The dust settled around us, revealing the aftermath of my attack. Kurona and Nashiro brushed off debris from their clothes, calm, cautious, and assessing me.
Nashiro's gaze lingered on me a second longer, studying, while Kurona looked more irritated than anything else.
Ryuuchi broke the silence, activating his Quinque.
"Big Boss… are they with us?" he asked, his voice tense, ready to fight.
I exhaled lightly, amusement creeping into my tone.
"That depends on them."
Kurona opened her mouth to reply, but a deep, calm voice sliced through the air before she could.
"Disappointing."
The single word was measured, emotionless but beneath the stillness, there was venom.
TAP… TAP… TAP…
A rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps. From the smoke of debris, a man emerged.
His white overcoat bore the insignia of the Commission of Counter Ghoul (CCG), and he carried himself with the composed confidence of a veteran hunter.
"Kousuke Houji..." Ryuuchi said in disbelief as he stiffened beside me.
His cold, impassive eyes flickered over the battlefield.
Behind him, two full squads landed from a hovering chopper, rifles glinting under the moonlight.
Another man...no a youngster, likely a newly promoted Rank 1 Dove, stood behind them. His expression betrayed unease.
"Boss… that's Houji! A top-class S-Rank investigator! A true battle veteran" His voice dropped to a whisper. "This doesn't look good. We need to leave—"
but before he could finish,
Houji raised his arm, and Hollow, his Ukaku Quinque, unfolded from his wrist.
A deep red glow pulsed, brimming with charged energy.
"Orders were to erase the evidence," Houji said, voice unwavering. "And yet… cockroaches always survive."
My eyes narrowed behind my mask.
Kurona and Nashiro twitched, instinctively recognizing the suffocating aura of an S-Class Dove.
They weren't strong enough yet—they'd only been Half-Ghouls for about a year.
Right now, Houji was an enemy they had no chance against.
"Boss… we can't take him. Not with the kids here. We need to get them out." Ryuuchi muttered under his breath.
He was right. Houji wasn't just a high-ranking Dove. He was a battle-hardened, seasoned hunter.
I made my decision.
"Ryuuchi, Kurona take the kids and leave the ward. Kill any Doves that stop you."
Kurona scoffed, annoyed.
"Tch! Why the hell would I take orders from you?"
Before I could answer, Nashiro cut in.
"Sister, no. Go with him and protect the kids."
Kurona blinked, startled by the immediate response.
"What? Nashiro, what are you talk—?"
But Nashiro was already stepping forward, standing beside me.
"I'll stay with him."
My lips curled slightly under my mask. Interesting.
Unlike Kurona, Nashiro understood what I meant.
She realized that I couldn't entrust the kids solely to them but at the same time, I also couldn't let Ryuuchi go alone with them. If they betrayed me...well let's just say it won't end well for Ryuuchi.
By keeping Nashiro with me, I ensured Kurona wouldn't try anything funny, knowing her sister was with me.
Kurona hesitated, clicking her tongue, but finally gave a reluctant nod.
"erhg...You better keep my sister safe, dumbass."
And with that, they vanished into the darkness.
"Nashiro, Take care of his squad. I'll hold off Houji," I said turning towards the dove as I slowly and dramatically started walking toward him.
We circled each other, assessing...
with a click of his Quinque, he immediately shot, A charged blast from Hollow screamed through the air.
zoom
I lunged forward, Soul Edge in hand, slashing through two of the shells
Spinning in mid-air I caught the last one instantly and hurled it back.
BOOM!
The explosion swallowed Houji in a storm of red sparks. But I knew better than to assume he was done.
I didn't hesitate.
Cutting through the smoke, I drove my blade straight for his throat.
CLANG!
My sword clashed against metal.
'huh..?'
Houji had blocked me with his second Quinque
Chi She.
A Koukaku-type blade, large, straight-edged, with a curved guard. It resembled a poleaxe.
Our blades ground against each other, sparks flying between us.
Houji's smirk was calm, but his grip was iron.
"Oh? A strong cockroach."
With a powerful shove, he pushed me back, then smoothly transitioned into a counterattack.
I flipped backward, barely dodging the sweeping arc of Chi She.
"Tch."
Houji was different from the lower-ranked Doves. He wasn't just fast....He was precise.
His footwork, his reading of my attacks...He knew exactly where I'd strike before I even moved.
A real Pain in the Ass.
A slow grin formed on my lips as I adjusted my stance.
CLANG!
CLANG!!
CLANG!!!
As our blades collided, a metallic clang echoed through the air.
I felt the impact ripple through my arms, the force of Houji's greatsword pressing down like a mountain.
'Tch… This bastard's strong.'
My Soul Edge held firm—it was no ordinary blade, it wouldn't break. But that didn't stop the shockwaves and sheer force from traveling through my muscles, numbing my grip.
The weight behind each clash was beginning to take a toll.
'…My arms are getting sore. Especially without my Dragon Physique.'
I wasn't using my Dragon Physique, only my raw cultivation base causing me to take the full brunt of each exchange.
Houji noticed. His keen eyes flickered as he pressed forward, his strength relentless.
Shifting my stance, I adjusted my grip, letting my cultivation energy flow more freely, reinforcing my muscles.
The next time he swung, I stepped in instead of retreating.
With a sudden shift, I angled my blade, absorbing the force differently. Instead of taking the hit head-on,
I let Soul Edge slide along the greatsword's edge, redirecting the impact.
Houji's smirk faded slightly as I twisted, sending a counterstrike toward his ribs.
BOOM!!
The shockwave from our latest exchange sent cracks splintering across the ground.
As we continued our duel, my gaze flickered to the side, just for a second.
Nashiro was holding her own well.
The doves she faced were above average, but she was carving through them with an efficiency that was… almost impressive.
'Not bad...'
But then my eyes narrowed.
Amid the fight, the young investigator, maybe nineteen, squared off against her.
Scrawny, but his movements were sharp. His footwork was precise, his strikes calculated and far more refined than a typical new recruit.
'Hoh? A fresh graduate? He's good...better than most at his level.'
My mind barely had time to process the thought before—
"Eyes here, roach!"
CRACK!
Houji's greatsword slammed into my ribs with its broadside, sending me skidding backward.
I dug Soul Edge into the ground, the friction dragging me to a stop just before I crashed into a collapsed pillar.
My grip tightened.
"You're really getting on my nerves, Old man."
Houji simply smirked, but his eyes remained cold, calculating.
Then the distant rumble of engines came. I looked at the distance.
Beyond the rooftops, multiple choppers cut through the night sky, their floodlights blinking.
'More reinforcements. I need to wrap this up quickly.'
Meanwhile,
Kurona and Ryuuchi moved swiftly through the ruined academy district, weaving through the debris and blood-soaked streets, keeping the terrified children close.
"Almost there," Ryuuchi muttered, scanning ahead.
Their goal was clear.
Get the kids past the academy zone and into the neighboring district, where the CCG wouldn't dare follow.
Kurona clicked her tongue in frustration, her nerves on edge. "Tch. Why the hell should she take orders from him?"
"Shut up and move," Ryuuchi shot back. "If we don't secure the kids, it's pointless."
She knew he was right, but still, every second spent here meant more danger for Her sister.
'Tch. Stupid sister...why did she stay behind?'
They slipped through a half-demolished perimeter fence, emerging into a dimly lit back alley.
From here, they were officially out of the academy's domain,
a stretch of low-income housing, filled with civilians who would immediately take notice if the CCG overstepped.
The cadets, still trembling, huddled together.
Ryuuchi crouched down, his voice low but firm. "You're safe now. Lay low and don't get caught outside. Got it?"
The kids nodded frantically.
Satisfied, he pulled out a burner phone, dialing a number from memory.
A hushed voice answered. "Who is this?"
"No time for questions. There's a battle at the academy. Send your best reporters, now. If you wait, you'll miss everything."
A pause.
CLICK
The call was ended.
Kurona raised a brow. "Media?"
Ryuuchi smirked. "The more eyes on the academy, the less CCG can cover up. The big boss doesn't like his work being buried."
'And if he plans to retreat, this gives him a perfect cover. The more chaos, the better.'
Kurona didn't reply. She had already turned on her heels, heading back the way they came.
Back at the Academy Grounds,
Flames flickered against the ruins, corpses littered the ground, and the air reeked of iron and smoke.
As they arrived, Ryuuchi immediately spotted the clash ahead, Grey locked in combat with Houji, their weapons clashing in sparks of energy.
And Nashiro.....still fighting,
Kurona sighed. "She's safe."
Ryuuchi scanned the battlefield and exhaled. "What do you think we-"
Kurona, however, wasn't listening. With a growl, she leaped forward.
'This woman...!!!'
The night air trembled under the furious clang of metal upon metal.
SPARK!
SPARK!!
SKRREEEE!!
The sharp wail of scraping steel echoed through the ruins, my strikes becoming faster.
I caught his flickering gaze shifting toward the twins.
'Planning to go to their aid, huh?' I grinned.
Not happening.
I doubled my pressure, my attacks relentless. He furrowed his brows, frustration creeping into his composed demeanor.
"Enough playing," he muttered.
With a sudden, violent motion, he smashed his greatsword into the ground.
BOOM!
A thick cloud of smoke and debris exploded between us.
'Tch. He's trying to slip away!'
I reacted instantly, leaping straight into the dust cloud
"!!....Huh?!"
A sharp glint cut through the smog. A pointed blade shot toward my face.
I twisted.
The edge scraped my Oni mask, slicing past my eye as I barely dodged in time.
Step. Step.
I backed away, the dust settling, revealing Houji now switched to a third Quinque.
A Koukaku-type.
Iitsuu.
A pair of sleek gauntlets, thin, elongated blades extending like a mantis's deadly forelegs.
I barely had a second before he launched at me, his movements now faster, sharper.
Thrust!
A blade pierced the air, aimed straight at my heart.
I tilted my torso, barely evading.
SLASH!
A second blade came from the other side—forcing me to parry.
'Tch. These blades are too damn fast!'
His range was ridiculous
Quick thrusts, Precise slashes.
I weaved through the storm of attacks, but I couldn't break in.
I noticed the media had arrived.
Perfect.
'It's showtime.'
I pushed him back with a burst of Qi, forcing distance.
And then I kept my hand behind me. Hidden from Direct view.
A second Sword materialized in my grip.
A Shining, White, crystal Like Sword.
Soul Calibur.
Twin blades now gleamed under the burning city sky.
Soul Edge in my right, Soul Calibur in my left.
Houji's eyes narrowed.
I smirked "Fair and square. Don't you agree?"
Taking a Deep breath, I closed the distance.
FLASH STEP
STRIKE!
STRIKE!
STRIKE!
STRIKE!
SHING—!
A blur of black and silver streaked through the battlefield.
Houji barely had time to react.
CLANG!His arms trembled as my blades smashed against his.
No Time to Breathe.
No Time to Think.
No Time to Counter
STRIKE!
I cut low which he blocked with his left.
STRIKE!
I flipped Soul Calibur in a reverse grip, swinging up.
He parried, but I twisted mid-air kicking off his guard.
I crashed down, both blades falling like a guillotine.
CRASH!
He stumbled back, teeth gritted.
Faster. Sharper. Relentless.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
My attacks blurred into streaks of silver and crimson.
Houji's form twisted and dodged...barely.
"Egh!!" He clicked his tongue as he twisted his grip, aiming to intercept my charge with Iitsuu's piercing thrust.
Too slow.
DODGE—TWIST—STRIKE!
I pivoted around his blade, Soul Calibur slashing toward his ribs—
BLOCKED!
He barely raised his greatsword in time, but—
CLANG!!
That's fine. That's expected.
Because the second blade is already moving.
Soul Edge from my other hand now curved upward like a black fang.
—SCHLICK!
A red line bloomed across his shoulder.
His expression tensed, but I wasn't done.
Step in — Strike—!
Dual-wielding is an absolute offense.
I didn't pause or hesitate.
Left cut--feint--turn right
swing downward
crash--parry--kick
reverse grip
Houji couldn't keep up.
His foot slid. His guard faltered. His stance wavered.
I sensed it...
An opening.
Now.....
I twisted my entire body, both blades glowing with power.
"HAAAH—!!"
X-SLASH!!!
My blades carved an X-shaped arc, the force of my attack infused with Qi exploding outward.
BOOOOM!!!
The X-shaped slash was carved through him.
For a moment, Houji stood still. Frozen in place.
Blood.
A thin, sharp crimson cross appeared on his chest.
His breath hitched.
"—Ghkk…!"
He coughed blood. Staggered. His grip on his Quinques loosened.
CLANG.
His arms hit the ground first, severed clean at the shoulders.
His Body Split.
Torso crumbled apart, falling into four pieces.
The once-feared Special Class Investigator was now nothing but butchered remains on the blood-soaked dirt ground.
Dead.
The faint ring of my blades settled.
The roar of gunfire, the clashing of Kagune and Quinque, the war cries of doves...it all blurred into silence.
I exhaled sharply. My hands trembled slightly from the sheer force of the attack.
I lowered my gaze to Houji's corpse pieces.
So this is the difference....between a Veteran and a Monster.
I flicked my swords, sending droplets of blood scattering into the dirt.
Then, I turned.
The battlefield was watching.
The Doves. The Twins. The Cameras.
The hovering choppers, their floodlights blinding as they focused on me.
I narrowed my eyes with irritation
'Annoying.'
I turned my attention to the twins, Kurona and Nashiro.
Nashiro's POV
I watched in disbelief. If I wasn't here to witness it myself, I wouldn't have believed it.
He was a Special-Class Investigator....Not some Dove off the streets.
And yet now dead. A butchered meat.
The battlefield was shifting. More Doves were arriving, weapons drawn.
They weren't charging in immediately. Some hesitated, whispering amongst themselves.
They had just watched a legend die.
I tapped Kurona's shoulder, snapping her out of her trance.
"Sister, we need to leave—!"
Before I could blink—
He was already in front of us.
'Fast...!!'
Too fast.
My breath caught in my throat.
Before I could react, he pulled us close.
His voice was soft. Calm.
"Girls, close your eyes."
Was that a request...or a command?
I wasn't sure.
But something in his tone made me obey.
I shut my eyes, pressing closer to him, and...
'...His heartbeat?'
Slow. Steady.
How?!
How could someone who just fought like that still be so calm?
It was...stabilizing.
Reassuring in a way I hadn't felt in so long.
A strange thought flickered through my mind.
'Since when did I even care about something like this...?'
And then,
A Flash.
Blinding, even through my closed eyelids.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
With a surge of movement, I felt weightless....
The wind rushed past my face.
I opened my eyes...We were in the air.
Jumping.
Soaring between buildings.
The city blurred beneath us, the battlefield shrinking into the distance.
My heart pounded.
'Who-No...
WHAT THE FUCK IS HE?'