Sekai Kōkyōkyoku: Umarekawatta Ryōiki (World Symphony: A Realm Reborn)

Capitulo II: Parting Ways

Confession time: we had a hard time bruising the giant. I put all of my energy in every attack I made, hoping that it would be a one-blow fight, but he was too fast that he could dodge it. The other examinees were already out due to too much exhaustion, maybe. A few examinees were left, fourteen out of fifty. I knew that in no time, I would pass out too.

The giant stomped his feet, the ground rumbled. He was about to punch me when Ryuuji, trying to be as stupid, pushed me out of the way. I landed meters away. Where I had been standing a moment ago was an enormous hole. I was so glad to see Ryuuji standing a meter away from it. That was close. But what shocked me was when the giant slapped Ryuuji so hard he went out of his feet and slammed against the wall.

"Ryuuji!" I cried. He was struggling to his feet. Suddenly I couldn't breathe. It felt like my mouth was filled with sand, like I was buried six-feet underground, like time just stopped without a notice.

I turned to the giant and drew my sword saying, "Nobody messes with my brother!"

I charged.

"You're next!" The giant bellowed, aiming his fist on my direction. I jumped and tried to hit the giant's eye. The good news: I was able to poke his eyeball. Bad news? He didn't like it. The giant wailed in pain as he was stomping his feet. Debris started to fall from the ceiling, fissures crackled across the floor. I took the chance and went for the giant's knees, breaking the bones, next were the arms and then the hands.

Lastly, I summoned a spirit. Spirits are like ghosts which can be seen only by the Shōkan and the prey. They have different purposes. A Shōkan can only have four ghosts. I raised my hand, pointing two fingers upward. Black smoke started to billow around the giant. In no time, a man in black cloak was standing right behind the giant, a black ribbon was coiling around them.

I closed my eyes and murmured, "Fuyu... bind."

As fast as lightning, the ribbons tightened around the giant's neck, strangling him.

The giant started to fight, pulling the ribbons, trying to tear it apart as it continued binding him. Suddenly, the giant's skin started to steam and emit black smoke.

"S-sir! Spare me!" The giant pleaded. The ropes were purifying him now, draining the darkness inside him. Unfortunately for him, he was the darkness himself.

'Show no mercy. Don't feel pity. That can be seen as your fatal flaw.' The chief's voice said in my mind. I felt a tug in my gut. Then I wasn't Red anymore.

"There's no salvation for you." I murmured, raising my sword. I didn't know what was happening. My mind said no, but my body wanted to. My feet walked slowly as my subconscious tried to stop it. Finally, my body won, I charged.

"Red!" Just then my body stopped, I woke up. Hearing Ryuuji yell like how he used to when he just woke up was enough to wake me. "What happened to 'We don't kill, we survive'?"

I let go of my sword. It clattered against the floor.