Chapter 4

Lockey's morning routine had become a familiar dance, with each movement a carefully orchestrated step designed to maintain the illusion of normalcy. As he donned his school uniform, he couldn't help but feel the weight of unanswered questions pressing down upon him. The mysteries surrounding the key and its connection to those who possess similar power taunt him with their silence.

Stepping out into the crisp morning air, Lockey made his way towards the school grounds, the first traces of sunlight painting the sky with hues of pink and orange. Lost in thought, he nearly collided with a fellow student before realising it was Adam—or rather, Baek."Hey, Adam," Lockey greeted, his voice cool and composed.Baek turned to face him, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Actually, it's Baek now," he corrected with a smile. "I figured it was time to embrace my real name."Lockey nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Suits you," he said simply.As they continued walking, they were joined by a third student, whose presence was as subdued as the morning mist. Lockey couldn't help but notice the easy camaraderie between Baek and the newcomer."Lockey," Baek said, "this is Marco, my childhood.""What a reunion!" Lockey commented, his voice tinged with a hint of irony.Marco offered a reserved smile, his demeanour quiet yet attentive. "Nice to meet you, Lockey," he said, extending a hand in greeting.As they made their way to the cafeteria, the atmosphere was filled with an unspoken understanding.As the trio settled into their seats, the air in the cafeteria seemed to grow heavy with anticipation. A hush fell over the room as Rina Rouge and Isabella Garcia, the senior president and vice senior president, made their grand entrance. Their presence commanded attention, and the students' gazes followed them with a mixture of awe and curiosity.Whispers spread like wildfire among the tables, echoing the same question: "What are the senior president and vice president doing here?"To everyone's surprise, Rina's gaze landed on Lockey's group, and a warm smile graced her lips. She waved at them, causing an uproar of hushed murmurs and raised eyebrows. The unusual gesture left many wondering about the connection between the esteemed leaders and the enigmatic newcomers.Rina and Isabella took their seats, an air of authority surrounding them even as they engaged in casual conversation. As they chatted, Baek leaned in, eager to share what he knew about the senior leadership."You know, Rina and Isabella are part of the five scholar students in school, including me," Baek explained, his voice tinged with admiration. "The senior president and vice president were chosen based on their intelligence, leadership skills, and dedication to the school's values."A wave of shock washed over Marco and Adam as Isabella added, "What's even more surprising is that Lockey was initially selected to be the senior president, with Rina as vice president. But he rejected the offer."Marco and Adam exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring the disbelief that rippled through the cafeteria. The revelation cast a new light on Lockey, who remained quiet throughout the exchange.As the lunch hour came to a close, the students began to make their way back to their respective classrooms. The buzz of conversation echoed through the halls, with many discussing the surprising revelation of the budding friendships between Lockey's group and the senior president and vice senior president.Lockey and Baek found themselves seated in their next class, while Marco joined Rina and Isabella in theirs. The atmosphere was abuzz with anticipation, as if the school itself could sense that something monumental was about to unfold.Amidst the drone of the teacher's lecture, "Strange, I can feel a strange presence outside," Lockey's senses prickled with an inexplicable awareness. A strange presence seemed to lurk just beyond the school's walls, setting his nerves on edge. A feeling of impending danger settled in the pit of his stomach, and he found it difficult to focus on anything else.Outside, a mysterious figure dressed in a crimson hood, emblazoned with a blood-red symbol on the back, lifted a key into the air. "I shall begin." With a deliberate movement, they assumed a posture akin to opening a door, and a palpable wave of energy rippled through the air.A dark, impenetrable barrier enveloped the school, trapping everyone inside and preventing any outsiders from breaching its boundaries. Panic spread like wildfire among the students as they realised they were confined within the shadowy enclosure.The sense of dread escalated as three more figures in red hoods shattered the glass of the school's entrance, their voices ringing out with urgency. "Find him at all costs," one of them commanded, their tone leaving no room for failure.The school's alarm system blared to life, a disembodied voice instructing everyone to gather in the school hall for safety. Intruders had breached the school's defences, and the students' lives were in danger.Lockey, having anticipated such a perilous situation, quickly deduced that these intruders possessed powers similar to his own. His instincts screamed at him to act, and he knew he couldn't afford to hesitate.Meanwhile, Baek frantically scanned the room for his friend, only to find that Lockey had vanished. His heart raced as he feared for Lockey's safety, unaware of the unfolding events beyond the classroom walls.Rina and Isabella, with the safety of the students as their top priority, ushered the remaining students towards the school hall. Their unwavering determination to protect the school was a testament to their leadership and strength.However, their efforts were soon hindered as one of the intruders made his way towards the pair. Rina, undeterred by the threat, turned to Isabella and commanded her to protect the remaining students while she confronted the assailant. Isabella nodded, summoning a red key, prepared to defend those under her care.The intruder, a rotund man with a tongue that extended to unnatural lengths, introduced himself with a menacing grin. "My name is Glutton," he announced, his voice dripping with malice. "And my mission is to take you down first."Rina steeled herself for the impending battle, her resolve unshakeable in the face of danger. Unbeknownst to her, Lockey was also preparing to engage in his own confrontation.As two more intruders burst into Lockey's classroom, they were met with an unexpected scene—Lockey, casually seated with his legs crossed, a sly grin playing on his lips. "I'm surprised you didn't run," one of the intruders taunted, their tone laced with arrogance.Lockey chuckled, his amusement genuine. "Run? Do you know how thrilled I am to see you guys? I've been itching for some answers, and I guess I'll get them once I'm done with you two."The intruders, taken aback by Lockey's nonchalance, readied themselves for the battle to come.Glutton, the first intruder, launched his elongated tongue at Rina with astonishing speed, intending to restrain her. "Gross!" she exclaimed as she deftly dodged the grotesque attack. Rina's key transformed into a weapon bearing a mix of black and red hues, and she initiated a powerful technique called laser slashes. The battleground suddenly resembled a high-security vault, crisscrossed by a web of lasers.Despite the onslaught, Glutton remained confident. "I let my guard down," he admitted, "but I don't think my abilities can counter hers." Undeterred, he pressed on, forcing Rina to switch to a defensive stance as his tongue attacks grew in strength and speed. However, he managed to land a solid hit, catching her off guard.Just as Glutton prepared to deliver a finishing blow, Marco swooped in, saving Rina from the impending impact. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face. Glutton, his plans thwarted, sneered, "So a small fry has joined the battle."Marco's fury was palpable as he released his own key, which transformed into an unclassifiable weapon. With a fierce battle cry, he unleashed a devastating attack called Bazooka, and the resulting explosion obliterated everything in the room.As the smoke cleared, Marco and Rina were astonished to see Glutton still standing, seemingly unscathed by the destructive impact. "Was that really a Bazooka?" Glutton taunted with a cunning smile. "Playtime is over." Uttering the words "Level Up," Glutton's form became slimmer, his tongue still extended but now demonstrating a marked difference in his fighting style.Glutton launched himself at Marco and Rina with newfound speed, forcing them to counter with their own techniques. Rina utilised her laser slashes, while Marco unleashed a barrage of bullets with his machine gun bullet technique. The room filled with smoke once again, but when it cleared, Glutton was nowhere to be found.Hiding in a corner, Glutton nursed his wounds, his voice tinged with frustration. "I didn't know that weapon kid had a trick like that up his sleeve," he muttered as he fled to recover, his plans for dominance temporarily halted.Lockey found himself facing off against the remaining two intruders. Their menacing auras filled the room as they prepared for a showdown. Lockey's calm demeanour never wavered as he analysed his opponents, his mind racing to devise a strategy. The first intruder, a lithe woman with a weapon that seemed to shift between solid and liquid states, stepped forward. "I am Mira," she introduced herself, her voice as elusive as her weapon. "I hope you provide a better challenge than your friends." The second intruder, a towering man with a heavy, mechanical weapon, let out a deep laugh. "I'm Titan," he boomed, his weapon gleaming in the dim light. "Don't worry; we'll make sure to break you before we take you down." Lockey's lips curved into a smirk, his confidence unwavering. "Big words for someone who hasn't seen my full power," he retorted, his own weapon materialising in his hand. "Let's see if you can back them up." As the three combatants circled each other, the tension in the room became palpable. Each fighter knew that victory would require their utmost skill and determination. Lockey's mind raced, formulating a plan that would exploit his enemies' weaknesses while capitalizing on his strengths. With a burst of energy, Lockey lunged at Mira, his weapon slashing through the air with precision. Taken aback by his speed, Mira narrowly dodged the attack, her weapon shifting forms in her hands. As Lockey engaged Mira, he kept a wary eye on Titan, anticipating the brute's next move. Titan, seeing an opportunity, charged at Lockey, his heavy weapon poised to strike. Lockey, sensing the attack, quickly evaded and redirected his momentum, using Titan's brute force against him. The sound of metal on metal echoed through the room as their weapons clashed. As the battle raged on, it became clear that Lockey was more than capable of holding his own against the formidable intruders. With each passing moment, his confidence grew, and he knew that victory was within reach.The stage was set for a climactic battle, with Lockey and the two intruders engaged in a high-stakes game of skill, determination, and cunning. Each fighter knew that only one side could emerge victorious, and they were willing to give everything they had to ensure their triumph. Lockey, having evaded Titan's initial attack, quickly assessed his opponent's abilities. Noticing the hardened skin and the brute force behind Titan's movements, Lockey knew he had to adapt his strategy to overcome this formidable foe. Titan, growing impatient, charged at Lockey once more, his hardened fist aimed at Lockey's head. However, Lockey's agility allowed him to swiftly sidestep the blow, causing Titan's fist to crash into the wall behind him. The impact shook the room, sending debris flying in all directions. Titan, noticing Lockey's strategy, attempted to back away, but Lockey was already in position, launching a rapid-fire succession of precise strikes. While the cuts did not penetrate Titan's hardened skin completely, the constant barrage of blows wore down the brute's defences, leaving him vulnerable to more powerful attacks. With each strike, Lockey's confidence grew, and his movements became more fluid and calculated. He knew that he was gaining the upper hand, but he remained vigilant, aware that Titan could still turn the tide at any moment.Titan, now wary of Lockey's agility and precision, paused to study his opponent. "You're faster than I expected," he grumbled, cracking his knuckles. "But I'll break you yet."Lockey smirked, his confidence undiminished. As Lockey engaged Titan in close combat, Mirage observed the fight, waiting for an opportunity to join the fray. Sensing a moment of vulnerability, she lunged at Lockey from behind, her weapon shifting forms mid-strike.Lockey, anticipating the attack, quickly sidestepped, causing Mira's weapon to barely miss its mark. "You'll have to do better than that, Mira," Lockey taunted, his smirk still firmly in place. Enraged, Mirage redoubled her efforts, launching a flurry of attacks in tandem with Titan. The combination of Mirage's speed and Titan's strength proved to be a formidable challenge for Lockey, but his unwavering focus and determination kept him in the fight. As the battle raged on, Lockey saw an opening in Mira's defences. With a powerful strike, he managed to disarm her, sending her weapon skidding across the floor. Seizing the opportunity, Lockey delivered a swift kick to Mirage's side, knocking the wind out of her and effectively removing her from the fight. With Mira defeated, Lockey turned his full attention to Titan. The brute, now enraged by the loss of his partner, charged at Lockey with reckless abandon. Lockey, maintaining his composure, used Titan's own momentum against him, landing a decisive blow that sent the hulking figure crashing to the ground. With both opponents defeated, Lockey wasted no time in securing them. As he prepared to interrogate the pair, an unexpected presence filled the room. Before Lockey could react, chains materialized from the shadows, ensnaring him and rendering him immobile. "You are coming with me, Mira, Titan," a voice called out from the darkness. "Change of plans. The fool Glutton was not able to take down Rina. We'll do that right." Lockey, impressed by the covert attack, couldn't help but smile. "Attacking your enemy from the back is not too manly," he chided. The mysterious figure stepped forward, revealing himself as Cassian. "I am Cassian," he declared. "Let's see your worth." Despite his current predicament, Lockey remained confident in his abilities, eager to face this new challenge head-on. As Cassian prepared to face Lockey, he issued a command to his fallen comrades. "Mira, Titan, gather yourselves and depart for Rina's location. We'll handle things here." Without hesitation, the pair obeyed, disappearing into the shadows as they set off on their new mission. With the battlefield now cleared, Lockey and Cassian squared off, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. "Cutting versus chains, huh?" Lockey mused. "This should be interesting." The two warriors clashed, their powers pushing against one another in a relentless exchange. Cassian's chains snaked through the air, seeking to ensnare Lockey and render him helpless, while Lockey's precision strikes sliced through the air, severing the chains as they attempted to bind him. As the battle raged on, it became clear that neither combatant was gaining the upper hand. Each fighter's abilities seemed to perfectly counter the other's, resulting in a stalemate that left both Lockey and Cassian exhausted and on the verge of collapse. Just as it seemed the battle would continue indefinitely, a third party interrupted the fight. A nervous voice called out from the shadows, "Cassian, Mira, Titan, Glutton, do you copy?" Receiving no response, the voice continued, "This is Jang. Do you copy?" As Jang questioned the mysterious figure about bypassing the barrier, another voice chimed in from the darkness. "Why don't you tell your friends the WCM are here?" The source of the voice, a member of the WCM named Yuri, stepped forward, a confident grin on his face. Jang's nervousness intensified. "How did you get past the barrier?" he asked with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Yuri shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, you mean the barrier? We just got past it."Jang's surprise was evident. "But how is that even possible?" Turning the conversation to more pressing matters, Yuri inquired, "What's the situation on your side?" From the shadows, a new figure emerged, his identity still cloaked in darkness. "The situation is not too serious," he reported, his voice calm and composed. "The students are safe, but the enemy's main objective remains unknown."This mysterious individual, known only as "Specter," possessed an uncanny ability to blend into the shadows, making him the perfect operative for covert missions. His cool demeanour and unwavering focus made him a valuable asset to the WCM, and his presence brought a sense of reassurance to the tense situation. As the group continued their discussion, a sense of urgency hung in the air. With the barrier compromised and the enemy's motives still unclear, the stakes had never been higher.Previous ChapterFiction IndexNext Chapter RSS