The atmosphere thickened with tension as Ha-jin and Mirae prepared to dash at each other once more. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered, casting eerie shadows across the remnants of the chaotic supermarket. Ha-jin tightened his grip on the steel pipe he had picked up, its cold metal grounding him amid the rising anticipation. Across from him, Mirae's right arm twisted and contorted, transforming into a snake head, a serpentine grin spreading across her face as she prepared to attack.
The air crackled with energy as they locked eyes, each waiting for the other to make a move. A moment stretched into eternity, and then they both surged forward in a blur.
Mirae lunged, her snake head snapping toward him with deadly intent. Ha-jin swung the steel pipe with all his might, a vicious arc aimed directly at her. But just as she struck, a surge of blood erupted from her mouth, staining the ground a deep crimson. It was the aftereffect of his previous attack, the Rotating Palm Technique finally taking its toll. She stumbled, her strength wavering, and for a brief moment, time slowed.
Seizing the opportunity, Ha-jin advanced, his instincts kicking in. With a precise thrust, he drove the pipe straight through her heart, the metal piercing flesh and muscle with a sickening crunch. A cruel smirk spread across his face as he relished the victory. "Game over," he taunted, standing over her still form, victorious.
But the satisfaction of his attack was short-lived. A moment later, a strange glow enveloped Mirae, and her body began to pulse with energy. Ha-jin's eyes widened in disbelief as her wounds rapidly closed. The power of White Snake Heads surged, and Mirae's form began to change. She was coming back to life, and this time, she felt different—stronger.
With a sharp intake of breath, Mirae sat up, her snake head still extended, fierce and unyielding. Ha-jin felt a ripple of unease wash over him. "What the hell?"
Suddenly, a notification echoed in his mind, a chime that pierced through the tension: Congratulations on killing the incarnation of the constellation Orochimaru. As a prize, you receive the Sword Slayer of All Lesser Dragons and Serpents, and the Red Coat of Blood.
But that wasn't all. Bonus Prize: You gain the stigmas from the other three constellations: the Man Who Slayed a Constellation, the Being Who is Feared, the Man Who Killed a King.
Ha-jin stood frozen, a mix of disbelief and excitement coursing through him. The weight of his newfound rewards settled in his mind, yet his attention was still fixed on Mirae, who was rising with renewed vigor.
Mirae's eyes gleamed with determination, her strength bolstered by her resurrection. "You thought you could just kill me?" she challenged, a confident smirk playing on her lips. "I'm not done yet."
The atmosphere shifted, the air thick with impending conflict. Ha-jin clenched the steel pipe tighter, readying himself for whatever came next. The fight had shifted once more; now, it was a dance of life and death, each of them more powerful than before.
"Let's see what you've got," he said, adopting a fighting stance, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He knew that this battle wouldn't just be about strength—it would be a test of their wills, their determination to survive in this new world.
As they readied themselves, the supermarket became a battleground of legends, two warriors poised to clash once more in a fight that would determine their fates. And amid the chaos, Ha-jin could only wonder: would their newfound powers bring them together as allies, or would they tear each other apart in their quest for survival?