This chapter opens in the Grand Lake, one of the province's most fascinating attractions. Towering above the flowing crystal water stood the Great Reza Bridge, serving as a memorial to the late hunter. Above this mighty structure soared three seagulls, releasing their loud squawks into the overcast skies.
Their wings glide across the water's surface, creating gentle ripples. They emerge from the bridge's shadow, shooting back into the air with a sharp incline.
Three men stood on the back of a rusty truck voyaging across the bridge. A newspaper lay flat in the center, its crisp pages rustling in the scattered wind. A group of thin, spiky needles travels along the bridge's side, instantly capturing the men's attention. "Hey, isn't that a top entity hunter?" one asks.
The others hesitate for a moment. "That's Levi, #6 on the Nahatan Professional Charts. He tends to patrol this bridge normally due to the individual it's dedicated to," another replies. The silver needles joined together, revealing Levi's grey pupils. "This view refuses to grow old."
His gaze shifts, resting upon the parting clouds exposing the burning sun. One-by-one, the needles merged, piecing his body together like a complex jigsaw puzzle. Horns from the vehicle-packed bridge echoed through the air, mixed with the faint trickling from the water below. The wind's currents grew, lifting his short brown hair.
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Kevin's groan echoed through the room. "We've been in here for two whole days!" Gerald released a stressful exhale."Kevin, it's only been an hour! We can't be seen until we get to Uraview, so we have to stay here!" Across the ground rested Kaelan, fighting against his growing nausea. "Can't… hold it much longer…" Particles of small code fluttered from Lila's fingers, molding a miniature statue of Kevin. "Oh, my love! I wish you knew how much I loved you, for we would bond like water and oxygen!"
"AT LEAST MAKE A LINE WE CAN ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND!" shouted Gerald.
Alan melts into the relaxing view, gradually sinking into the cushioned driver's seat. "It's only a matter of time until we arrive in Uraview…"
Levi suspiciously monitors the truck's movements. "Something feels off… could it be inside that truck?" His eyes dart towards the windshield, protected by the sun's bright rays. He hesitates for a moment, trapped between peace or immediate action. "Multiple citizens and tourists driving across the bridge…" He extends his left hand, splitting his pinky finger into miniature needles. He successfully consoled himself, and his muscles tensed. "Reza's spirit unites the Grand Province - it'll come crashing down over my dead body!"
A single-file line of Levi's needles race through the suspension cables' gaps. Each with a loud clink, the group of needles struck Alan's windshield.
"Needles?" his voice muttered. Ten glassy spider webs spread across the window, intercepting his line of sight. "Even without vision, there's only one person in mind wielding attacks like that."
A dark-gray ring surrounds Levi's pupils. His eyes focus back onto the car, immediately noticing the vacant driver's seat. "The driver is on the move… a counterattack should be approaching any moment now."
Alan soared across the water's surface, using his Scythe of Darkness like a flying hoverboard. "I knew it was you, Levi!" A large sum of power bursts from his weapon, catapulting his body above the car-packed bridge. Levi strikes Alan with a disgusted gaze. "So, you're the one who triggered my Advanced Senses?"
His scythe flew upward, slapping into his palm like a boomerang. "No idea what you're talking about! Instead of fighting, how about we just go for a cup of coffee?"
Levi's left arm strikes into the air, redirecting the needles. "A cup of coffee? I didn't want to be friends then, and my decision hasn't changed one bit! We're enemies, nothing more!"
Alan's eyes scan the silver needles. "Very well then - let's see what you've got, Levi!"
Volume 13, Chapter 59 - The Great Reza Bridge
<<< Levi
Not once have I ever been the sharpest tool in the shed. Even years following her death, I find it shocking Reza chose me out of all the other strong men roaming across the face of this cruel earth. Not only did Reza grant me a reason to live in this world, but she also gave me unfathomable amounts of hope.
And that is why I continue on this journey. She protected me, so I protect her legacy.
>>>
Alan's arm swung, dividing the silver needles into perfect halves. The fragments dropped from the sky, plunging into the lake below. "Your regeneration has improved since our last encounter."
Levi turns to the car-packed bridge. "Four embers of power flow in your truck's rear. Tell me, what are they!?"
Alan chuckles. "Just getting a job done. Nothing to worry about, really." His fists tighten. "This isn't good. There's a high chance Levi's persistence will slow the operation down…"
Levi's fingers disband into a whirlwind of spinning needles. "I refuse to let any suspicious activity happen on this bridge! I'll make sure you pay the ultimate price for lying!"
The needles scatter, flying into the overcast skies above. Alan's arms push onto the scythe's handle, pushing his body into the metallic hurricane. "Scythe of Darkness - Swift Cut!"
Levi's gaze followed Alan, observing his steady advancements from above. "He's moving swiftly through my needles without the use of Advanced Senses!?" His arms shot into the air, forming another batch of silver needles. "Your win streak ends here!"
Alan's scythe hovers above the shimmering lake. He hangs from the scythe's handle, skimming the water's surface with his hand. "There's too many needles! Hate to say it, but I won't be able to get them all!"
Levi chuckled. "You can run, but you can't hide - my needles will always get their target!"
The needles raced across the lake in hot pursuit of Alan. "Shit!" His body took a sharp lean to the right, shifting his scythe's direction. "If any of those needles stab my hands, I'll fall into the lake!"
A singular needle among the large haystack sped ahead. The sharp point grazed his shoulder, ripping his shirt's green fabric. Alan's hand squeezed the bleeding cut. "The distance between us is a major problem!"
"When my Needle Rainshower catches you, that small cut will be the least of your worries!" The guard tightened his muscles and lunged his body upward. His shoes slipped onto the scythe's dark handle, causing his body to wobble for a moment. "It may be a gamble, but I'll take the risk and ascend!"
Alan's scythe ascended beyond the shining lake towards Levi's defenseless body. "Now that I think about it, fighting above water isn't for me at all! I'm going to have to be creative with my future attacks!"
Levi's gaze descended towards Alan's rising body. "Trying to lead my needles towards me? There's a difference between reality and video game boss fights!" Alan plunged into the sky beyond his scythe and extended his palm. "Scythe of Darkness, return!"
The scythe circled through the air and slapped into Alan's palm. "Scythe of Darkness - Sky Rip!"
A slash of darkness emerged from the scythe's blade. Levi's needles raced ahead, clashing against the lightless wave. "A well strategized attack - however, I can't allow it to discourage me!"
The needles succumbed to Alan's darkness, withering into the far distance. He released a quick exhale, tightening the grip over his scythe.
The strategized counterattack was followed by a lengthy stalemate. Alan's body pushed through the air, landing on the bridge's large metal pillar. His gaze rose towards the slow resurrection of Levi's body. "It's rare to see someone dodge my attacks so fluently."
A mischievous smirk stretched across Alan's face. "I don't take admiration from enemies."
Another group of needles rose from Levi's legs. "Next time, I'll be sure not to miss."