Chapter 6: The Death of Kizuna
Part 3
The orange rays of late afternoon filtered through the tree canopy, casting long shadows across the ground.
The silence was absolute
As if the forest itself held its breath, awaiting the inevitable.
Haruto was on his knees, forehead pressed to the dirt.
His breath was ragged.
His body barely responded.
In front of him stood Hans Versalles, looming with disdain, crossbow still aimed at Haruto's chest.
"If you tell me where you sent your little friend," Hans said, voice dripping with venom, "I promise it'll be quick and painless. If not… well, you'll find out why I'm the best at what I do."
Haruto let out a bitter laugh, not lifting his head.
"What a polite assassin… Is that printed on your business card?" he muttered.
Hans narrowed his eyes.
"Irony. The last refuge of the weak."
Haruto took a deep breath and slowly lifted his gaze.
"Just tell me one thing… Why are you after her? Rina's just an adventurer. What makes her so special?"
Hans sighed, as if explaining something painfully obvious.
"Guess you really don't know anything, rabbit."
"She's not even human. She's a one-of-a-kind demi-human. The last of her kind."
Haruto's brow furrowed.
"What…?"
Hans casually slung his crossbow onto his back, then spread his arms in theatrical fashion.
"I suppose you deserve to know before you die," he said with a crooked smile.
"She was created by the brilliant scientist Francheszca Zarakov."
"An ancestral demi-human."
"Perfect camouflage. Invisibility magic. Thermal vision… Abilities you and I can barely begin to understand."
Haruto listened in silence, stunned.
He hardly knew anything about her.
"To Netheria, she's a treasure. Imagine an army of soldiers with her capabilities."
"We'd be unstoppable."
Haruto clenched his fists.
"Same story again… You want to use her like an experiment, just because she's different."
Hans chuckled softly.
"Exactly. She's a Velociraptora. Extinct since the Great War."
Haruto's heart skipped a beat.
"The pinnacle of the Zarakov experiments. The ultimate predator!"
The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the echo of his words.
Haruto gritted his teeth.
Rina… who are you really…?
Hans let out a final theatrical sigh.
"Well then. If you're not going to cooperate, I believe it's time to say goodbye."
Haruto lifted his head with a defiant smile.
"Has no one ever told you… You talk too much?"
Hans blinked—then smiled.
"Usually, no one survives long enough to hear the end of my act," he whispered, leaning in to Haruto's level.
But before he could reach for his crossbow—
BANG!
The explosion shattered the stillness of the forest.
The bullet slammed into his right shoulder, throwing him to the ground.
Hans screamed, clutching the wound in rage.
Haruto slowly lowered his arm.
Beneath his red coat, Ao-Oni was already in his hand.
Hans stared at him, stunned.
"How…? Without your fairy, you shouldn't be able to summon weapons…"
Then a light appeared in front of Haruto.
Floating in the air with a radiant grin, Kizuna reappeared.
"Did you really think the great Kizuna would die from that little stunt, Kizu?" she said mockingly.
"How was my performance? Can I be an actress now?"
Hans trembled with rage.
"You… tricked me!"
He reached for his sword with his left hand, but—
BANG!
Another bullet shattered the hilt and blew off part of his hand.
Hans roared in pain, blood pouring from the wound.
Haruto calmly rotated his pistol, aiming once more with sharp precision.
"A magician never reveals his tricks," he said coolly, Kizuna now hovering at his side.
Hans, still on the ground, felt a chill crawl down his spine.
For the first time… the hunter had become the prey.
Hours earlier…
Haruto was reviewing his panel, Kizuna floating nearby.
Olivia watched in silence—unblinking, unreadable.
"The plan's simple," Haruto said.
"Versalles loves to talk. I've read enough manga to know the type."
Kizuna nodded, already picturing the scene.
"Every time you activate a skill, I'll light up. He'll think I'm the one channeling the magic.
He'll try to take me out first."
She struck a dramatic pose.
"Time for my star debut, Kizu! I get to be the bait!"
"And since you're intangible, he can't touch you. You just need to fake your death… but don't overdo it."
"At last! My chance to act, Kizu!" Kizuna said, placing a hand over her chest like a tragic heroine.
"When that happens, I'll collapse, pretend to be defeated, wait for his usual villain monologue… Then finish him off with Ao-Oni."
"Kikiki~ A villain who doesn't give a final speech doesn't deserve to be called a boss!" Kizuna laughed.
"I've got Thalindra's light barrier too—no risk," Haruto added, showing a small glowing crystal.
Olivia nodded.
"Commentary: Solid strategy. But I won't be able to assist. I'll be with Rina."
"Don't worry, Olivia. I've got it covered. Besides…"
"A magician never reveals his tricks!" Haruto and Kizuna shouted in unison, fist-bumping.
Olivia stared at them for a moment… then sighed.
"Commentary: You two are hopeless."
Back in the present…
Hans was immobilized by Root—the vines wrapped around him like the forest itself refused to let him go.
He writhed like a wounded beast, struggling to break free.
"Surrender. This time, you lost," Haruto said, aiming with resolve.
Hans let out a dry, rasping laugh—his face twisted with pain and defiance.
"Don't make me laugh… You're going to let me go—and you'll regret it."
Haruto's expression darkened.
BANG!
The next bullet tore through Hans's other hand. He howled, wracked by agony.
"I'll kill you, rabbit!" he roared.
"I swear you'll never see daylight again!"
Haruto stood frozen—feeling the weight of his choice.
He knew that if he let Hans live… he would come back.
"Kill him…"
A voice whispered in his mind.
"If you don't… you'll regret it."
A chill ran through his spine. He looked at the pistol in his hand.
"…That voice…?"
In that moment, a crimson portal opened behind Hans.
A dark figure emerged and yanked him back by the collar like a ragdoll, dragging him into the portal with effortless force.
"Well done, my son. But you won't die today. Your revenge belongs to me," said a deep, commanding voice overflowing with power.
Haruto's eyes went wide.
Fear rooted him to the spot.
His pistol trembled in his hand.
Then a thunderous crash snapped him out of his trance.
"Enough! What are you doing in my forest!?" boomed a voice.
Cherri appeared—serious, staff of blooming sakura in hand, humming with pure energy.
From within the portal, the dark figure chuckled softly.
"We meet again… great protector of Mythara…"
Cherri's eyes sparked like lightning.
"Leave my forest."
"RIGHT NOW!"
Sakura Electro Beam!
A pink beam of energy struck the portal.
It collapsed in a blinding flash of light.
And then… Silence.
Kizuna hovered in awe, mouth open, glowing with astonishment.
"Cherri is amazing, Kizu!!"
The dryad approached Haruto, her expression gentler now.
"Are you alright?"
Haruto nodded weakly.
"Yeah… Just exhausted. But… who was that guy?"
Cherri fell silent for a moment.
Then answered…
"One of Netheria's Three Kings… Victor Tepes, the Vampire King."
Haruto swallowed hard.
"So you saved my life…"
"Yes," Cherri said firmly.
"He's immensely powerful… but within Mythara—I'm stronger."
Her voice held conviction but her eyes betrayed a deeper, looming threat.
"I want to hear everything," she said, serious now.
Haruto let himself collapse onto the grass with a weary sigh.
"Just… give me a second. I'm really drained…"
Cherri nodded.
The wind stirred again carrying away the final traces of battle.
And for a moment… peace returned to Mythara.
At least, for now.