"I'd appreciate that," Lucy replied calmly.
She stepped toward the mysterious man, keeping her eyes on him as the others followed close behind. Although she had accepted his offer, she remained cautious. There was something about his calm behavior that made it difficult to tell what he was thinking.
The man didn't say anything. He simply raised his hand and drew several glowing patterns in the air.
A teleportation circle appeared beneath their feet. Crimson and pale-gold runes spun around its edges, growing brighter as the circle began to hum.
A moment later, the world around them blurred.
When their vision cleared, they were standing before the second gate, which marked the border of the Kingdom of Ashura.
Lucy glanced at the man.
"Thanks, mister."
Her words were polite, but her eyes remained sharp as she studied him one last time.
The man responded with a faint smirk.
"Such young talents…"
He watched as Lucy and the others passed through the gate, then folded his hands behind his back.
"I can't wait for Ruto to make his move."
His voice dropped to a quiet murmur, and a faint glow appeared in his eyes.
Ruto, the Special Darkside Knight of the Celestial Kingdom.
The moment they entered Ashura's territory, the scenery changed dramatically.
Unlike the quiet paths they had passed through earlier, this border was crowded with people. Hundreds of Shinras had gathered near the entrance, all hoping to gain access to the kingdom.
The crowd stretched far into the distance, with people pushing forward as guards controlled the flow of the place.
Jackson looked around in surprise.
"What's with all these people, Master? This place is as crowded as an entire town."
Lucy continued walking without slowing down.
"That's because this is Ashura's border , the strongest kingdom in the country. Almost every Shinra dreams of living here, but getting inside isn't easy. You need to prove that you have the talent to survive in a place like this."
She glanced at the crowd.
"Only those who meet their requirements are allowed to stay."
"Talent, huh?" Sasaki raised an eyebrow. "So how exactly do they decide who's talented enough?"
Lucy turned toward him with an annoyed expression.
"Stop asking questions like a child. Jack already knows the answer, which is why he didn't ask. Sometimes, Sasaki, you need to use your brain instead of opening your mouth every five seconds."
Sasaki shrugged, completely unfazed by her insult.
He turned toward Alfie with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, kid. How about a one-on-one fight once we get inside Ashura? You can take out all your frustration on me. Let's see what you've got when you fight me properly."
Alfie immediately turned toward him.
"You fool! Don't ignore me when I'm talking!"
Lucy shoved Sasaki hard in the back.
"Ouch!" he complained, rubbing his shoulder. "Honestly, sometimes I think staying quiet is the best thing I can do around you."
"Then try it for once," Lucy replied, rolling her eyes.
Before Sasaki could respond, Alfie spoke.
"I'm in."
His voice was calm, but there was a sharpness to it that caught everyone's attention.
He clenched his fists.
"No Renshi. Just physical strength and hand-to-hand combat."
Sasaki stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
He bent forward, laughing so loudly that a few people nearby turned to look.
"You're getting ahead of yourself, brat. I'm thrice your size, and I've got more weight, stronger bones, and far more physical power than you. You won't even last ten seconds against me... that's if you're still standing after the first two seconds."
"Don't underestimate me reaper," Alfie replied coldly. "Just wait and see."
Sasaki's laughter faded into a wide grin.
"Fine. I'll be waiting."
The group continued along the enormous wooden bridge leading farther into Ashura's territory. Beneath the planks, a thick green fog covered the depths below, swirling slowly beneath their feet.
Lucy glanced at Alfie as they walked.
At least he's talking again. Of all people, Sasaki managed to get a reaction out of him.
She sighed inwardly.
Everything is becoming so unpredictable.
"Master," Jackson said, looking down at the green mist. "What's that fog? It looks poisonous."
"Because it is," Lucy replied without hesitation. "And don't start asking questions like Sasaki."
"Hey! Why do you keep using me as a bad example?" Sasaki protested.
Jackson couldn't hold back his laughter.
"HAHAHA!"
Sasaki shot him an irritated look.
"You're enjoying this way too much, kid."
"I asked just one question."
Meanwhile, Alfie walked quietly behind them, dragging his feet as his thoughts returned to Rebekah.
I've made so many promises I couldn't keep.
His hands tightened into fists.
I promised myself I'd protect Master. I promised I'd protect Rebekah... Back then. I kept talking about how strong I would become, but look at me now.
He lowered his head, his chest tightening with regret.
I'm walking toward Ashura without her because I failed to protect her... I failed to protect myself in the first place that's what caused all of this.
DAMN IT!
"Alfie, keep up. Don't fall behind."
Lucy's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He raised his head, realizing that the others had moved farther ahead.
Without saying anything, he quickened his pace and followed them.
After two hours and forty-five minutes of walking, they finally reached their destination.
Standing before them was the first gate of Ashura, a colossal structure made of shining silver. Sunlight reflected off its surface, making it appear almost divine.
Lucy slowed down and looked toward Alfie.
"That's the first gate. Alfie, come here for a moment."
She moved behind him and crouched slightly, placing her fingers against the back of his neck.
A faint glow appeared beneath her fingertips as she began undoing the sleeping seal she had placed on him the previous night.
The seal shimmered for a few seconds before dissolving into the air.
Once she was finished, Lucy stood and addressed the group.
"Let me explain how the gates work. At the first gate, they'll test our Renshi. If our energy meets their requirements, we'll be allowed to proceed to the second gate."
She then turned toward Jackson.
"Jack, things might be difficult for you, but I have an idea that could help. Come closer."
Jackson stepped toward her.
Lucy reached into her storage ring and brought out a glowing seal covered in flowing runes.
"This is my second seal. I've kept it with me for years."
She pressed it against Jackson's skin.
The seal immediately burst into light, and a powerful surge of Renshi rushed through his body.
"Gah!"
Jackson staggered, clutching his head as pain shot through him. His Renshi flared uncontrollably for a moment, making the air around him tremble.
Lucy watched him carefully.
"The seal is forcing your body to absorb additional Renshi. Your body will only take in as much as it can handle, but don't try to force it beyond your limits. If you do, you could lose consciousness...and break a bone or two"
Jackson gritted his teeth and nodded, fighting through the pain.
After a short while, the glow began to fade, and his breathing gradually steadied.
"Are you okay?" Lucy asked.
Jackson took a deep breath.
"Yeah… I can handle it."
"Good."
They continued toward the silver gate.
Near the entrance stood a small town filled with temporary shelters and wooden buildings. Dozens of Shinras had gathered there, waiting for their chance to enter Ashura. Some watched the newcomers with curiosity, while others seemed convinced that most of them would fail.
Among them was a fat man lounging on a chair with a bottle of whiskey in his hand.
He glanced at Lucy and the others before shaking his head.
"Tch. What's wrong with these youngsters nowadays? Back in my day, I would've known better than to drag my wife and kids all the way here when I had no chance of getting inside."
He took a drink before scoffing.
"Such a foolish generation."
Jackson's hands tightened into fists.
Did he really just say that? I hope Master doesn't.....
"Damn pig!"
Lucy's voice rang across the square.
The man nearly dropped his bottle as he turned toward her.
"You'd better mind your own business!"
His face flushed red with anger.
"What did you just call me? How dare you insult me!"
He jumped to his feet, glaring at Lucy.
"I'll teach you some respect, you and your pathetic husband!"
Before Lucy could respond, the man activated Switch Mode.
His body vanished and reappeared directly behind her, a massive axe raised above his head.
He brought the weapon down with murderous intent.
But before the axe could reach her, a fist slammed into his stomach.
BOOM!
Sasaki had moved so quickly that the man barely had time to react.
The impact launched him through the air like a cannonball. He crashed through several wooden shelters, smashing beams and scattering debris before finally disappearing into a cloud of dust.
People scrambled out of the way.
Sasaki calmly lowered his fist and cracked his knuckles.
"You're welcome."
Lucy glanced at him over her shoulder.
"That wasn't necessary, I could've crushed every bone in his body with my Renshi pressure."
"Yeah, yeah. You're welcome anyway."
Lucy rolled her eyes and turned away from the wreckage.
"Let's go. We have more important things to worry about."
Without another glance at the fallen man, she led the group toward the shining silver gate.