Chapter 47 — Repaying a Debt

Base Delta 55, General Horikita advanced alongside a squad of ten soldiers.

His hands were clasped behind his back, and his expression remained composed. However, despite his calm demeanor, his steps were unusually quick.

“General! Colonel Horikita has made contact with the enemy! It appears to be the former Yellow Braver!”

General Horikita’s expression remained serious, although his eyes narrowed slightly at the report. Without wasting any second , he continued forward, determined to reach his daughter’s location.

“Keep moving. We’ll arrive at the cafeteria soon.”

He muttered, urging the squad to maintain their pace.

Skritch... Skritch... Skritch...

Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the corridor.

The soldiers immediately slowed down as the noise grew louder. It sounded like hundreds of tiny creatures crawling across the floor.

“GENERAL, STEP BACK!”

One of the soldiers shouted.

Countless black goblins emerged from the intersecting hallways, crawling across the walls and ceiling before spilling onto the floor. Their glossy bodies, pointed ears, sharp teeth, and glowing white eyes quickly filled the corridor, surrounding the soldiers from every direction.

The path ahead was completely blocked by the swarm.

Step... Step... Step...

Amid the sea of black creatures, the goblins suddenly began moving aside, creating a narrow passage through their writhing bodies.

A girl walked leisurely toward the soldiers.

She wore a black sailor-style uniform with a white-striped collar and a deep crimson ribbon. Her long crimson twin ponytails swayed behind her with every step, while her narrow red eyes sparkled with amusement.

Her lips stretched into an impossibly wide grin, revealing delighted creepy smile.

“...General! It’s so lovely to see you after soooooo long!”

Greed greeted him cheerfully, raising one hand in a playful wave.

General Horikita stared at the girl standing before him.

“...Taichi...”

He spoke the name quietly, his expression remaining perfectly composed.

Greed tilted her head before bursting into laughter.

“Hehehehehe! It’s so funny! People still insist on calling me by that name!”

She covered her mouth with one hand, her shoulders trembling with amusement.

“Hehehehe! I suppose old habits are hard to break!”

As the General gazed at the Witch standing before him, his thoughts drifted back to a time when that same smile had belonged to a very different person.

A time when the boy before him had still been humanity’s greatest hope.

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Several months earlier, in the middle of the night, a young teenager was training alone at a military base.

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THUD! THUD! THUD!

His fists repeatedly slammed into a heavy punching bag filled with sand, making it swing violently with every impact.

“HAH! HAH! HAH!”

The boy continued striking the bag, his breathing growing heavier as sweat trickled down his face.

He had spiky red hair and wore nothing more than a simple, lightweight training outfit.

His name was Taichi Konoha.

During this Time he was fifteen years old, he was one of the youngest member of the Bravers and their undisputed leader. Despite his age, he had already become humanity’s strongest fighter.

The fate of the world rested on his shoulders.

And yet, even now, he refused to stop training.

“I see you’re training rather late.”

A familiar voice suddenly called out to him.

Taichi abruptly stopped punching the bag and turned around.

“...General!”

He hurriedly straightened his posture and attempted an awkward military salute.

General Horikita chuckled at the sight.

“Hahaha! There’s no need to be so formal. You’re not a soldier, after all.”

“Hahaha... Right.”

Taichi scratched the back of his head, embarrassed by his own reaction.

The two shared a brief laugh, and the tension quickly faded.

General Horikita approached the young Braver, glancing at the battered punching bag before turning his attention back to him.

“Don’t you think you’re overdoing it a little?”

His tone was gentle, but his expression carried genuine concern.

“You and the other Bravers fought a difficult battle just yesterday. Don’t you think you should take some time to recover your strength?”

At those words, Taichi lowered his gaze.

For a moment, he remained silent.

Then he looked back at the General, his expression growing serious.

“...Every day, more people die because of King Cosmos’s army.”

His hands slowly tightened into fists.

“...If I want to protect as many people as possible and save more lives, I need to keep getting stronger.”

There was no hesitation in his voice. Only determination.

General Horikita stared at the boy for several seconds before letting out a resigned sigh.

“...Very well. Just don’t push yourself too hard.”

“...Thank you, General!”

Taichi responded with a bright smile.

Satisfied with his answer, General Horikita turned around and began walking toward the exit, intending to leave the young hero to his training.

However, just before he departed, he stopped.

“...Taichi.”

“Hm?”

The boy turned toward him.

General Horikita hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“...When you’re on the battlefield, please look after my daughter.”

“...”

It was a selfish request.

Not a command from a superior officer, nor an order from a military general.

It was a request from a father who feared for his daughter's safety. A father who knew all too well how dangerous the battlefield could be.

Taichi stared at him for a moment before his expression softened into a reassuring smile.

“...Leave it to me, General. I’ll always protect my companions.”

His words were simple, yet his voice carried an unwavering conviction.

General Horikita looked at the young boy for a moment longer.

Then, with a faint smile, he nodded.

“...I’m counting on you.”

And with that, he left the training grounds, leaving Taichi alone with his punching bag once more.

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The memory gradually faded as General Horikita returned to the present.

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“Hehehehehe...”

Greed’s delighted laughter brought him back to reality.

The Witch was still standing before him, her crimson twin ponytails swaying as she rocked playfully from side to side.

“...But seriously, I’m glad to see you’re doing so well, General!”

She covered her mouth with one hand, feigning concern.

“...Although, considering how old and decrepit you are, I honestly thought you might have dropped dead from a heart attack by now!”

“Hehehehehe!”

Greed spun around in a cheerful little dance, seemingly delighted by her own joke.

The soldiers behind General Horikita stared at her in disbelief, gripping their Stellar Energy rifles as they struggled to comprehend the sight before them.

But the General remained silent.

He slowly closed his eyes... For a brief moment, he remembered the young boy who had stood before him that night, smiling with absolute confidence as he promised to protect his daughter.

Then he opened his eyes again.

“...Taichi.”

His voice was quiet, yet firm.

“...You kept your promise. You protected my daughter.”

He paused, looking directly into Greed’s crimson eyes.

“...And for that, I thank you.”

“...Hmmmm?”

Greed tilted her head exaggeratedly, her grin never faltering.

“...What’s this? What’s this? Why are you suddenly getting all sentimental?”

She leaned forward, peering at him with playful curiosity.

“Heheheh... Are you going to make me cry, General?”

General Horikita ignored her mockery.

“...Unfortunately, the only way I can repay that debt...”

He slowly reached for the device attached to his uniform.

“...Is by destroying the monster you’ve become...”

Greed’s smile remained unchanged.

“...And protecting the memory of the brave young boy you once were.”

With those words, General Horikita pulled out a device resembling a smartphone. Its surface began glowing with brilliant Stellar Energy, illuminating his stern expression.

The soldiers behind him immediately recognized what he was about to do.

“...Transform!”

The General declared. Brilliant light erupted from the device, engulfing his entire body.