guard, her right arm extended forward, fist clenched tightly. Her shoulders squared, angled slightly forward—ready.
Saya didn't waste time. She lunged, her speed sharp, but April moved without hesitation. She met Saya's strike with a quick block, twisting her body and countering with a powerful kick to Saya's side.
Saya barely managed to shift, absorbing the blow with her forearm. "Tch—faster than last time."
April didn't reply. She pressed forward, attacking with a flurry of precise strikes. Each movement was controlled, calculated. But Saya adapted just as quickly, dodging and countering with explosive power.
The room echoed with the sound of fists meeting forearms, feet skidding across the floor. Sparks of energy crackled between them as their sigils reacted to the intensity of their battle.
Jax, watching from the side, smirked. "She's fighting even better than before."
April wasn't thinking about that. She wasn't thinking about anything—just moving, just reacting. The echoes of her past, the nightmare, the pain—none of it mattered in this moment.
It was just the fight.
Just survival.
And she refused to lose.
____________________________Chapter 109: The Fighter's Instinct
April pivoted, dodging Saya's strike by a hair's breadth.
She felt the force of the punch skim past her, the air pressure alone enough to ruffle her hair. But she wasn't backing down.
She pushed forward, shifting her stance mid-motion. Her footwork became sharper, tighter—less traditional.
Instead of blocking, she deflected, her hands slicing through the air like a serpent.
Every counterattack was swift and unpredictable, throwing Saya off balance.
Jax, still watching, raised an eyebrow.
"She's switching styles again."
Saya adjusted, but April was relentless.
With a sharp movement, she weaved around Saya's next punch and slammed her palm into her ribs. The impact sent Saya skidding back, forcing her to crouch and brace herself.
"Tch," Saya exhaled, shaking her arms out.
She smirked. "Didn't expect that one."
April straightened, her breathing controlled. "You never should."
Saya cracked her neck. "Good. Because I won't hold back now."
In a blur, Saya activated her G-force. The energy exploded from her, and her body seemed to grow stronger, her speed doubling.
She was fast before—but now, she was on another level.
April barely had time to react before Saya was in front of her.
A devastating punch came at her ribs, but April twisted her torso, letting the attack brush past her before countering with a brutal knee strike to Saya's stomach.
Saya coughed but didn't falter.
Instead, she grabbed April's leg, using the momentum to spin her and throw her across the training hall.
April hit the ground and rolled to her feet effortlessly, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow.
Jax grinned from the sidelines. "This is getting interesting."
Saya smirked. "Come on, April. Show me Bite."
April narrowed her eyes. She clenched her fists, focusing, and then—her energy shifted.
The air around her grew heavier. Her hair fluttered unnaturally, and the shadows of the room seemed to deepen.
A low hum filled the space, and the temperature dropped slightly.
Then, it happened.
April's form became more menacing—her stance looser but deadly.
Her breathing slowed, her presence sharp like a blade. Her eyes were completely obscured by her flowing hair, and her aura pulsed with restrained ferocity.
Partial Takeover.
Saya exhaled, her grin faltering just slightly.
Jax tensed. "She's really in it now."
April didn't speak. She moved.
In a flash, she closed the distance between them. Saya barely had time to raise her guard before April struck—her attacks faster, heavier, each one flowing into the next with terrifying precision.
Saya blocked the first few blows, but April's technique was overwhelming.
A palm strike to the ribs. A knife-hand to the shoulder. A low kick to the shin, followed by an elbow to the jaw.
Saya staggered, caught off guard.
April didn't stop. She grabbed Saya's wrist, twisted it, and sent her flying with a brutal over-the-shoulder throw.
Saya hit the ground hard, gasping.
She looked up, eyes widening. April was already above her, her hand raised—ready to strike.
But then, April paused. Her breathing slowed.
Saya blinked.
April exhaled. The G-force around her flickered—and then faded. She stepped back, allowing Saya to rise.
Jax released the breath he was holding.
"Damn."
Saya wiped her mouth, wincing. "You… really don't talk much in that mode, huh?"
April remained quiet for a moment. Then, she smirked slightly. "Guess not."
Saya let out a short laugh, rolling her shoulders. "Alright. You win."
Jax whistled. "That was terrifying. I'd hate to be Vance right now."
April stretched her neck, the remnants of Bite still thrumming in her body.
She had fought. She had proven herself.
But something in her gut told her—this was just the beginning.
____________________________Chapter 110: A Familiar Face in Class
April barely had time to process everything that had happened before she was thrown back into the monotony of school life.
The fights, the training, the intense battles—it all felt distant now, like another world she had momentarily left behind.
She sat at her desk, arms crossed, chin resting on her knuckles as she stared at the board, not really paying attention.
The hum of students chatting filled the classroom, but she tuned it all out.
That was until the teacher cleared his throat, gathering everyone's attention.
"Alright, class, we have a new transfer student today," he announced, his tone formal but slightly intrigued. "Come in and introduce yourself."
The moment the door slid open, April's casual indifference vanished.
No way.
Long, platinum-white hair. Piercing blue eyes. That confident, almost amused expression.
Astra.
April sat up straighter, eyes narrowing slightly.
The room murmured with whispers.
"Wow, she's gorgeous."
"Another transfer? Didn't we just get one last month?"
"Yeah I believe it was April."
"She looks like she could be a model."
Astra stepped forward, hands casually in the pockets of her.
She scanned the room before locking eyes with April—her lips curled into the smallest smirk, a knowing look in her gaze.
"Name's Astra," she said simply. "Don't expect me to remember yours."
A few students snorted, while others bristled at the arrogance. The teacher sighed. "Well… welcome, Astra. There's an open seat near April. You can sit there."
Astra didn't hesitate.
She strode across the room, her presence commanding attention. The moment she dropped into the seat beside April, she leaned over, resting her chin on her palm.
"You didn't tell me you went to this highschool," Astra murmured, just loud enough for April to hear.
April gave her a sidelong glance. "Didn't think it was relevant."
Astra chuckled. "This should be interesting."
April sighed, already predicting the chaos this was going to bring.
For the first time in a while, highschool just got a whole lot more unpredictable.
____________________________Chapter 111: Unpredictable School Days
April tried to ignore the stares Astra was getting. The entire class was still murmuring about the new transfer student, but Astra didn't seem to care.
She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, watching the lesson with little interest.
April tapped her fingers on the desk, whispering under her breath. "Why are you here?"
Astra smirked. "What, not happy to see me?"
April gave her a flat look. "That's not an answer."
Astra exhaled, stretching her arms above her head. "Let's just say… I had a change of scenery in mind. And maybe, I was just a little curious about how you live outside of battle."
April narrowed her eyes. "You followed me here."
Astra didn't confirm or deny it, just gave her a cryptic smile.
Before April could push further, the teacher called her out. "April, Astra—if you two are done whispering, I'd like you to actually pay attention."
April straightened. "Yes, sir."
Astra gave a lazy salute. "Sure, teach."
The class continued, but April knew this wasn't the last of Astra's surprises.
—
Lunch Break–
When the lunch bell rang, April barely had time to stand before Astra looped an arm around her shoulders.
"So, where do you eat?" Astra asked casually, steering her out of the classroom before she could argue.
April sighed. "You're not just going to do your own thing?"
Astra shrugged. "Nah, I'm interested in seeing your routine."
April led her toward the school rooftop, her usual quiet spot. But the moment they stepped outside, she regretted it.
Several students were already there, and they all turned to stare. Some recognized April, but Astra was the real spectacle.
"That's the new girl, Astra, right?"
"She's already hanging out with April?"
"Seriously, why do all the cool ones go to her?"
April ignored them and sat down on the far side, pulling out her lunch.
Astra sat beside her, stretching her legs out and leaning back on her hands.
"So," Astra started, "I take it you're not the popular type."
April gave her a dry look. "I keep to myself."
Astra smirked. "Yet somehow, you keep drawing attention."
April didn't respond, just started eating. But Astra wasn't done.
"You still want me to join the organization?" Astra asked, watching her carefully.
April swallowed her bite, then nodded. "Of course. You know what we're up against. Ragnarok isn't something you can handle alone forever."
Astra exhaled through her nose, looking up at the sky. "Maybe. But I still have things I need to figure out first."
April expected that answer. "Just don't take too long. They won't wait for you to be ready."
Astra chuckled. "Noted."
They ate in silence for a while.
April didn't know what Astra's true reason for coming to this school was, but one thing was clear—her presence was going to shake things up.
____________________________Chapter 112: A Disruptive Presence
The rest of the school day passed in an uneasy blur.
Astra's arrival had stirred up the entire student body. By the time classes ended, whispers about the mysterious transfer student had spread across campus like wildfire.
April kept her head down, moving through the hallways as unnoticed as possible.
Astra, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
She walked confidently, completely unbothered by the attention, and even smirked at those who gawked at her.
April sighed. Why does she have to stand out so much?
Just as April reached her locker, a voice called out—sharp, mocking.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Miss Disabled and her new shadow."
April didn't even need to turn to know who it was. Tessa Lane.
Astra raised an eyebrow, glancing between April and Tessa. "And you are?"
Tessa smiled, but it was anything but friendly. "Tessa Lane. Queen Bee of this school. I keep things in order here."
Astra chuckled. "That so?"
Tessa flipped her hair, eyeing Astra up and down. "You're new, so I'll give you some advice. Hanging around with her"—she nodded toward April—"isn't exactly the best way to start your reputation."
Astra's smirk widened. "Oh? And why's that?"
Tessa folded her arms, leaning in.
"She's a nobody. She doesn't talk to people, doesn't have any friends, and let's not forget—she's blind. Not really the kind of person that fits in."
Astra was silent for a moment. Then, she let out a laugh.
It wasn't a forced or fake laugh—it was pure amusement.
Tessa's expression faltered. "What's so funny?"
Astra wiped a fake tear from her eye. "You. You seriously think you're intimidating?" She shook her head. "That's hilarious."
Tessa's face twisted in irritation. "Excuse me?"
Astra tilted her head, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Let me give you some advice. Don't waste your time trying to act tough in front of me. You wouldn't last five seconds if I actually took you seriously."
The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Tessa, clearly thrown off by Astra's confidence, scoffed.
"Whatever. Stay with the loser, then. You'll regret it."
With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.
April exhaled slowly. "You didn't have to do that."
Astra shrugged. "She annoyed me."
April shut her locker. "Now she'll be even more of a problem."
Astra grinned. "Good. I like problems."
April sighed. This girl is going to make my school life a nightmare.
—
After School–
Just as April was leaving campus, her phone buzzed.
She checked the screen.
Jax.
She answered. "What's up?"
Jax's voice was serious. "We've got a situation. There's a battle happening soon, and you need to be there. I'm sending you the coordinates."
April's expression hardened. "Who's involved?"
"I don't know. But you might"
April clenched her jaw. "I'm on my way."
She hung up, already moving toward the city. Astra, who had been walking beside her, raised an eyebrow.
"Trouble?"
April nodded. "You could say that."
Astra smirked. "Need backup?"
April hesitated, then shook her head.
"If I remember right your not part our organization, so I won't need backup. I can handle it."
Astra's eyes flickered with something unreadable, but she didn't push.
"Suit yourself."
With that, April took off, heading straight for the coordinates Jax had sent her.
The battle was about to begin.
_________________________________
Chapter 113: Shattered Pieces
Unknown location–
In a dimly lit chamber pulsed with an eerie glow. A massive table stretched between three figures, each seated in a throne-like chair, carved with intricate symbols representing their authority within Ragnarök.
Their expressions were unreadable, but the atmosphere was thick with tension.
The third strongest among them, a man known simply as Vile, sat forward, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne.
His wild silver hair framed a gaunt, sharp face, his piercing yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Vance is dead," he said, his voice smooth yet filled with venom. "His sigil was taken."
Across from him, Lorna, the second strongest, exhaled slowly, her black-painted nails tapping against the obsidian table.
Unlike Vile's sharp demeanor, Lorna had an aura of calculated coldness. Her long, dark blue-hair cascaded over her shoulders, her blood red eyes reflecting faint amusement.
"Not just him," she murmured. "His partner as well. And the 12th strongest Zodiac warrior."
The final figure, the fourth strongest, a giant of a man known as Stryga, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest.
His heavy sigh echoed through the chamber. "This isn't just an inconvenience," he rumbled.
"It's a warning."
Silence fell over them, but there was an unspoken understanding between the three. Someone was dismantling their forces.
"A single girl did this," Vile finally spoke again, his grin widening. "April Williams... and that organization. I would have dismissed her as just another nuisance, but it seems we underestimated her."
Lorna chuckled darkly. "No, you underestimated her. I warned you all that the Bite was different this time."
Stryga's fingers drummed against the table. "The leader won't like this."
At the mention of the leader, the atmosphere in the room changed.
Even among these powerful individuals, there was hesitation. The true ruler of Ragnarök was a mystery, a phantom that none of them dared speak of freely.
They did not even refer to them by name.
"Does the leader already know?" Lorna asked.
Vile laughed. "Do you think something this important could be kept secret?" He leaned in, his grin splitting wider. "The real question is... what will the leader do about it?"
A heavy pause.
Then, Stryga stood. "We have one choice. We retaliate. Hard." His deep voice carried a weight of finality. "If we let this girl keep advancing, if she breaks the Fourth Barrier... We will have a real problem."
Lorna smirked. "Then let's send her a message."
Vile's grin sharpened. "Yes... Let's remind her that Ragnarök isn't an enemy to take lightly."
The meeting ended, but one thing was clear—April had made an enemy of Ragnarök's highest circle.
And somewhere, in the unseen depths of Ragnarök's domain, the leader was watching.
____________________________Chapter 114: A Shadow Resurfaces
The abandoned factory loomed ahead, its rusted metal frame illuminated by the fading sunlight.
April kept her pace steady, her senses sharp. Jax had said she might know who was involved. That meant trouble—personal trouble.
She slipped through a broken side door, her steps silent. The air inside was thick with dust, the scent of oil and decay clinging to every surface. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Then, a voice echoed through the vast space.
"I was wondering when you'd show up."
April's spine tensed. The voice was familiar.
Emerging from the shadows, River stood near the center of the factory floor, arms crossed. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement.
He was dressed in his usual dark jacket, but now, there was something different about him. A quiet confidence, an aura of danger that hadn't been there before.
April narrowed her eyes. "You again."
River smirked. "Miss me?"
She ignored the taunt, taking a slow step forward. "You've been following me for weeks. Now you're picking fights?"
River chuckled. "It's not about you, April. I have business here. But you just keep getting in my way."
April's jaw tightened. "Who are you working for?"
River tilted his head. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Before April could respond, a shift in the air made her instincts flare.
She barely had time to move before something massive crashed down where she had stood.
The ground cracked under the force.
Dust and debris filled the air. When it cleared, a hulking figure stood beside River.
A beast of metal and muscle—its towering form unmistakably a TakeOver transformation.
A rhino.
April's fists clenched. So that's how it is.
River smiled. "Meet my partner. You've taken down one of us before. Let's see if you can handle another."
April took a slow breath. Her heartbeat was steady. Controlled.
Then she shifted her stance. "You really want to do this?"
River's grin widened. "I insist."
The fight was on.
____________________________Chapter 115: The Forgotten Threat
April's muscles tensed as she stared at River and the massive rhino TakeOver form beside him.
Something nagged at the back of her mind. A feeling—something she had overlooked.
Then, it hit her.
—
The battlefield had been painted in blood.
Vance's broken form lay before her, his sigil—his very essence—crushed within her grasp.
His lifeless eyes reflected the devastation around them. Saya stood nearby, exhausted but victorious, her body trembling from the aftermath of her fight.
April had turned, scanning the ruins for any remaining threats. That was when she saw him.
A second body, half-buried under collapsed debris. The Rhino Gear user.
He had been knocked out early in the battle, taken down by a stray attack before he could even engage properly. In the chaos, she had forgotten about him.
She had been about to move toward his unconscious form, to make sure there were no loose ends—
—but by the time she turned back, he was gone.
Her fingers twitched as the realization hit her. He ran. He ran and called for backup.
And now, here she was, staring at the very backup he had called.
—
Back in the present, April's sharp gaze snapped to River. "You're working with Ragnarök."
River's smirk didn't waver. "Took you long enough to figure that out."
April's mind raced. If he has a connection to the Rhino user, that means he's either a Gear user himself—or something worse.
"Are you one of them?" she asked coldly.
River's smirk deepened. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
April exhaled slowly, steadying her breathing. Whether River was a Gear user or not didn't matter right now. What mattered was stopping whatever they had planned.
Her grip tightened. "Fine. If you won't answer, I'll just beat it out of you."
River chuckled, stepping forward. "Now that's the April I've been waiting to see."
The fight was about to begin.
____________________________Chapter 116: Predator and Prey
April took a step forward, her fingers twitching as she prepared to fight. River stood casually, hands in his pockets, completely unbothered by the weight of her presence.
He's not intimidated at all.
That set off warning bells in April's head.
Either he was overconfident, or he had something up his sleeve.
"Before we do this," River said, tilting his head, "I've been dying to ask… how did it feel?"
April's eyes narrowed. "How did what feel?"
River's grin sharpened. "Ripping Vance's sigil out. Holding his life in your hands."
April didn't flinch. "Is that what this is about? Revenge?"
River laughed. "Revenge? Please. I couldn't care less about Vance. He was strong, but predictable. I told him his temper would get him killed, and look what happened." His eyes gleamed. "No, I'm more interested in you."
April clenched her fists. "Then stop talking and fight."
River let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. You're no fun."
Then he vanished.
April barely had time to react before he reappeared right behind her.
She pivoted just in time, raising her arm to block a devastating blow aimed at her ribs. The impact sent vibrations up her arm, forcing her back a step.
Fast.
River pressed forward, throwing a rapid flurry of punches.
April dodged and deflected, analyzing his movements. They weren't random—he was targeting her blind spots.
He's studied how I fight.
April spun, aiming a sharp kick at his ribs.
River twisted away, but she followed up immediately with a palm strike aimed at his chest. This time, it landed.
River staggered back, coughing. Then, he grinned. "Not bad. But let's see how you handle this."
Without warning, his body flickered—and then he was gone again.
April's senses flared.
He's not just fast. He's using something.
River wasn't just fast.
He was teleporting.
____________________________Chapter 117: Shadow Step
April barely had time to register the realization before River's presence flickered again—one second he was meters away, the next he was right in front of her, his fist rocketing toward her gut.
She twisted at the last second, avoiding the worst of the blow, but his knuckles still skimmed her side, knocking her off balance.
Teleportation. No—it's different. It's like he's stepping through space itself.
River reappeared a few feet away, rolling his shoulders. "You caught on quick. Good. Would've been boring otherwise."
April exhaled sharply. "So, you're a Gear user after all."
River smirked. "Didn't say that."
April's mind raced. If he was teleporting, then he had either a Gear that granted movement-based abilities or—
He's using an external factor. A technique, an artifact… something.
____________________________Chapter 118: Vanishing Blade
April narrowed her eyes, scanning River's movements. If he wasn't using a Gear, then how was he doing it?
River smirked as he vanished again, his presence flickering like a mirage.
April sharpened her senses, feeling the shift in the air—there!
She spun, raising her arm just in time to block a strike aimed at her neck.
The force sent vibrations up her arm, but she countered immediately, slashing at him with her blade.
River blurred out of existence before her sword could connect, reappearing behind her.
Damn it, he's fast.
April ducked, dodging the kick aimed at her ribs, then flipped backward, creating distance.
"You're analyzing me, aren't you?" River grinned, rolling his wrist. "That's cute."
April's expression didn't waver. "You're using something external. If it were a Gear, I'd feel its presence more clearly."
River chuckled. "Smart girl. Guess I should reward you for figuring it out."
His form flickered again—except this time, April didn't track his movement. Instead, she listened.
A breath. A shift in the wind.
Her blade whipped to the side, and for the first time, she felt resistance—River barely dodged, her sword grazing his arm.
A small cut formed on his sleeve.
River glanced down, then grinned. "Well, would you look at that?"
April didn't give him a chance to recover. She lunged, her strikes relentless.
River dodged and countered, warping through space in short bursts, but April was adapting.
Each time he moved, she closed the gap faster.
Finally, their weapons clashed—steel against steel. Sparks flew as they pushed against each other, locked in a test of strength.
April's voice was steady. "Who gave you that power?"
River smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
With a sudden burst of force, he disengaged, vanishing once more.
But this time, April was ready.
Her blade shot forward—not where he was, but where he would be.
River reappeared—directly in the path of her sword.
His eyes widened.
April's attack was a fraction away from piercing his chest.
At the last moment, River twisted unnaturally, contorting his body mid-step to avoid a fatal blow.
The tip of April's blade sliced through his side instead, drawing blood.
River stumbled back, gripping his wound.
His grin didn't fade, but there was something different in his eyes now—respect, maybe even excitement.
"You really are something else," he muttered.
April didn't lower her sword. "Tell me who you're working for."
River wiped the blood from his hand, chuckling. "You already know the answer."
April's grip tightened. "Ragnarök."
River didn't confirm nor deny it. He simply gave her a two-fingered salute and—
Vanished.
Not teleported. Not moved.
Gone.
April stood still, her mind racing. He had escaped.
But now she knew for certain—he wasn't just some lone agent.
He was connected to Ragnarök. And that meant this fight was far from over.
____________________________Chapter 119: Shadows in Motion
April stood still, gripping her sword tightly as the night air settled around her. River was gone.
Not just out of sight—completely gone. No trace, no sound, no presence.
She exhaled sharply. That wasn't normal.
Her mind replayed their battle. His movements weren't Gear-based, but they also weren't purely natural. Something was helping him—something different.
Her comm buzzed.
Jax's voice came through, tense. "April, report."
She sheathed her sword and turned away from the empty battlefield. "He got away."
A pause. "So he wasn't just some street-level fighter."
April's jaw tightened. "No. And I'm sure now—he's connected to Ragnarök."
Jax cursed under his breath. "Damn it. We should've expected someone to pick up the pieces after Vance."
April's mind flickered to her fight with the Zodiac Gear user. She had killed Vance, but in the chaos, the Rhino user had slipped away. She had been careless, too focused on the immediate battle to track him.
And now, River had shown up, using abilities that didn't belong to any Gear she had ever seen.
"We need more intel," she muttered.
Jax's voice was firm. "Agreed. Get back here—we'll regroup."
April turned her comm off and walked away from the scene, blending into the city's shadows.
This isn't over.
—
Somewhere Else–
A dimly lit chamber. A long table. Three figures seated in silence.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Supreme Leaders of Ragnarök.
"The operation failed," the Fourth spoke first, his voice calm but edged with frustration.
"The girl is stronger than anticipated," the Third mused, resting his chin on his hand.
"Even without Vance, she's still a problem."
The Second remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "This changes nothing. The leader has already foreseen this."
At the mention of the leader, the room grew colder.
The Fourth clicked his tongue. "We can't afford more losses. If River couldn't handle her, then—"
"He wasn't meant to," the Second interrupted. "He was meant to test her."
The Third smirked. "And he did. He confirmed her capabilities. And now, we adjust."
Silence settled once more.
The Fourth exhaled. "Fine. But what of the Rhino?"
The Second's eyes gleamed. "He's still useful."
The Third chuckled. "And as for April? Well…" He leaned back, a slow grin forming.
"She'll be seeing us again soon."
____________________________Chapter 120: Unfinished Business
April's footsteps echoed against the pavement as she moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets.
Her mind was a storm of thoughts, analyzing everything she had learned tonight.
River wasn't a normal fighter.
His speed, precision, and ability to vanish without a trace suggested something beyond human, but she hadn't sensed the usual presence of a Gear.
If he was connected to Ragnarök, that meant one of two things—either he was a Gear user and incredibly skilled at masking it, or… Ragnarök had another kind of weapon at their disposal.
She clenched her fists. That's what worries me.
Arriving at a discreet alleyway, she tapped a hidden panel on the wall.
A soft beep followed before the metal door slid open, revealing an elevator.
She stepped in, pressing the button that would take her down to the team's underground base.
As the doors closed, the air around her felt heavy.
'The Rhino user… I let him escape.'
She had been too focused on Vance at the time, overwhelmed by the chaos of battle.
After Saya's defeat of the Zodiac Gear user, she had realized—too late—that the Rhino had been knocked out, not dead.
But by the time she searched for him, he was gone.
And now River had appeared, somehow connected to that unfinished business.
Did the Rhino call for backup that night? It made sense. No ordinary fighter could have survived an encounter with a fully awakened Gear user.
Her grip tightened around the handle of her sword. I won't let another one slip away.
When April stepped into the underground command center, Jax was already there, arms crossed, staring at a holographic map.
Saya stood beside him, analyzing data scrolling across the screens.
"You're late," Jax said without looking at her.
"Had to make sure I wasn't followed," April replied, pulling her hood down. "Any updates?"
Saya turned, adjusting her glasses. "We did some digging on River. No official records—he's a ghost. But I found something interesting." She pulled up an image—a grainy security feed capturing the Rhino user walking with River.
April's stomach dropped. There it is. The confirmation I needed.
Jax narrowed his eyes. "That's from two days after your fight with Vance."
April exhaled sharply. "So he was picked up after escaping. And if he's alive…"
Saya finished her thought. "Then Ragnarök still has one of their strongest fighters in play."
Jax turned to April. "What do you want to do?"
April didn't hesitate.
"We find him. And this time, he doesn't get away."
____________________________Chapter 121: Hunting Shadows
April leaned over the console, her eyes locked onto the grainy image of River and the Rhino user. Her pulse was steady, but her mind was already cycling through the next steps.
"This was taken two days after the fight," she murmured. "Where was it?"
Saya tapped a few keys, zooming in on the timestamp. "An industrial zone near the south docks. Abandoned warehouses, old shipping yards—it's a perfect hideout for someone trying to lay low."
Jax crossed his arms. "You think they're still there?"
April shook her head. "Doubt it. But if River was seen with him, it means he was moving under orders."
Jax exhaled through his nose. "Which means Ragnarök isn't just rebuilding—they're already making moves."
April pushed off the console. "Then we need to move faster."
Saya hesitated. "Going in alone isn't smart."
"I won't be alone," April said.
Jax's gaze hardened. "You're taking backup?"
April nodded. "Saya, can you get me a heat signature scan of the docks? If they were there once, there might still be something—an old base, traces of recent activity."
Saya's fingers flew over the keyboard.
"Already working on it."
Jax let out a sigh. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
April turned to him, ready to argue, but Jax held up a hand. "No discussion. If River or the Rhino user are there, you're not facing them alone."
April glanced at Saya, who gave a small nod. She wasn't thrilled about it, but there was no point in arguing.
"Alright," April said. "We move at midnight."
–Midnight at the Docks
The abandoned shipping yard was eerily quiet. Stacks of rusted cargo containers loomed like silent sentries under the dim glow of streetlights.
The air was thick with the scent of salt and oil, and in the distance, the water lapped against the docks.
April crouched behind a crate, scanning the area through her visor. Jax was beside her, gripping his sidearm.
"Anything?" he whispered.
April narrowed her eyes. "Not yet. But someone's been here recently."
Jax followed her gaze. A few feet away, fresh footprints marred the dusty ground.
They led toward one of the larger warehouses.
April signaled to move. They advanced in silence, sticking to the shadows.
As they neared the entrance, she paused. The air shifted—subtle, but distinct.
She knew that feeling.
They weren't alone.
She tapped her earpiece. "Saya, anything on the scanners?"
A brief silence, then—
"April, get out of there. Now."
Too late.
A heavy presence loomed behind her. The hairs on her neck stood on end.
She turned—
And came face-to-face with the Rhino user.
____________________________Chapter 122: The Rhino's Return
April barely had time to react.
A massive fist swung toward her, the air whistling as it cut through the space between them.
She ducked, barely avoiding the hit as it smashed into the crate behind her, shattering the wood into splinters.
Jax pulled his gun, but the Rhino user was already moving.
He slammed a foot into the ground, the sheer force sending a shockwave outward.
The ground cracked, and Jax stumbled back, struggling to keep his balance.
April lunged forward, aiming a precise strike at his ribs. Her blade met resistance—not flesh, but hardened plating beneath his skin.
His Gear was active.
The Rhino user smirked. "Still quick, huh?" His voice was deep, gravelly, laced with amusement.
"Thought I was out of the picture?"
April's eyes narrowed. "Should've stayed that way."
She twisted, using the momentum to land a kick against his side.
He barely budged.
He laughed. "You don't get it, do you? I wasn't hiding. I was waiting."
Without warning, he grabbed her wrist, his grip vice-like.
April moved to counter, but his other hand shot up—slamming into her stomach with enough force to send her flying backward.
She crashed into a metal container, the impact rattling through her bones.
Jax fired. The bullet struck the Rhino user's shoulder but barely slowed him down.
He turned toward Jax with a grin.
"Nice try."
Then, he charged.
Jax barely dove out of the way before the Rhino user barreled past, slamming into the shipping container behind him.
The steel dented inward with a deafening screech.
April was already moving. She darted forward, her blade glowing faintly as she enhanced her next strike.
She aimed for his leg—one of the few weak points in his armored state.
This time, her sword cut deep.
The Rhino user growled, staggering. But instead of retreating, he grinned.
"Not bad." He glanced at his wound before locking eyes with her. "But you're too late."
April's pulse spiked. What does he mean?
Jax was already checking his surroundings. "April, we need to go. Now."
She turned—just in time to see movement in the shadows.
More figures emerging from the darkness.
Not just grunts.
Ragnarök had arrived.
____________________________Chapter 123: A Battlefield Set in Steel
April's grip on her sword tightened. One enemy was manageable. A group? That was a problem.
Figures stepped forward, the dim light of the docks casting long shadows. Their movements were deliberate—confident. These weren't just random thugs. They belonged to Ragnarök.
Jax cursed under his breath. "This was a setup."
The Rhino user chuckled. "Took you long enough to figure it out."
April's mind raced.
There were at least six new opponents. Their stances told her everything—trained fighters. Some might be Gear users.
The smart move was to retreat.
She hated the smart move.
The tallest figure stepped forward, a woman with long brown-hair and a jagged scar running down her jaw. "Orders were clear," she said. "Bring them in. Alive, if possible."
April's jaw clenched. Alive, huh? That means they won't hold back.
The Rhino user cracked his knuckles. "I get first shot."
The woman smirked. "Knock yourself out."
The next second, he charged.
April moved fast.
She sidestepped his initial swing, but this time, he anticipated it. He turned on his heel, throwing a backhanded strike that caught her across the arm.
Pain flared, but she didn't slow down.
She twisted, shifting her weight as she drove her knee into his exposed ribs.
He felt that one, stumbling back slightly.
Jax fired a round toward the approaching grunts, but one of them caught the bullet mid-air.
Jax's eyes widened. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."
The bullet-catcher smirked. His arm shimmered—the sign of a code-breaker.
"You'll have to do better than that, man."
—Flashback:
"Jax, is there any more information you want to warn me about?," April asked.
Jax looked like he was trying to figure out what April asked, then a second later he spoke.
"Yes there is, it's good you reminded me. Watch out for code-breaker's," he said, extremely serious with no sign of playing around.
"Code-breaker's are individuals impeded with something called disruptor's these disruptors temporarily stop a Gear-users' encrypted Gear codes. Basically one's Gear completely stops working, but they do have their disadvantages."
"First disadvantage- can't be used on more than one individual. Second- they can't stop a Gear user's physical strength & speed. And finally the last one is- the code-breakers are physically weak and once they're disruptors are destroyed they immediately die."
Flashback end:—
April barely had time to register the words before two of the grunts rushed her.
She parried the first, flipping over his low kick, but the second one was faster.
His fist grazed her shoulder, and though the impact was minor, she felt the strength behind it.
If she took a clean hit, it wouldn't be pretty.
She landed and shifted her stance. Think. Adapt.
Jax fired again, this time aiming for their feet. It bought them seconds, but seconds weren't enough.
The woman—the one leading the group—tilted her head. "Enough playing."
The next moment, she vanished.
April's instincts screamed. She barely managed to raise her spear before—
Impact.
A knee slammed into her gut, sending her flying backward.
She hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the damage. Her vision blurred for a split second.
She's fast. Faster than even April expected.
She pushed herself up, coughing. The woman stood there, arms crossed. "You're strong," she admitted. "But not enough."
April wiped her mouth, tasting blood.
We're in trouble.
__________________________________
Chapter 124: A Shift in the Battlefield
April spat blood onto the pavement, rolling her shoulders as the dull ache settled in.
The woman leading the enemy group—fast, efficient, dangerous—watched her with cold amusement.
"I expected more from you." Her voice was calm, analyzing.
April exhaled.
Jax, still crouched behind cover, reloaded his gun. "April, we need a plan. Fast."
April tightened her grip on her spear, the metallic hum of its edge vibrating against her palm.
The Rhino user, seeing the hesitation, let out a chuckle. "What's wrong? Too much to handle?"
One of the other grunts scoffed. "She's not that impressive. Thought she'd put up a better fight."
April's fingers twitched.
They think I'm weak?
She took a slow breath.
Then—
She let go.
Something shifted.
The air around her grew dense. The street lights flickered as an unseen force rippled outward, pressing against everyone present.
Jax tensed. "Oh, hell."
The Rhino user took an unconscious step back.
The woman's smirk faded. "What—?"
April's eyes sharpened, her pupils constricting into something unnatural.
Her breathing slowed, movements becoming liquid-smooth.
And then—
She moved.
Faster than sight.
The first enemy barely had time to react before the blunt end of her spear cracked against his ribs.
Three broken. He crumpled.
She twisted, avoiding a strike from another, her body flowing like water. A step forward—a thrust to the throat.
Another enemy down.
The Rhino user roared, charging at her, but she was already gone, her afterimage fading as she reappeared behind him.
Her foot slammed into the back of his knee. He collapsed, forced onto one leg, and April spun her spear—slashing across his exposed shoulder.
Not deep enough to kill. Just enough to make him remember.
Jax exhaled. "Jesus."
The scarred 5th Supreme Leader of Ragnarôk, watching from the shadows, grinned.
"Well, well," She murmured. "Now we're talking."
April stood in the center of the battlefield.
Untouched. Unchallenged.
Unstoppable.
Her Ultima's Instinct was active now.
And the real fight had just begun.
__________________________________
Chapter 125: The Shift in Battle
April exhaled slowly, tightening her grip on her spear. The docks echoed with the sound of shifting footsteps as her enemies prepared to rush her again.
Jax fired off another shot, aiming for the Gear user who had caught his bullet earlier.
This time, he anticipated the block.
The moment the man raised his hand, Jax quickly adjusted his aim and fired again—hitting him clean in the knee.
The man staggered back with a hiss.
"Damn sniper tactics…"
But there was no time to focus on him.
April sidestepped another strike from the Rhino user, her spear whirling through the air as she slashed toward his ribs.
He barely managed to raise his arm in defense, her spear scraping against thick, Gear-enhanced skin.
The leader—the woman with the scar—watched intently, arms still crossed.
"You're fast, but that's all. Where's the real strength?"
April's eyes flicked toward the scarred 5th Supreme leader of Ragnörak she was, analyzing the fight's flow.
She hasn't moved again. She's watching. Studying me.
A sharp breath. They think I'm weak.
Good.
She shifted her stance.
Time to remind them who they're dealing with.
April's pupils constricted. Her heart rate slowed—not from exhaustion, but from hyper-focus.
A sensation flooded her body—the shift she had trained for. Her mind pushed out all distractions.
The battlefield became clearer, every movement slowed down in her perception.
And then—
Ultima's Instinct boosted itself.
The moment April moved, the air itself felt heavier. A ripple of pressure burst from her body, and every fighter on the battlefield felt it.
The 5th's smirk faded.
The Rhino user froze mid-charge. "What the—"
April didn't give him time to process.
Her spear lashed forward at an unnatural speed, striking him clean in the chest.
The force sent him skidding backward, his boots grinding against the concrete as he struggled to regain his balance.
Jax whistled low. "Oh, hell yeah. That's more like it."
The Gear user who had caught Jax's bullet hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"That… that wasn't just speed."
April turned to him, her spear lowering slightly. "You're right."
She vanished.
Before he could react, April was behind him.
A swift kick to his back sent him flying forward. He barely managed to roll with the impact before April was already there again, her spear descending in a crushing arc.
He crossed his arms, trying to block—
Too slow.
The moment her weapon connected, a shockwave exploded outward, launching him several feet away.
He hit the ground hard, groaning in pain.
The docks went silent.
The 5th's finally uncrossed her arms. Her eyes gleamed with interest.
"… Now this is what I wanted to see."
April spun her spear once, pointing it toward her remaining enemies.
Her expression was calm, but her stance radiated absolute confidence.
"Come on, then." Her voice was even, dangerous.
"Let's see if you can keep up."
____________________________Chapter 126: Fangs in the Dark
April stood tall, spear in hand, her gaze locked onto the 5th supreme leader.
The remaining Ragnarök fighters shifted nervously, their confidence cracking after witnessing Ultima's Instinct in action.
But—the Fifth Supreme Leader—remained composed, assessing April with sharp, calculating eyes.
"I'll admit," she mused, stepping forward, "you're stronger than I expected."
April rolled her shoulders. "Glad to hear it."
Without warning, she surged forward, spear thrusting toward the Supreme's chest.
Clang!
The woman caught the weapon's shaft with her bare hands, stopping it inches from her heart. April's eyes narrowed.
She's fast.
April twisted, shifting her grip as she swung in a wide arc. The Supreme ducked, countering with a devastating knee strike.
April blocked with the shaft of her spear, but the force sent her skidding back.
The 5th Supreme grinned. "Not bad. But you're still holding back."
April steadied herself. The other fighters watched, hesitant. The battle looked even.
Jax reloaded his gun, eyes darting between them.
"Tch. This is getting messy…"
April exhaled slowly. Alright. No more playing around.
She dashed forward again, moving faster than before. The Supreme barely had time to react before April's spear struck her side.
The impact was brutal. The woman's body twisted midair before she caught herself, flipping backward and landing on her feet.
She wiped a trail of blood from her lip.
"Now we're talking."
April didn't hesitate. She pressed forward, her spear a blur as she unleashed a relentless assault.
Every strike was precise, every motion effortless.
The Supreme dodged, blocked, countered—but April was faster. Stronger.
A solid thrust connected, slamming into the Supreme's shoulder.
She staggered, but instead of looking pained, she… smiled.
"…Still not enough," she murmured.
April's brows furrowed.
Then, the Supreme lunged.
Their fight escalated, blows exchanged at blinding speeds.
To the onlookers, it was as if two storms had collided—one of sheer technique, the other of overwhelming force.
The 5th Supreme's smirk never faded. She was impressed, truly.
But she still believed April was holding something back.
Then April's voice rang through the battlefield.
"You think this is my limit?"
The Supreme's smirk faltered slightly.
"…Isn't it?"
April's lips curled upward in a chilling grin.
"No."
She exhaled.
Then—
April slowly started to open her mouth.
The moment she did, the air cracked.
Two jagged distortions appeared beside her head, splitting reality itself. Their edges quivered as if the fabric of space was being peeled apart.
The 5th Supreme's eyes widened.
"…What the hell?"
Each time April opened her mouth further, the distortions followed—opening their own unseen mouths.
Something primal settled into the battlefield. A fear that had nothing to do with strength or skill.
Jax tensed. He had never seen this.
April stepped forward. "You all thought Bite was just a name."
The distortions pulsed.
A tendril of space appeared behind one of the Ragnarök grunts.
Before he could react—
Snap!
His whole hand disappeared.
A sickening crunch echoed as the distortion chewed.
The man screamed, clutching his wrist, but when he looked at the wound—
He froze.
His severed fingers gone. Everyone looked to April and they all saw something that they all swore they all wouldn't forget in their lifetime.
In April's opened mouth were tiny, mineralized versions of the grunts fingers all—being chewed by her.
The distortions mimicked her movement, gnashing in unison with her jaw.
The 5th Supreme finally looked unsettled.
"What… what is this?"
April continued gnash the fingers for a while until suddenly her expression turned into one of utter disgust.
"Disgusting!"
Then a second later April proceeded to spit out the grunts fingers. She then wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
April grinned widely. "You said I was holding back. No?"
She took slow, deliberate step forward.
"…I just never had anyone strong enough to make me use this."
The distortions pulsed.
The battlefield turned silent.
Then, April's two distortions lunged.
____________________________Chapter 127: A Predator Unleashed
The 5th Supreme's breath was steady, but her heartbeat quickened.
She had seen many terrifying abilities in Ragnarök. Especially those anomalies, but this—this was something else entirely.
Bite.
It was more than just a name. It was bottomlesshunger.
April's grinning form remained deathly still, her distortions pulsing, waiting for her next move.
The battlefield had turned silent. The other Ragnarök fighters, who had seemed so confident, now refused to move.
Even Jax, who had fought by April's side for months, was watching with narrowed eyes. He had never seen her use bite before.
The 5th Supreme exhaled slowly. "I've seen enough."
The mission was simple—test April Night. See her true strength. Report back.
And now?
Now, she had more than enough to bring to the 3 major SupremeLeaders.
Her body relaxed, and then—
Her Gear activated.
A deep, metallic hum resonated as her Partial Takeover began.
Her arms remained unchanged, the only with that changed was that her nails elongated glistening like steel.
Jagged like armor formed along her shoulders,
Her pupils turned pink with thin slits. Predatory. Cold. Calculating.
Jax cursed. "She's partially transforming—!"
April's distortions twitched. Bite was still active.
'She's not getting away.'
April's Bite lunged—
But the 5th Supreme was already moving.
With a single crack of the ground beneath her, she vanished.
Her speed multiplied, her body blurring as she tore through the battlefield. The wind howled in her wake.
April's distortions snapped at empty space.
She clicked her tongue. "Fast."
The 5th Supreme reappeared atop a nearby rooftop, crouching, her glowing pink slit-like eyes locked onto April.
She flexed her armored fingers, feeling the latent G-force coursing through her. A preview of her Full TakeOver.
But this wasn't a fight she needed to win.
Not today.
"You're dangerous," she admitted, voice carrying across the battlefield. "But now I understand why."
April took a step forward, spear ready.
"Running already?"
The 5th Supreme grinned. "You think this is running?"
Her eyes gleamed.
"This was just a test."
April's expression didn't change. "And?"
The 5th Supreme tilted her head. "And now we know."
She raised a single clawed hand—
Then slashed the air itself.
A distortion—not like April's, but one created purely from raw brute force—tore open the space behind her.
Wind roared as the rift widened.
April's eyes narrowed. A controlled exit. She was never planning to stay.
The 5th Supreme stepped back, her form melting into the rift.
But before she disappeared completely, she left one last parting remark.
"You call it Bite."
She smirked.
"Now I know what your Wolf Gear was meant for."
Then—
The rift closed.
She was gone.
April exhaled, finally releasing Bite. The distortions around her faded, snapping shut with a final, eerie crack.
The battlefield was left in complete silence.
Jax ran a hand through his hair. "Well. That was fun."
April glanced at where the 5th Supreme had vanished.
She wasn't satisfied.
That was not the last time they would meet. And she had a feeling they would meet one another very soon.
Somewhere Else–-
The 5th Supreme knelt before a massive screen, the flickering light casting shadows over her form.
A figure—hidden in the dark—spoke.
"…Your report?"
The 5th Supreme smirked. "She's stronger than we expected."
Silence. Then:
"The rumors of Bite were true?"
She flexed her fingers, recalling the unnatural distortions of April's attack.
"Yes," she admitted. "But it's worse than we thought."
The Leader remained silent.
The 5th Supreme continued.
"I finally understand what April's Wolf Gear was originally meant to do."
Another pause. Then:
"…Explain."
She chuckled.
"It wasn't meant to fight."
The 5th Supreme's gaze darkened.
"It was meant to devour. And evolve to one of those anomalies."
____________________________Chapter 128: Echoes of a Hunter
April stood in the aftermath, the battlefield still carrying the weight of the fight. The 5th Supreme had escaped, but that didn't bother her.
She had proven her point.
Jax let out a sharp exhale, finally lowering his gun. "Alright. What the hell was that?"
April stretched her arms, feeling the last remnants of Bite fade away. The distortions had vanished, but the eerie sensation they left still hung in the air.
"Something new," she admitted.
Jax gave her a look. "Yeah, no kidding. You've been holding out on us."
She shrugged. "Never needed to use it before."
Jax shook his head. "We're going to need to talk about that later."
He glanced around at the remaining Ragnarök members.
Most of them were either unconscious or too injured to move. "For now, we should clear out before backup arrives."
April nodded.
The fight had drawn attention. If Ragnark had sent a Supreme just to test her, that meant there were more eyes on her than before.
And she didn't like that.
—
Somewhere Else–
The 5th Supreme remained kneeling, waiting for the Leader's response.
The room was silent except for the faint hum of the massive screen before her.
After a long pause, the Leader finally spoke.
"…So she's finally awakened it."
The 5th Supreme smirked. "Looks like it."
Another silence. Then-
"Initiate the next phase."
The 5th Supreme's smirk widened.
"Thought you'd say that." She rose to her feet, cracking her knuckles. "And what about me?"
A pause. Then, the Leader's voice, low and decisive.
"You will face her again. But not yet."
The 5th tilted her head. "Holding me back?"
"No."
The Leader's tone was unreadable.
"I want her stronger first."
The 5th Supreme chuckled. This was going to be fun.
"Understood."
She turned, stepping away, but as she did, she couldn't help but murmur to herself—
"She may have Bite, but let's see what happens when the prey fights back."
____________________________Chapter 129: Unseen Encounters
April sighed as she stepped onto the school grounds, blending seamlessly into the flow of students.
It was strange—going from life-or-death fights with Ragnarök to the mundane reality of high school drama and exams.
But that was her life. A double existence.
She adjusted her bag and kept walking, her senses always on alert. Ragnarök wasn't done with her, and she knew it.
—
Elsewhere on Campus–
Mickey walked through the hallways, his usual easygoing demeanor masking the boredom eating at him.
Then, he saw her.
White hair. Platinum white. Not the artificial kind, but the real, striking type that caught the light and made her stand out even in a crowd.
Her eyes—cold, sharp, calculating—met his immediately.
Mickey wasn't easily rattled, but something about this girl made him hesitate for half a second.
Then she spoke.
"You're Mickey."
Not a question. A statement.
Mickey blinked. "Uh. Yeah. And you are?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she studied him—like she was analyzing every detail, from the way he stood to the way he breathed.
Then-
"Astra."
Mickey raised an eyebrow. "Cool name."
Astra didn't react.
Mickey rubbed the back of his head.
"Sooo… you know me. Should I be worried?"
Astra tilted her head slightly. "That depends. How much do you really know about April?"
Mickey froze for a split second before recovering with a casual chuckle. "April? She's my friend. What about her?"
Astra smiled—just a little. It wasn't a warm smile. More like a test.
"…I see."
Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.
Mickey watched her go, something in his gut telling him that this wasn't the last time they'd talk.
And that worried him.
____________________________Chapter 130: Watching and Waiting
Mickey stood there for a moment, processing what had just happened.
Astra.
She knew something. And the way she looked at him—it wasn't normal curiosity.
It was the look of someone sizing up a variable.
How much do you really know about April?
That question stuck with him.
He had known April for a while now, and yeah, she was different. But the way Astra said it…
Like she knew something Mickey didn't.
Shaking his head, he made a mental note to keep an eye on her.
—
Lunch Break–
April sat at her usual spot, idly eating while tuning out the conversations around her.
Scarlett and Jax had already sent her updates on Ragnarök's movements—nothing immediate, but they weren't disappearing either.
Just watching. Waiting.
Then, she felt a presence.
Not hostile. But aware.
She looked up.
Astra was standing a few feet away.
Their eyes met, and for a second, neither moved.
Then Astra smirked.
"You're interesting," she said, voice calm.
April set her chopsticks down. "Most people don't say that out loud."
Astra stepped closer, casually placing her hands in her pockets. "Most people aren't me."
April tilted her head. "So, what do you want?"
Astra's smirk didn't fade. "To figure out what you are."
April exhaled. "And if I don't feel like explaining?"
Astra chuckled. "Then I'll just keep watching."
April narrowed her eyes slightly, but before she could respond, Mickey dropped into the seat across from her.
"Yo," he said casually. Then he turned to Astra. "So, you again."
Astra raised an eyebrow. "You're following me now?"
Mickey grinned. "Nah, just making sure you're not messing with my friend."
Astra's smirk returned. "Interesting."
April sighed. "Mickey, don't encourage her."
Mickey leaned back. "Too late."
Astra chuckled before stepping away. "See you around, April."
As she walked off, April could still feel Astra's gaze on her.
Mickey watched her go and then looked back at April. "She's weird."
April poked at her food. "She's something."
Mickey tapped his fingers on the table.
"So… should I be worried?"
April glanced at him, then at Astra's retreating figure.
"…Not yet."
____________________________Chapter 131: Unanswered Questions
Mickey tapped his fingers against the table, watching Astra disappear into the crowd.
"She's definitely up to something," he muttered.
April didn't look up. "She's curious, that's all."
Mickey raised an eyebrow. "That's all? April, she basically said she's studying you."
April finally looked at him. "And?"
Mickey sighed, leaning back. "And that's weird. People don't just walk up to someone and say, 'Hey, I wanna figure you out.'"
April poked at her food, clearly uninterested in his concerns.
Mickey crossed his arms. "Are you really not worried about her?"
April exhaled. "Mickey, if she wanted to do something, she would've done it already. Besides—"
She gave him a small smirk. "—you're the one who seems more worried than me."
Mickey rolled his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause I don't have whatever freaky powers you've got.'"
April laughed softly, but there was an edge to it. "That's probably for the best."
Mickey frowned at her tone but decided not to push it.
Still, something about Astra didn't sit right with him.
And if April wasn't going to watch her closely—
Then I guess I'll have to.
—
Astra's Perspective:
Astra walked through the hallway, hands in her pockets, her mind racing.
April… was exactly what she expected.
No—maybe even more.
Her presence, her instincts, the way she felt when Astra was near her.
It was unnatural.
She's holding back.
That was clear. But the question was—why?
Astra had seen powerful people before. But April… she was different.
The aura she gave off when she wasn't even trying.
And then there was Mickey.
He wasn't like April, but he was connected to her.
He suspects me already, Astra thought with amusement. Good instincts for a normal guy.
That was fine.
She wasn't here to fight.
Not yet.
First, she had to figure out just what April really was.
____________________________Chapter 132: The Hawk That Fell
Kai's Perspective:
The wind howled past me, cutting sharp as a blade. My legs burned—not from pain, but from power.
The metallic streaks of my sigil shimmered under the moonlight, the hawk wings etched into my skin like a cruel joke.
I wasn't born with them.
They were given to me.
No, not given—forced.
The streets below blurred as I moved, my body light as air, my instincts sharper than before.
It was funny how things changed.
Once, I was just a puppet in my parents' little game. Now, I was a weapon, forged in the flames of their greed.
I still remember the day I woke up. The wreckage, the blood, the distant hum of an unfamiliar power coursing through me.
It wasn't fear I felt. It wasn't even anger. It was clarity.
I was free.
Or so I thought.
Before Inferno Edge, before the sigil, before the power, I was just Kai—the beautiful son of two ambitious monsters.
My parents were the type of people who saw everything as a strategy, a move on the board. And I? I was just another piece.
"Kai, wear this. The investors will love it."
"Kai, smile more. You look prettier that way."
"Kai, do as we say, and you'll never have to struggle in life."
I should have hated them. Maybe, in a way, I did. But the truth? I wasn't strong enough to fight back.
Not yet.
My beauty was a tool. My existence was a performance.
They dressed me in fine silks, paraded me in front of their associates, and whispered about how 'fortunate' they were to have such a perfect son.
A son they could manipulate.
A son they could sell.
My parents were in deep contact with Ragnarök.
They weren't fighters, not like the ones I would meet later. They weren't strong.
But they knew how to use people, and that made them dangerous.
Ragnarök wanted power. My parents
wanted Ragnarök's favor. And me?
I was currency.
I overheard them one night. Talks of an "experiment." A way to "secure their place." They were offering something valuable.
Something that would change the war.
Something that would change me.
I didn't run. I should have. Maybe if I had, I wouldn't have been in that car when it all went to hell.
The deal was supposed to happen that night.
We were on our way when the accident happened. I don't know if it was divine intervention or just karma catching up to them, but the next thing I knew, the world flipped.
Glass shattered. Metal twisted. My parents screamed.
And then—silence.
I was weightless, drifting between life and death. And in that void, something found me.
A presence.
A beast with golden eyes, wings spread wide, watching me with an understanding gaze.
"You are not weak."
"You are not their pawn."
"You will rise, or you will fall."
When I woke up, I was alone.
And I was different.
I tested my new strength in secret. The way my legs carried me faster than the wind, the way my body moved without hesitation. It was natural.
Like I had been born for this.
That's when I met the Leader.
Saya was with him. She watched me like I was a puzzle she hadn't solved yet.
"You don't know what you are, do you?"
I didn't.
But they did.
They trained me. They showed me the truth about Ragnarök. They gave me a reason to fight.
And so, I did.
I later earned my Gear's name it was… Inferno Edge—the Hawk that cuts through the past, a fire that refuses to die.
My sigil? People thought it was just part of my shoes.
But they didn't understand.
I was no longer just Kai, the pretty boy in fancy clothes.
I was Inferno Edge.
And I would destroy Ragnarök.
No matter what it took.
____________________________Chapter 134: A Hawk Lands in Westgate
Kai's Perspective:
Boredom is a dangerous thing.
For someone like me—fast, strong, and smarter than most—it's an absolute nightmare.
That's why, instead of wasting another day training or listening to the usual debriefings, I decided to drop into the most unexpected place possible.
Westgate High.
Why?
Because April was there.
And wherever she was, interesting things happened.
The moment I stepped onto campus, I knew I had made the right choice.
Heads turned. Whispers spread. Girls clutched their chests like I was some kind of royal prince stepping into their mundane world.
"Who is that?"
"Is he a transfer student?"
"Oh my god, look at his eyes!"
"Wait—are his lashes real??"
I could hear it all. Every little gasp, every admiring sigh. It was almost too easy.
I didn't even do anything. I just existed.
And that was enough.
Smirking, I strolled down the halls like I owned the place. My pastel-pink hair and sharp purple eyes made me stand out even more, and I didn't mind. If I was going to be here, I might as well enjoy the attention.
It didn't take long for the faculty to notice me either. A few teachers stopped me, asking who I was.
I gave them a charming smile.
"Oh, I'm not a student here. I was just curious about Westgate High. I've heard amazing things about your school."
That was enough to crush any resistance.
One teacher, a middle-aged woman who clearly hadn't seen a pretty boy in years, practically melted on the spot.
"Well, we can't just have you wandering around without supervision, dear. How about you sit in on a class?"
"That would be an honor, ma'am," I said smoothly.
The classroom was chaotic the moment I walked in.
Students, mostly girls, turned in their seats so fast I thought someone might break their neck.
Some of them even squealed.
The guys?
They were either annoyed or intimidated.
"Who is this dude?"
"No way he's real."
"What kinda anime character-looking guy just walks into our school??"
I took an empty seat near the window, stretching out like I belonged there.
Then the teacher—some guy with a weak presence—started asking questions.
Literature, history, even advanced mathematics.
I answered every single one effortlessly.
The teacher blinked. "That's… correct. Again."
The class was stunned.
Whispers filled the room.
"Not only is he good-looking, but he's smart?!"
"Is he even human??"
"Dude, this isn't fair!"
I grinned, resting my chin on my palm. Honestly, this was kinda fun.
Then, just as I was about to start messing with them even more—
The door slammed open.
April stood in the doorway, looking straight at me with her usual unreadable expression.
"Why are you here?"
I leaned back in my chair, smirking.
"I was bored," I said. "And interesting things tend to happen around you."
Her eyes narrowed.
The class, meanwhile, lost their minds.
"WAIT—APRIL KNOWS HIM?!"
"How does April know every cool person ever??"
"April, where have you been hiding this dude??"
She ignored the noise, stepping closer.
"So, what? You're just hanging out at my school now?"
"Pretty much."
April let out a slow exhale, rubbing her temples. I could tell she was already done with me, but that only made it funnier.
"Fine," she muttered. "Just don't cause a scene."
I grinned wider.
"Too late."
I wasn't just here for fun.
Sure, I liked messing with people, and sure, I enjoyed watching April get annoyed.
But more than anything—I wanted to see what made her so special.
The Supreme's knew.
Ragnarök knew.
And now?
I was going to find out, too.
And when the time came…
I'd see for myself if she was as powerful as everyone claimed.
____________________________Chapter 135: A Hawk in the Nest
Kai's Perspective:
April didn't kick me out.
That was a win in my book.
Instead, she just sighed like she was used to this kind of nonsense and sat down next to me.
The teacher, who was still struggling to process what just happened, finally cleared his throat.
"April, do you know our guest?"
April glanced at me. "Unfortunately, yes."
I smirked. "Unfortunately? That stings, April."
The class was still buzzing. Some of them tried to act normal, but the girls kept sneaking glances at me like I was some kind of rare Pokémon they just encountered in the wild.
I stretched, leaning back in my chair. "So, what's next? Another test of my genius?"
The teacher hesitated, then decided to roll with it. "Fine. If you're so smart, answer this." He scribbled a complex equation on the board.
I didn't even blink. "Easy."
I answered it immediately, without even looking at the paper.
The room went silent.
The teacher adjusted his glasses.
"Correct… again."
A guy in the back groaned. "This dude's not real."
April just watched me, arms crossed, analyzing.
Smart girl. She knew I wasn't just here for fun.
By the next period, word had spread.
Teachers started bringing me into their classes, eager to test me.
Physics? Crushed it.
History? Memorized.
Literature? I quoted the authors better than the textbooks.
At one point, a teacher said, "Are you sure you don't go here?"
I just grinned. "I'm a free spirit, sir."
April sat through all of it, watching.
The other students?
They were losing their minds.
"This guy's just flexing at this point!"
"I didn't even understand the question and he already answered it!"
"April, where did you find this guy??"
April, of course, just ignored them.
But I could tell she was getting annoyed.
Good. That meant she was paying attention.
And that's what I wanted.
Lunch Break–
The moment we stepped out of class, April cornered me.
"Alright, enough. What do you actually want, Kai?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I say that already? I was bored."
"You don't just randomly show up at a high school for fun."
I shrugged. "Why not? It's been pretty entertaining so far.*"
She didn't buy it.
Smart girl.
She studied me, arms still crossed. "You don't do anything without a reason."
I smirked. "Maybe I just wanted to see how normal people live. You know, since we're not exactly normal."
April's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Or maybe," I added, "I wanted to see you in your natural habitat."
That made her frown. "Why?"
I leaned in slightly, voice dropping just enough to make her listen. "Because Ragnarok is watching you. And I want to know why."
For the first time, April didn't have a quick reply.
She just stared at me, her mind clearly running through the implications.
Good.
She needed to start thinking about that.
Because whether she liked it or not…
Things were going to get very interesting soon.
____________________________Chapter 136: Chaos Trio
Kai's Perspective:
I was starting to like this place.
It was like a zoo, but instead of animals, it was just a bunch of normal people freaking out over everything I did.
The best part?
I wasn't alone.
Because the girl Astra that April's been telling us about had just entered the scene.
And she was already making herself comfortable.
—
"So you're the famous Kai."
I turned, spotting platinum-white hair and piercing blue eyes.
Astra.
She leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, giving me the same kind of analyzing look that April gave me earlier.
I smirked. "And you must be Astra. I've heard things."
"All good things, I hope?"
"Depends on your definition of good."*
She laughed. "I like you already."
April groaned. "Perfect. Another one."
Astra turned to her. "You sound tired, April. Something wrong?"
April rubbed her temples. "I have to deal with one of you, and now there's two."
I grinned. "Two? No, no, April."
"Three."
Because at that moment, Mickey walked up, hands in his pockets.
"What are we talking about?"
April's soul left her body.
Mickey, Astra, and I?
Instant chemistry.
Astra liked to push boundaries, I liked to test reactions, and Mickey?
He just rolled with the chaos.
"So, Kai," Mickey started, "why exactly did you decide to come here?"
I shrugged. "Because April attracts interesting things. Thought I'd check it out."
"And?" Astra asked.
"I wasn't wrong."
Astra smirked. Mickey chuckled.
April? She just sighed in defeat.
"I regret everything."*
I leaned closer to Astra. "How often do you give her a headache?"
"At least three times a week."
"We can do better."*
"Oh, absolutely."*
April looked at Mickey. "Help."
Mickey just patted her shoulder. "You brought this on yourself."
Of course, it was only a matter of time before she showed up.
Tessa Lane.
Queen Bee. Ruler of Drama.
She walked up, flipping her hair back like she was about to deliver a speech to her devoted audience.
"So," she said, eyes locking onto me. "You must be the new star of the school."
I smirked. "And you must be the self-proclaimed royalty."
Her eyes narrowed, but she kept her perfect fake smile. "A pleasure."
She glanced at Astra, then at April.
"Though I can't help but wonder…" She tilted her head, fake sympathy dripping from her voice. "Why are you hanging out with… them?"
Mickey snorted. Astra rolled her eyes.
April just looked done.
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "Because they're fun."
Tessa's smile twitched for half a second.
Got her.
"Hmph." She flipped her hair and turned away. "Try not to get too comfortable. This school has… its rules."
I grinned. "Rules are made to be broken."
Tessa paused, glanced back, then smirked. "We'll see."
Then she walked off.
April sighed. "Great. Now she's going to be a problem."
I chuckled. "Oh, April. She already was."
Mickey laughed. "I like this guy."
Astra smirked. "Me too."
April just walked away without another word.
We followed her.
Because honestly?
This was just getting started.