The flames fired within Kanazuha's heart.
He ran further and further away from the Embertalon, who raged at him earlier, causing a giant scar on his shoulders. Kanazuha ran out of breath, walking over to the cave's side, ready to lose another life out of his 19 left.
He coughed blood, as the screen in front of him started to glitch. "Level 49... Ah, just a little more!" He shouted.
The Embertalon was getting closer and closer. It's footsteps locked in on Kanazuha who was about 100 meters away. It wasn't too late to run, but Kanazuha still had no chance to the marathon-speed beast.
Kanazuha's quest bar glimpsed as the bounty's time was running out. "No! Thirty seconds to get the Ember Fang! Shit!" Kanazuha's breaths were getting more and more short, like someone with asthma.
The Embertalon reached Kanazuha. It raged at his head, but the screen protected him from a devastating claw attack. *Ugh!* Kanazuha shouted.
He ducked down onto the rocky surface and tackled it's legs. Before Kanazuha could reach his blade, the Embertalon fell down and hit Kanazuha on the leg. It bled horrendously, like Kanazuha's bones exploded on the go.
More Embertalei were approaching their location, after hearing a secret signal that the Embertalons communicate with. Kanazuha couldn't move. It was okay if he died, but it would be a waste for a D rank quest.
Kanazuha was on the verge of D+ rank and a new Devil Blade that he'll obtain on Level 50, but dying now means he has to restart 25 levels. Those 12 years of hard work, wasted onto an encounter with a fire demon.
Both Kanazuha and the Embertalon were screeching in pain, but Kanazuha wasn't the type to give up. With just one leg, he backed down and slowly grabbed his rusty Goblin Blade and went to his inventory.
It was time to swap with the Kagura of Endeavour, in a situation like this. The rest of the Embertalons would reach him in less than a minute. The Kagura was a last destination for him.
Kanazuha gripped on the sword's handle, as he unleashed a Geo barrier to trap the Embertalons. He couldn't really use the Kagura, as it's meant for Level 150 Awakened. But for a Level 50 user, a Kagura and some Attack points are enough for a decent fight.
He just needs 3 more Fangs, and he can escape. But is 10 seconds enough? "This crap... If I don't complete this mission, it's six months for me! Six whole frickin' months!" His gaze was set on the running Embertalons.
Kanazuha's grip strengthened as grey particles shattered around the sword. With a wide heart and a clear voice, Kanazuha screamed. "ASH TECHNIQUE! KAGURA NO SHINSEI BAKIYURO, CINDER RIPTIDE!"
The ashes from the Kagura sorrounded the air in massive amounts of grey particles, exploding into unspeakable embers. Kanazuha stood up, as he decided that finishing this quest is enough.
He grabbed the Kagura and pierced through his chest, smiling onto what could be a regretful scene. Kanazuha fell down, as blood flowed around his body. In his last breath, Kanazuha just hoped that he doesn't restart anywhere in his childhood.
It's back to the white chamber again. The Angel: "Kaiku, how fearless of you. 18 more, and you're out to the high places, buddy!" "Ugh, shut up. I was on the verge of dying. Suicide is the right decision in a situation like that."
"I know. But for your previous one..." "Yeah... I was really stupid. This could've been my 20th, though. Hey, and don't call me Kaiku!" "Oh, sure, sure, you little puppy. Now, I have to decide when you'll be reborn." "If you make me a baby again, I'll kill you, shithead."
Angel was pressing some buttons on the screen. Kaiku couldn't care to share a moment with him. He was just looking to the edge of this black plane, while thinking of his current family.
"Oi! Kaiku! Be prepared to head off!" "What? What time will I go to? Angel!" He shouted. "Well, just see for yourself." The rift opened beside Kaiku, a cube-shaped monolith shining with extraordinary light.
"Angel! This wasn't like last time!" He screamed. "Have I opened the wrong portal? It's says here no." Kaiku was frightened by the cube, but calmed down after a few seconds. He asked to Angel. "What time point is this?" "I don't know. Find out yourself."
Kaiku took a deep breath and put his hand inside the portal. It didn't change much, beside his nails grew a little bigger. He knew it was just a few months of time. But still, it can fool you. He closed his eyes, ready to enter.
KAIKU (KANAZUHA)
I was an outcast and was frequently beaten up in both school and the community. I had no friends, was bullied, and was forced to work on the streets while my leg was bleeding in the rain.
My parents disowned me at 5, probably because I had a disease. Micronoesconiosis, I forgot what it does. We were poor too, and we couldn't even afford a decent house.
I was schooled by the government after a police sergeant rescued me from being killed by some Shinjuku teenagers. They were arrested as in a local garage, the police found badly-mutilated bodies.
I still grew up poor and miserable in the slums of Ganbou and Shibuya. I remember I used to play with a cat that I named Kawaii Neko-chan (Cute cat). But one day, it happened again. A gang of teenagers with machetes attacked northwest Tokyo, where I was at that time.
Tens of people died from the stampede, but more died from the fight. Including Neko-chan, who's stomach was cut open by one of the tattoed teenagers. A police officer was stabbed to death, and I was too.
One of the teenagers ran by my side, but didn't care about me in the firs half. A few minutes later, his friend took the people down, and he killed me with some rocks. I remember bleeding while crying. What a miserable life I lived.
KANAZUHA
Right after my last breath, I felt a rush of adrenaline pumping around my body before I opened my eyes again. "Huh? Where is this?" I saw a black space and a white figure wearing a ripped montsuki.
To be continued...