Apex

[A hour later…]

Later in the new town that Zanki Yoru arrived in that night, he walks through its streets, observing his surroundings. The streets appear deserted, with only a few glimpses of life. An old man leans against a wall, smoking a pipe, while a lady in a suit seems to be heading home after a long day of work. Zanki Yoru also notices four teenagers wandering around a nearby park, their laughter echoing through the quiet night.

Looking up, he sees towering buildings and a few gardens, contrasting the eerie stillness of the town. As he lowers his gaze, he whispers to himself, "This place seems like a ghost town." Undeterred, he continues walking, his cowboy boots rattling with each step.

After traversing five blocks, Zanki Yoru comes across a building that resembles a small hotel. He reaches into his chaps belt, retrieves his wallet, and examines its contents. He realizes that he only has 3570 Xen, a modest amount. He clenches his hand around the money and whispers, "Thank you, Big bro Juroku and sister Watane, for the change you gave me. I really appreciate it."

With determination in his eyes, Zanki Yoru approaches the hotel. The employee, reclining on a chair and engrossed in a newspaper, glances up and is taken aback by the sight of a cowboy entering the establishment. In a moment of shock, he reaches for his black cellphone, intending to call security. However, as Zanki Yoru looks up and smiles, the employee relaxes and sets his phone aside, realizing that it is just a young boy.

Approaching the employee, Zanki Yoru politely asks, "Excuse me, do you have a comfortable room available for tonight and maybe tomorrow?" The employee, still eyeing Zanki Yoru's unconventional appearance, momentarily suspects him to be a dangerous individual. However, he takes a deep breath and concludes that the boy may simply be misunderstood.

The employee responds, "Yes, we do have a room available. It will be 1500 Xen." Zanki Yoru smiles and replies, "Yes." Confused by his response, the employee asks, "Hmm?" Zanki Yoru realizes his mistake and clarifies, "Oh, my bad. I have enough Xen. Here you go." He reaches into his pocket, near his chaps, causing the employee to jump out of his chair in fear.

Startled by the employee's reaction, Zanki Yoru turns around with a shocked expression and asks, "Whoa, are you okay?" The employee, still recovering from his fright, breathes heavily and thinks to himself, "I thought he was about to pull out a gun and blast me with it... this kid, I can't handle it anymore."

As Zanki Yoru extends his hand, holding 1800 Xen, the employee hesitantly collects the money, his heartbeat gradually returning to normal. He counts the Xen to ensure its accuracy and nods, saying, "Alright, your room is ready. It's on the third floor, Room 305. Here's your key." He hands Zanki Yoru a small keycard.

Expressing gratitude, Zanki Yoru takes the keycard and replies, "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it." The employee manages a weak smile, relieved but still on edge, and says, "No problem. Enjoy your stay." Zanki Yoru nods and heads towards the elevator, the sound of his cowboy boots echoing through the quiet lobby.

Zanki Yoru walks around the hotel lobby, his eyes glancing back at the elevator. He whispers to himself, "I wonder if that's magic as well, must be teleportation magic, I think?" Curiosity fills his mind as he contemplates the possibility of supernatural elements within the hotel.

Continuing his exploration, Zanki Yoru searches for his room number. With each step, the rattling noise of his cowboy boots grows louder, echoing through the lobby. A middle-aged lady in pajamas, walking towards him from the opposite direction, is startled by the sound. She turns around, scanning her surroundings, and whispers, "What is creeping around in this hotel lobby?" Feeling a sense of unease, she quickly opens her door, enters her room, and exhales with relief, muttering, "Thank God, I am safe."

Unaware of the lady's reaction, Zanki Yoru passes by her and locates his room number. Sprinting towards it, he retrieves the keycard given to him by the employee. With a swift motion, he inserts the keycard into the door lock and turns it. As the door swings open, he is greeted by the bright lights illuminating the room. Zanki Yoru steps inside, feeling a sense of comfort and safety wash over him.

The room is well-lit, and its cleanliness is apparent. Zanki Yoru takes a moment to appreciate the inviting atmosphere. He closes the door behind him, shutting out the noises from the outside hallway. The room provides a much-needed respite, and Zanki Yoru takes a deep breath, savoring the tranquility.

Zanki Yoru lays on his black-sheeted bed, feeling the softness against his tired body. He begins to remove his cowboy boots and clothing, but his attention is drawn to the two fully-cocked Persuader weapons resting nearby. He reaches out and grabs one of them, holding it in his hand with admiration. "My beautiful Persuader," he murmurs, appreciating the craftsmanship of the weapon.

As he examines the Persuader, his gaze shifts to the metal jacket bullets. He realizes that there are only nine bullets in each magazine. He stands up, clad only in his underwear, and ponders the limited ammunition. Looking at himself in the mirror, he notices his long black hair and golden eyes. He gently touches his hair and whispers to himself, "Seems like I've been working out a bit, I think..."

Turning away from the mirror, Zanki Yoru gazes at the metal jacket bullets again. He mutters to them, "Damn, if only I had infinite ammo..." Deep in thought, he approaches his bed and begins to fold up his clothes, placing his cowboy hat near the nightstand. With his belongings organized, he finally lies down on the bed, succumbing to the exhaustion that has overtaken him.

Two black-clad ninjas approach their boss, bowing deeply as a sign of utmost respect. The boss, flanked by three formidable bodyguards, fixes his gaze on them and demands, "What is it?"

The two ninjas tremble in fear, their voices quivering as they hesitate to speak. Finally, summoning their courage, they manage to deliver their news, their words reverberating through the room. "Our employee has failed his mission." The revelation shocks not only the boss but also the three bodyguards, their faces contorted with disbelief.

In a surge of denial, the boss lets out a resounding cry, unable to fathom the truth. "No way! That's impossible!" he exclaims, desperately clinging to the hope that it might be a cruel jest. Composing himself, the boss asks once more, "This has to be a joke, right?"

The two ninjas, fully aware of the gravity of their words, affirm with somber tones, "I understand your skepticism, but we assure you, we are serious. We were shocked and frightened by the circumstances surrounding this event. It is true. Our employee, Hansen, is dead."

The boss sinks back into his seat, his gaze fixed on the floor. After a moment of introspection, he raises his head and declares, "We shall summon the Group GE..." The words hang in the air, causing both the ninjas and bodyguards to be taken aback. One of the ninjas whispers silently in his thoughts, "The GE Group... he's calling them. But those guys would ravage the entire world." However, a confident smirk creeps beneath the ninja's mask as he continues in his own musings, "I need not worry, for I am certain that defeating the very monster who bested our employee Hansen is within our grasp..."

The boss rises to his feet and addresses the ninjas, his voice firm yet appreciative. "You are dismissed from your duties. Thank you for delivering this news." As the boss walks away, the bodyguards' legs tremble in response, their minds filled with whispers of disbelief. "Someone defeated... Hansen?!"