Chapter 28: Backup Has Arrived
The tension thickened—palpable, suffocating.
One touch from Hiroshima, and it would all be over.
The wind screamed past them as they moved, debris rattling across the streets. Cracked concrete lifted with every step, every shift of weight sending tremors through the battlefield.
Yura kept moving.
Circling. Constantly. Never stopping.
Hiroshima watched him, then laughed.
"Is that all you can do?" he mocked. "Run around, you damn hunter?"
{Noctyre vs June}
June finally stepped forward, her hesitation burning away.
"I'm done standing around," she said coldly. "You're my opponent."
Her fists ignited with borrowed Vital Force as she clashed head-on with Noctyre.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Noctyre slid back, then stepped in—his shadow stretching unnaturally.
Umbra Wolves tore themselves into existence, ripping through the air as they lunged straight at June.
She clicked her tongue.
"Your technique is damn annoying."
Noctyre grinned.
WHRRRRRRRR—
The roar of a helicopter tore through the chaos.
A voice blasted through its speakers:
"Reinforcements have arrived!"
Two figures dropped from the sky.
They landed with crushing force, the ground cracking beneath their feet.
Hiroshima's laughter echoed.
"…Kozuki Toya," he said, eyes lighting up. "So it's you."
{Five Elders – Highest Authority}
"The situation is destabilizing," one elder said grimly.
"Kael Draven has been sealed."
Another nodded.
"Send Kozuki Toya. He's the strongest counter-fighter among all SS-grade hunters."
A pause.
"…Send another SS-grade with him."
They all agreed.
{Back to Suraen}
Kozuki Toya rose smoothly from his landing, another SS-grade hunter beside him.
An emergency announcement rang across the city:
"Neraxis has been sighted in the residential area of Suraen. All civilians must evacuate immediately."
Kozuki glanced sideways.
"Go," he told the other hunter.
The man vanished in a blur.
Kozuki unsheathed his blade.
Steel sang through the air.
He smiled faintly.
"Let's begin, Hiroshima… June."