In the final moments before the creature's attack landed, Tuziku was snatched up by a mysterious man.
"I made it just in time! Hahaha!" the stranger laughed.
But this kid… he's injured—not from this creature… looks like he's lost a lot of blood.
"Hang in there, kiddo! I'll get you somewhere safe," he said with a grin.
"Who… are you?" Tuziku mumbled weakly.
"Me?! I'm—"
Shrrrrk!
The creature lashed out with its tentacles at Tuziku, still cradled in the stranger's arms.
"Fate—strike!"
SKRRRASH—BOOOOM!
A bolt of lightning tore through the air, incinerating the creature instantly.
Thud…
Tuziku watched, powerless, as the brief display of incredible power unfolded before him. Though confused, he felt an unexpected warmth—a sense of comfort and safety in the stranger's arms.
"Did—did you just… summon lightning—?" he whispered, before collapsing into unconsciousness.
Exhausted and battered from the escape, Tuziku's body could no longer keep up with the damage he had sustained.
"Oh—he passed out!" the man muttered.
Meanwhile, at the shore near the forest, Mayku reported back on his mission.
"Hello? Old man Chief?"
"This is Mayku! Reporting in!"
"Sir, the mission was—"
"Mayku!!!"
"I gave you one order, and yet…! I'm gravely disappointed in you!"
"Huh? What are you talking about, old man?!" Mayku demanded.
"Yes. Your orders are to return to headquarters, Mayku," Agira stated calmly.
"What's going on here, Agira?!" Mayku snapped.
"You can't possibly be this stupid, Mayku… The acid user is not dead."
Agira ended the call.
"That can't be right…! How is he still alive? Could he have really survived that fall in his condition?!"
Regardless, Mayku's pride burned hot.
"How dare you humiliate my honor as one of the seven Generals of FADA's elite force!" he shouted. "Next time we meet, I won't hold back!"
He stormed toward Fuyu's entry dock, determined.
Back in the forest, the mysterious man carried Tuziku on his back, moving swiftly through the trees.
"Don't worry, kid. You're in good hands," he said quietly.
But how did he end up in that state? He's pale from all the blood loss. I better get him back to the crew before it's too late…
CHAPTER END