As the dust settled, revealing the new arrival, Kiyama Harumi clutched her head, letting out a strained laugh, "I must say, it's an honor! The third-ranked, 'Dark Matter'!"
"Sigh, every time I hear that code name, it irks me a bit. I do have a name, you know. Why can't you just use it?" The man standing there, wearing a slight frown of displeasure, was Kakine Teitoku, who preferred to be called by his name rather than a code.
Even as he touched down, Kakine Teitoku remained hovering slightly above the ground, the three pairs of white wings on his back giving him the appearance of an angel descended to mete out justice upon the wicked, contrasting starkly with the figure of Kiyama Harumi, who resembled a fallen soul. To those unaware of the true circumstances, the scene indeed conveyed that impression.
"Kakine Teitoku, the third-ranked Level 5, and you stoop to ambushing the fifth-ranked like me? Don't you find that a bit underhanded?" Mugino Shizuri, hovering above the fray, eyed the angelic figure warily.
"Oh, that's amusing! What gave you the confidence to think I was targeting you? Do you think dealing with someone like you requires intricate tactics?" Despite his respectful demeanor around Selené, Kakine Teitoku had no qualms about looking down on others, even the likes of Accelerator.
His words were casual, exuding a sense of superiority, and he glanced at Kiyama Harumi with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"Tsk tsk, for a pawn of Kihara Gensei, you sure made a big splash. I find that delightful. I bet that old geezer Kihara never saw this coming..."
The mention of Kihara Gensei's name shattered the last vestiges of Kiyama Harumi's sanity, unleashing a torrent of madness she could no longer suppress.
Now, no longer pondering Kakine Teitoku's reasons for appearing, she retorted sharply, "What's this? Has the top-ranked dog decided to join the fray? Did you get your master's permission, or are you just a mutt running amok without orders?"
"Don't try to provoke me, or I'll make sure you die in agony," Kakine Teitoku snapped. Indeed, he was aware that many viewed him as little more than a pawn for Selené, but hearing it stated so bluntly still grated on his nerves.
"Heh... can't handle a little truth, can you..."
Before Kiyama could finish her sentence, Kakine Teitoku's eyes narrowed with icy intent, and he launched his attack without hesitation.
A cascade of white particles burst from his form, one of his six white wings expanding to over twenty meters, unleashing a gale far surpassing the previous tempests aimed at Kiyama.
Boom! Boom!
Though Kiyama hastily raised several concrete walls as a barricade, they crumbled instantly under the sheer force of the storm.
Clang!
Even though Kiyama managed to conjure a barrier at the last moment to deflect the tempest, Kakine's assault was relentless and unending.
From a distance, the scene on the ruined overpass resembled a horizontal tornado, drawing countless debris into the sky. The white figure's storm continuously battered the silhouette cloaked in a dark barrier.
As Kakine's output increased, Kiyama began to falter, retreating steadily and leaving a deep furrow in the debris.
Boom!!
Finally reaching a breaking point, the thin dark barrier continued to valiantly hold, but Kiyama had exhausted her mental reserves to maintain her ability.
Her body was violently thrown into the air, crashing through one support pillar after another before embedding into a fourth.
"Ugh... cough cough..." Slumping from the crevices of the shattered debris, Kiyama fell to one knee, blood spilling from her mouth. Blood seeped from her eyes, nose, and ears, painting a terrifying image of her battered form.
Indeed, the top three Level 5s were on another level entirely. Even the weakest among them, Kakine Teitoku, possessed such overwhelming power. But enduring that attack had pushed her mental capacity to its limits. Truly monstrous...
Watching Kakine Teitoku's steady approach, Kiyama Harumi despised her helplessness but couldn't deny his strength as one of the three feared monsters.
"I warned you not to provoke me..." Kakine Teitoku hovered above the smoke-filled ruins, his gaze cold as he observed Kiyama's pitiful state.
"I have no interest in your petty troubles. It's just that you're causing too much commotion. The nuclear power reactor beside you belongs to the boss, after all, and as a subordinate, I must ensure its safety."
Indeed, the nearby nuclear reactor was now one of Selené's assets, a gift from the Academy City's governing board. Part of it was used for Honkai energy conversion experiments, creating energy cores for various machines.
And this was precisely why Kakine Teitoku had come—to prevent further destruction from spreading.
"Originally, I intended only to stop your fight, to tell you to take it elsewhere, but you provoked me. I've decided to turn you in for a bounty; your head fetches quite the price in the underworld!" Watching Kiyama Harumi's face grow darker at his words, Kakine Teitoku found himself quite entertained.
"Ugh..." At his words, Kiyama Harumi coughed violently, glaring at Kakine Teitoku's mocking expression. To the top-ranked Level 5s, the network she created must seem like a mere toy.
Damn it, hearing Kihara Gensei's name made me lose control. Now, I've made a real enemy. As these thoughts crossed her mind, the clarity returned to Kiyama Harumi's eyes, berating herself for her lack of restraint.
Had she been calmer, she might have found a way to escape this predicament.
But seeing the mockery in Kakine Teitoku's eyes, Kiyama Harumi knew reconciliation was no longer an option. She had to fight this to the end!
Not even a Level 5 can stop me! My students, trust in me; I will save you!!
She couldn't afford to give up now. Resolute determination replaced the haze in Kiyama Harumi's eyes. There was only one course left!
"Don't be so smug. Don't act like you have me cornered!" Kiyama declared, slowly standing, her teeth gritted against the blood trickling from her mouth. Her gaze turned fierce, and even the battle-hardened Kakine Teitoku was taken aback by her sheer intensity.
Taking advantage of Kakine's momentary distraction, Kiyama Harumi produced a syringe filled with a shimmering purple-red liquid, plunging it into the vein of her neck.
"Ah—!"
Her sudden scream snapped Kakine Teitoku back to reality. "What?!"
From the syringe's shattered remnants on the ground, Kakine Teitoku's pupils contracted. He could sense the unmistakable presence of Honkai energy.
While the effects of the serum were adjusted by Selené to naturally dissipate, Kakine Teitoku, having undergone several enhancements himself, recognized the energy signature without fail.
With a sweep of his wings, altered concrete blocks, carried by a violent gale, hurtled toward the weakened Kiyama Harumi.
But it was in vain. With a resounding crash, the approaching white tempest was halted by the crimson aura surrounding her form.
Though the serum induced agonizing spasms in Kiyama Harumi, the red hue in her eyes grew more menacing.
Her three pairs of wings beat once, scattering the dust that shrouded the battlefield. Witnessing the scene, Kakine Teitoku clicked his tongue in irritation, "Tsk... things just got a bit more complicated."
Unsure if this was part of the boss's plans, Kakine Teitoku decided to probe further.
With this thought, he watched as Kiyama Harumi gradually rose to her feet. With a single gesture, a barrage of attacks—flames, ice shards, wind blades, stone spikes, and rays of light—converged on Kiyama Harumi.
Boom!
The battle intensified as each combatant unleashed their full might in a desperate struggle, the air crackling with energy and tension.