Chapter 5: The Death of Kizuna
Part 1
Hans Versalles held his crossbow with lethal confidence. His crooked grin oozed arrogance.
"Look, bunny boy, I'll give you one last chance: hand over the demi-human, and we all win. Don't waste more of my time."
Haruto, Aka-Oni at the ready, didn't take a step back.
"That portal was single-use. She's safe now. And I'd rather die than betray her trust."
Hans raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
"So much devotion for someone you barely know? Such noble stupidity."
"Maybe… but there's something in Rina that reminds me of myself," Haruto said, his voice a blend of conviction and quiet nostalgia.
Hans chuckled darkly.
"Then I guess your story ends here."
Haruto pulled out several mana gems and crushed them.
A surge of energy surged through his body and Kizuna flared brilliantly.
"You'll have to catch me first."
All around them, new clones appeared—more than before.
Hans narrowed his eyes.
"Every time he casts, that fairy glows… so she's his magic core," he deduced, his mind racing in sync with the rhythm of his weapon.
"Doesn't matter. Your mana will run out before my patience does," he murmured, firing.
The bolt split into several projectiles, wiping out clones instantly.
Another arrow was already reloading itself.
"Netherian tech... clean, silent, lethal," he whispered with a hint of pride.
The clones scattered, attempting to flank him.
Haruto raised a hand and conjured a glowing frost circle.
"Ice Shoot!"
Spikes of ice flew through the air but Hans shot back.
His bolts shattered the ice before it reached him.
"That all you've got, bunny boy?" he taunted, rotating his crossbow for the next shot.
Haruto stayed calm. The clones moved in unison, tightening their formation.
Kizuna sparkled beside him, floating with infectious energy.
"Don't hold back, Haruto-kyun! No breaks for him, Kizu!"
Haruto nodded, eyes locked on Hans.
"Razor Leaf!"
Hundreds of wind blades spun like shuriken.
Hans raised his left arm—clang! A metallic sound rang out.
His sleeve tore, revealing hidden armor.
"Steel plating... of course he had a trick up his sleeve," Haruto muttered, tense.
"Haruto-kyun!" Kizuna warned. "He may not know which clone is the real you, but I bet he's still hiding more tricks... up his sleeve and his arm, Kizu!"
Haruto didn't flinch.
"You're right, Kizuna. He's strong… but assassins rely on surprise. This time, we surprised him."
Hans let out a dry laugh, brushing off the blades embedded in his armored arm with disdain.
"That was it? These little games haven't even scratched me."
Suddenly, vines erupted from the ground, coiling around his legs. His mocking expression shifted to one of irritation.
"Now you're finished!" Haruto yelled.
The clones leapt in sync, Aka-Oni aimed and glowing.
"Hunter Shoot!"
A storm of wind bullets rained down on Hans, exploding into a massive blast that shook the trees.
The forest fell dead silent... until a single metallic casing rolled across the ground.
A moment later, a shot rang out from within the smoke—
sharp. Precise.
Deadly.
The last of the clones fell.
As the cloud cleared, Hans stood untouched, surrounded by a crackling blue magical barrier.
He brushed dust off his shoulder like it was nothing.
"H-How…?!" Kizuna gasped, eyes wide. "That attack should've been lethal, Kizu!"
Hans picked up the spent casing, grinning.
"Defensive barrier. Single use… but enough. Netherian tech."
His gaze locked on Haruto.
"So, bunny boy… what else have you got?"
Kizuna pulsed with light.
A katana appeared in Haruto's right hand, while Aka-Oni remained steady in his left.
"Not much left… but it's time for my ace," Haruto said between heavy breaths. "All or nothing, Versalles."
Hans twirled his blades with predatory grace.
"I hope so. You've become boring."
"Musashi Mode! One-Handed Technique: Lightning Bloom!"
The katana crackled with lightning, arcs dancing wildly across the blade.
Haruto charged.
Their blades clashed with thunderous force, each impact shaking the air itself.
Haruto pressed forward with unwavering will.
Hans… simply smiled—Enjoying every strike.
"Even with Musashi Mode, you can't break his defense, Kizu!" Kizuna cried, zipping around in a panic.
Haruto fired between strikes, but Hans deflected every shot with his swords. His defense was flawless.
"Musashi Mode… Second Techni—"
Haruto choked mid-call. A violent spasm wracked his body. He coughed blood.
He dropped to his knees.
Hans lowered his swords casually.
"Shame. Looks like you've hit your limit."
Haruto clenched his teeth, his katana trembling in his grip.
"Musashi Mode… Full Bloom!"
With a roar, he threw himself forward—one final strike, one last burst of will.
Steel clashed.
A blast echoed through the forest but in a flash, his katana was knocked away, and Aka-Oni vanished in a flicker of fading light.
Haruto stood defenseless.
Hans looked down at him, amusement dancing behind cold eyes.
"It was fun… but now it's time for your execution, little bunny."
He aimed the crossbow at Haruto's chest.
Haruto, barely conscious, raised his head—
until a desperate scream pierced the air.
"Don't do it! Haruto-kyun!!"
Kizuna shot toward him, her entire body glowing bright.
A shimmering barrier burst around them but only for a moment.
With a cruel swing, Hans slashed through the light.
Kizuna was cut in two.
Her glow flickered… then shattered into fragments.
"Kizuna!!" Haruto cried out, reaching for her, his voice breaking with despair.
Drifting weakly, Kizuna turned to him with a gentle smile.
"Thank you… Haruto-kyun…" she whispered, fading into a final spark of light.
The forest fell silent.
Haruto's katana and pistol—linked to their bond—vanished with her.
He collapsed to his knees, clutching the dirt with shaking fists, a raw, broken cry tearing from his throat.
Hans watched without blinking.
"So I was right… she was your magic core."
He shrugged and stepped forward, slow and unbothered.
"Doesn't matter. You'll be reunited soon… in the afterlife."
He knelt in front of Haruto, crossbow loaded, the tip pressed to his chest.
"Tell me, Hero… any last words?"
The forest held its breath.
And then a deafening blast tore through the air, so violent the trees shuddered and birds took off in a frenzied swarm.
Feathers and chaos filled the scene.
For a moment, everything seemed to end.