Everything was fine—until one major event changed it all.
Eleven hours ago, during the last battle between Nero and Kanoji, the Shikigami summoned by Kanoji saved him at the last moment. Words scattered across the battlefield, echoing with the sounds of distant footsteps. Slowly, those steps grew louder, and from the shadows, Nebula emerged.
Nebula: "Tsk. You relied too much on your own strength… and that's exactly why you lost. This is the consequence of overconfidence," she said coldly, as she placed Kanoji's unconscious body into her special spirit pouch and began walking away.
Exactly eleven hours later, Nero and Mia arrived at the same location.
Nero: "Now I finally understand what happened."
Mia: "If you've found something, tell me."
Nero: "Someone took the body of the boy who fought like a hero."
Mia: "His name is Kanoji. And... how do you even know all this?"
At that moment, Nero slowly turned around. His eyes glowed blue, and the symbol of a clock appeared in them.
Mia (thinking): That's his internal voice technique… It's one of his most advanced abilities. This technique makes him nearly invincible in battle.
Nero: "You know... if we don't find Kanoji right now, we're going to face serious consequences."
Mia: "You mean... what kind of consequences?"
Nero: "We might be stripped of our Hunter rank or even judged by the Spirit Realm court."
Mia was shocked by these words, frozen in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Nebula stood elsewhere…
Nebula: "Now, tell me—how did you survive?"
Even though Kanoji was unconscious and couldn't hear, she continued.
"I need to bring you back to life. You're the only living being who knows the secrets of the Spirit Realm."
Then suddenly, Nebula activated one of her most dangerous abilities.
Moments later, Kanoji slowly regained consciousness.
Nebula: "Rest for a bit... I still need you."
At the same time, Hero discovered an ancient Enslapedia about Spirit Hunters.
In it, there was a secret written about the Spirit Realm.
> "About a hundred years ago, a tragic event occurred—centered around a boy named Ketsui.
In this era, there are few who can match him. It is said that he discovered the Heart of the Spirit King.
That heart resembles a chalice, and over the years, it fills with the blood that flows within the Spirit King's chest.
Once full, anyone who drinks from it can make a wish—and that wish will come true.
Many Hunters sought this chalice and traveled to the Spirit Castle.
But because of that, they were exiled from the Spirit Realm."
Hero (thinking): "Could it be… my father and mentors were part of this?
Maybe even the One-Shot technique is somehow linked to that chalice?"
Back to Nebula…
Nebula: "Kanoji, are you awake now?"
Kanoji slowly opened his eyes and saw that he was trapped inside a sealing puppet. Nebula stood over him.
Nebula: "You can't do anything right now. But if you fulfill my condition, I'll set you free. That's my promise."
Kanoji: "Hey, fool! Do you think you can trick me?! Let me go!"
He tried to use several of his techniques—but none worked.
Nebula (smirking coldly): "I told you, it's useless."
Kanoji: "What do you want from me? Speak!"
Nebula: "Relax. I just have a few questions."
Kanoji: "What kind of questions now?"
Nebula: "Don't worry. They're simple."
Kanoji: "Then ask already, damn it!"
Nebula: "Tell me—what exactly is the One-Shot technique?"
Kanoji: "What's it to you? Why do you care?"
Nebula: "You couldn't even activate it… and still, you lost."
Kanoji: "I didn't lose because I used it. I couldn't even unlock it."
Nebula: "Then tell me everything you know about it."
Kanoji hesitated… something about the situation felt off.
To be continued...