Chapter 71: The Edge of Chaos

Yahageshii charged into the abandoned building, his anger manifesting as roaring flames that engulfed the surroundings, a feral beast unleashed. Akari stood amidst the ruins, his gaze icy cold. The dagger in his hand gleamed sharply under the fiery light, poised to meet the impending clash.

Yahageshii's flames erupted, sending a wave of heat that distorted the air. Akari moved like a hawk, darting along the crumbling walls with ease, evading Yahageshii's fire-cloaked fists. As Akari landed, Yahageshii's second punch shot toward him, the scorching heat searing the air with an acrid, burnt scent.

Akari's eyes flickered. His dagger crossed to deflect the fiery onslaught. The heat radiating from the clash made his wrist tremble, but he pressed forward. With a deft twist, Akari redirected the flames toward a web of nearly invisible wires nearby, causing them to spark and crackle.

"You're only prolonging the inevitable!" Yahageshii roared, his fists hammering relentlessly, each strike tearing apart the floor and walls. Dust and debris filled the air as his assault continued unabated.

Akari's movements were fluid, slipping through the gaps in Yahageshii's attacks like water through cracks. Suddenly, he flicked his hand, sending a shadowy thread toward Yahageshii's feet. Yahageshii paused momentarily, realizing too late that steel wires had ensnared his ankles.

"Too fast ruins the fun," Akari mocked, his smirk widening as he swung his dagger toward Yahageshii's knee.

With a fiery burst, Yahageshii broke free, launching himself skyward in a column of flame. He retaliated with a massive fire pillar, aiming directly at Akari. But instead of dodging, Akari drew another dagger from his waist and dove upward, slicing through the flames.

The moment the blades met the fire, heat waves rippled outward, singeing Akari's hair. Yet his grin only grew more unhinged as he maneuvered through the inferno, closing in on Yahageshii.

Yahageshii barely twisted away, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike. The flames around him flared, forming a protective shield, but Akari's daggers split apart mid-flight, transforming into spinning blades that streaked toward Yahageshii's back.

"Look out!" Ryuosho surged forward, his lightning-clad form cutting through the air. With a swing of his hand, he conjured a wall of electricity that deflected the spinning daggers. "Akari, what the hell are you stalling for?" he shouted.

Akari licked the edge of his dagger, his grin maddening. "Stalling? Maybe. Or maybe I'm just waiting for the perfect moment."

The tension thickened as Shingin took in the dire situation. If the fight dragged on any longer, the crumbling building would collapse, burying them all. Yet, retreat wasn't an option.

Just as Shingin gathered his resolve, a familiar voice pierced through the chaos: "Shingin, help me!"

His heart skipped a beat. Spinning toward the voice, he saw Riyugi, her face pale with fear. But before he could act, Riyugi shouted, "It's not me! Be careful!"

The warning came too late.

A glint of steel flashed, followed by the dull sound of a blade piercing flesh.

Shingin turned to see Yahageshii standing in front of him, a dagger embedded in his abdomen. Yahageshii's lips quivered, but no words escaped. His gaze was locked on Akari, whose laughter echoed like a lunatic's cry.

Akari's madness was palpable as he took a step forward, his weapon glinting menacingly. "Who said humans should fear ability users? And yet here you are, trembling before me. It's hilarious, isn't it?"

Shingin's hands trembled, a mix of anger and helplessness surging through him. If this continued, they were doomed.

"Yahageshii!" Myouka's voice cut through the tension as she rushed to support him, her expression filled with desperation.

Shingin's grip tightened around his water-forged blade. He inhaled deeply, determination hardening his resolve. "We can't lose. Not now."

With a burst of speed, Shingin lunged toward Akari, his blade gleaming.

Akari remained unfazed. With a flick of his wrist, he fired at the steel wires, triggering an intricate web of traps. Knives hidden within the wires snapped free, aiming for Shingin's blind spots.

Shingin braced himself, knowing escape was impossible. Yet, just as the knives were about to strike, they vanished into thin air.

"What?" Akari's composure wavered for the first time.

"Enough!" Riyugi's voice rang out, firm and resolute. She stood tall, holding a mirror. The missing knives were embedded in its reflective surface.

Akari's eyes narrowed. "A mirror ability…"

Before he could act, Shingin's blade slashed through the air, striking Akari with unyielding force.

Akari crashed to the ground, coughing up blood as the impact rattled through him. Struggling to rise, he found Shingin's blade pressed firmly against his throat.

The room fell silent, save for Akari's weak, rasping laughter. "You got me…" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "Didn't see that coming."

Shingin's gaze was unyielding, his blade steady.

"Shingin!" Riyugi's call broke the stillness, grounding him in the moment. He withdrew his weapon and turned toward his injured allies.

Despite the victory, the cost weighed heavily. The echoes of Akari's deranged laughter lingered in the collapsing ruins, a haunting reminder of the chaos they had endured.