Void's fingers closed around the treaty.
"Now..."
He drew his knife, blade catching the moonlight, ready to slice through the document.
Kaito rose to his feet, drawing his own knife in response.
Void glanced at him, almost amused.
"Oh?"
"You're going to kill me with that?"
Kaito's grip tightened.
"If I have to."
"Go on then."
Void tilted his head.
"Kill your own comrade."
Kaito's eyes hardened.
"I have friends in this city..."
"Someone who means a lot to Saito too."
"So I won't let you destroy it."
Void paused, studying him.
"I don't want to destroy it."
"I just want to change it."
Kaito's jaw clenched.
"Into what... some Noctarion base?"
"Training grounds for youngsters?"
Void's voice stayed level, unshaken.
"You did the same thing once."
"Don't you remember?"
He took a slow step forward.
"You killed Mayor Harpy of Jokun City."
"Tore that treaty apart yourself."
"But you never gave us any information on your successful mission."
"You left us hanging."
His grip on the knife tightened.
"I'm doing the same thing now."
"And this time..."
"I won't fail."
Kaito's expression hardened.
"Then I have no choice."
He hurled his knife straight at Void.
Void shifted aside, letting the blade pass harmlessly.
But in that instant—
Kaito vanished.
He reappeared exactly where his knife had struck the ground, already reaching for the treaty.
His fingers brushed against the edge—
Void's hand clamped down over his wrist, stopping him cold.
"Already know your move..."
"Comrade."
Before Kaito could react, Void's leg swept up, driving a hard kick into his stomach.
Kaito doubled over, breath knocked from his lungs, staggering back as Void reclaimed the treaty.
Void raised his gun, aiming it directly at Kaito's head.
A tense silence passed.
Then—
He lowered it, stepping back.
"I won't kill you."
"You can still live."
His masked gaze remained fixed on Kaito.
"But if you ever forget what Noctarion did for you..."
"I won't hesitate next time."
Kaito straightened, clutching his stomach, glaring back at him.
"I won't forget."
"But that doesn't mean I'll let you do this."
Void studied him for a moment longer, then turned away, treaty in hand, melting into the shadows of the forest.
Void turned to leave, treaty tucked firmly against his side.
But before he could vanish into the trees—
"Wait!"
Saito burst through the underbrush, chest heaving, gasping for breath.
He skidded to a stop, hand braced against his knee.
"Finally..."
"I'm here."
Void turned his masked face toward him, unimpressed.
"One after another."
"Does anyone in this crew know how to give up?"
Saito straightened, ignoring the jab, eyes locked on the treaty.
"Hand it over."
"Never."
Void's grip on the document tightened.
Saito didn't wait for further discussion.
He lunged forward in a burst of speed, closing the distance in an instant.
His leg swung up hard, driving a kick straight into Void's stomach.
Void grunted, the force sending him crashing back into a tree trunk.
Bark splintered under the impact.
In the same motion, Saito snatched the treaty from his loosened grip, folding it quickly and tucking it safely into his pocket.
He stepped back, drawing his sword, blade catching the moonlight.
Void slowly pushed himself off the tree, straightening despite the hit.
He tilted his head, studying Saito with quiet interest.
"You've got nerve, Blue Scarf."
Kaito, still catching his breath nearby, looked between them both.
"Saito..."
Saito kept his stance firm, sword raised, eyes never leaving Void.
"Nerve's the only thing keeping this city standing right now."
Void lunged forward without hesitation.
Saito reacted fast, driving his blade straight into Void's side.
"Void!"
Kaito's shout echoed through the trees.
But Void didn't fall.
He didn't even flinch.
He stood completely still, the blade lodged deep in his side, one hand gripping the sword itself.
Saito's eyes widened.
"What the—"
He tried to yank the blade free, but Void's grip held it firmly in place.
"You want to know something, Blue Scarf?"
Void's voice remained flat, unaffected.
"I don't feel pain."
"Just a sharp tickle."
Saito's stomach turned.
"Crap—"
He released his grip on the sword, stepping back quickly, putting distance between them.
Void reached down and pulled the blade out himself, tossing it aside without a hint of discomfort. It clattered against the dirt.
Kaito stared, alarmed.
"Void... you're bleeding."
Void glanced down at the wound, blood soaking through his coat.
"Yeah..."
He straightened, adjusting his mask slightly.
"But I have more important matters to handle."
He turned, gaze shifting toward the treaty tucked in Saito's pocket.
Saito's grip on his sword tightened, eyes narrowing.
"What are you exactly?"
Void tilted his head, voice quiet.
"I don't even know who I am anymore."
Without warning, he lunged forward.
Saito dodged just in time, twisting aside.
But Void had already moved.
A card slipped from his sleeve, flicked forward with precise speed.
Saito barely registered it before—
BOOM!
The explosion caught him square in the chest, throwing him backward into a tree.
Bark cracked under the impact.
He slid down, coughing, forcing himself back onto his feet despite the ringing in his ears.
He wiped blood from his lip, smirking through the pain.
"Let's play a game then..."
"Magician."
Void straightened, giving a slow, mocking bow.
"With pleasure."
He rose back up, tilting his head, mask gleaming faintly under the moonlight.
"Let's see how long you last."
Saito lunged forward, throwing a fast punch.
Void blocked it smoothly, then countered with a sharp kick.
Saito staggered but recovered quickly, driving his fist straight into Void's face.
Void's head snapped to the side—
Then turned back slowly, expression hidden behind the mask.
He retaliated instantly, landing a solid punch across Saito's jaw.
Saito stumbled back, catching his balance.
Void reached up and removed his hat, tossing it aside.
His hair caught in the wind, drifting loose across his face.
He slipped his hand inside the hat—
And pulled out a gun.
Saito's eyes widened.
"Oh, come on, man..."
"That's cheating."
Void raised the weapon, aiming it directly at him.
"There are no rules in this game."
He fired.
Bang!
Saito dove sideways, narrowly avoiding the shot, and rolled behind a nearby tree for cover.
Bark exploded where the bullet struck, splinters scattering through the air.
Saito pressed his back against the trunk, breathing hard.
"A gun in a hat..."
"Who even are you?"
Void tilted his head, voice calm.
"I'm a great magician."
He flicked another card toward the tree Saito hid behind.
BOOM!
The trunk exploded into splinters.
But Saito was already moving.
He leapt from a branch above, twisting mid-air, and drove a hard kick straight into Void's head.
Void staggered, falling backward onto the ground.
Saito didn't waste the opening.
He rushed toward his fallen sword, snatching it up, and swung hard at Void.
Void rolled aside just in time, the blade slicing through empty air where he'd been.
He rose smoothly, fanning out a set of cards between his fingers.
"Which one do you select?"
Saito eyed them warily, smirking despite the tension.
"Oh, I select this one."
He pointed to a card marked with three aces.
"Good choice."
The card burst instantly, a blinding flash erupting like a grenade.
Saito clutched his eyes, stumbling back.
"Ok—"
"I fell for that—"
Before he could finish, Void's fist slammed into his side, sending him crashing to the ground.