Cipher stood at the center of the training room, his posture relaxed.
Ryker and Dante faced him from opposite ends, weapons at the ready.
"Come at me whenever you’re ready," Cipher said.
Ryker moved first, his sword blazing with blue energy as he closed the distance with Lightning Step. The blade came down in a vicious arc, but Cipher tilted his head slightly to the side, letting it whistle past his ear. He caught Ryker’s wrist mid-swing, redirected the momentum, and sent him stumbling forward with a gentle push.
"Your footwork is too predictable," Cipher commented. "I knew where you’d end up before you even moved."
Dante charged in immediately after, his massive shield raised. He swung it like a battering ram, trying to create an opening for Ryker to exploit. Cipher stepped inside the swing, placed a palm against the shield’s surface, and used Dante’s own force to spin him off balance.
"Good timing," Cipher said, "but you’re telegraphing too much. Watch your shoulder movement."
Ryker recovered and came at him again, blade singing through the air. Cipher wove through the strikes with minimal movement, occasionally deflecting with his bare hands when needed. Behind Ryker, Dante repositioned himself to tank any counterattacks, ready to absorb whatever Cipher might throw back.
The two had developed a rhythm. Ryker would press the offense while Dante covered his flanks and absorbed pressure. It wasn’t perfect, but they were improving.
Cipher caught Ryker’s overhead strike between his palms and pushed him back. "Better," he said. "But you’re still..."
He paused, his eyes shifting to Dante.
The tank’s breathing had grown ragged. Heavy. His chest heaved with each breath, and his grip on the shield had tightened until his knuckles turned white. A faint red glow began emanating from his skin.
Cipher’s expression sharpened.
Ryker was already mid-lunge, sword aimed at Cipher’s chest. Cipher sidestepped, caught Ryker by the shoulder, and swept his legs out from under him in one smooth motion. Ryker hit the ground with a grunt.
"Stay down for a second," Cipher said without looking at him.
He crossed the distance to Dante in a step and placed a hand firmly on his shoulder. Red aura was now pulsing visibly around Dante’s body, his eyes beginning to lose focus.
"Dante," Cipher said calmly. "Look at me."
At the same time, he activated Mana Disruption. His own mana flowed into Dante, interfering with the chaotic energy building within him. He could feel the berserker skill trying to activate, the mana pathways in Dante’s body surging with the chaotic energy.
Cipher pushed more of his mana in, disrupting the flow, breaking apart the pattern before it could fully form.
Slowly, the red aura began to dim. Dante’s breathing evened out. His eyes refocused, confusion replacing the emptiness that had started to creep in.
"I’m sorry," Dante said quietly, shame evident in his voice.
Cipher sighed internally. This was more dangerous than he’d thought. The berserker skill could activate on its own if Dante got too worked up and couldn’t control his emotions. The meditation exercises he’d told him to do clearly weren’t enough. He really needed to find an Import card soon to solve this problem properly.
"It’s alright," Cipher said. "Just be more aware of your emotions. I’ll find a solution soon."
"Is everything alright?"
Ryker walked up to them after picking himself off the ground, concern on his face.
"Yeah, it’s fine now," Cipher said.
Ryker sheathed his sword. "What did you want to talk to us about anyway?"
"Just wait for the others," Cipher began, then immediately said, "Never mind."
The door swung open.
"They’re already here," he said as Maya and Selene walked in.
...
Maya and Selene stepped through the doorway, coming to stand opposite the three men.
"Dante, Ryker... I missed you guys," Maya said warmly.
"What about me?" Cipher asked.
She looked at him, then turned her head to the side with a sharp "Hmph."
Cipher scratched his head. Was she still mad about last time?
"It’s not that I didn’t want to help you," he said. "I had no choice."
"My dad used to say that the bad guys only won when the good guys did nothing," she said.
"It can’t possibly be that serious, right?" he thought. Was she calling Selene a bad guy now? He decided not to dwell on it.
His expression became serious. "I understand. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let her take you like that. Next time, I will definitely step in for you."
"Really?" she asked, finally turning to look at him.
He glanced to the side, not meeting her gaze. "Of course. You can trust me. Have I ever lied to you?"
"Yippee!" She jumped in excitement. "I knew Brother Cipher wouldn’t let me down!"
Cipher swallowed. Little did she know, he had his fingers crossed behind his back.
"What did you want to talk about anyway?" Selene asked.
"Right." Cipher’s demeanor shifted. "I need you guys to prepare. We’re going into a Gate tomorrow."
He paused.
"It’s probably a Gate even stronger than the Murim Gate."
"Even stronger?" Ryker asked in shock.
"That’s right. To be honest, I didn’t even want to bring you guys into this. The risk is simply too high. So if you don’t want to go, you can stay."
"Well, if it’s possibly stronger than the Murim Gate, then I’ll need to investigate it so the Association can decide what to do," Selene said.
"Then as the team captain, I have no choice but to accompany you," Ryker said.
"Since Brother Cipher is going, I’ll go too," Maya said.
"Then I have no choice but to protect you guys. Hahaha!" Dante said, flexing his biceps.
Cipher sighed. "Then I guess we’re all going."
"Can you tell us more about the Gate?" Selene asked.
"The name of the Gate is..."
...
Beijing, China.
Li Chen sat in silence, carefully polishing his sword. The blade gleamed under the soft light as he drew the cloth across its surface.
"Are you really going back in there?" Mei asked from behind him. "Last time you barely escaped with your life."
"You don’t understand," he said without looking up. "This is the only way for humanity."
"And how do you know that? You’re just guessing."
"Do you really believe this is all just a coincidence?" He paused, then sighed. "Never mind. Besides, this time it won’t be the same. I have the strongest human with me after all."
Mei sighed in resignation. "I guess there’s no stopping you. Should I prepare our elite squad?"
"No," Li Chen said firmly.
"Those guys are too prideful. I don’t want them looking down on Cipher and offending him."
She shrugged. "Well, they learned that from you."
"What? I’m not prideful." He waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind. Just leave. It’s time for me to practice."
"Whatever you say," Mei said as she turned and walked out.