The journey pressed on as Team 7 and their client reached the shore shipyard. The Lightning Kingdom, an island nation, required a boat to cross its turbulent waters. They booked passage on a vessel bound for the distant shore, the river now shrouded in thick clouds that blurred their vision. Thunder rumbled overhead, lightning cracking the sky like warnings.
Iroh: "The bridge will be visible soon. Once we pass under it and stop at the port shipyard, we'll be in the Lightning Kingdom."
Seig: "Wow, it's huge!"
Iroh: "Hey, keep it down until we reach the port. If more killers find us, we'll be in big trouble."
Baka: "Mr. Iroh, I want to ask something before we arrive at the pier. The identity of your assailants… and why they're after you. If you don't tell us, our mission ends when we hit land."
Iroh (sighing): "Alright. I'll tell you. Just as you said, this may be beyond the scope of our mission. I'm targeted by a certain man—a shipping magnate named Elon Musk."
Baka: "What? Elon Musk of Tesla Inc.? One of the world's richest men?"
Iroh: "Yes. On the surface, he's the chief executive of a shipping company, but underneath, he deals in drug trafficking, gangs, rogue knights. About a year ago, he came to the Lightning Kingdom and used his wealth and violence to seize control of the island's maritime transport."
"The one thing Elon Musk fears is the bridge's completion. If it's finished, people will switch to land transport—no more boats or ships. His entire business empire will collapse."
Miki: "I see… since you're building the bridge, you've become a hindrance to his selfish ambitions."
Baka: "Well, after that explanation, I guess we have no choice. Let's continue as bodyguards. The sooner we wrap this, the better."
They landed at the kingdom's island port—an eerily quiet, desolate expanse of abandoned ships and empty docks. No souls stirred. They walked forward into the fog, dim streetlights flickering along wet, puddle-strewn stone roads. Thunder echoed sporadically. The city felt like a ghost capital; whenever citizens spotted them, they fled indoors, locking their doors in fear of foreigners.
Iroh: "We've finally made it. Remember to bodyguard me."
Baka: "I won't lie—this kingdom capital gives me the creeps. Right, Miki?" (pats her back)
Miki (startled): "Please don't scare me like that, Sensei! I thought you were a ghost."
Baka (sighing): "Oh, sorry. Just having a little fun scaring you." (grins)
Seig glanced at Athuria striding ahead without a care. He grinned inwardly. I'm not gonna let her outdo me. A rustle in the alley caught his attention—Seig flipped and hurled a dagger into the bush.
Baka (startled): "What is it, Seig? Enemy?"
Seig: "Oh, don't worry—it's just a mouse. My bad." (grinning sheepishly)
Baka (hard knock on head): "Stop trying to show off, hyperactive moron. There was nothing there! Seriously, I don't know what to do with you."
Iroh: "Hey, brat—don't pull stupid stunts! You almost gave me a heart attack."
Seig: "Yeah, old man, whatever. But did you see the flip and that precise dagger throw? Man, I'm damn good—maybe even better than Athuria."
Miki: "Stop playing around, Seig. We need to stay focused."
Athuria (hand on hip): "Miki's right, Seig. When are you going to grow up and stop acting like a toddler?"
Seig (snapping): "Who are you calling a toddler, you dweeb?!"
Seig and Athuria bickered fiercely.
Unseen in the misty shadows, Lord Green Phoenix perched on a lamp post, stalking them. Hand on the handle of his executioner blade, ready to strike.
Phoenix: "I can't believe 13-year-old kids took out my two henchmen. Anyway, they wouldn't have been enough. As long as he's with them—the Rank 1 magic knight from Camelot. 'Dark Baka' is with them."
Green Phoenix hurled his massive sword at Iroh. Baka sensed it immediately, shouting: "Duck!"
Phoenix materialized before them: body entirely bandaged from feet to mouth (not from injury, but as a clothing style). His eyes and upper face were exposed. He had an average build, spiky black hair, black baggy trousers tied with thick brown rope, and black sandals. A lightning scar tattoo marked his left cheek.
He retrieved his sword, glaring at them.
Baka (smirking): "Well, well… isn't it the rogue knight of the Lightning Kingdom, Green Phoenix."
Seig: "Rogue knight? What the hell does that mean? Whatever—what's important is not losing to Athuria. I don't care who this bandage mask man is—I'm taking him down!"
Baka: "Get back, kids! He's on a different level from the ambushers." (gulps beer, wipes mouth, crushes the can, and stares with a serious glare) "Him as an opponent means things get tricky now." (hand on katana handle)
Green Phoenix: "I believe you're Baka—a former criminal, now Rank 1 in Camelot. And with that katana… well enough chit-chat. I ask that you hand over the old man. Elon Musk paid us to kill him."
Athuria (tense): "Huh? Who the hell is that? Sorry, but we're not handing the old man to you that easily."
Miki (nervously): "I feel a very strange, eerie presence coming from him."
Baka: "The three of you, Defensive formation! Protect Mr. Iroh. Don't join the fight unless things get dire." (closes his eyes in silence as he unsheathes his katana slowly—the blade cloaked in dark mana.)
Athuria (curious): "Come to think of it… we haven't seen Baka Sensei's magic element before."
Seig (intrigued): "You're right—this is the first time he's using it in a fight."
Miki: "I wonder what kind of Magic Element he has…"
Phoenix (smirking): "Ohh… never thought I'd see the rumored dark magic katana so soon. This is an honor."
Green Phoenix: "I read about that katana in an old magic scroll. Any person who uses dark magic absorbs over a thousand techniques, although dark magic is very hard to control, causing excruciating pain to the user. So the wielder has to channel it into a weapon. Piques my interest how you got it… but enough chit-chat. Objective: kill the old man. But first—you." (unplugs his executioner blade from the ground and vanishes in the rising thick mist) "Hidden art: Cloud Mist Magic."
Miki (surprised): "What? He vanished!"
Baka: "Lord Phoenix—or Green Phoenix—is a rogue knight here. Known for his silent killing techniques. That may be his specialty, but don't lower your guard. He could be anywhere in this crazy fog. Honestly…" (smirks) "Dying here isn't too bad—peaceful vibe." (grins)
Athuria (angry): "How can you still be joking at a time like this, Sensei? This cloud fog is getting thicker!"
Iroh: "Well, the Lightning Kingdom is surrounded by water, so fog rises easily."
Phoenix, hidden in the mist, cackles: "Five spots: spine, liver, lungs, larynx, heart. Which vulnerable spot…?"
Baka easily absorbs the fog with dark magic, his katana pulling in the mist, clearing it slightly.
Athuria (inner thought, shaking): What intense bloodlust… One breath or step, and I'll be killed. I've never faced a Rank 1 rogue with kill intent. No way… I'd rather die to escape this… So this is what fear feels like.
Baka (calmly): "Athuria, don't worry. I'll protect you with my life—I won't let my students die. Remember what i told the three of you: those who disobey rules are scum, but those who abandon friends are worse than scum."
Phoenix (appearing between the kids and Iroh, executioner blade raised to behead): Aww a mentor and student bond how cute
Baka overtakes, stabbing—but it was Phoenix's substitution technique using an object (A rock ) The real Phoenix, now behind Baka, grins menacingly.
Seig (shocked): "Baka Sensei! Behind you!"
Phoenix: "Die!" (slashes Baka in half)
But Baka wasn't new to this technique. He substituted his body with a wooden barrel, the barrel splitting in two.
Phoenix: "Substitution/transformation magic? So you also know that basic technique?"
The real Baka now behind Phoenix, presses his katana against Green Phoenix's neck.
Baka (smirking): "You underestimate me too much. You're not the only one who knows a basic substitution technique.
Green Phoenix's smile widens, eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement.
Green Phoenix: "Not bad, Baka… but don't think this is over. I'm just starting to have a little fun." (grins wildly)
Baka's grip tightens on the katana, his stance unwavering as he presses the blade harder against Phoenix's neck.
Baka (seriously): "You made a mistake underestimating me. I don't hesitate to kill my enemies."
Phoenix chuckles, his voice dripping with malice.
Green Phoenix: "Heh… you really are amusing.