A heavy silence hung in the air as Kazuki stared directly into Raizen's eyes. The tension between them was suffocating, as though the very world held its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash. The soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the sound of their breathing and the crackling weight of unspoken words.
Finally, Kazuki spoke, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade."I know you're a spy from North Ryehem."
The accusation struck like lightning, and in that instant, Raizen's expression twisted. His eyes narrowed, his muscles tensed, and without even a second's hesitation, he lunged forward. His sword — a gleaming weapon forged from pure steel — caught the sunlight as it sliced through the air, aimed directly for Kazuki's throat.
But Kazuki was already moving.
His body blurred, leaving a ghostly afterimage in his place. With his cultivation at Body Refining Tier 4, Kazuki's speed was nothing short of supernatural. Even without using his Spiritual Force, his supersonic movements made it appear as though space itself bent around him.
Kazuki effortlessly sidestepped the attack, his expression calm, almost bored. Raizen's sword whistled through empty air, striking nothing. But before Raizen could recover, Kazuki moved again — a flicker to the left, then a blur to the right. To any normal eye, it would have seemed as if he had vanished entirely.
He's fast… too fast…! Raizen thought, gritting his teeth. Desperation began to creep into his heart, but he steeled himself, refusing to give in.
Kazuki continued to weave through Raizen's strikes, his movements fluid and precise. The air around them rippled as Raizen's sword cut arcs of silver light, but not once did it graze Kazuki. It was as if Raizen was fighting a phantom — a relentless, untouchable shadow.
Kazuki's mind remained sharp, analyzing every movement, every flaw in Raizen's form.Body Refining Tier 3. His speed is respectable, but it's riddled with openings… he won't last long.
With a smirk, Kazuki leapt into the air, flipping gracefully before landing softly behind Raizen. As Raizen spun around, sweat trailing down his brow, Kazuki's voice echoed from above.
"I can't let you live." Raizen growled, his grip on his sword tightening.
Kazuki tilted his head slightly, his cold gaze unwavering."I know… but I can't let North Ryehem exist either."
Those words struck deeper than any blade. Raizen's expression hardened as anger and resolve warred within him.
In a heartbeat, Kazuki vanished from his airborne position, reappearing directly beside Raizen. The sudden shift left Raizen momentarily frozen, and in that fleeting second, Kazuki's hand shot out, gripping the blade of Raizen's sword. The steel bit into his palm, drawing a thin line of blood, but Kazuki didn't even flinch.
Their eyes locked — predator and prey.
With a cruel smirk, Kazuki clenched his fist, and the pure steel sword shattered like glass. Shards of metal scattered around them, glinting in the sunlight as they fell. Raizen staggered back in shock, staring at the fragments of his weapon.
A crimson drop slid down Kazuki's palm, but he barely acknowledged it.
"So," Kazuki began, his voice carrying a sharp, disdainful edge, "what now? Will you pull out your last trump card… or just stand there and accept your fate?"
Raizen's face twisted with fury, his breathing ragged. He knew he was outmatched. Every instinct screamed at him to flee, but his pride as a warrior and his loyalty to his homeland refused to let him back down.
"Fine," he spat, his voice hoarse yet resolute, "I'll sacrifice my life before letting a monster like you live!"
Kazuki's smile widened, the glint in his eyes colder than ice."As expected."
The wind stirred between them as the next decisive moment approached — a clash of ideals, loyalty, and blood that neither could walk away from.