Chapter 31: Into the Lion's Den
The night sky was still burning with the echoes of battle. The ruins of the safe house lay in smoldering wreckage, and the scent of blood and gunpowder mixed with the damp city air. Haru's lifeless body remained on the rooftop, his sniper rifle still clutched in his cold hands.
Daijin's ears rang as he pushed himself off the ground, coughing out dust and blood. The explosion had disoriented him, but not enough to stop his instincts from kicking in. Akane groaned beside him, a deep gash on her forehead. The informant? Dead—his body mangled by the blast.
The enemy had planned this. They had known Daijin's group would come. And now, the hunter had become the prey.
A low chuckle echoed from the smoke.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward, his boots crunching over broken glass. A man draped in black, his long coat swaying with every step. His face was partially hidden behind an oni mask, the demonic grin carved into the metal sending a chill down Daijin's spine.
Tenshi.
"You should've stayed hidden in the shadows where you belong," Tenshi said, his voice calm, almost amused. "But now that you've come knocking at my door… it would be rude of me not to welcome you properly."
Daijin's grip tightened on his katana. His team was still recovering. They weren't prepared for this fight.
"Move," he whispered to Akane. "Now."
But it was already too late.
From the surrounding ruins, dozens of armed men emerged—Tenshi's elite warriors. They encircled the group, their weapons gleaming under the pale moonlight.
"You thought you were the predators," Tenshi continued. "But you walked right into the lion's den."
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A Desperate Battle
Daijin moved first.
His blade flashed as he lunged at the nearest enemy, severing flesh and bone with lethal precision. Akane followed, her twin daggers slashing through the air, cutting down anyone who got too close.
But for every enemy they struck down, three more replaced them.
Tenshi watched the chaos unfold, standing calmly amidst the violence, like a king observing his subjects.
One of Daijin's team members, Renji, was overwhelmed. A spear pierced through his shoulder, pinning him to a crumbling wall. He roared in pain but still fought, using his free hand to fire his pistol.
Mai, the youngest of the group, had taken position on higher ground, picking off enemies with deadly precision. But even she was beginning to run out of ammo.
Daijin could feel it—the tide of battle was turning against them.
Then, in an instant, Tenshi moved.
He was fast. Too fast.
Before Daijin could react, Tenshi was in front of him.
A powerful strike sent Daijin crashing to the ground. Pain shot through his ribs. The impact knocked the air from his lungs, but he forced himself up, blade raised.
Tenshi tilted his head. "Impressive. Most men would stay down after a hit like that."
Daijin wiped the blood from his lips. "I'm not most men."
Tenshi smiled beneath his mask. "Good."
Then he attacked.
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The Breaking Point
Daijin had fought countless warriors. But Tenshi was something else.
Every swing of Tenshi's blade was precise, controlled—like a man who had spent his entire life perfecting the art of killing.
Daijin barely managed to parry the strikes, his arms growing heavy with each clash of steel.
Akane tried to flank Tenshi, but with one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and twisted, forcing her to her knees.
"You're skilled," Tenshi mused. "But skill alone isn't enough to survive."
Then, with inhuman speed, he drove his knee into Akane's gut, sending her flying.
Daijin's vision blurred with rage. He lunged, bringing his sword down in a powerful arc.
Tenshi caught the blade with his bare hand.
Daijin's eyes widened.
Tenshi leaned in, whispering. "You're not ready for what's coming."
Then he struck.
Pain exploded through Daijin's body as Tenshi's elbow crashed into his chest, knocking him to the ground. His vision swam, his ears ringing once more.
"Take them," Tenshi ordered. "We'll have use for them later."
The last thing Daijin saw before the darkness took him was the cold glint of Tenshi's blade.
And then—nothing.
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