Before Shoyo and Ayaka could react to stop him, Anami had already leapt out of the way, leaving Mock’s fist to smash into the floor, sending splinters and dust flying.
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"Hey, why are you suddenly—" Shoyo shouted with all his might, but he was too weak from the excessive use of ContQi earlier to muster any real volume. Mock ignored him, drawing his sword and charging at Anami like a madman.
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"Brigid, so you’ve been hiding here all along!"
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Brigid? Who was Brigid? Anami retreated into the dojo, with Shoyo and his mother following closely. They watched in shock as Mock relentlessly attacked Anami with powerful sword strikes, his inner Qi radiating with his fury.
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They couldn't understand what had made Mock so uncontrollably angry, nor why his attacks, despite his rage, remained so precise. More puzzling was Anami’s ability to effortlessly dodge the giant sword and punches, a stark contrast to her usual training sessions.
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"Brigid! Even with your face wrapped in bandages, I’ll never forget those eyes!" Mock screamed, continuing his furious assault. It was clear he had mistaken Anami for Brigid and harbored deep resentment towards her. His attacks caused significant damage to the dojo.
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After about half a minute, Mock found an opening and grabbed Anami with his left hand, thinking he had finally caught her. But all he held was a bundle of bandages.
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Anami had already vaulted onto Mock's shoulder, her left arm encircling his neck, pulling his head back fiercely, and her two right fingers hooked into his nostrils, yanking backward. Within seconds, she had Mock subdued.
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"I almost forgot that your Talent makes it impossible for you to calm down... feeling a bit more settled now?" Anami finally spoke, her skin under the bandages unmarked, with no sign of severe burns.
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The intense pain brought Mock back to his senses, but the surprises didn’t stop. This muscular, seemingly invincible man’s eyes turned red, tears streaming uncontrollably.
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"Why… why did you leave me alone back then…"
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Hearing Mock’s tearful accusation, Anami released her hold, gently patting his chest before looking at Shoyo. "It's all because of this child. Tell me everything that happened last night. How did Shoyo become the hero who saved the king from the new Skullbreakers?"
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Shoyo then recounted the entire sequence of events: the encounter with Rachel, the unexpected teleportation to the king's chamber, and the mysterious defeat of the new Skullbreakers. Anami then shared her own story.
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Years ago, Anami, a holder of the Onyx Badge, hid her identity to act discreetly. As a Huntector recognized by the king, she assumed the name Brigid and wore a mask that covered most of her face, revealing only her mouth and eyes.
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Mock, having risen from the ranks of the Huntectors, often partnered with Brigid, who was then the vice-commander. Three years older than him, she taught him many things about being a Huntector, and they undertook numerous life-threatening missions together in Paradise. Over time, a subtle yet deep bond formed between them.
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Brigid eventually became a Kingside, while Mock continued to strive towards the same goal, promising that they would both serve as Kingsides someday. However, after a coup by the crown prince, the news spread that Brigid had died in a Paradise incident. In reality, she had returned to her identity as Anami and recuperated at home, supposedly due to severe burns.
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"Brigid… no, I should call you Anami. Why did you disappear without telling me? Do you know how much I missed you?" Mock asked, his voice filled with emotion.
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Anami embraced Mock affectionately. Though her hands could only reach his sides due to his large build, it was enough to convey her feelings.
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"I've been keeping an eye on you. Look, that foolish boy from back then has now become a capable Kingside. I wanted to continue serving the king, but something more important awaited me…" Anami glanced at Shoyo as she spoke, and Mock understood immediately. Raising Shoyo, the sole heir of the family, was more crucial than her own desires.
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Suddenly, Mock knelt on one knee, gently taking Anami’s hands in his.
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"You’ve already sacrificed so much for this child. From now on, let me take care of you for the rest of your life, okay?"
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