But Engetsu chose saving his friends over dying. He forced himself back up and tried cutting the door with his katana. It was pointless; he only managed to scratch it. He tried again and again, attempting to slice through it, but he could not. In the end, he activated his Reikyō and began punching the door. He managed to crack it, but the pain in his shoulder slowed him down.
Engetsu refused to give up. He focused, took his katana in hand, and thought for a moment. He looked at the door, gripped the katana again, and struck. As he cut, he noticed the Reikyō flowing into the blade. Channeling it fully, he slashed the door from top to bottom. Then he pulled back and kicked the door open.
The corridor outside was still silent and empty. It remained blocked by chains. Engetsu wanted to cut the door across from him using Reikyō, but he was too weakened. He stepped back into the previous room and looked at the corpse again. It was the only object in the room.
He approached the corpse to examine it. The corpse's eyes had been gouged out. It was horrifying at first, but something urged him to look closer. There was something in the eye socket. A key.
Engetsu's inner voice: "So you hid the key here? Sick bastard."
He took the key and opened the other door. The room beyond was dark.
(Chain sounds)
A chain wrapped around Engetsu's neck and yanked him back. He tried channeling Reikyō into his katana to break it, but since the katana was in his right hand, he failed. As he tried switching it to his left hand, he fell to the floor.
Nekryon: "Finally, you're mine. Don't worry, I'll take you to your friends."
Engetsu smirked.
Engetsu: "I can go there myself."
He switched the katana into his left hand and severed the chain. Breathless but free, he rushed toward the doorway where light slipped through. But Nekryon was gone again.
Engetsu inspected the walls with his katana, searching for a light source. Eventually he found a switch and the lights turned on. It was a dirty room. To the right, an open window. To the left, chains tied together in a strange knot hanging from the ceiling, as if lowered from a hole above. He pulled and shook the chains. As they moved, he noticed the chain wall at the end of the corridor shifting.
Channeling Reikyō into his katana, he cut the chains. Exhausted, he walked heavily toward the end of the corridor. The chain wall had collapsed. But again, nothing was there. Frustrated, Engetsu struck the wall. Dust and debris began to fall. A sound echoed through the house. Then another sound followed it immediately.
Voice: "Engetsu!"
Engetsu realized the voice came from above. He looked up.
Engetsu: "I'm coming!"
But behind him, chains rattled.
Nekryon: "And just where do you think you're going?"
Engetsu turned with a furious expression.
Engetsu: "Nekryon… this ends here."
Engetsu stared at him with a burning, unshakable resolve. Nekryon began forming chains from his arms. They dropped to the floor as he raised both hands.
Nekryon: "I can't help wondering… just how durable are you? Ahh…"
(Licking sound)
Engetsu pushed his Reikyō to the limit and partially healed the wound on his shoulder. He was determined to finish this. He channeled Reikyō into his katana and pointed it at Nekryon.
Nekryon: "Think that makes you look cool, brat?"
Nekryon caught the katana with his chain and instantly ripped it out of Engetsu's hand.
Nekryon: "What will you do now? Mhmhahaha."
Engetsu: "Use my fists."
Nekryon: "Ooo…"
Engetsu lunged forward and charged at him.
(Chain sounds)
Just as Engetsu was about to land a punch, Nekryon caught his wrist with a chain.
Engetsu: "I knew you'd do that."
He kneed Nekryon in the abdomen and sent him to the floor. But Nekryon quickly stood, drew a knife from his pocket, and attacked. Engetsu blocked it with Reikyō, but the blade still grazed his hand. Nekryon continued his assault, pushing Engetsu backward with each strike.
Blood dripping onto the floor dirtied the house even further. When Engetsu's focus faltered for an instant, Nekryon extended a chain from his leg, grabbed Engetsu, and slammed him to the ground. He immediately attempted to plunge the knife into Engetsu's chest. Engetsu caught Nekryon by the wrist. The tip of the knife pierced his chest just enough to draw blood. Engetsu's racing heartbeat made the blade tremble.
Nekryon: "Ahh… how lovely. Too bad that heart is about to stop."
Using all his strength, Engetsu pulled his legs in and kicked Nekryon off him. Nekryon fell, but rose again with frightening speed. Before Engetsu could regain his footing, a chain struck his face and knocked him down. Nekryon seized the opening and leaped onto him, trying again to stab him.
The more time Engetsu lost, the more anxious he became.
(Memories flash)
??: "Do not waste time! Even when your power reaches its limit, break through it. Look into my eyes."
Engetsu's inner voice: "To become stronger… I need them."
For a brief instant, Engetsu unleashed all of his Reikyō and struck Nekryon with a full-force punch, then rose to his feet. Nekryon fell in agony and this time could not get up. Engetsu hurried down the hall and found the staircase leading to the attic. At the top, he saw a silhouette waiting.
Nekryon: "When weakness and despair crush you… what can you even do?"
Engetsu: "I can kill you!"
Engetsu charged again with his blade. But Nekryon grabbed his ankle and slammed him face-first onto the stairs. Engetsu's head hit the step, but he did not lose consciousness. With fierce, unwavering eyes, he lifted his head and glared at Nekryon. He attacked again, and again Nekryon threw him down. Engetsu rose once more. And fell again. Over and over. But he refused to die. The unyielding determination burning in his eyes kept pulling him back from death.
With one final, resolute charge, Engetsu lunged. He swung his katana, but did not cut Nekryon. Instead, he reversed the blade and shattered the chain on Nekryon's wrist. Instantly, he rammed his head into Nekryon's abdomen. Gathering his remaining strength and every drop of Reikyō, he forced Nekryon backward toward the attic window.
Morizuki: "Engetsu! You're here!"
With all his might, Engetsu threw Nekryon through the window.
(Glass shattering)
Breathing painfully, Engetsu turned his head toward his friends. They were bound by chains.
Engetsu: "Mo-Morizuki… Hyō…"
He staggered toward them, breaking the chains one by one.
Morizuki: "We're here, my friend! Hold on."
Morizuki channeled Reikyō into his hands and healed Engetsu.
Morizuki: "Let's get you some fresh air. You need to rest."
Hyōgetsu lifted Engetsu onto his back and carried him downstairs. Morizuki approached the broken window and looked out, hoping to see Nekryon's corpse. But Nekryon was nowhere to be found.
Morizuki's inner voice: "Is it still not over…?"