Nae followed the sounds of the battle, chasing for hundreds of meters until she found Hatsune entangled with the three-headed demon in a part of the forest.
The surroundings were filled with broken trees, some snapped by brute force and others cut by a blade, covered with white frost.
The battle between Hatsune and the three-headed demon had reached its peak, with both sides suffering injuries.
The three-headed demon was covered in numerous wounds, its massive body now completely white, even the breath from the face on its chest turning white, indicating the cold had thoroughly permeated its body.
On the other hand, Hatsune was also in a dire situation, covered in ice shards. Although there were no visible bleeding wounds, his weakened state and torn haori indicated serious injuries.
After such a prolonged fight, Hatsune had basically concluded that the face on the chest was the demon's weak point.
This demon knew well its vulnerability at the neck, so it had swallowed two other bodies over countless years, embedding its head into its body for protection.
If the face, along with the head hidden within, couldn't be destroyed, once the cold receded, the three-headed demon would regenerate and become even stronger.
Hatsune had used the first six forms of "Ice Breathing," whether single or combined techniques, but couldn't penetrate the demon's body to sever the neck from within.
Only the seventh form remained, Hatsune's strongest move to date. If it couldn't kill the three-headed demon, he would have to abandon the fight, leaving the giant to future challengers.
"Nae, stay back and don't come any closer," Hatsune barked sharply as Nae approached the battle zone, ready to draw her sword.
Nae thought he was still angry about the earlier incident.
"I... I've already killed the bouncing demon," she said.
Hatsune glanced at her, his tone softening. "If you come closer, you'll only distract me." Then, he turned his attention back to the three-headed demon.
After spending time together, Nae had come to understand Hatsune's temperament. Insisting on helping now would only provoke his anger, potentially disrupting the battle.
Hesitating, Nae lowered her head and quietly stepped aside, making up her mind. She wanted to help out of concern for Hatsune's safety. If rushing in now wasn't appropriate, she would wait for a dangerous moment to intervene, hoping to win some favor.
Nae smiled brightly and called out, "Take care, Hatsune."
Hatsune didn't respond, his sharp gaze fixed on the three-headed demon. He exuded a powerful aura, cold air pouring from his body, spreading around him.
Wherever the cold touched, ground, plants, and trees all froze, forming white ice flowers.
A gust of wind blew, scattering tiny ice shards.
Nae shivered, her breath visible in the cold. She realized Hatsune might not have pushed her away out of annoyance but due to the extreme cold, which would strain her lungs if she used her breathing technique.
Hatsune gripped his sword tightly, rotating his wrists, blade forward. Taking a deep breath, the white mist and ice shards around him gathered closer.
"Ice Breathing, Seventh Form: Frost Dragon Dance."
Hatsune stepped forward, twisting his waist, using his body to swing his Nichirin Sword.
The blade followed a specific path, carving a beautiful arc in the air, cold air gathering at the tip. Each movement produced a sound like a dragon's roar.
Amidst the blizzard, Hatsune moved gracefully, creating a dreamlike scene that left Nae in awe.
The three-headed demon roared deafeningly, its six large arms reaching out to grab Hatsune through the storm.
Finally, Hatsune completed his last turn, pointing his blade at the demon. A dragon's roar erupted, the blade's path revealing a majestic white ice dragon that shot towards the demon's six arms.
A thunderous crash followed, the ice dragon and the six arms colliding, creating a whirlwind of snow and ice.
Nae shielded her eyes from the icy wind, taking cover behind a large tree.
After a moment, a piercing scream echoed from the storm's center, mingling with the dragon's roar. The chaotic sounds gradually subsided and then vanished.
Silence returned.
Cautiously, Nae emerged from behind the tree, seeing only white all around. Fine ice shards fluttered to the ground, turning it white.
In the icy field, a massive figure stood in the center, with a smaller figure behind it.
Did... did they win? What about Hatsune?
Ignoring everything else, Nae rushed into the snowy area, heading towards the smaller figure. The biting cold made her shiver. Passing the three-headed demon, she was stunned by the sight.
The demon was encased in ice, like a frozen statue in an attacking stance. Its six arms were severed and scattered, with a large hole through its chest, and the hideous face was gone.
Hatsune knelt on one knee behind it, supporting himself with his Nichirin Sword, his left arm hanging limp.
Nae hurried to his side, holding him up and anxiously asking, "Hatsune, are you okay? Are you hurt badly?"
Hatsune slowly turned his head, the simple motion seeming to exhaust him.
Seeing it was Nae, Hatsune shakily raised his right hand and pushed her away weakly. "Let's... talk outside. You go first."
Nae bit her lip, feeling hurt as she looked at Hatsune. She didn't understand what she had done wrong. In his current state, he couldn't even stand, yet he didn't want her help. Did he find her that annoying?
Lowering her head, Nae fiddled with her fingers, feeling dejected as she turned to walk ahead. Behind her, she heard rustling sounds.
Hatsune, using his Nichirin Sword for support, shakily followed her. Suddenly, he stumbled, about to fall, when a pink figure caught him in time.
Nae sheathed his Nichirin Sword and hung it at her waist, then put his arm over her shoulder, helping him walk slowly.
Hatsune tried to push her away again.
But this time, Nae stubbornly stood her ground.
Through his clothes, Hatsune felt her warmth melting him. Her soft body felt like a giant heat pack.
"Let... let go of me," he stammered, unsure if his weakness was from injury or embarrassment. After a moment without a reply, he added, "Don't you feel cold? I warned you, if you get frostbite, don't blame me."
Frostbite? Is he worried about me getting frostbite?
So, he pushed me away not out of annoyance but concern! Nae's heart leaped with joy, her face breaking into a sweet smile.
"You're a strange woman, smiling at the thought of frostbite," Hatsune muttered, shaking his head. Little did he know, a boy like him couldn't understand a girl's heart.