However, his eyes were open. He looked up at the sky from the window. Smirking.

"Heh, it looks like the show will start soon.." 

Carmira stood by a window, her dark brown hair falling over her shoulder as her golden eyes scanned the forest. Something was wrong.

"Captain Liang." 

She called.

Liang, standing near the entrance with a stern look, turned to her. 

"What is it, Carmira?"

"I don't know." 

She replied, her voice uncertain. 

"I feel... uneasy."

As if on cue, BOOM!

The ground beneath them trembled violently as an explosion rocked the station.

"What the—?!" 

Liang barked, grabbing his weapon.

Carmira looked out the window and froze. A humanoid Abyssal, standing over seven feet tall, approached the station. Its grotesque form was adorned with Abyssal spikes, and its spear radiated dark energy. Its crimson eyes burned with hatred.

CRASH!

The creature hurled its spear through the front wall, sending wood and debris flying everywhere.

"Formation! Everyone, to arms!"

Liang shouted. 

Carmira drew her sword and joined the others as the Abyssal charged through the debris. 

WHOOSH! 

Its movements were unnaturally fast, and its spear slammed into the ground with a deafening THUD!, splintering the floor.

Carmira swung her sword, but the Abyssal deflected it with the spear.

CLANG! 

The force of the deflection sent her stumbling back.

"This thing's no joke!" 

She yelled, her breathing ragged.

Liang and the rangers surrounded the creature, their strikes coordinated but futile. Its spear moved like a blur, forcing them back.

"Stay away from the spear! I repeat, stay away from the spear!"

Suddenly, it turned its glowing eyes toward Carmira and lunged.

SWISH!

The spear thrust forward, aiming for her heart. She barely dodged in time, the tip grazing her shoulder. Blood stained her uniform as she gritted her teeth in pain. Liang, who saw this, immediately ran towards Carmira. 

"Damn, that guy is no joke. S Rank like Carmira, it can defeated her easily."

The Abyssal prepared to strike again, but—

SLAM!

Out of nowhere, Katsuragi dashed forward, ramming into the creature and knocking it off balance. He landed in front of Carmira, his breath steady and his eyes calm.

"Katsuragi?!" Carmira gasped, clutching her bleeding shoulder.

He glanced at her briefly but didn't say a word. His focus was entirely on the Abyssal.

"Phew, I just woke up and you guys started the party without even inviting me?" 

The creature roared and charged at him. Katsuragi raised his hands instinctively, and a black dagger materialized in his grip.

SHING!

"Oho? I didn't think I had a dagger like this. Pretty cool."

He muttered, staring at the weapon in his hand.

The Abyssal's spear came crashing down.

CLANG!

But Katsuragi blocked it with his dagger. Despite being outmatched in size, he held his ground.

"That's all? I'm disappointed. I actually expect more, maybe large wings that can be used as shields or cloaks. Maybe even the ability to become a giant."

Their battle raged through the station, each clash of weapons sending shockwaves.

CRACK! 

BOOM!

Through the building. Katsuragi moved with an instinctive grace, each strike of his dagger precise and deliberate.

"Where do you want to run?"

Katsuragi grinned, knowing that he had attacked all of the Abyssal creature's weak points. On its legs, arms and wings. 

"Hey look at that! You got wings!"

SLASH!

Finally, with a powerful slash, he severed the spear in two and drove his dagger into the creature's core. It let out an unholy scream before collapsing into a swirling mass of Abyssal energy.

SWOOSH!

As Katsuragi stepped back, the energy flowed toward him and sank into his body. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air.

"What the-?"

SHING!

Without knowing, Katsuragi absorbed the creature into himself. The other rangers approached cautiously, their weapons still drawn.

"He absorbed it."

One of them whispered.

"That's Abyssal energy! He's dangerous! He's Infected!"

Another shouted. 

They then pointed their weapons at Katsuragi, looking worried. But Katsuragi himself looked calm and not upset at all. 

"Lower your weapons!" 

Liang ordered, stepping between Katsuragi and his men.

"But Captain—"

"Now!" 

Liang's voice was firm, his glare silencing the protests. He turned to Katsuragi. 

"I don't know what technique you used to absorb that thing into your body, but... listen carefully. If the superiors ask about this, I'll tell them an unregistered vigilante defeated the Abyssal."

Katsuragi looked at him, his expression unreadable. 

"You're covering for me? That's very sweet."

Liang nodded. 

"You saved us, but absorbing Abyssal energy is... complicated. This is the best way to protect you."

Katsuragi stood slowly, meeting Liang's gaze. 

"Thank you. I guess I owe you a favor."

"Don't make me regret it." 

Liang muttered before walking away. Carmira then held both of Katsuragi's shoulders. 

"Are you sure you're okay? You just sucked that creature in, you know that?! Are you really a black hole or what?!" 

Carmira asked as she shakes Katsuragi's body.

"I'm fine! There's no need to shake me like that!" 

The next day, Carmira dragged Katsuragi through Shanzhou's bustling streets.

"Is this really necessary?" 

Katsuragi asked, his voice laced with annoyance.

"Yes. You can't just walk around looking like you came out of the woods."

She replied, not even looking at him.

"I did come out of the woods." 

He quipped.

"Exactly my point."

They stopped at a clothing shop, where Carmira quickly picked out several outfits. Katsuragi stood awkwardly as she held up different options.

"Try this." 

She said, handing him a dark jacket with silver trim and measure it to Katsuragi.

He raised an eyebrow. 

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"It's outdated." 

She said flatly. 

Katsuragi was then shocked, outdated?! For him, his clothes now look good. 

"You need to blend in, not stand out."

After much reluctance, Katsuragi left the shop with new clothes.

Next, they visited a weapon smith, where Carmira convinced him to purchase a proper weapon instead of relying on the mysterious dagger that kept appearing.

"Alright, I'll just take this scythe."

The salesman was impressed with Katsuragi's choice. 

"Ah, good choice young man. Looks like I can finally get rid of that scythe. It was cursed."

Hearing this, Carmira was shocked. Cursed!? Who else sold that cursed scythe besides that old man?

"It's called the Soulreaper Scythe. According to its former owner, the scythe will attract souls who try to use it for the wrong purpose. But, even if some use it for good, they die too. Except for you now, you're not dead."

Katsuragi then smiled evilly. Then pay for the scythe.

"Then, I'll take it."

An hour later, they arrived at a modest apartment complex.

"This is your stop." 

Carmira said, handing him a key.

"My own place?" 

Katsuragi asked, surprised.

"Well, technically it's next door to mine. Who knows you need help." 

She said with a smirk.

As he unlocked the door, he glanced at her. 

"Thanks, Carmira."

"Don't mention it." 

She said, leaning against the doorframe. 

"Just don't do anything stupid, okay?"

He chuckled. 

"Alright, I won't promise.'"

She rolled her eyes. 

"Goodnight, Katsuragi."

Far away, atop a secluded rooftop, an armoured figure observed Katsuragi's apartment through binoculars.

Pulling out a sleek communication device, they connected the call.

"This is Kai." 

The figure said.

A calm, commanding voice responded. 

"Report."

"That man has settled in Shanzhou." 

Kai said. 

"He absorbed Abyssal energy during a recent encounter."

"Is he a threat?" 

The voice asked.

Kai hesitated. 

"Undetermined. His power is growing, but his intentions remain unclear."

"Continue observing. Report any changes immediately."

"Understood." 

Kai replied, ending the call.

As the device went silent, Kai's eyes lingered on Katsuragi's window.

"Let's see, a man who appeared out of nowhere and became a hero to an S Rank Awakener. Then absorbed the energy of the Abyss. Let's see who your true identity is. Shin Katsuragi." 

They murmured.