We charged together, but the demon's strength was overwhelming. One swipe of its massive arm shattered Bunai's barrier, sending us sprawling across the broken ground.
"Damn it!" Katshuu growled as he scrambled back to his feet.
The demon's gaze locked onto me, sensing weakness. My legs trembled as it lunged forward with a deafening roar. For a heartbeat, my mind went blank.
*Is this where I die?*
---
*No… I won't let it end here.*
A surge of energy erupted in my chest, unlike anything I had ever felt before. My Null Core… it was alive.
The world slowed around me. Every movement of the demon became painfully clear, every weakness glaringly obvious as if my instincts had sharpened a thousandfold.
I twisted aside, narrowly dodging its claws, and drove my blade deep into its chest with every ounce of strength I could muster.
The demon let out a chilling screech, writhing in pain before collapsing to the ground. Its monstrous body dissolved into ash, scattering in the wind.
---
My teammates stared in shock. Katshuu's eyes widened, Bunai's shield arm lowered, and Shinata stepped closer, whispering, "Akairo… what was that?"
I didn't know how to answer. My hands trembled as I stared at the faint glow of the Null Core beneath my skin.
All I knew was that it was no longer silent… and that this was only the beginning.