Parallel Vol. 4 [LEGACY EDITION]

Chapter 75.2: Mato Suzuki (4)

The ballroom fell silent, the onlookers' voices caught in their collective throats as they watched Suzuki drop to the ground. They looked from the daeben, to the dying Adjudicator, who had begun to break into light particles. Finally, the Maggots and Adjudicator alike, looked at Vanzuela, wondering how he would react to this blatant challenge.

As expected, Vanzuela's expression was red with fury and rage. If looks could kill, Suzuki would have died ten times over. Strangely, however, he did not make any move to attack Kashi. His decision was as a result of a prompt he got from the system. It declared the Adjudicator's death justified as the daeben had been acting in self-defense.

Vanzuela was thus forced to accept that he could not punish Suzuki. Not this time. "Don't get comfortable," he warned as he prepared to leave. "You will eventually pay for this insult." He then looked at Lunette and sneered, "The longer you stay by their side, the more trouble you'll cause for them. If you truly care for your friends, you will come with me."

Lunette's eyes shook, but before she could answer, a large back suddenly broke her line of sight to the Adjudicator. Her heart involuntary thumped hard as she looked at the daeben's back, her emotions a complicated mix of dread and security.

"She is not going anywhere," refuted Suzuki with a hard glare. "We can handle ourselves just fine." His gaze turned condescending as he said, "Especially if all we have to fear is a bunch of chickens to scared to get their beaks dirty. If you have the guts, lose the adjudicator status and face Kashi on the battlefield fair and square."

Vanzuela snorted, "Hmph. I will not fall for your childish antics. It is only a matter of time before it returns to its rightful place. As for the rest of you..." the adjudicator glared at the Maggots and then declared, "...Watch yourselves. You have been marked."

"Ah, shut it already, old man!"

Kashi, Syèl and the Maggots were stunned to see Stryke step forward, irritation evident in the child's ferocious glare. "You've been chirping non-stop ever since you got here, acting like some big-shot, but Kashi cuts one of your people down, and all you can do is chirp some more. I've had enough!" The young Sphinx spread out his arms as he revealed a toothy grin. "Here, a free shot! Let's see if you can actually back up your words. You don't dare do you? Even if one of you dies, you're disposable. But if you so much as insult one of us..." Stryke walked to Kashi's front, forming a shield between the Adjudicator and the daeben. "You'll get crushed by all of us."

"Well said, kid!" declared Absalon as he too stood in front of Kashi. The old general glared at the floating adjudicators. "No soldier left behind."

Shokō shared a look with Syèl, and then walked to the general's side. Syèl let out a rueful chuckle, and then followed suit, though with a hidden coldness in his eyes.

Miote shook his head as he sighed then muttered, "As a businessman, I do not indulge violence. However," he said as his gaze grew hot with rage, "You KFC rejects are directly threatening my bottom-line." He walked up to Stryke's side, and then declared, "Now, that I cannot stand for."

Jade looked at Kashi, a small smile on her face as she recognized the daeben's eyes. Shaking her head, she cracked her knuckles, and then walked up to Miote's side. Gazing up at the flying adjudicators, she warned with a cheerful, but threatening grin, "I wouldn't piss us off if I were you. This group's full of nothing but abnormal freaks."

Suzuki's brows shot up as he stared at the human wall in front of him. What the hell was this?

"How does it feel, having soLmeone protect you for once?"

Suzuki looked to his left, where a smiling Leila stood with her arms crossed. "Protect who? Me?"

"Well, not exactly," corrected Leila. "These bonds are Kashi's." Gazing at the wall, she said, "Little threads connecting to each person. Individually, they might be weak, but together, they can combine the strongest, toughest rope. And, you remember what you told me about rope?"