Watcher 13's laughter cut through the shattered streets like a blade, his lips curling in a twisted smile. His mocking gaze locked onto Rayl, his voice dripping with derision. "This ability... you're all too familiar with it, aren't you, Rayl? You've experienced its effects firsthand, haven't you?"
Yahageshii's pupils narrowed as if a realization had just struck him. He turned sharply, his voice trembling with shock. "So... William's shrinking and your regression were... your doing?!"
Rayl's fists clenched so tightly that blood dripped from his palms. His teeth ground together, but he said nothing, his eyes fixed unrelentingly on Watcher 13.
"Hahahahaha!" Watcher 13 cackled, pointing a finger at Rayl. "No, should I even call you Rayl? Or perhaps, I should call you by your true name—Kaidu Shingen! Hahahaha!"
Rayl's expression twisted in a mixture of rage and despair, and he roared uncontrollably, "Shut up!"
The color drained from his face, and the scornful words of Watcher 13 pierced him like poisoned arrows.
"Your disguise is truly remarkable," Watcher 13 sneered. "You fooled everyone—even your own mother. What a 'dutiful' son you are, Kaidu Shingen!"
A name, long buried in the depths of his memory, echoed in Biyu's mind. Her gaze grew conflicted, her lips trembling as she stammered, "Shingen... is that you?"
Rayl's body stiffened, and he instinctively took a step back, only to realize there was nowhere to retreat. Yahageshii stared at him in disbelief. "Kaidu Shingen... You're Shingen?!"
Tears welled up in Biyu's eyes as she stepped forward, her voice choking with emotion. "Why? Why did you hide this from me? Why call yourself Rayl? What else have you been hiding?"
Rayl opened his mouth, but words failed him. His fists tightened further, his nails digging into his palms until blood oozed out.
Watcher 13 watched the unfolding drama with sadistic delight, his laughter growing louder. "Hahaha! A heart-wrenching family reunion! Too bad your tearful reunion will end here and now." He raised his hand, a twisted light coalescing in his palm, and aimed it directly at Biyu.
Rayl's expression hardened into cold fury. He roared, "You dare lay a finger on my mom?! I'll destroy you and your entire lineage!!" His figure blurred into a streak of light, charging toward Watcher 13.
"Destroy my lineage?" Watcher 13 chuckled disdainfully. "With your pitiful strength? You won't even touch me."
With a flick of his hand, a blade of distorted light slashed out, its razor edge tearing through the air. The blade moved so fast it seemed to slice the atmosphere into fragments, hurtling straight for Rayl.
Rayl didn't flinch. Planting his foot firmly, the ground cracked beneath him, and he leaped forward like a tiger descending from the mountains, meeting the light head-on. A deafening explosion followed, shattering the blade and sending Rayl flying backward into the ground with a resounding crash. Dust and debris erupted into the air.
"Shingen!" Biyu screamed, her face pale as she clutched her trembling hands, unable to take a single step forward.
Watcher 13 stepped forward leisurely, his gaze condescending as he looked down at Rayl. "Is that all you've got? Just a furious child trying to challenge me?" His tone turned icy as he gathered another glowing spear in his hand, its sharp edge aimed straight at Rayl's heart.
"Stay down, little boy," he said with chilling calmness.
"Dream on!!!" Rayl roared, slamming his palm into the ground. A massive surge of energy erupted from beneath, shattering the rubble around him. He used the shockwave to propel himself forward, his fist igniting with a brilliant blue flame aimed directly at Watcher 13's face.
Watcher 13's eyes narrowed slightly as he sidestepped with ghostly precision. The glowing spear in his hand twisted mid-air, intercepting Rayl's flaming punch. The two forces clashed, creating a blinding explosion of light and flame. The shockwave sent both combatants skidding back.
Kneeling on one knee, Rayl gasped for air, a deep gash on his arm where the light had cut through. Yet his eyes burned with unyielding determination. "I won't let you touch my mom!"
Watcher 13 sneered, shaking his head. "Foolish stubbornness. Very well, then. Before I break you, let me show you what true helplessness means." He raised his hand toward Biyu again, the glowing energy condensing into another deadly blast.
"Stop!" Rayl shouted desperately, lunging forward again, but the blast had already been unleashed, streaking toward Biyu with terrifying speed.
In that moment, a massive shadow leaped between Biyu and the oncoming light—it was Yahageshii. Spreading his arms wide, he took the full force of the attack head-on. The overwhelming energy rippled through him, making him grit his teeth in pain. Yet he stood firm, refusing to budge an inch.
"You… dare harm her? Try asking my fists for permission first!" Yahageshii bellowed, his chest igniting like a volcanic eruption. Flames surged outward, forcefully dispelling the light and shattering Watcher 13's attack.
Watcher 13 frowned, his sneer fading as he muttered coldly, "A truly troublesome group of fools…"