The air inside the factory trembled.
Dust floated.
Tension suffocated everything.
Aoi quickly grabbed Shin—
Pulling her back.
"Come on!" Aoi said urgently.
Shin resisted for a moment—
But her body… was already injured.
"…tch."
She stepped back reluctantly.
Eyes still locked on the battlefield.
Hina stood still.
Watching.
"…Asuka."
A pause.
"…can I help?"
Silence.
Asuka didn't even look at her.
"I'm fine."
That was all.
Cold.
Simple.
Hina clenched her fists—
But didn't move.
Across from him—
Claw stretched its fingers slowly.
Sharp claws gleaming.
"…so this is Special Grade."
A grin spread across its face.
"…let's see if you're worth it."
In an instant—
WHOOSH!!!
They both moved.
Hand-to-hand combat.
BOOM!!!
Fists collided.
Shockwaves exploded.
Asuka stepped in—
BAM!
A punch to the jaw.
BAM!
Another to the chest.
Claw staggered—
But countered instantly—
SHHHK!!!
Claws slashed—
Asuka leaned back—
Barely dodging—
Then—
CRACK!!!
An elbow strike—
Straight into Claw's head.
Blood splattered.
The impact echoed.
"…!"
Claw stumbled.
Asuka pressed forward—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Relentless punches.
Muay Thai.
Precise.
Brutal.
Efficient.
Knees—
Elbows—
Fists—
Each strike landing clean.
Claw's head snapped back—
Its chest dented under the force.
But—
"…HAHAHA!"
Its wounds—
Started healing.
Flesh regenerating.
"…that's it?"
Asuka stepped back slightly.
"…annoying."
He reached to his side—
SHING.
His katana appeared.
The air shifted instantly.
"I'll finish you…"
A pause.
"…in a few minutes."
Claw's grin widened.
"…try me."
Then—
Asuka vanished.
SHHHK!!!
A slash—
Then another—
Then ten—
Then dozens.
Claw's eyes widened.
"…where—?!"
Too fast.
It couldn't track him.
Cuts appeared across its body—
From all directions.
"…damn you—!"
In panic—
Claw roared.
"…Blood Demon Technique—"
Its voice shook the air.
"The Claw Mark!!!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A massive slash—
Tore through the entire factory.
The ground split open—
Gigantic claw marks carved into the floor.
Shockwaves burst outward.
Outside
Families waiting—
Suddenly froze.
"W-what was that?!"
The ground trembled.
Police officers looked at each other.
"…I'm going in."
But—
Before they could move—
Several figures in formal suits stepped forward.
"Please step back."
Their voices calm.
Cold.
"We'll handle this."
The officers hesitated.
"…what the hell is going on…?"
Inside the Factory
Smoke filled the air.
The destruction—
Massive.
Even Asuka—
Paused.
"…that attack…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…not bad."
Claw stood in the center.
Breathing heavily.
"…why…"
It glared at Asuka.
"…are you fighting me head-on?"
Silence.
Asuka didn't answer.
He couldn't use his full Recharge.
Not here.
Not with Hina, Shin, and Aoi nearby.
"…fine."
He lowered his stance.
Then—
Ran forward.
Claw grinned.
"…finally."
Its claws slashed forward—
SHHHK!!!
Asuka dodged—
But—
A cut appeared on his side.
Blood.
"…!"
But—
He didn't stop.
His fist—
Crackling with crimson lightning—
ZAAAAAAP!!!
"—!"
BOOM!!!
A direct punch—
Into Claw's face.
The impact—
Sent it flying.
Crashing through steel.
Shattering walls.
Claw's body slammed hard—
Rolling across the ground.
It tried to stand—
Shaking.
"…you…"
Blood dripped from its mouth.
"…you're strong…"
Asuka stood still.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…obviously."
He slowly raised his katana again.
The air began to change.
His presence—
Growing heavier.
More dangerous.
"…let me show you…"
A faint smile appeared.
Cold.
"…my full technique."
Silence fell.
Even Claw—
Felt it.
For the first time—
True danger.
To be continued…