Chapter 28: Poisoned Blade

The battle reached its climax.

Mayu and Saya clashed relentlessly, their blades slicing through the air in a frantic dance.

Strikes flew. Precise. Lethal.

Mayu blocked an assault, but Saya immediately followed up.

A low strike. A feint.

And before Mayu could dodge—

The red blade grazed her skin.

A tingling sensation.

A chilling shiver ran up her arm.

She sprang back, breathless.

A trickle of blood flowed from her forearm.

And the pain…

A slow, insidious burn.

Saya smiled.

— The Venom is taking effect.

---

Mayu gritted her teeth.

She had heard of this weapon before.

A neuroparalytic toxin.

In a few minutes, her muscles would begin to seize.

She tightened her grip on her blades.

No way she was going to fall now.

But Saya gave her no respite.

She attacked again.

Faster.

Fiercer.

And Mayu…

Started to weaken.

Her reflexes slowed.

Her breathing became ragged.

Every movement required more and more effort.

---

Akira, leaning against the wall, immediately noticed the change.

He gritted his teeth.

Mayu was losing.

— Damn…

His body screamed in pain.

But he wouldn't just stand by.

He plunged his hand into his pocket and pulled out…

A smoke grenade.

His last resort.

He pulled the pin and threw it to the ground.

---

**BOOM!**

A cloud of black smoke engulfed the corridor.

Visibility dropped to zero.

Saya coughed lightly.

— Really? Do you think you can escape like this?

She closed her eyes for a moment, listening for any sound.

But Mayu…

Had vanished.

---

A few meters away.

The stranger had seen the smoke spread and wasted no time.

He grabbed Mayu before she could collapse.

— Are you still standing? he asked, his expression serious.

Mayu weakly nodded.

Her arm burned from the inside.

The toxin was acting fast.

— If we don't find an antidote… she murmured.

The stranger didn't respond immediately.

He pulled a syringe from his jacket.

— This can slow the poison down. But it won't stop it completely.

He plunged the needle into her arm without waiting.

A prick.

Then a wave of coolness.

Mayu took a long breath.

She wasn't trembling as much anymore.

But she was far from safe.

---

Saya emerged from the smoke.

Her gaze swept the area.

— They've fled.

She ran a hand over her wounded shoulder, annoyed.

Then, she took a commlink from her pocket and pressed a button.

— They're heading toward the North point. Intercept them.

A robotic voice replied.

— Received. Units are en route.

Saya put the device away and smiled slightly.

— Mayu… I won't let you escape me again.

Then she set off.