Chapter 16: A Deal with the Devil... Or Just a Real Estate Broker?Scene One: The Reception of "The Predator" in the UnderworldAfter following the mysterious man in the black coat, who looked like he'd just stepped out of the reception desk at a fancy restaurant, Rin found himself standing inside an elevator. It wasn't an ordinary elevator; it was descending into the depths of the earth, accompanied by calm classical background music that Rin hadn't expected in such a place. "Oh, I see the villains have become more elegant these days," Rin thought, "or maybe this is one of their psychological tricks."The doors opened wide to reveal a spacious meeting room, lit by dim lights that gave the place an atmosphere of mystery more than necessary, as if an overly dramatic interior designer had overseen it. It wasn't the expected dark cave, but rather a fancy conference hall, albeit with "poor taste" to some extent. Around a large round table sat a number of characters that seemed like they'd come straight from a character manual for several different stories: the massive Black Jack, with a scar running across his face as if he'd fought countless battles (or perhaps just fell down his own house stairs). And some other faces that ranged from scary to ridiculous, all staring at Rin with curiosity.The music stopped abruptly, and Mr. X stepped forward, wearing his long coat and mask that covered half his face, as if he was about to give an awards ceremony speech.Mr. X: "Welcome, Rin. Or as you're known in the narrow circles, 'The Predator'. We're pleased you're joining us for this historic night."Rin (to himself): "Historic? Are they going to give me a cake for joining the villains' world? I hope it's chocolate."Black Jack smiled a wide smile that revealed golden teeth, then slammed his fist on the table.Black Jack: "Welcome, kid. We've heard a lot about you. We've heard how you humiliated the great Leon and his group of... heroes." (He said the last word with a sarcastic tone).Rin (coolly, adjusting his jacket): "The great Leon? Oh, you mean the guy I nearly drowned in a barrel of water? Well, it's good swimming training."The smiles faded on some faces, while others struggled with their desire to laugh. Mr. X raised his hand to calm the atmosphere.Mr. X: "Well, the warm welcome is over. I know you have questions, and we have an offer. I hope it's not just an attempt to sell life insurance."Scene Two: The Revelation of "The Great Gate" and the DealMr. X pointed to a three-dimensional holographic map that suddenly appeared in the middle of the table. It wasn't just a map; it displayed a complex network of intersecting energy lines, centered around a single point pulsing with deep red light.Mr. X: "This is the Great Gate. It's not just an entrance to another world; it's the nexus... the energy node that connects the three worlds. Our world, the monster world, and the intermediary world that separates them. The prophecy you read isn't a myth, Rin. It's a plan. A plan to unite these worlds... or destroy them."Rin looked at the map, then at Mr. X.Rin (to himself): "Ah, the classic prophecy. I'm always the key. Why can't I be a gardener planting flowers?"Mr. X continued his explanation, hinting that Rin was the "key" that could control the flow of energy through this gate. And that his power to steal abilities wasn't random, but the "key's ability" to merge energies and direct them. Then he presented his offer.Mr. X: "We're offering you a chance to control this gate and direct the fate of the three worlds. We'll provide you with resources, information, and training. And we'll help you understand your abilities, especially the 'loss of humanity' aspect mentioned in the prophecy. In return... you'll be our power. You'll achieve our goals. You'll become the new president of the underworld, or the leader who ensures our stability in this new system."Rin (sarcastically): "So, you're offering me to become the president of a global gang with an anime budget. Well, it sounds like a decent job promotion. But does the contract include free meals?"Mr. X ignored Rin's sarcasm.Mr. X: "We're serious, Rin. This is your chance. But you must decide: will you use your power for your own benefit and let the worlds clash, or will you take the reins?"Rin looked at the faces of those present. Their gazes wavered between fear and greed. He realized they didn't trust him; they feared him and wanted to exploit him. But he also saw that this was the fastest way to discover the truth about the prophecy and his powers.Scene Three: A Glimpse of "The Third Option" (The Beginning of Seriousness)Rin (with a smile that didn't reach his eyes): "Well, a tempting offer. But I have one condition."Everyone looked at him with interest.Rin: "No one tries to control me. I have my own controller, and I don't like anyone messing with it."Mr. X agreed slowly, as if Rin had exceeded his expectations. At that moment, Rin felt the same "mysterious voice" from Chapter 7 whispering in his mind, but this time with greater clarity: «The truth is not always what it seems. There is a third option... your own choice.»Then, Mr. X looked at him with a seriousness he hadn't shown before.Mr. X: "Remember, Rin, there are other forces seeking the Great Gate. Forces that won't spare any side. Whether it's us, the heroes, or you. This game goes beyond our small interests."Rin left the meeting, hands in his pockets, but his mind was not calm. "Great, now I'm on the villains' team. I hope their rewards are better than the heroes'. At least, I'll get answers. Right?" Rin thought, but the last question wasn't just sarcasm. He was seriously wondering about the "loss of humanity" mentioned in the prophecy. Was "the third option" the choice that preserved his humanity?(To be continued...)Chapter 17: The Twin Worlds Gate... And Is This Monster Mimicking Me?Scene One: Entering the Great Gate for the First TimeRin followed Mr. X and Black Jack, along with a group of mercenaries who seemed overly enthusiastic, to the site of the "Great Gate." It wasn't just a glowing portal; it was a massive entity pulsing with energy, a giant of glowing and intertwined gemstones, rising into space as if it were an art piece by a diligent student of magic arts. "Well, this isn't just a hole in space. It looks like an entrance to a maze designed by a contemporary artist who loves dark colors. I hope there's a 'No Smoking' sign." Rin thought.Mr. X, who seemed unusually serious, gave quick instructions to his men, while Black Jack growled primitive motivational phrases to his mercenaries. Rin noticed their seriousness, but he couldn't help thinking: "Why do villains always take everything so seriously? Their lives must be boring without a good dose of sarcasm."When it was time to enter, Rin stepped first, examining the atmosphere. Mr. X and Black Jack and their companions followed, disappearing slowly into the dancing glow of the gate.Scene Two: The Intermediary World and Confronting "The Twin Shadow"They found themselves in the "Intermediary World"; a place so strange it didn't resemble anything at all. The space was foggy, blending deep purple with electric blue, and forming incomprehensible shapes, as if they were remnants of dreams or lost thoughts. No solid ground, no clear sky, just fading boundaries between what exists and what doesn't. "Welcome to existential emptiness. I hope no one asks me to define the meaning of life here."Suddenly, a mass of shadow formed from the thick fog, gathering and taking on a human form. It wasn't a massive beast, but it pulsed with a familiar energy. It was "The Twin Shadow," a creature resembling Rin himself, possessing shadowy claws and astonishing speed.Rin (with a cold smile): "Hello to the first boss. And is this monster mimicking me? Have I become the fashion icon for monsters now? At least it doesn't scream a long speech before the fight... oh, wait, that's usually me who screams the speech."The "Twin Shadow" lunged with lightning speed, mimicking Rin's first attack from Chapter 1. Rin dodged with difficulty, eliciting surprise from Black Jack. The mercenaries tried to intervene, but they found themselves facing shadowy copies of their own abilities, leaving them confused and unbalanced.Scene Three: The Clash of Powers and the Lost Memory (Gintoki-Style Fight)Rin realized that the monster wasn't just a mimic; it was absorbing his powers and using them against him with deadly efficiency. Rin was forced to fight with extreme intelligence, using every trick he knew. He avoided using his main abilities at first, relying on evasion and using the fog-like environment to his advantage, even pushing Black Jack unintentionally toward the monster as a diversion, with an internal comment: "Sorry, Jack, you look like a better hand grenade than just a mercenary."Rin (in an internal dialogue with himself): "This monster doesn't read the instructions. Should I explain to it that 'fair fight' isn't in my dictionary?"But every time the monster absorbed Rin's power, glimpses of confused past memories began to appear in his mind. He saw a childhood face smiling at him mysteriously, then the smile faded into darkness. These moments cost him his focus, allowing the monster to land a powerful blow that nearly finished him.Mr. X intervened with a cryptic phrase: "This monster is part of 'the boundaries' – it tests whether you deserve the power." Then he unleashed a beam of energy that pushed the monster slightly away from Rin, giving him a chance to catch his breath.In a critical moment, as the monster was absorbing his energy, Rin pretended to be exhausted, then when the monster approached to deliver the finishing blow, Rin surprised it with a quick and sudden strike, using his dagger. He tricked it into absorbing a "weak" fake ability, then attacked with full force, exploiting the monster's confusion.Scene Four: Victory at a CostThe "Twin Shadow" collapsed into the fog, dissolving into strange shapes. Rin emerged victorious, but this victory came at a price. He felt the loss of a part of himself, as if a piece of his soul had been torn away. Pale faces (perhaps his parents') faded from his mind, leaving behind a void.Rin (to himself, clutching his head): "Damn it, is this the price? Will I become stronger and lose myself in the end? This isn't fair. Where are the terms and conditions for this damned prophecy?"Black Jack looked at Rin in shock, while a mysterious smile appeared on Mr. X's face.Mr. X: "Congratulations, you've passed the test. This monster is part of the nature of 'the Great Gate'. The more you enter it, the stronger you become, and the more you pay the price."The words of the prophecy (the stronger you become, the more you lose your humanity) echoed in Rin's mind clearly now. Rin felt an internal decision forming: he couldn't bear more loss of memories. He had to control this aspect of the prophecy, and understand "the third option."(To be continued...)Chapter 18: The Intertwined Shadows... And One Last TrickScene One: Pursuing the GhostsAfter defeating "the Twin Shadow," the team retreated a bit, leaving Rin to confront his inner silence. The place was still foggy, but now it seemed darker, as if the battle had left scars in the fabric of this world. "Great, now I feel like I'm in a 'post-trauma' episode of a dramatic anime. All I need is pouring rain." Rin thought.Mr. X: "No time to rest. This is just the beginning. We must reach the heart of the gate before it collapses or other forces discover us."The team began to advance, but this time, Rin was leading them. His movements were sharper, his eyes searching for any hint, for any memory that might slip into him. He saw quick glimpses, fragmented images: a lost childhood, familiar faces moving away, a feeling of warmth followed by coldness.Rin (to himself): "They're fading... like data saved on an old hard drive. Is this the price I pay for every level I gain?"Scene Two: The Failed Heroes in Trouble (Comedy of the Situation)As they advanced, they heard sounds of fighting and clashes from afar. They found "the great Leon" and his group of heroes (the Light Warrior, the girl with the giant sword, the armored hero) surrounded by a group of smaller but faster monsters. They were fighting valiantly, but they were on the verge of defeat. "My god, do these heroes have a failure tracking device?" Rin thought.Leon (shouting desperately): "We must hold on! Justice will prevail!"Rin (loudly, entering the scene): "Justice? Isn't that your favorite slogan? At least it should have given you some extra strength points."Rin saves the heroes easily, using his speed and new powers to scatter the monsters. Leon looks at him in shock.Leon (trying to regain his dignity): "Why are you here? Are you with these villains?"Rin (with a cold smile): "I'm with myself, Leon. But if you help, maybe I'll forgive you for trying to kill me before... or at least I won't make you carry my bags."A comedic argument begins between Rin and the heroes. Leon tries to "lead" the team, but he fails to give any useful directions, forcing Rin to rely on his instincts. The girl with the giant sword tries to attack Rin (as proof of her "trust" in justice), but she misses in a ridiculous way.Scene Three: Team Battle Against the Cult Guards (Seriousness with Sarcasm)Suddenly, a group of masked and well-equipped beings appears. They weren't monsters, but humans wearing armor bearing a mysterious emblem – guards of "the Cult." They attack the team with advanced weapons and strange energy. "Ah, now it's time for the real enemies. I hope they have better designs than the previous villains." Rin thought.The battle turns into a fierce team fight. Rin leads with intelligence, directing Leon (despite his nose) and the girl with the sword to use their striking powers at specific weak points, while relying on the armored hero to protect the weaker ones. Black Jack and his men fight savagely.Rin (to Leon, while dodging a deadly attack): "Faster, Leon! Did you forget you're the great hero? This is your chance to look useful!"During the battle, Rin sees another vision. He sees his parents, younger, wearing the same cult emblem, arguing with Mr. X. Then the scene turns into a violent fight. He realizes that Mr. X might have been part of the cult from the beginning, and that he may have betrayed them.Rin (to himself, as he delivers a finishing blow to one of the guards): "What a betrayal! Am I in an episode of 'the biggest betrayal in anime history'?"
Chapter 19: The Hesitant Allies... And the Path to RevelationScene One:
The End of the Battle and Another RevelationAfter a fierce battle, the team succeeds in defeating the cult guards. The place is filled with bodies and debris, but Rin looks at Mr. X.Rin (in a calm voice, his eyes narrowing): "Who are these people? And what do they have to do with you, Mr. X?"
Mr. X sighs, removing his mask to reveal a serious face, devoid of any smile.Mr. X: "They were part of the ancient cult. The cult I mentioned to you. Your parents... they were part of it too."The words strike Rin with shock, but he composes himself.Rin: "My parents? Are you kidding? Is this the part where you reveal that everything I knew was a lie?"Mr. X reveals that the cult wasn't necessarily evil at the beginning. They were guardians of the prophecy, aiming to find "the Predator" to unite the worlds. But over time, they split. One faction wanted absolute power, and the other wanted to maintain balance. Rin's parents were part of the second faction, and they were eliminated.Mr. X: "I was also part of the cult. I was trying to protect the prophecy... and protect you."Leon looks at Rin and Mr. X, his face full of confusion.Leon: "What's going on here? Is this part of a bigger conspiracy?"Rin (with a sigh): "My god, we've now become part of a global conspiracy. All we need is a hero in a spacesuit."Scene Two: A Shaky AllianceA strange group forms: Rin, Mr. X, Black Jack, and the failed heroes (Leon, the girl with the sword, the armored hero, the sorcerer). They don't fully trust each other, but they realize they're facing a greater threat.Rin (to the team): "Well, you mismatched team. It looks like we're stuck together. Game rules: don't try to kill me, I'll do all the hard work, and don't ask stupid questions."Leon (protesting): "Who said you're going to do all the hard work? I'm the great hero!"Rin (mocking): "Oh, the great Leon, remind me how many times you've nearly died in the last five minutes?"They reluctantly agree on a common goal: reaching the "heart of the Great Gate" before the remaining cult takes control of it. Their journey through the intermediary world will be full of dangers, with glimpses of Rin's lost past, and comedic side stories about the failed heroes.Scene Three: The Search for "the Heart" and More RevelationsThe team delves deeper into the intermediary world, where they find themselves in increasingly bizarre and dangerous areas. Each step reveals more about the history of this world and the ancient conflict between the three worlds. They discover that the cult has a plan to permanently close "the Great Gate," to prevent any exchange between the worlds, believing this will achieve "peace" (or prevent "the Predator" from destroying everything).Rin (to himself): "Closing the gate? That means I won't be able to order coffee from another world. That's unacceptable."During their journey, they face ancient puzzles and tough monsters, but they cooperate in unexpected ways. Rin uses his intelligence and abilities, while Leon uses his raw power, and the girl with the sword uses her combat skills, and so on. Mr. X provides the information and directions.In one of the moments, Rin finds an ancient inscription indicating that "the Predator" can not only absorb powers, but "merge" them to create something new. This gives him hope in controlling "the loss of humanity."Rin (to himself): "Merging powers? Am I going to become a power merger? I hope it doesn't require me to scream when merging them."
(To be continued...)
Chapter 20:The Shadow King... And Secrets of the PastScene One:
Arrival at the Heart of the GateAfter a long journey through the strange and dangerous areas of the intermediary world, the team finally reaches the "heart of the Great Gate." It wasn't an organic heart, but a vast space resembling an ancient temple made of pure energy, surrounded by the remains of destroyed gates flickering with faint light. The energy here was so dense that Rin felt it interacting with his blood. "This place looks like the boss room in RPG games... I hope there's no additional puzzle before the fight." Rin thought.There was a massive being sitting in the middle of this space, wearing a dark robe and surrounded by a halo of thick shadows. It was "the Shadow King," whose features seemed eerily familiar to Rin.Rin (to himself, his heart pounding): "No... it can't be him... This anime isn't that dramatic."Scene Two: Confronting the Shadow King (Deep Gintoki-Style Fight)The Shadow King looks at Rin, his eyes glowing red.The Shadow King: "You've finally arrived, my son."Rin's body stiffens. "My son? Is this the part where the hero discovers that his enemy is his father? What a cliché!"The Shadow King reveals that he is Rin's father, who didn't die, but "sacrificed" himself to become the "guardian of the prophecy" and protect "the Great Gate" from the destruction that the divided cult would bring to it. This sacrifice turned him into a shadowy being, possessing immense powers, but he lost his memory and humanity in the process.The Shadow King: "You were born to be the Predator, Rin. But the price is losing everyone you love, and forgetting who you are. This is your fate."The battle erupts. The Shadow King uses advanced shadow powers, able to absorb not only from Rin, but from his team as well. Rin finds himself in a life-or-death fight. He uses his sharp intellect, directing Leon and the girl with the sword to deliver strategic blows, while he absorbs the Shadow King's shadow powers.Rin (to himself, dodging a deadly attack): "You're my father? Well, you're not the father I expected – where are the gifts?"During the battle, clear visions appear in Rin's mind: memories of his childhood with his parents, the moment of their final farewell, and their decision to protect the prophecy. Rin realizes that his father wasn't evil, but was trying to protect him and the worlds.The battle reaches its climax. Rin, now possessing immense powers from the merger, faces his father face to face.The Shadow King: "Kill me, Rin! This is your fate. Live with my power... but alone."But Rin remembers "the third option" whispered by the mysterious voice, and the idea of "merging" he read about. He doesn't kill his father. Instead, he uses his new ability to "merge" his father's shadow power with his own, but not for complete absorption, but to restore balance.The Great Gate glows with brilliant light. The Shadow King returns to his human form (but weakened), and his memory partially returns.The Shadow King (in a weak voice): "You've found the third option... balance. The middle world... it's our key. Go to it before the cult destroys everything."Rin looks at his father, then at his shocked team. "So, I won... but now I know the truth. The prophecy isn't a curse, but a test. Time for the real choice."Rin decides to leave the gate. The failed heroes and Mr. X and Black Jack decide to pursue him (with comedy about who will lead the team). Rin realizes that his true journey has just begun.(To be continued...)