The man's arm began to twist—veins bulging, muscles writhing under his skin.
Then it erupted.
Crimson crystal burst from the flesh, jagged and alive. The Kagune grew like a weaponized limb, sleek but savage, its edges ridged and its point wickedly sharp. It shimmered in the low light, humming with menace.
Agung dropped to his knees, clutching his ears as a shrill sound tore through his head. It wasn't from the room—it was inside him.
Then—THUNK!
The Kagune pierced his side, right through the ribs. Bone shattered with a sickening crack.
Agung gritted his teeth, blood pooling fast, but his hand lashed out and gripped the man's arm like a vice. He lifted his head slowly, eyes glowing an eerie, steaming red.
A growl rumbled from deep in his chest. Steam coiled from his wounds. With one hand, he seized the attacker's neck.
The man bared his teeth and twisted—the Kagune rotating inside Agung's side, tearing more flesh and breaking more bone.
Kato's voice rang out. "AGUNG!"
Frantic, he dug in his pocket and pulled a lone bullet, hurling it desperately.
Clink.
It bounced off the man's back and rolled to the floor.
Kato's breathing deepened. His nails had grown long, curved like claws.
He sprinted forward.
The man tore the Kagune out of Agung with a sickening slurp, blood flying. The weapon gleamed—ridged like a monstrous saw, its tip stained and glowing.
He turned and aimed it at Kato's face.
Kato's skin blackened instantly, the pupils in his eyes turning a vibrant, predatory red. He didn't flinch. He vanished.
In a flash, he reappeared mid-air and spun—his foot slamming against the man's face with a thunderous crack.
The tall man staggered back.
Kato landed, locked eyes with him, and charged again. The moment he came into striking range, the Kagune sliced the air—
—but Kato had already disappeared again.
He reappeared at the man's gut, driving his fist deep into his abdomen.
BOOM!
Then another.
And another.
Punches rained down like a storm. Blindingly fast. Unrelenting.
The man snarled, leapt back—and his other arm transformed, taking shape into a longer, curved Kagune like a reaper's scythe.
He swung.
VOOOM!
The shockwave split the air. The man vanished—reappeared beside Kato.
CRASH!
Kato was sent flying, slamming into the far wall. The impact cracked the stone. A massive cut split his chest, blood flowing freely. Dust erupted in every direction.
Agung looked up, panting, blood still dripping from his side. His wound sealed rapidly.
He shot forward like a missile, steam trailing from his back.
He threw a punch—
—but the man met it with his Kagune.
CLANG!
Then came the counter.
SLASH!
Agung was hurled across the room, blood following him in an arc. He hit the floor hard, skidding through rubble.
As the dust cleared—
Kato rose.
His body shimmered with something new. His knuckles, forearms, chest — all were covered in sharp, black crystal scales, forming a sleek, skin-tight armor. Not bulky. Not loud. Silent and sharp, like a predator's hide.
He lifted his head.
And vanished.
The punch he launched was aimed right for the red-eyed bastard's face—
But it stopped.
Not by force. By something softer.
A wall of pale, fleshy tissue had materialized in front of the blow, absorbing it.
Then a presence emerged from the dust.
Not rushing. Not limping. Walking.
He was tall. Perfectly composed. His suit was sharp, clean, untouched by blood or dust. His black vest was buttoned flawlessly. His hair combed back. He moved with refined grace.
And yet, his aura was colder than death.
He wore no Kagune.
He didn't need one.
A vampire.
He stepped between them, eyes calm and calculating.
"That's quite enough," he said, voice smooth and rich like fine wine. "There's no honor in tearing each other apart like dogs in front of the lost."
His words were polite. But the edge behind them was steel.
Kato, eyes burning, twisted and launched a kick.
CRACK!
The man didn't move.
But blood burst from Kato's side.
The scales on his Kagune armor shattered, cracking across his torso. He dropped to one knee, coughing hard.
The vampire simply looked down at him, unfazed.
Ethan stood among the fallen hounds, their black blood seeping into the cracked tiles beneath him. His breaths came in ragged, burning gasps. His hospital gown was nothing more than tattered shreds clinging to his battered frame, revealing blood, bruises, and muscle twitching from exhaustion.
[Congratulations. You have slain 75 Bloodhound Reapers.]
[Remaining HP: 3]
[Calculating rewards... Distribution process initiated.]
He staggered backward, dropping to one knee, blood dripping from a deep wound in his shoulder.
[Level Up: +1]
[All stats have increased by 5.]
[New Feature Unlocked: Dimensional Storage.]
[New Skill Acquired: Instant Regeneration.]
Red steam hissed from his wounds, knitting torn flesh together slowly. He groaned, still shivering.
[Warning: Host body requires blood to stabilize regeneration.]
He stared blankly at the system message. Blood?
Ethan's eyes drifted to the golden axe in his hand, now soaked in black blood. He let it fall with a heavy clang.
[Would you like to store this item in Dimensional Storage?]
[Accept] [Decline]
[Accept].
[Error: Host must wield the item to store it. Please reattempt.]
"Of course," Ethan muttered, reaching down. As his fingers wrapped around the axe handle, a sudden pulse erupted from his side. A red and white electric light sparked from a small, swirling hole in his right side.
He grimaced as the axe was pulled inward, swallowed by the dimensional void. The space closed with a snap, leaving behind only a faint shimmer.
The world around him shuddered—then collapsed.
When Ethan opened his eyes, he was back in the hospital washroom.
The mirror was cracked. The lights flickered. and his torn body looked no better than before, despite his slow healing.
He leaned on the sink, forcing himself upright. He was exhausted.
Ethan opened the door and staggered into the hallway.
"Hey! What on earth happened to you?!" a nurse gasped.
Her eyes widened as she took in his condition. "Where were you?! What happened to your clothes?!"
Before she could press further, his knees buckled.
She caught him just in time, shouting over her shoulder. "Security! Get someone over here, now!"
The world went black again as her arms held him steady.