Ross moved with unease all over the ground, blinking constantly as a ringing sound kept its frequency in his ears, signaling that his mind was malfunctioning.

The punch he received was devastating—it sent him to the ground like a hammer hitting his face. A clack on his forehead testified to that, showing that he was still human, just slightly battered.

The feared Faceless Boy was just a no-show, just like his deceased mother had muttered.

His vision fumbled as well, seeing four of everything: the stars in the sky, the lights on the house, and in the middle of it all, a blurry Zabi with a smirk on his face.

Grab!!

Zabi went for Ross's right leg, grabbing it with extraordinary force. Like a matchstick, he carried him with ease—just like Ross did earlier. The sound and the blurry vision never softened the experience, never made it less overwhelming.

He pulled him up, lips moving as he muttered something that sounded like little more than background to the ringing in Ross's ears.

Pew!! Phwa!!

He threw Ross into the garage, damaging the door in the process.

Qiiiiii!

The ringing intensified, and blood began flowing from Ross's ears and nose. On the positive side, his vision sharpened—a clarity he desperately needed to fight back. You can't fight what you can't see.

"Activate… Special… skill!"

He whispered, out of breath, drawing on the last of his strength.

Thud!

Zabi stepped violently on his back with a force that could crush a person's head instantly.

"Aaaah!" Ross groaned, vomiting blood.

"I told you never to try the same move twice. I have ten rings in my hair, and three of them have a very specific job: neutralizing attacks once they're performed. It has a downside though—I can't neutralize attacks I've never seen my opponent do!"

Ross mapped it all in his mind, following the vibrations of Zabi's lips. His pain-filled mind figured out the rest.

"You must be feeling really overwhelmed right now," Zabi said, "a side effect of receiving my brawl!"

Phu!!

Zabi kicked Ross in the gut, pushing him out of the garage like a piece of trash, uprooting the grass in the process.

"I'm not an adviser or anything, but you made a dangerous mistake by telling me the weakness of your technique. I was starting to think you had me figured out. All I need is a strong attack I've never seen before to take you down in one strike!"

He slowly stood, struggling to rise, but after a few tries he managed it. Ears ringing nonstop, marks of pain littering his body, the forehead clack standing out.

Even the soldiers could see it—just standing was a painful task.

"That's the whole idea of telling you, isn't it?" Ross replied, unbothered by what Zabi might be plotting with the information.

Thud!

Ross took a battle stance, hands moving behind him like he was grappling the air itself.

"Special skill… Kinetic Bomb!"-10, 8% Glory left.

Ssssi ststss

Sparks electrified his hands, flashing on and off. The effects of the beating he had just received were visible, but he refused to give up. He would not give up—not against the Genki, and not against the one who took all his father's legacy and killed his mother.

"I have to say…" Ross broke the tension, as Zabi stood fully concentrated on him, eyes dissecting him like he was analyzing every movement.

"Thank you for pushing me away from you. That way this attack will sting a lot!"

"My pleasure," Zabi replied, calm, almost like a butler finishing a request.

"Another thing, thank you for showing me your real weakness!"

Pew!

Ross vanished instantly. Zabi's eyes darted frantically, trying to locate him—but Ross was already a step ahead.

"On my back!"

Zabi realize, dodging instantly at the same moment that Ross had positioned himself perfectly behind him, ready to strike in full destructo mode.

Wooh!

Ross's kick whistled above him.

"That power would have been tested if I hadn't dodged!" Zabi muttered, adjusting his stance.

Suddenly, a massive kinetic sphere appeared from nowhere, landing above Zabi's head. The Kinetic Bomb, fully charged, spilling energy like molten fluid. Ross had somehow made himself invisible to Zabi's view, each millisecond bringing the attack closer.

A smile flickered on Ross's face, a memory of his father echoing in his mind:

"You have a bug head, perfect for solving problems."

And just like that, he had solved the problem before him.

"What the… How did he—!?"

Zabi's voice trembled. He had lowered his guard, perfectly positioned for the attack, and Ross had exploited the one flaw in his powers.

"Ever since the fight started, you've been watching me, analyzing my skills, second-guessing my techniques. Your rings only neutralize what they've seen. If you don't see it first, they won't work!" Ross muttered, leaping from the spot.

"Kinetic Bomb… DAMP!"

Boooom!!!

The compound erupted. Trees were ripped from the ground, the garage obliterated. Smoke, dust, and debris filled the air.

... .

Earlier that night — Linda's House

Moonlight spilled across her large bedroom, illuminating the skyscraper posters Ross had designed. Linda slept lightly, oblivious to the chaos that was about to unfold.

Ring Ring!

Her phone erupted with a romantic ringtone—girls in pink singing. She jolted awake, heart pounding, expecting a work call. Then she saw the name: Marie's stalker Rodgers.

"When Marie gave you my number to stop calling her… I never thought you'd actually call me this late!" Linda protested, voice shaking.

"I'm sorry," the voice replied, urgent and calm, "but it's Agent."

"Agent?!"

"An emergency flare was fired from the Mutts' house. I tried contacting the police, but I can't get through!"

"You're joking!"

"I don't joke about Marie's safety," he said, voice grave.

Linda paused, remembering the officer who had given her the direct line earlier, just in case.

"Alright… I'll find someone who can help!" she replied.

"Okay, thanks. And don't forget to mention my name if Marie asks who told y—"

The call ended abruptly.

Heart racing, Linda quickly dialed another number.

Ring! Ring!

It rang twice.

"I hope he answers," she whispered.

"Hello?"

A familiar voice answered.

"Yes, Detective Armstrong. You told me to call if something seemed off… this is the time!"

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