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[Kagetsu jo]
[Castle courtyard, 1:00 AM]
Kazuhiro navigated through the shadows, his elongated form carefully weaved through the dense foliage. The faint rustle of leaves was the only sign of his movement.
Ahead loomed the main building of the castle, its stone walls, the wooden doors reinforced with iron and the air carried the faint scent of incense.
'I've cleared the outer perimeter. The guards stationed were easy to handle, relevant for the stats I've gained.'
He retrieved his device and scanned the latest updates.
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_Attribute_
Attributes points | AP: 25
● STR: 107 (+41)
● STA: 112 (+74)
● CON: 76 (+49)
● AGI: 107 (+93)
● DEX: 56 (+9)
● INT: 76 (+20)
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'These won't last long. I need to act before they expire.' His focus shifted to the towering structure ahead. 'Should I storm in or find a secondary entrance?' He studied the castle's architecture, noting the placement of windows and potential weak points, but the faint shimmer of cameras at the corners caught his attention.
A plan was forming in his mind, but it was interrupted when the doors of the main building creaked open.
Several men in tailored suits emerged, descending the stone steps with slow, deliberate movements. Their eyes swept the courtyard, surveying the premise.
Kazuhiro remained crouched in the shadows as he observed 'Judging by their postures, they seem confident, were they aware?... For how long?'
A man with a scar slicing down his cheek, stopped at the base of the stairs.
"We know you're here," the man called out, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Show yourself."
Kazuhiro remained still, concealed within the dense foliage. He calculated his options silently. The soft vibration of his device broke the silence, drawing his attention. With the device in hand, he lowered his head to inspect.
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You received 1 inbox message...
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After carefully reading the message, he replied and then decided to move. The rustle of leaves gave away his location. Slowly, he rose to his full height, the foliage parting to reveal his towering frame.
The men gazes betrayed a flicker surprise before their rigid discipline snapped them back into control. Kazuhiro's shadow stretched across the stone tiles of the courtyard, mirroring his elongated frame.
The man at the front remained unfazed, his sharp eyes locked onto Kazuhiro's featureless face. "You are to surrender immediately," he commanded, as the personnel gathered around him to block his escape routes. "Any attempt to resist or flee will result in the immediate execution of the captives."
''Surrounded. High-ground marksmen and ground-level Combatants.' He calculated.
He weighed his options against the odds, the men from behind approached. Only a second before they could reach him, a faint vibration in his pocket alerted him again. His claws flexed, and with a quick motion turned to slice the heads of those from behind.
Using that small window of surprise, Kazuhiro lunged upward on the roofs.
The nearest marksman didn't even have time to react. Kazuhiro's claws closed around his head with terrifying precision, crushing it with a wet hard crunch. Blood and bone fragments sprayed across the rooftop, painting the stone in macabre streaks.
Aware that he'll be shot, he made a quick whisper "...aeryn vel'hai" as he was mid chant, he was hit in the lower shoulder by one bullet.
Soon a shimmering distortion surrounded him as a wind barrier erupted to life, nullifying the other bullets, several clanks were heard as they soon fell to the ground.
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HP: (4789/4880)
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He didn't stop, and continued as he noticed The remaining agents scrambled to reposition, their rifles barking as bullets tore through the air. Kazuhiro moved, his elongated limbs took out some of the marksmen above as the wind barrier nullified the gunfire.
"What..." murmured the man as he watched, with a calm exterior, he brought his wrist up, "It's resisting, finish off one of the captives, leave the blond haired teen and that chainsaw thing alive."
Two agents aimed their rifles, but Kazuhiro's hand shot out, pierced into their torso. The second agent attempted to fight back with close range, but Kazuhiro immediately sliced his head off with a quick slash with his other hand.
Below, the man had his brows furrowing after receiving no confirmation from the other side 'Something must have happened.' He clenched his jaw, with a press of a button, he raised his wrist to his mouth once again. "Fall back and regroup inside the main hall. Do not engage further. Repeat: fall back—"
A blur of blackness descended before him. The arm that had the comms was ripped off. The man barely had to react as Kazuhiro's claws plunged through his chest, lifting him off the ground. The guards standing way weren't sure on what to do. They tried to shoot but was blocked by some sort of shield they can't even see.
The man lips quivered as blood bubbled from his mouth. His eyes locked onto Kazuhiro's featureless face. 'How... how did he-' His mind was slowly fading as this was his last thoughts.
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+11 (STR): Swiping Frenzy | 29:59
+ 5 (STR): Tax (Class ability activated) | 29:59
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'With those above gone, I'll rid of those below.' Kazuhiro pulled his hand away from the lifeless body by flinging to his side. Those nearby, knew their only chance was to fight him close combat, or stall him till reinforcements arrive. Retreating would expose their backs to it.
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[Kagetsu Building – Inner Tatami Room]
The dim glow of flickering lanterns cast long, restless shadows across the tatami floor. A lone man, sharp-featured and calm, sat cross-legged at a low wooden table, his presence exuding an air of quiet dominance. The blue glow from the surveillance tablet in his hand illuminated his features.
His brow furrowed as he analyzed the chaotic display unfolding on the screen. Bodies littered the courtyard, his men have fallen.
His fingers drummed against the lacquered wood of the table.
That realization sharpened his focus. Those stationed underground had yet to report in. How odd
With a slow exhale, he shut the tablet with a click and rose to his feet.
Crossing the room, he reached for a black rotary phone resting on a polished wooden stand.
The line connected as he dialed.
"...", "No, I haven't yet," He replied, his voice carrying no trace of concern. "However, reinforcements are required at the underground entrance. Have them investigate at once." He paused, his gaze unmoving.
"I will handle this personally." His tone hardened. "For now, surround the premises. Ensure that no one escapes."
There was silence on the other end, as they soon complied.
His fingers tightening slightly around the receiver. A flicker of irritation flashed across his face.
"You underestimate me," His shoulders rolled back, "Very well... if I cannot subdue him within ten minutes, then you may join." He then ended the call and left the device where it was.
He made his way to the far side of the room, where a katana rested upon a display stand. The black lacquered sheath gleamed faintly beneath the dim lantern light.
He reached for the weapon, his hands steady as he lifted it with both hands. Sliding the blade into his obi, he secured it tightly against his waist.
"Only a few hours left until sunrise," he murmured to himself, his fingers tracing the silk-wrapped hilt. "I must end this swiftly… and ensure I stand before Father in triumph, not disgrace."
He stepped toward the door, reaching to slide it open—
SHING!
A thin, near-invisible wire grazed his fingertips.
Reacting on instinct, he withdrew his hand immediately, his enhanced reflexes saving him from a deeper wound. He examined his palm. A thin red line had formed along his index finger.
A cut.
His sharp gaze flickered to the doorway.
'A trap? But when?'
Irritation flared beneath his composed exterior. 'I see, then there must truly be another figure working in the shadows'
he swiped the blood with his thumb only to see the skin regenerate from the wound.
His jaw tightened. 'How iritating.'
Turning away from the door, he dialed back to the reinforcemnets informing them to be wary
With that taken care of, his gaze darkened.
His fingers curled around the hilt of his katana.
He inhaled deeply, the breath centering him—
Then—
BOOM!
With a single, precise slash, the entire wall exploded outward.
The wooden beams cracked and shattered, sending splinters and debris careening through the air. The paper-thin walls of the room disintegrated, torn apart as a massive hole opened into the moonlit courtyard.
Dust billowed out in thick clouds, swirling in the aftermath of his strike.
Slowly, he sheathed his blade. His eyes then surveyed the damage done, what once was a historical site, now had major parts of it blown out by an unknown force.
'This world is already in ruins…'
His first step crunched against fallen debris.
'Upon Father's vision, we will rebuild anew…'
Another step, and the cold night air embraced him.
'A world where only those of our blood will remain.'
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