"wild dog…"
These two words, as if imbued with a malevolent magic, instantly ignited the last vestiges of Kamiya Makoto's strength.
That's right.
In that man's eyes, he was a "bug."
In Yukino Shita Chizuru's eyes, he was "trash."
And in the eyes of this suddenly appearing silver-haired youth, he had become a "wild dog."
Bug… trash… wild dog… Why?
Why can every single one of you trample on my dignity so unscrupulously?!
"Roar—!"
A inhuman roar exploded from the depths of Kamiya Makoto's throat!
His pupils, consumed by pain, were at this moment thoroughly dyed a crimson of self-destructive fury!
He suddenly raised his hand and slammed it to the ground!
"Come out!!"
Buzz—
Two dim yet still fierce magic circles dramatically unfolded beside him!
The remaining Zashiki-warashi and Kamaitachi let out a resentful shriek, just like their master, transforming into two shadowy figures brimming with resentment, and lunged recklessly at the silver-haired youth who was within arm's reach!
This was his final resistance!
This was the bared fangs of a wild dog driven to a dead end!
Facing this all-in attack, Ise Ryuichi's face didn't even show the slightest hint of emotion.
Instead, a more contemptuous, more cruel curve appeared on his face.
"Oh?"
"Still bites?"
"What a pity…"
He slowly raised his right hand, his slender index and middle fingers together, and casually pointed forward at the oncoming shadows.
"Your darkness is too cheap."
In an instant.
A golden halo, centered on his fingertip, suddenly bloomed!
The light was sacred, majestic, carrying a power of purification!
It simply… existed there.
However, the moment the bodies of the Zashiki-warashi and Kamaitachi touched this golden halo.
"Sizzle—!"
The resentment on them, as if encountering a natural enemy, was frantically evaporated, purified, and erased by the golden light!
Their bodies twisted and dissolved in the light.
Kamiya Makoto stared blankly at this scene; he could clearly feel the soul-deep connection between himself and his Shikigami being forcibly severed, and then… crushed!
"No… don't…"
He reached out, futilely trying to grasp something.
However, it was all too late.
Under the illumination of the golden light, the two Shikigami couldn't even last a second before turning into two wisps of smoke amidst sharp wails, completely dissipating into the air.
The Shikigami connection was completely severed.
Kamiya Makoto's body trembled violently as if struck by lightning, and his last breath finally escaped.
The crimson in his eyes faded, leaving only a deathly gray.
All hope… was crushed into nothingness at this moment.
Ise Ryuichi withdrew his hand, and the golden light on his fingertip also receded, as if it had never appeared.
He slowly walked in front of Kamiya Makoto, once again squatting down, and looked down at this face that had completely lost all its luster.
He was very satisfied.
He liked this feeling of thoroughly crushing all of a person's pride and resistance.
"Now, do you understand the difference?"
Ise Ryuichi's tone shifted, and a different kind of light flashed in his golden pupils.
"You, this wild dog, though weak, the hatred in your eyes is quite interesting."
He spoke slowly, in a tone of granting a favor.
"I'll give you a chance."
"Kneel."
"Pledge your loyalty to me, become my shadow."
"I can bestow power upon you."
The two words "power" were like a black lightning bolt, fiercely cleaving through Kamiya Makoto's desolate inner world!
Lu Cheng's annoying face!
Power… Revenge!
He wasn't dead yet!
As long as he was alive, he would seek revenge!
He would make that man pay for his arrogance!
But… should he kneel?
Should he kneel to this person who also regarded him as a wild dog, who also trampled his dignity underfoot…?
His body trembled uncontrollably due to this intense inner struggle.
Ise Ryuichi did not urge him, but merely smiled, quietly enjoying his final struggle.
He knew he would make the right choice.
Because, for a dying wild dog, any piece of meat that could allow it to live, that could give it a chance to bite, was an irresistible temptation.
After an unknown amount of time, feeling as long as a century.
Kamiya Makoto's violent trembling slowly ceased.
He loosened his whitened fists, used all his strength to support his body, and then… little by little.
He bent his knees.
"Thud."
A soft sound.
His knees hit the cold, dirty ground heavily.
He lowered his once extremely proud head.
"I…"
A hoarse, dry, broken voice squeezed out of his throat.
"…am willing."
…At the same time.
Inside the hotel's presidential suite.
Everything happening in the alley was being clearly broadcast on the huge holographic screen.
Lu Cheng leaned comfortably on the sofa, a pleased smile playing on his lips.
"Tsk tsk, what a touching scene."
He commented softly, as if watching a magnificent stage play.
Ruzuki Rin, kneeling beside him, watched Kamiya Makoto's humiliated figure on the screen, a subtle hint of worry flashing in her purple eyes.
"Master."
She asked in a low voice.
"Ise Ryuichi is the strongest of the current generation of the Amaterasu Group, hailed as the Son of the Sun; his power is very troublesome."
"If they join forces, will it… exceed your control?"
Lu Cheng chuckled upon hearing this, turned his head, and looked at his loyal maid.
He reached out and gently stroked her soft hair, his voice calm, yet carrying a composure that saw through everything.
"Rin, what do you think will happen if you tie an arrogant lion and a rabid dog that only knows how to bite with the same chain?"
"Will they become partners who cooperate tacitly?"
"Or will they…"
A profound, cold glint flashed in Lu Cheng's eyes, and the smile on his lips became even more playful.
"Bite harder, fight more fiercely, and die… faster because of each other's existence?"
Ruzuki Rin's body trembled slightly, instantly understanding her master's intention.
That's right.
A lion will never look down on a dog.
And a rabid dog will bite anything that comes near it, even its "master."
"Rin understands."
She bowed her head respectfully, her awe for her master deepening another layer.
Lu Cheng nodded in satisfaction, then stood up.
"It's time to find something to do."
"Let's go, to see that demonic blade again."