I Will Hold Your Hand Gently

Chapter 26: Bloody Assault

Hunter had been guided by Guides in the past, typically after earning enough from a job and needing to heal before heading home. Each time, the experience was uncomfortable, disturbing, filthy, painful, and disgusting. These were the few words he could find to describe the sensation of receiving guidance from a Guide. It didn't matter what Class the Guide was from, the encounters never felt good for him. Every Esper he knew shared his sentiments or claimed it felt nice and pleasant. Never had he experienced anything resembling good guidance. That is, until now

The wounds that had racked his body moments ago now disappeared as if they had never existed to begin with. Hunter could feel a surge of energy coursing through him, ridding the heavy fog that had clouded his mind and weighed down his limbs. It was as if a boulder had been lifted from his shoulders, leaving him feeling unexpectedly light and rejuvenated.

"That woman was a Guide...?" Helen exclaimed in disbelief, her voice tinged with caution. "Damn it...!

Helen's assessment of the situation was clear and unsettling. She understood Hunter's capacity to overpower both herself and Kevin. Initially, she had planned to take him out while he was in his vulnerable state before he could recover however, with Hunter now fully healed, the advantage had shifted against them. Helen, a D-Class Esper, and Kevin, a C-Class Esper, paled in comparison to Hunter's formidable B-Class abilities. If she were to analogize their strengths, hers would be akin to a mere jug of water, while Kevin's could be likened to a small pool. Hunter, on the other hand, was more like a vast, expansive lake in terms of power.

Helen could only restrain her regretful thoughts as she reflected on her missed opportunity. If she had known the woman was an Esper, she would have chosen to eliminate her immediately instead of toying with her like a cat with its prey. Helen intensified her assault, conjuring sharp Stone Blades that relentlessly hammered against Hunter's barrier. Meanwhile, Kevin manipulated the air into razor-sharp wind blades to join the fray.

Hunter effortlessly activated his barrier with a single hand with his injuries miraculously healed. Rising from his wheelchair, he drew back his right hand, which emitted a shimmering glow in the darkness, momentarily blinding Helen and Kevin. Seizing the opportunity, Hunter charged forward. His arm arced overhead, releasing a delicate, glowing thread that extended from his finger. With a swift motion, he flung his hand downward, causing the thread to cascade towards Helen and Kevin.

Kevin felt a sudden change in the air, causing chills to run down his back. He regained his sight just in time, swiftly erecting a barrier that shielded him from the deadly thread. Unfortunately, Helen was a fraction too slow to react. She was cut from where she stood. Helen's eyes widen in disbelief and shock as she watches the world unfold in two different directions. The left side of her body stumbles backward as her right side smacks into the ground.

Hunter weaved the thread in his hand, his voice tense with the near miss, "If Helen were the one who came after me, she wouldn't be strong enough to take me out. But you, Kevin, you're different. You're not one to toy with prey; you're thorough and relentless. That's assuming I was still trying to fight you off while inflicted by the injuries caused by him."

Kevin thought he had set up the barrier properly but was wrong. His left hand was cut off cleanly from his arm. Kevin gritted his teeth, a wave of excruciating pain coursing through his body as he struggled to suppress it, swallowing hard against the searing torment consuming his mind. Kevin rips off his shirt and tightly ties up his arm to avoid further blood loss. Hunter cautiously approaches him with threads flowing from his hand like falling golden sand.

"I won't pull any punches, Kevin," Hunter declared with a menacing edge. "If you don't want an unfair fight, decide: a swift death or endless torment."

The wind surged around Kevin as his eyes glowed brightly. The tables have turned. He grimly acknowledged the daunting reality of facing a fully healed Hunter, understanding all too well that he stood no chance in this condition. However, surrender was not an option, and Hunter also understood that. Hunter waves his hand like fluid water, "So be it."