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Chapter Thirteen
[While the seven stand in tension before the aura of a terrifying, monstrous old man with overwhelming power, Iizawa stands smiling. Five of them prepare to fight, and only five scratches remain.]
[Dim moonlight bears witness as the five stand together, trying to stay calm and hide their tension. Before them is Iizawa, towering at 190 cm, his imposing figure unmistakable.]
[Iizawa smiles with the same confidence, looking at them:]
"Five against me? Very well, team. I'm ready."
[Iizawa charges immediately toward the five, targeting Hudhayfa's neck.]
[Hudhayfa doesn't move—he only breathes, then swings his sword at the same angle, barely blocking as sparks fly.]
[Iizawa smiles, trying to break through Hudhayfa's guard:]
"Excellent. It seems you really do have some background in swordsmanship—but—"
[The clash intensifies. Iizawa's physical strength is immense, nearly crushing Hudhayfa, who is forced back.]
[Hudhayfa, tense, groans inwardly:]
"What is this… old men in our world retire, not fight like monsters."
[Muhannad and Ali immediately launch a joint attack at Iizawa—Muhannad aiming for the neck from the right, Ali for the waist from the left.]
[Muhannad shouts:]
"Now!"
[Ali yells angrily at the same time:]
"There are five of us, idiot!"
[Before they can touch him, Iizawa smiles faintly, then leaps over them with youthful agility, whispering calmly:]
"Eclipse Breathing, Third Form… Broken Moon Descent."
[The ground shimmers under a black aura—then… a terrifying explosion sends Hudhayfa, Muhannad, and Ali flying as they crash to the ground.]
[Muhannad groans in pain, blood in his mouth, struggling to stand in shock:]
"What… was that?"
[Ali, his back slammed against a tree, grits his teeth in rage:]
"You son of a—"
[Hudhayfa lifts his head slightly, blood running from his forehead:]
"I saw… a spark… then… an explosion!"
[The small comedy trio]
[Iyad, eyes wide:]
"What is this—did he turn into Kokushibo himself?"
[Mazen screams, hiding behind a tree:]
"That was one attack?! We're really gonna diiiie!"
[Mu'min raises his hands in surrender:]
"I swear, grandpa, I'll drink my milk, I'm done!"
[Iizawa walks forward with a mocking look, smiling:]
"Come on, kids. That was just a weak strike~"
[Moaz stands, trying to stay calm and find a solution:]
"Eclipse Breathing? Who is this old man… and how deep does this go?"
[Iizawa walks toward Hudhayfa lying on the ground, his black sword gleaming as he prepares to behead him:]
"Honestly, I think I overdid it a little—but goodbye."
[Before he can strike, a voice calls from behind:]
"Come fight me first."
[Iizawa stops the blade at Hudhayfa's neck and turns toward the voice—it's Moaz. Iizawa's gaze turns cold:]
"Oh? The little insect wants to fight me? Fine."
[He steps away and walks toward Moaz with calm, confident steps, white hair fluttering lightly. In a soft whisper:]
"So then—can you make five scratches?"
[Moaz raises his sword, taking a deep breath. His eyes shine with resolve and confidence:]
"Yes. I can."
[Iizawa tilts his head in curiosity, rubbing his chin:]
"Really? Even though your body looks rather weak?"
[Moaz breathes deeply, not replying aloud, muttering to himself:]
"Logically, I don't know how many forms this old man has… his power is terrifying, like an Upper Moon."
[Moaz closes his eyes, forcing himself to calm down:]
"Calm down, Moaz. Be rational."
[He opens his brown eyes, steps his right leg back, left leg forward, lowers his stance, whispering:]
"Breathing techniques depend on the body… this breathing reflects who I am."
[Iizawa grows more curious and approaches with a smile:]
"Breathing? You really do understand the story."
[Moaz mutters calmly with eyes closed:]
"I have to be light… sudden… cunning."
[Without hesitation, Iizawa swings his sword, whispering:]
"First Form: Silence of the Severed Disc."
[A black crescent disc shoots toward Moaz, who quickly ducks and avoids it, whispering:]
"That was close."
[Iizawa appears behind Moaz, smiling slyly:]
"Honestly… you disappointed me."
[Moaz turns quickly, but Iizawa's attack slashes deep into his chest, sending him flying into a tree. His breathing becomes heavy.]
[Iizawa walks forward calmly, smiling:]
"Wow. I expected more from you—especially as a leader."
[Iizawa chuckles softly, then mocks:]
"Honestly, you look like a failure, don't you?"
[Moaz, on all fours, tries to stand—but the word failure freezes him as he whispers:]
"Failure… me?"
[Iizawa stops in front of him, sighing:]
"Yes. That's the truth."
[Iizawa pauses, sensing something strange:]
"Hm? Your aura?"
[Moaz stands, breathing heavily, teeth clenched, eyes blazing, blood dripping from his mouth:]
"Failure?"
[Iizawa lowers his guard slightly, smiling:]
"Yes. Just an insect—"
[Moaz cuts him off mid-sentence with a slash at his neck. Iizawa blocks, locking eyes with him:]
"Do you hate yourself, boy?"
[No answer. Moaz thrusts forward, using his right hand—his middle and index fingers aiming for Iizawa's eyes. Iizawa kicks him away.]
[Iizawa adjusts his kimono:]
"Very interesting. A rude, feral style—almost like you're two people."
[Moaz stands, a massive wound from his left torso up to his chest:]
"I will kill you."
[Iizawa smiles, preparing to finish it:]
"One more move. Goodbye… Eclipse Breathing, Form—"
[Before he can finish, Hudhayfa appears from behind and attacks. Iizawa dodges smoothly:]
"Interesting—but weak."
[Hudhayfa mutters tensely:]
"Damn it… bad timing."
[Iizawa spins to strike Hudhayfa, but a bullet hits the edge of his blade, knocking it aside. Hudhayfa exhales in relief:]
"Mazen, finally."
[Iizawa glares at Mazen with killing intent:]
"You really annoy me. I'll end you."
[Iizawa grips his black sword, swings, and whispers:]
"Eclipse Breathing, Seventh Form: Mass Division."
[Fortunately, Muhannad and Ali launch a combined attack, inflicting two scratches on Iizawa's chest.]
[Muhannad, breathing hard:]
"That leaves… three."
[Ali, curly hair soaked with sweat and blood:]
"I'll crush you."
[Iyad rushes toward Moaz in panic:]
"Brother—you're bleeding!"
[Moaz tries to stand, still furious:]
"No… losing… I won't lose."
[Iizawa stands at the center, sighs, then tears open his kimono, revealing bulging muscles and old scars. He looks at them:]
"Three left? Let's see."
[Moaz shouts to his comrades:]
"I've figured it out! His weakness—the key to the last three scratches!"
[Muhannad looks at Moaz and smiles knowingly:]
"This'll be fun. I get it."
[Iizawa smirks, ready:]
"Then come."
[Muhannad charges forward with rapid attacks, clashing with Iizawa, who thinks to himself:]
"High adrenaline… that's why they fight so fiercely. But no real breathing techniques, nothing deep—just kids."
[Iizawa dodges Muhannad's strike and swings toward his neck:]
"Your end."
[Ali appears, blocking the blow, shouting angrily:]
"The neck again and again—are you a butcher?"
[Iizawa stares coldly at Ali:]
"A truly rude thug."
[Hudhayfa lands a deceptive strike to Iizawa's back. Iizawa escapes quickly—only a shallow scratch.]
[Iizawa exhales, muscles gleaming, speaking calmly and seriously:]
"I enjoyed using only ten percent of my power. Even so, your level is still below that of a Tsuguko."
[Iizawa charges with killing intent toward Muhannad—but suddenly Moaz leaps in front of him:]
"You'll have to kill me first!"
[Their swords clash, aura splitting the ground. Iizawa smiles:]
"The failure shows himself again."
[Mazen takes a deep breath, muttering:]
"No headshot."
[He fires from behind Iizawa—this time jumping. The bullet nearly hits Moaz, who dodges barely.]
[Moaz shouts angrily:]
"Mazen! You almost killed me!"
[Iizawa exposes his left side unconsciously. Muhannad pounces like a tiger, slashing Iizawa's torso—another scratch.]
[Iizawa smiles with excitement:]
"One left. Really."
[Moaz shouts:]
"Now!"
[Moaz runs forward and throws his sword at Iizawa, who blocks it, muttering:]
"Idiot—wait… a trap?"
[Moaz appears instantly, his knee slamming into Iizawa's face, knocking him back. Muhannad appears above them, smiling:]
"We've won."
[He crashes down, striking Iizawa's chest.]
[The Egyptians breathe heavily, standing for a moment—then collapse.]
[Moaz collapses to the ground, his chest bleeding:]
"We… won, right?"
[Muhannad helps him up, anxious:]
"Yes, you butterfly-loving fool."
[As the exhausted Egyptians lie there, Iizawa stands smiling as if untouched:]
"Amazing. You passed. But… good night."
[Hudhayfa, nervous:]
"He's still alive—what now?"
[Before they can react, Iizawa knocks them unconscious with swift movements. The last thing they see and hear is Iizawa calmly saying:]
"We're going to have fun… my students."
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End of Chapter Thirteen – The Test of Death 😊
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