Chapter 73: The Core of Asura

A violent torrent of black and crimson energy surged in chaotic spirals, as if guided by an unseen hand. The intricate web of energy patterns wove themselves into the void, forming a dazzling yet destructive celestial dance.

In a heartbeat, the energy coalesced into countless glowing shards, swiftly assembling into a weapon of pure malice—a massive energy cannon. Its sleek, jet-black surface pulsed with crimson light, each throb heralding an impending annihilation. The weapon exuded a chilling aura, as if it were the scythe of death itself, cutting straight to the soul.

Usagi stood amidst the radiant energy, her long twin tails whipped wildly in the tempest, her bunny-themed coat fluttering like a banner in the violent gusts. Her crimson eyes, glowing like flames of an inferno, burned coldly in the moonlight, commanding awe and dread. At that moment, she seemed less human and more like a rabbit from hell, gazing down at all creation with the authority of the abyss.

"Usagi Cannon!" she declared, her voice echoing like a harbinger of doom.

BOOM——!!!

A black-and-crimson energy blast shot forth like a thunderbolt, unleashing waves of destruction that tore through the battlefield. The rubble in its path disintegrated instantly, and shards of debris rained down like meteors.

Hayato crouched low and launched himself into motion with predatory grace, bounding up the shattered remains of a building. Dust and stone scattered beneath his feet as he leaped higher, moving like a phantom through the ruins. Meanwhile, Akari disappeared with an almost casual flick of his fingers, the devastating energy attack exploding harmlessly against empty ground, shaking the earth with a deafening roar.

"Damn it..." Usagi muttered, shifting her stance and locking her sights on her targets again.

Above her, Hayato darted between the ruins like a shadow possessed, his movements erratic and almost maddeningly fast. His wild laughter echoed through the air, saliva dripping from his mouth as he reveled in the thrill of the hunt. Usagi's crimson eyes tracked him unblinkingly, her body tense and ready.

Without warning, daggers shot toward her from all angles, gleaming like the talons of some demonic predator.

From his vantage point, Shingin observed the chaotic battle, his widened eyes reflecting the intricate dance of violence. He strained to predict the trajectory of Akari's attacks, but the sheer unpredictability of their origin left him utterly bewildered. The daggers seemed to appear out of nowhere, as if birthed from the very shadows.

Usagi remained unfazed. Her twin blades ignited with searing flames, slashing through the oncoming daggers in a blur of motion. Each swipe was precise, reducing the weapons to harmless fragments before they could reach her. With an elegant backflip, she avoided another wave of attacks, landing amidst a hail of bullets that ripped through the ground where she had stood.

The spectators—Shingin, Yahageshii, and Ryuosho—were left in stunned silence, the scale of the battle before them dwarfing any fight they had experienced.

"This is insane..." Ryuosho muttered, his voice trembling. "What we thought was a battle was nothing more than his warm-up—"

Before he could finish, the battle intensified further, with every moment bringing the threat of death closer.

Hayato reappeared suddenly behind Usagi, his maniacal laughter chilling to the bone. "You're adorable! Blood... would make you even prettier! Hahaha!"

Sensing the danger, Usagi spun around and slashed with her blazing swords. The attack missed as Hayato froze in place, seemingly out of sheer amusement, his gaze fixated on the smoldering ashes left in the air. His grin widened with a grotesque excitement, like a child finding their favorite toy.

Just as Usagi landed from her evasive maneuver, Akari materialized before her. His spinning daggers seemed to hum with an eerie rhythm, as if conducting a symphony of death.

"You have no escape, Kurihara Usagi," Akari taunted, licking his lips. His smile was as cold as the grave.

The air thickened with malice. Among the ruins, the echoes of their clash rippled outward, keeping everyone frozen in fear.

"Even if I have no way out, I'll never let you win!" Usagi's voice was a blade itself, cutting through the oppressive silence. Her dual blades burned brighter than ever, and her tiny, fragile frame exuded an unyielding resolve. She took a deep breath as black and crimson energy converged around her, swirling like a star on the verge of collapse.