Chapter 127: A Battle of Wits and Courage Against the Air

“…Heh, that’s just like him.” Kazama sighed, not forgetting how close he had come to being killed by that man years ago. If it weren’t for the protection of Taiga Spark, he would have been dead long ago.

Taiga Spark possessed a remarkable and practical ability: it could transform a dying giant of light into light particles, allowing them to evade subsequent damage. This function activated automatically based on the user’s physical condition. As long as the damage wasn’t overwhelmingly instantaneous, it could save the person’s life. Although the recovery afterward was arduous, at least it meant a second chance at life.

Having experienced such a near-death ordeal, how could Kazama simply let go of his grudge and thank the man?

“Who was that person?” Souya Homare clutched his aching chest, the recent kick nearly fracturing his ribs. Even if it was to save someone, that method was hardly one deserving of gratitude.

No, this tenderness in his ribs—he probably did have a broken rib and needed to get it checked.

Kazama clenched his teeth at the thought of that eerie blue demon, lowering his voice, “Homare, listen, that guy…”

And so, Kazama began to brief his new partner about Toregia, the cosmic menace. In short, this man was extremely cunning, dangerously so—an outright villain by common standards.

Souya, who had yet to encounter Toregia, nodded blankly. To him, the giant had just protected the island earlier; if Kazama’s words were true and Toregia was a villain, then what was his scheme? Was there something wrong with that island?

He voiced these doubts aloud. Kazama and Zero exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. Both of them had their senses fully alert now—they needed a place to rest, and that island seemed a suitable refuge. Perhaps they could also investigate the island’s situation while they were there.

With that in mind, Kazama raised his gaze toward the sea where the dust had settled.

Apart from the floating fragments of King Totas’s torn remains, the sea was empty.

Kazama’s heart pounded—what if… Toregia was there as well?

While Kazama and the others realized Toregia had vanished, he himself had returned to his point of departure.

He was wounded.

The explosion had indeed affected him, though only with minor, inconsequential injuries. He had braced himself against the impact when kicking Kazama, but what he hadn’t anticipated was Kazama’s blade. As Kazama was flung away, the dissipating energy blade grazed Toregia’s right leg, slicing a wound.

Toregia staggered upon landing, but the captain caught him immediately, helping him settle into the room’s only chair.

Captain Hazumi felt a brief resistance the moment he touched Toregia, but it quickly melted away as he guided him into his rhythm.

“I can’t treat you right now.”

Hazumi knelt, inspecting the wound on Toregia’s leg. It was clear that Toregia’s clothing was a mimicry, and inside the torn pant leg, chaotic, otherworldly light particles swirled. Normally, Hazumi could handle this type of injury—his bracelet housed an advanced healing module, an upgrade from the Jack bracelet, more effective and energy-efficient. Unfortunately, his bracelet wasn’t on him now, leaving him helpless.

“It’s not a big deal. I can handle it myself.”

Toregia was unconcerned. Over the countless centuries he’d wandered the universe alone, he had often been injured and always taken care of himself. He had never relied on others for healing.

Captain Hazumi stood, still eyeing the wound with an inscrutable expression. Toregia caught the look—it was a “luckily, it’s only your leg” glance—and found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Just then, two young men appeared at the door, skulking like thieves. They peeked inside and called out in unison, “Captain??” Startled by each other’s presence, they both stepped back, exchanging suspicious looks.

Is this *your* captain?

Is this *your* captain too??

“Come in.”

Hazumi glanced toward the door and beckoned them inside.

“Captain, um…”

Souya suddenly faltered. On one hand, he hadn’t expected the captain to be here—was this their base? Then what had they been sneaking around for earlier, playing games of cat and mouse with the air?

The captain’s sudden arrival caught Souya off guard. What was the mission the captain had sent him on again? To assist Yukiko in completing a task? So their mission was merely to roam the universe and return the way they came...

Souya couldn’t think of anything worth reporting at the moment, except perhaps something about Yukiko. Seeing another stranger in the room, he decided to postpone his report until the captain had time.

Kazama’s little sprite perched on Souya’s shoulder, tilting its head to study the captain in front of them. It didn’t recognize this person, and the energy fluctuations were unfamiliar. Its gaze then shifted to the seated figure…

Wait—that energy signature, could it be…

“Toregia!”

The sprite’s fur bristled like a startled cat as it yowled. Almost immediately, the injured man turned toward it and let out a faint, cold chuckle.

Souya jolted, unsure whether it was the sudden yell or the man’s true identity that frightened him. His chest pain intensified. Before him sat the gaunt figure, clad in clothes that seemed barely draped over his frame—the very blue giant who had wrestled with an eighty-meter beast moments ago without faltering: Toregia.

For a moment, Kazama truly wished to urge Souya to strike down this cosmic menace while he was vulnerable. But seeing the wound on Toregia’s leg, Kazama grew uneasy. He had been muttering internally, feeling as if his blade had struck something significant…

Zero was equally perplexed. Years of battlefield experience had trained him to gather intel instantly. Upon sensing the occupants of the room, he detected faint energy traces from both men and immediately recognized them.

Toregia usually concealed his aura carefully, but a wound made that impossible.

The captain stood there. Toregia sat.

Zero seemed to piece it together and fell silent, not foolish enough to speak prematurely.

Toregia… had been caught by the captain.

Zero couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. He cleared his throat, composing his expression.

Scenes like this were common in the security team captain’s office. The captain stood, while the person seated in his chair varied widely—for example, recently, it had been Zero himself after causing trouble.

The captain glanced at them, then past them, settling his eyes on a third person who had entered behind them. A flicker of thought crossed his face before he smiled and stepped forward warmly:

“Long time no see, Lady Rebeje.”