Sweat poured down Hiroki's body, tracing rivulets from his brow to the tips of his toes and fingers. It blurred his vision, forcing him to repeatedly wipe his eyes in frustration.
Summoning all his courage, he began to walk toward the undisturbed peristyle, convinced Averkane was hiding among its pillars, waiting to strike. Like his late brother before him, Hiroki found himself utterly incapable of detecting Averkane's presence.
Inwardly, he couldn't help but admire the man's extraordinary ability to vanish into the shadows. Without a doubt, they had underestimated him. Gravely underestimated him.
Suddenly, a terrifying noise shattered his thoughts. The ground quaked as pillars and rubble came crashing down around him. Despite bracing himself, the impact sent Hiroki sprawling to the ground.
