•••
Cyberclassical Cutthroat System now loading...
•••
It had been five years since Kintsugi last activated his operating system.
As it loaded, he felt a sense of nervousness. He was unsettled by this sensation, given his reputation as a cold-hearted and merciless Larkansas.
Maybe it was just the excitement of returning to service after a long hiatus.
•••
PROFESSIONAL LARKANSAS PROFILE
Name: Kintsugi Loidsol
Age: 28
Build: Coordinating
Physique: Functioning
Kill Points: 150,000,000
Bounty: 30,000,000 Dalc
•••
"Welcome Back, Kintsugi," said his voice assistant with artificial intelligence that only he could hear.
"How are you, Monaco?"
"I'm glad to know that after all those years that you've shut me down, I didn't get rusted. None of my braincells got rot nor my voice got geriatric."
Kintsugi chuckled slightly. His voice assistant, Monaco, was still straightforward as ever.
"While scanning your physicality, I noticed you've gained weight. Looks like you've abandoned the idea of exercising."
"That's what happens when you have someone to take care of you. You're not just full of love, but your stomach is full too."
Kintsugi needed to get back in shape - his muscular shape. If he used to have a chiseled eight-pack, now he had a soft, fluffy belly.
He could take a potion to effortlessly regain his physique, but Kintsugi preferred to work out and earn his glow up through hard work.
The atmosphere with a lavender scent immediately greeted him as he arrived at the Lobby of Doors. This part of the Upper Echelon housed various types of doors that could transport you to different locations, dimensions, timelines, or universes.
Each section of the academy held memories for Kintsugi.
When he saw the trainees showcasing their combat skills on the training ground, he saw himself in them.
"The new recruits look serious and determined," said Lotuslush, who was right beside him. "Our batch was chaotic, though. Some were prideful, some were vengeful, some were goofy, and then there was the heartless delinquent."
A slight smile crept onto Kintsugi's face again, knowing he was the delinquent Lotuslush was referring to.
They headed to the office of the Supreme Ruler of the Upper Echelon to formally report Kintsugi's return.
Inside the large office adorned with gold, a simple desk and chair could be seen. No one was seated there. However, the blue sky and the playful clouds serving as the office's backdrop were eye-catching.
Kintsugi and Lotuslush bowed in respect, and since the Supreme Ruler was only looking for Kintsugi, Lotuslush left the office.
"Your arrival, Kintsugi, proves that you respect the rules and regulations of the Upper Echelon." A deep, baritone voice suddenly spoke, its tone modulated and commanding. "Although you broke the contract and overstayed in the world you chose to vacation in."
"I had to be present for my wife's burial," Kintsugi explained.
"Regardless of your reason, I won't accept it. Simple violations of the agreed-upon contract come with consequences."
"Whatever punishment you impose, I'll face it," Kintsugi answered bravely.
However, Kintsugi didn't hear the Supreme Ruler's response as men with brute builds shrouded in shadow suddenly emerged from the golden floor - the Umbramen. These Umbramen were skilled in combat.
Kintsugi couldn't help but grin as he saw the Umbramen again, his former punching bags. It had been a while since he'd encountered them.
"Long time no see, folks," Kintsugi uttered while executing his Musk ritual dance. "Did you miss me?"
Slowly, Kintsugi was enveloped in a very fragrant smoke. This smoke was made from his Musk - the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual energy that a person possesses. The scent of Kintsugi's Musk was known as Yvestal Saint Assisi - a sophisticated scent with notes of bergamot, ginger, and cedarwood.
Because of the Musk, a person's strength triples. The Umbramen took turns ambushing Kintsugi, but they couldn't land a punch on his cheek.
With his incredible strength, Kintsugi was able to crush and overwhelm the Umbramen. He choked some of them, slammed others to the ground, or punched their faces with his fists.
"Come on, boys, when I'm not around, you should train harder so you can defeat me next time." Kintsugi seemed bored, and he even yawned.
Suddenly, armored golden statues - the Echelon Guards - leaped from above. They carried armor and could summon elemental powers. Their massive weight was palpable, and their bodies were crafted from the most anti-fragile steel.
The Echelon Guards immediately rained blows on Kintsugi with their weapons. They hurled golden fireballs, gold boulders, spiky winds with gold glitter, and explosive water ripples with golden seashells at him. Kintsugi's only defense was dodging.
He started to feel challenged. He drew his Stiletto - a thin, pointed dagger about a ruler's length in size. He drew a fire sign in the air and stabbed it.
The stiletto transformed into a black whip. He struck the golden statues with it, and due to the unique heat of the black flames, he melted them. It was as if Kintsugi made the Echelon Guards experience being melted in an inferno of blazing black fire.
Although he couldn't see the Supreme Ruler, Kintsugi knew he was being watched. The ruler's desk and chair remained perfectly still, unaffected by the chaos unfolding in his large office.
As the statues melted one by one like candles, monumental realistic eyes with wings - the Angel Cherubils - emerged from the clouds. These eyes were terrifying to behold and could emit lasers that could rot even one's soul.
The lasers caused further destruction to the office, and Kintsugi found himself floating in the sky.
"These eyes are really hair-raising," Kintsugi said while controlling his balance in mid-air, adapting to the changing gravity. "No matter the angle, it's as if they're looking at you - judging your very being."
The Angel Cherubils chased him in the air, striking him with a powerful cosmic force with swirling colors.
Kintsugi blew on his thumb as if blowing up a balloon. This caused his physical features to gradually improve. His muscles grew, his biceps bulged, and he eventually completed his Titan Bodybuilder Form. In this form, he became even stronger, and his features were well-sculpted. His face was in perfect proportion, and his Musk radiated a captivating scent.
While floating in the air, Kintsugi made the Angel Cherubils experience being toys in a wrestling arena.
He hurled them, tearing apart their wings and puncturing their eyeballs. He crushed and dissected them.
After destroying the last flying eye, Kintsugi floated in the air like a balloon losing air. Since the Titan Bodybuilder Form consumed a large percentage of his Musk, he became as thin as paper. Kintsugi just went with the flow, letting the wind carry him wherever it pleased.
As he recharged, he felt a sudden jolt in the air.
"Damn!" Kintsugi's brow furrowed in surprise, thinking that his punishment was finally over. He knew the Supreme Ruler was testing his abilities and skills. "You really have many tricks up your sleeve, Introvert."
Introvert - Kintsugi's new nickname for the Supreme Ruler, given the ruler's habit of not showing up and refusing to reveal his true face. In Kintsugi's mind, the ruler of the Upper Echelon was indeed shy.
Gigantic mechs with ginormous rifles, swords, and shields began to swarm him. Kintsugi was getting increasingly furious about what was happening to him. He looked like a mosquito being attacked by the mechs.
The encounters were getting tougher and tougher. Using his stiletto, Kintsugi slit his own neck, and as a large gash appeared, electrical wires burst out, covering him in mechanical parts.
Despite his Musk being insufficient, Kintsugi still channeled his Humech Form. Exhaustion and anger made Kintsugi ruthless.
"You're all annoying!" Kintsugi growled like a rabid dog as he sliced through the mechs with his sword.
Explosions enveloped the sky, like a war was taking place. Metal and mechanical parts scattered everywhere. After the battle, Kintsugi lost consciousness. Despite the chaos in the sky, the desk and chair remained visible, still perfectly still.
The Supreme Ruler's composure was truly unshakeable.
When Kintsugi woke up, the first thing he saw was the ceiling - a ceiling with a surrealist painting of a very familiar home. He was in his friend Dalton's condo unit.
Dalton was born with a golden spoon, being the only son of parents who owned giant companies. He grew up as a spoiled brat, alcoholic, chain smoker, and womanizer.
Kintsugi met him at a wrestling match where they were spectators.
Dalton was currently sitting in front of a large screen in the living room, playing a video game.
Although Kintsugi could see him, his friend didn't notice him. Suddenly, Kintsugi's panel popped up in front of him.
•••
Last Punishment:
Bring me the head of the person in front of you.
•••
That was what was written on his panel.
Kintsugi clenched his fist, knowing that the Supreme Ruler was aware of some of his weaknesses.
The bones in his two fists crunched.
"You're really pressing my buttons, Introvert," Kintsugi said, looking down. "Of all the people I could behead, it had to be my friend." He couldn't help but grin in amazement at the Supreme Ruler's unpredictability. "You're really testing me."
Kintsugi slowly walked towards Dalton, who was wearing casual clothes, and suddenly Dalton put down the videogame controller on the table.
He caught Kintsugi's distinctive scent and turned around.
Kintsugi stepped back when Dalton saw him, still laughing at his outfit.
"Man, I didn't know you were into cosplay."
Kintsugi didn't respond and continued his slow approach. Dalton wasn't surprised to see Kintsugi enter his house since they were comfortable with each other and often dropped by without notice. However, Dalton felt something off when he saw Kintsugi's sketchy and lifeless expression.
He tried to laugh it off, but fear took over.
"Kintsugi, don't mess with me like that."
Dalton started throwing couch cushions and other objects at Kintsugi to stop him from approaching, especially since he was holding a sharp blade.
Despite feeling guilty about what he was about to do, Kintsugi wanted to prove to the Supreme Ruler that he would emerge victorious.
When he placed Dalton's head on the table, Kintsugi heard the Supreme Ruler applauding.
"I'm ending your punishment now."