Gashin snarled, launching himself forward like a blood-soaked missile.
He spun mid-air, swinging a devastating roundhouse kick toward Kairo’s head.
The force alone sliced the air with a sharp whistle.
Kairo leaned back just enough for the kick to sail past his face.
“Too wide,” he said lightly, grabbing Gashin’s extended leg and yanking him forward.
“You’re still thinking like a brute.”
Gashin’s eyes widened in pure rage.
“Don’t touch me with your filthy human hands—!”
Before he could finish, Gashin seized Kairo by the collar with both hands and roared, swinging him like a ragdoll.
He hurled the exorcist with monstrous strength across the alley.
Kairo spun through the air, then stopped abruptly, floating effortlessly several meters off the ground.
He brushed dust from his uniform, still wearing that infuriating smirk.
“My turn to throw you around?
Cute.
But you’re really not very creative tonight.”
Gashin glared up at him, chest heaving.
“Laugh while you still can, modern dog.” His crimson gaze suddenly flicked sideways toward Saki, who was still struggling to stand.
A hungry grin spread across his face.
“I’ll finish the girl first—” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
He dashed toward her in a red blur.
Saki’s eyes widened in panic.
She tried raising her blade, but her body wouldn’t respond fast enough.
Kairo’s palm snapped open.
An invisible current of spiritual energy surged forward like a powerful undertow.
Gashin’s charge halted mid-stride as he was violently yanked backward through the air.
”Ghh—!
What is this?!” Gashin growled, twisting in mid-air as the strange pulling force dragged him helplessly toward Kairo.
Kairo’s smirk deepened.
“Interesting.
You actually recognized it.
Most demons your age would’ve been confused.”
Gashin bared his fangs.
“Kurogane Noose…!
The binding current of the abyss!”
”Correct,” Kairo said cheerfully.
With a sharp tug of his hand, he pulled Gashin straight into range.
In one fluid motion, he slapped a glowing white talisman directly onto the demon’s forehead.
BOOOOOOM! Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
A violent explosion of spiritual pressure erupted from Gashin’s chest.
The talisman flashed blindingly bright as sealing runes spread across his body like cracks of lightning.
Gashin’s eyes rolled back, his roar cutting off into a choked gasp.
His body went limp and crashed hard onto the ruined pavement, unconscious.
The alley fell silent except for the distant sound of sirens and Saki’s ragged breathing.
Back in the present…
Kairo’s wide, playful smile was still plastered on his face as he draped one arm casually over Akira’s chained shoulder, leaning on him like they were old friends.
Akira blinked rapidly, his face pale and drenched in cold sweat.
The memories had hit him like a freight train — the blood, the screams, the overwhelming power, the casual way Kairo had dismantled the monster inside him.
”I… I really did that?” Akira whispered, voice hoarse and shaking.
“I attacked that girl… I almost killed her…”
Kairo grunted, giving Akira’s shoulder a light squeeze.
“Technically, Gashin did.
You were just the meat suit at the time.
But yeah… it wasn’t pretty.” He let out a dramatic sigh.
“So?
Now that you’ve seen what that thing can do when it’s awake… what’s your answer, kid?”
He leaned in closer, fox-like eyes gleaming with amusement and danger.
”Student… or corpse?”