The man took a cautious step back, hands raised slightly."Why are you looking at me like that? I just need you to grab a package from my favorite store, alright?"
Akira shrugged. "Fine. Where am I going?"
"A store called Rashford," the man said. "Take a few turns down this street—you'll see it."
Akira frowned. "Can you just show me?"
The man shook his head. "Can't. I've got to meet an old friend."
Akira rolled his eyes, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Whatever." He turned and started down the street.
A few minutes later, he spotted a gold-lettered brick building ahead. The sign across the top read:Rashford — Helper of Hunters.
He stepped inside. The air smelled faintly of oil and steel. Upstairs, a single desk waited at the top of the staircase, where a tired-looking woman sat behind a glowing Tao screen.
"I'm here to pick up a package," Akira said.
The secretary barely opened her eyes. "You're a Hunter. I can tell. This weapon will serve you well."
Akira blinked. "Uh, thank you, but it's not for—"
"It's fine," she interrupted, handing him a small cardboard box. "Mr. Jiso said someone would come for it."
Akira accepted it with a small nod. "Got it."
He turned to leave, stepping back into the sunlight.
That's when he noticed them—five masked men walking toward the building. Each wore dark gray combat gear and masks marked with a dotted X across the face.
Akira's chest tightened. He felt it—the same Tao signature as the man from before.
Before he could speak, the group brushed past him and stormed inside.
Seconds later, the top floor of Rashford erupted in fire and smoke.
The blast threw heat across the street. Akira looked up, jaw tightening. "You've got to be kidding me."
He kicked off the ground, Tao flaring beneath his feet, and leapt to the shattered upper level. The armory was chaos—glass and steel scattered, weapons glowing with unstable energy. The masked men tore through shelves, rifles blazing.
One of them shouted, "Scissors has struck! Remember this name!"
Akira crouched behind a broken counter, listening.
Another voice answered, tense. "Do we have to destroy the rest of the weapons?"
"Yes!" the leader barked. "We can't leave any evidence. I already sent someone to grab the main package."
Akira's eyes narrowed. He could sense it now—none of them had Tao. Not even a flicker. And yet the weapons in their hands overflowed with it, powerful enough to shred the building apart.
How the hell did they get Tao weapons?
He smirked. Guess I'll just have to borrow one to find out.
Sliding down the debris, Akira set the cardboard box on the main floor.
The masked men noticed instantly. "I think that kid went to get help!" one of them shouted.
"Forget it! Grab the package and run!" the leader barked.
They snatched the box and sprinted toward the alley.
Akira cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face.
"Bad move."
He leapt from the ruins and gave chase, Tao energy kicking beneath his feet as he raced after them through the smoke-filled street.