Mad Hatter's Guide to Clearing The Game
Chapter 127: Ch125. Toward the Last Verse

Chapter 127: Ch125. Toward the Last Verse

The doors of the Master’s domain slid open with a smooth hiss, the metallic chamber giving way to the chaotic sprawl of Luna Sea. Miles stepped through first, feeling the weight of the unseen eyes shifting away from him now that the trial was over. His scythe rested against his back, its presence an echo of the battle he had just survived. Kurt followed, stretching exaggeratedly as he stepped out.

"Well, that took long enough." Kurt said with a dramatic sigh. "I was starting to think I’d have to come in and rescue you. Maybe even avenge you. I already had a killer one-liner planned."

"Pretty sure I was fine." Miles shot him a flat look.

"Eh, debatable." Kurt smirked, falling in step beside him. "You looked two seconds away from getting turned into scrap metal. But I suppose you managed to pull off some last-minute miracle, as usual." He gave a pointed glance at the scythe on Miles’ back. "And I’m guessing that thing’s got a few new tricks now."

Miles rolled his shoulders. He could still feel the residual energy humming through the weapon, the subtle pull of time’s currents lingering within it.

"Something like that."

Kurt didn’t press further, but Miles could feel his curiosity burning. Instead of asking, Kurt turned to glance at their surroundings.

"So, are we free to go now, or do we need to sign out with the masked overlord first?"

As if answering his question, a small, floating drone zipped up to them. A mechanical voice, cold and efficient, emanated from it.

"Your clearance has been restored. You are no longer restricted within Luna Sea. The Master has granted you passage."

"Oh wow!" Kurt said, mockingly placing a hand on his heart. "I feel so honored."

Miles ignored him and nodded at the drone before it zipped away.

"Let’s get what we need and move. We’re wasting time."

"Finally. I need new gear, and I know just the place." Kurt stretched again, hands behind his head.

But as he and Miles walked away from the Master’s ’castle’, Miles could not shake the strange feeling that Luna Sea’s leader had given him with his last words.

’You are the first player to ever be thrown in this place in a long while... Ever since Kurt arrived, that is. And it is bound to stir things up around, so... Keep your head high, and stay true to your ambitions. Your desires will lead you to where you need to go. You have my blessing.’

"Why did the man talk like a priest or something...?" Miles could not suppress the question.

"Oh, so you don’t know?" Kurt scoffed. "You got guts, but no brains, kid." He laughed.

"What...?" Miles rolled his eyes, but something in Kurt’s tone made him feel uneasy.

"Well..." Kurt laughed. "I suppose there’s no problem saying it now, but..." His amused smirk widened. "You fought the god of War."

Miles stopped walking, frozen in place as Kurt’s words sank in his brain.

"God... Of War?" His eyes twitched.

"Well... Lesser god of War. And technology, but don’t let him hear you saying this. Makes the old man really pissed." Kurt laughed. "And there it is. Your face, it’s priceless!"

"What?" Miles frowned, tilting his head.

A god?

Miles had fought a god...

"Wait... Then it means..."

"Ah, you finally get it, now, kid." Kurt chuckled. "It seems you have some brains after all."

"Well... I guess I’m not in position to argue with a god, am I? But damn... So the guy held back on me?"

And they resumed their walk, going toward the place Kurt had in mind, so he could finally get some better gear.

***

The marketplace of Luna Sea was as chaotic as ever, a maze of half-scrapped machinery, flickering neon signs, and vendors shouting over one another to sell their wares. The air smelled of oil, rust, and ozone, thick with the buzz of mechanical constructs scuttling about, tending to stalls or scouting for trouble.

"I’ve got a guy here. Good prices, good gear. Don’t ask where he gets it." Kurt led the way, navigating through the mess with practiced ease.

Miles was not particularly interested in gear shopping, but Kurt needed an upgrade. His current outfit was worn, the reinforced plates of his jacket showing signs of too many fights without proper repairs.

They ducked into a narrow alleyway, where a hidden shop was nestled between two stacks of rusted shipping crates. Inside, shelves were lined with scavenged equipment – half-repaired weapons, modded armor, and experimental tech that looked both highly illegal and extremely useful, if not to mention dangerous.

A stocky man with mechanical arms glanced up from behind a workbench. His cybernetic eye whirred as it adjusted focus.

"Kurt, you bastard. You still alive?"

"Barely, Cogs. Barely." Kurt replied, grinning. "You got anything decent for me, or are you still peddling junk?"

The shopkeeper grunted, wiping his hands on a grease-stained rag.

"I got what you need. Been working on a reinforced tactical coat. Lightweight, but with kinetic absorption. Should keep you from getting your ribs shattered every other fight."

He pulled out a dark, armored jacket from behind the counter. It was sleek, lined with reinforced plating at key points, yet flexible enough for quick movements.

"Now that’s more like it." Kurt whistled. "You’re the man, Cogs. You’re the man."

Then, Kurt turned toward Miles with a savage grin on his face.

"Punch me."

"What?" Miles tilted his head.

"You heard me." Kurt’s smirk widened. "Punch me! I want to test the kinetic absorption of this beauty."

Miles looked at Kurt with a mix of perplexity and amusement on his face, and retorted.

"Are you sure?"

Kurt simply nodded in agreement, looking like a child ready to play with their new toy.

"Well... If you insist..." Miles raised his stance, and immediately launched a powerful punch...

On Kurt’s face.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" Kurt shouted, looking baffled while Miles started to run.

"Payback for the wake-up calls!" Miles laughed, sprinting.

"You little shit- I’M GONNA KILL YOU!" Kurt murmured, glancing at Cogs.

"Pleasure doing business." The shopkeeper said, scooping them up. "Try not to die too soon, yeah?"

"No promises!" Kurt shot back as he sprinted after Miles.

***

After settling the score from Miles’ punch, and with their supplies in order, they made their way to the edge of Luna Sea. The sprawl of scrap and neon lights thinned out here, the terrain shifting into the endless, shifting metal plains beyond.

"Didn’t think I’d be leaving this place so soon." Kurt glanced back at the city, hands in his pockets.

"Getting sentimental?" Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Hell no. Just thinking about all the fights I could’ve picked if we stayed longer." Kurt snorted.

"Asshole..." Miles shook his head. "We got somewhere else to be."

"The Last Verse, I know." Kurt’s tone grew more serious as he looked ahead. "You sure you’re ready for whatever’s waiting there?"

Miles hesitated for only a second before nodding.

"I don’t have a choice. I have to move forward if I want answers."

"Well, if we die, at least it’ll be an interesting way to go." Kurt eyed him for a long moment before nodding.

Miles didn’t answer.

He simply stepped forward, leaving Luna Sea behind, and Kurt followed.