Resolve

"So, what exactly have you drag me here for?" Nova placed his mug on the table and focused on Akira, excluding the surrounding chatter from a rather busy café.

Akira, progressively munching quicker on each meal he ordered, propped his second pile of plates against the first and dug in to his current dish: A bowl of tender chicken breasts.

"Wite....So 'mboat foating Woothluss..." He managed to blurt out, but he was stopped.

"Swallow first, then talk."

" gulp...So about fighting Ruthless, I have a request. I know you were pretty reluctant about fighting her, but listen, if you taught me a few things, we'd put up a pretty good fight, don't ya think?"

Nova's eyes seemed to darken after the boy spoke. There were many things he wasn't good at, and fighting was one of them, let alone teaching someone how to fight.

"What I think is that your sister is a beast and no matter how strong we are, we don't stand a chance."

"Dude? C'mon, you seriously think she's the worst?" Akira stopped eating. "I need to kill her with my own hands."

The man remained silent, lost in thought.

'She's not as strong as that monster, but really...I can't do anything.'

"..." Akira eyes shot for an answer.

"Sorry Kid. I'm not the best you can find."

With a dulled expression, he hungrily rose to his feet and made his way out.

[ Sudden Quest

Rid the Impure: Affirm the death of Ruthia Emrys

(Y/N?) ]

The ability to deny a quest had never come up before, o this was new to Nova, and due to his intelligence (above average), he was able to deduce a reason why.

'Since I can choose, the quest must be deadly...but come with really good rewards. And Akira really needs me so...'

He confirmed to accept the request and was greeted to a new screen.

[ Akira(Guest) is gifted. Would the Host like to attempt at inviting (Guest)? ]

'Of course I will.'

[ New Abilities Unlocked.

1 - ################

2 - ################

(More below...)

Rewarding Host... ]

[ (Guest) is required to pledge his life to the Host. ]

[ (Guest) will be assigned to the Sin Gluttony once the requirement is completed. ]

'This is...'

***

"Hey! Hey, Kid, wait up!"

Tummy grumbling for more, Akira spun round, expecting food. But it was just Nova.

"You changed your mind? Or do you just wanna make me feel better by saying sorry?"

"I'll teach you."

"Eh? Really?"

"Really. But listen, I want you to trust me with your heart mind and...stomach, got it?"

His eyes lightened with determination. "Understood, Boss."

[ (Guest) has become (Gluttony). ]

'That quick?'

"Alright. Let's train you."

***

Back at the old warehouse, Nova removed his tarty blazer, and rolled up his sleeves.

His expression softened, a silent understanding passing between them. "Come inside, kid. We've got work to do."

Inside the building, the air was thick with the scent of rust and the crackle of a lantern.

"Alright then, time for a crash course."

With practiced ease, Nova drew a knife from the sheath concealed beneath his pants. The blade glinted in the dim light, its edge keen and deadly. He handed it to Akira, who accepted it with sweaty hands.

"First lesson," Nova began, his tone steady yet authoritative. "Respect the blade. It's not a toy. It's a tool, an extension of yourself. Treat it with reverence, and it'll serve you well. Know your weapon. It's a tool to be wielded with purpose."

The boy nodded, his fingers curling around the hilt with newfound determination. Nova observed him silently, gauging his potential.

"Good. Now, stance."

Nova demonstrated, his movements fluid and precise. Akira mimicked him, albeit clumsily at first. But with Nova's patient guidance, he began to find his footing, his movements growing more confident with each passing moment.

"Keep your weight centred," Nova instructed, his voice a steady rhythm guiding his steps. "Balance is key. And always watch your opponent, anticipate their next move."

As the night wore on, Nova and Akira delved deeper into the intricacies of knife fighting. They sparred with a controlled intensity, the clink of steel echoing through the alleyways. With each clash, the hungry one grew bolder, and more famished, his instincts however sharpening with every exchange.

***

"You've done well." Nova said to his underling as he downed a bottle of water in mere seconds.

"It's not me, it's you, boss." responded Akira. "Couldn't have done this without you."

"Same time tomorrow?"

"Same place tomorrow."

With a widened grin, the boy did a few spin tricks with his new blade, and left, probably to go steal some food.

Nova grinned at the thought and sighed after a tiring day of training his newfound student.

"If it wasn't for this...."

He opened his system menu and glanced gratefully at the first of the information provided.

[ New Abilities Unlocked.

1 - Inspect

2 - ################

(More below...) ]

[ Inspect: the ability to scan things in reality, and upload them to a shared virtual storage. ]

"I had just inspected the Raiders of the raid I had previously fought in and one of them worked in the Navy...."

[ Would the Host like to inspect Taekwondo: Ruthless? Y/N? ]

[ YES ]

[ Scanning complete. ]

Instantly, a flood of emotions and knowledge swam through the creases of Nova's brain. He jumped up and took stance. With a intake of breath, he eerily mimicked each and every move in the list of attacks printed in his mind.

"Hell YEAH!"

He chuckled to himself after throwing himself a little celebration.

From what he could tell, he had definitely gotten stronger.

[ Status Window

Name: Nova Matsui

Level: 2 ->14 (763/1400)

Karma: ---%

Mana: 1400/1400

Strength: 7 -> 18

Agility: 8 -> 17

Sense: 6 -> 15

Desire: 4 -> 8 ]

'Yep. I'm certain I'm stronger. Maybe enough to easily beat Lay or JJ...But I'm still far behind Ruthless...I can tell she has more skills up her sleeve....things that go way beyond my power to stop." 

Nova began the march 'home' with a defined resolve.

"I'll fabricate a new world, bringing the pure with me, and eradicating the wicked. "Amrak, The World delivered from Heaven."

He smirked.

"I'll start with Ruthless."