Lucy's words echoed in Sora's mind:
"You're the weakest among us, so try not to get into fights when Mikino is not around. Don't overthink things too much. Just like a star, it will keep shining no matter how many big stars are in its constellation... everybody has their own specialty."
Sora's teeth grated in frustration as she thought, 'I know, I know! But I don't want to be a burden... even my own sidekick is stronger than me.'
She stood up from the table where she had been thrown, forcing a laugh as her eyes scanned the room.
Taking a deep breath, she assessed her situation calmly.
'I mustn't let emotions control me... if I do, I'll be just like my parents said – pathetic. I need to be level-headed, like Lucy-san.'
With a cold gaze, Sora addressed the pink-haired girl who made her get punched:
"The way you're acting, it's clear you're not the person I'm looking for."
The pink-haired woman scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Don't I look womanly enough to you? What makes you think I'd work under someone?"
Sora's expression darkened, thinking, 'A man must be in charge of this organization... I hope Mikino is okay. I should call for backup before the man in charge approaches her... or her relative who owns this place.'
Sora jumped up, saying, "See you around."
Before the group could react, she entered Yurei's primordial space, only to be met with a sight that twisted her face in frustration.
"You undead couple!" she roared. "Hurry up and save us!"
On the second floor, Mikino had a perfect run, winning all five matches and earning over 50,000 Kojin in mere minutes.
She smiled at the announcer, her nose smelling the stench of blood from the lifeless bodies on the ground.
"Is there a chance I can continue to battle?"
The female announcer's face twisted in frustration, "No! Leave now!"
Mikino's smile deepened, her voice laced with sarcasm, "If I leave, I'll just cheat again... you don't want that, do you? I'm quite skilled at cheating."
A cold, emotionless voice interrupted from the entrance of the third floor, making Mikino's expression sour, "What she means is... go back to being dead, like the other mortals who died with you on X-You Mountain."
Mikino raised her head, her voice dripping with venom, "Cousin, it's been a while."
Her lips curled up teasingly, "Too bad my eyes don't see vermin like you."
Sumi, the young beauty, cringed in disgust. "Anyone who brings me that woman will be rewarded! You're allowed to chop off some of her limbs!"
However, instead of obeying, the crowd stared in silence, sweating buckets. They had witnessed Mikino's strength and didn't want to suffer a pitiful death.
Sumi's face twisted in frustration, "Anyone who takes her down will get to visit our clan's manor!"
Although Katsuragi-Rin was a branch clan, it was one of the two most powerful clans in Tsukikage district. Many were tempted by the offer, but instead of attacking Mikino, a few fighters and members stood up to relieve themselves.
Sumi's scowl deepened, and Mikino released a disdainful laugh before her face turned icy cold.
"Why don't you come here and take me yourself? Don't you miss the old times? This time, one of us will die."
Sumi sneered, unfazed. "The result won't change, even if you're now a Tama-Artist. Just like how I took the person you were supposed to marry, I'll take your life and bury you near your pathetic parents."
Mikino's teeth ground together as memories of a certain boy flashed in her mind. Sighing, she said, "I'd love to be reunited with my parents, but I won't do it until all of you bastards living off their wealth go to hell."
Sumi's eyes blazed with disdain as she jumped towards the stage, shooting a firebird from her palms, "I wanted to make this easy for you, considering our relationship, but I guess we'll do it the hard way."
Mikino used her Mizuzaki Tama to freeze the firebird, but that was only a temporary solution. Sumi fired a barrage of fire arrows, leaving Mikino little room for escape.
Unfazed, Mikino countered with her own barrage of arrows. For a few minutes, the fighting arena was filled with steam from the two women's attacks, and the audience cheered in excitement.
Mikino's face darkened as she realized she was outmaneuvered. 'At this rate, I'll run out of Rei before she does. I guess... it's time to use that Tama.'
Kainoe*
A crescent moon-shaped blue Tama began absorbing her Rei, causing her body to sweat profusely. However, unlike normal sweat, it was odorless. Her body began to regain its lost strength, along with a portion of her Rei.
Sumi's expression turned sour, her heart racing. 'Damn it! I clearly remember stopping her from awakening her primordial space! Did she stumble upon some miracle? This can't be!'
The blue-eyed girl shook her head, pushing aside her useless thoughts.
'I need to focus on how to take her down. Should I call for help? But that would make people look down on me, even more so after I've invested so much in building this reputation!'
Luck seemed to be on her side as one of her subordinates walked in with a group of four females.
"Sumi-sama, I've brought these swindlers! Let them take care of her for you!"
Sumi smiled, nodding, "Good! Kill her if you can; I don't need her alive anymore!"
Sumi turned around, flying towards the exit, but Mikino wasn't going to let her go. "Get back here! This is far from over!"
However, before Mikino could use her Tama, the spiky-haired girl waved the arms of her hakama, unleashing a barrage of wind towards Mikino. She created a giant ice shield, but the wind passed through as if it were invisible.
Mikino didn't give it much thought, clicking her tongue in frustration. She attempted to use her Tama to attack her fleeing cousin, but a punch came straight to her face, sending her flying to the other end of the stage.
The crowd cheered at the bald girl, thoroughly entertained by the evening's events. Some had even forgotten about their homes.
The pink-haired girl looked at the bald girl with an icy glare, "Don't kill her; beat her until she tells you all about their little organization."
Mikino, still on the ground, felt fear coursing through her veins. Her eyes darted wildly around, 'No! That wind from earlier must have blocked my access to the primordial space!'
As she saw the bald girl cracking her knuckles, Mikino's heart sank. 'No! I still haven't had my revenge yet! I need to move!'
Before she realized it, Mikino was in a world of pain.