"Tch," Neo hissed. If this were my real blade… He could feel the dormant power of his skill—his rank-A ability—just out of reach. But without his true sword, it was nothing but a memory.
The spider turned, eyes glinting green, and charged again. Neo's breathing grew ragged. He'd been starved, beaten, restrained. But he wasn't done yet. He raised the wooden sword high, waiting for the exact moment to counter.
"Come on," he whispered.
As it neared, he moved to strike—but the spider suddenly spat a stream of sticky web, trapping both his legs to the floor.
"Wha—?!" Neo gasped. The web tightened like glue.
The monster's fangs came down. He raised the wooden sword to block—crack!—the blade shattered. Neo twisted his body aside, sacrificing his arm to protect his throat.
Blood sprayed the glass. He screamed.
The audience gasped—then laughed. Glasses clinked. A few even cheered.
Raito's fists clenched. "He's going to die if we don't do something."
