**Prologue: Moonlit Revetions**
The wind carried the scent of aged whiskey and distant pine as Guann leaned against the stone balustrade of Akartay Castle's open-air terrace. Moonlight painted silver streaks across his companion's round face—**You Hang**, the newly appointed head of Akartay, adjusted his bck-framed gsses with a grumble.
*"Took you long enough,"* he muttered, swirling his drink. *"What, that rookie of yours can't tie his shoes without you?"*
Guann chuckled, the ice in his gss clinking. *"Qin Hong's first mission was... eventful. Had to clean up his mess."*
You Hang snorted. *"Still pying babysitter after all these years."*
Their ughter faded as You Hang's expression darkened. *"Bad news. 'Iron Boy' went missing st week."*
*"Let me guess,"* Guann's voice was ft. *"Heart extracted?"*
A nod. *"Found him in a hotel bed. Naked as the day he was born."*
Guann nearly spat his drink. *"That idiot! His skin could deflect railgun rounds—who the hell could've—"*
*"Exactly."* You Hang's grin was grim. *"Which means our enemies are evolving."*
The revetion hung between them like a bde.
---
### **Part 1: Echoes of the Training Grounds**
Memories surfaced as the alcohol flowed—**of younger days**, when Akartay's halls rang with the cshes of future legends.
*"Remember our first team trial?"* You Hang's eyes gleamed. *"When 'Iron Boy' punched me 117 times straight?"*
Guann smmed the table. *"'Shield King'! You held the line while I fnked—"*
*"—and still puked blood for a week!"* You Hang rubbed his ribs reflexively. *"Worth it, though. That 'Wall of Fools' title still cracks me up."*
Guann winced at his own epithets—*"Bootleg Merchant,"* *"Xerox Machine"*—legacies of his **Replica Heart's** chaotic awakening.
*"You chased girls around trying to 'copy' their abilities,"* You Hang wheezed. *"Got your ass handed to you by the Valkyrie Squad!"*
The past was a salve, but reality soon intruded.
*"They're targeting executives now,"* You Hang murmured. *"The elders are panicking. Reopening the training program—twenty slots."*
Guann's cigarette glowed crimson in the dark. *"You're down to eleven recruits."*
*"Send Qin Hong."* You Hang leaned in. *"Let him train with peers. It'll help... given what you've done to him."*
A beat of silence.
*"Stage Two already?"* You Hang's voice dropped. *"You didn't... accelerate his evolution?"*
Guann's smile didn't reach his eyes.
---
### **Part 2: The Weight of Tomorrow**
**Wenors City - Safehouse**
Qin Hong grinned at the news broadcast praising Haruko's "brilliant" recovery of stolen skycars. Xiao Yu, however, clutched his sleeve.
*"You sure Boss will reimburse the 60,000 credits?"* she hissed.
*"Rex,"* he whispered back. *"Bckmail works better than receipts."*
The door burst open—Guann and Sisi entered.
*"Pack your bags,"* Guann said without preamble. *"You're going to Akartay. Training program. One year."*
Qin Hong's excitement died at Xiao Yu's gasp. Her fingers twisted his jacket. *("Don't go.")*
Sisi softened the blow. *"You can leave for missions. And... You Hang will oversee you."*
*"'Shield King' You Hang?"* Qin Hong's awe was palpable.
Guann's warning cut deep: *"They're hunting executives. Stay low."*
---
### **Part 3: Coffee and Goodbyes**
**Café Luna, Downtown**
Haruko twirled the obsidian earring—**Akartay's insignia**—between her fingers. *"Promoted. Transferred. Thanks to you."*
Qin Hong froze mid-sip. *"Wait... you're going to—?"*
*"Akartay. Today."* She stood, pausing at the door. *"Next coffee's on me."*
Her parting smile lingered like a ghost.
---
### **Part 4: Feast Before the Storm**
Madame Fatty's dinner table groaned under roasted mb and honeyed mead. Xiao Yu's announcement stunned the room:
*"I'm going too! Grandpa has a branch there!"*
Qin Hong choked. *"Why—?"*
*"To spy for you, dummy!"* She flicked his nose.
Laughter faded as Sisi spoke of You Hang—**the man who took 117 punches to protect his team**.
*"A title isn't given,"* Guann said quietly. *"It's earned in blood."*
Qin Hong's fingers tightened around his gss. Somewhere, shadows stirred—and Akartay awaited.
