"I'm not just a reincarnate. It's not only that I remember my past life. The real secret is..."
"Trench!" The witch shouts. "Don't let him speak!"
"The secret is that I lived through my previous life..."
"Kill him!!!" Anabelle's voice shatters the air, turning into a horrified shriek.
Her scream snaps the leader of Eshin to action. The all too familiar knife appears in his hand, and in a swift movement, the shapeshifter lunges towards me with a speed unimaginable for an ordinary man.
The distance between us is a mere seven meters - a blink of an eye for a high-ranking shapeshifter like him...
All I can muster is to trace the spiritual link between me and the Master of Secrets and to raise my hands in defense.
The gleaming blade edges closer to my throat...
This might be my final moment.
But at times...
Even a fleeting moment can stretch on for what feels like an eternity.
Such as right now.
The blade is mere millimeters away when an intense force breaks through my hands, shattering the handcuffs that bound me!
Trench completes his action.
He succeeds.
The cold steel slices through my throat. Yet, miraculously, I'm still alive!
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"Ra-a-a-a-a-i-i-i-ig!"
"...uck!" I curse while adrenaline surges through me, overwhelming even the Projection.
There will be no mercy from me!
"Word," lashes out decisively and remorselessly. Unlike the steel, my blade brings instant death.
The head of the world's mightiest criminal syndicate didn't even have a moment to process his demise.
Sliding!
Sword Throw!
Nicholas... He remains motionless, stunned, as my snow-white blade pierces his heart.
But "Word" doesn't reach its intended destination and flies back to my hand.
I dodge.
Leap into the air.
Four sinister tendrils whip towards me.
Annabelle's aura is magnificent, rivaled only by Darth Sidious!
Maybe the wise choice would be to pull back, await backup, and confront her another day.
Maybe...
But such a monster can escape and then vanish without a trace, with her ability to change appearance! Give her a couple of seconds, and she'll be gone!
That's not going to happen.
In a rush, I exclaim, "You won't escape!"
Staying low to the ground, "Word" spins in my grip, while "Purity" seeks to sever her tendrils.
Damn! She's leagues above the foes I faced at Eshin's base. She's on another level compared to those buffoons!
Even my wakizashi fails to slice through her shadowy tendrils...
Once again, I feel defeat looming.
Annabelle masterfully manipulates her whips, keeping me at bay and launching unpredictable assaults.
Logic dictates retreat, but I can't — and I won't.
The blast that shattered my handcuffs signals that backup is near.
Rui! Forgive me for all the pain I've inflicted.
I just need to endure a bit longer.
Switching tactics, I cease my aggressive stance, opting to defend and ensure Annabelle doesn't flee.
This is a game that plays to my advantage.
No matter how swift the dark tendrils of the witch may be, we are in open space, and that is my domain!!!
"Raig!" I shout at the top of my lungs.
I leap, slide, and spin with dexterity.
My twin blades consistently find their place, deflecting the onslaughts of dark energy.
"Kill him, Trench!" I recall her words. No, today it's YOU who will die!
I don't need Enlightenment — I know I'm right.
She knows she's lost, and I can see it. Her gaze is filled with desperation and fear.
"Maestro! Let's negotiate! I'll hand over everyone! I'll reveal all!" she cries out.
But no sooner had she spoken than her head explodes from the simultaneous impact of two heavy, silver-coated lead bullets.
The unmistakable glint of revolvers and a voice I'd recognize among millions echo:
"No negotiations with witches!"
And there's my backup...