The Cyber Ascension Arc 3 | The Battles of New York | Volume 3 | Chapter 19: Yuzurei & Musukoni vs Four Wolf Beasts
The cold, dimly lit streets of New York's abandoned district echoed with low growls. Shadows shifted unnaturally, and the air was thick with tension. Yuzurei spun his four katanas with breathtaking speed, the blades slicing through the darkness as he lunged at the massive wolf-like beasts. Their scarlet eyes glimmered with unnatural intelligence, fur matted and coarse, muscles rippling beneath skin tougher than iron. Each strike of his katanas bounced harmlessly off their thick hides.
"Yuzurei! Don't be reckless! These wolves—don't you see? They regenerate!" Musukoni's calm voice cut through the chaos as he leapt nimbly, twin daggers spinning in his hands, connected by a chain that whistled through the night air.
"HUHH!? WHY CAN'T I GET THROUGH THIS!?" Yuzurei snapped, frustration flaring in his usually energetic eyes. He flipped backward mid-air, switching his katanas in a blur, attempting to slice through the beasts' armored limbs. Sparks flew as the steel met resistance again and again.
Musukoni's eyes sharpened, scanning the battlefield with lethal precision. He noticed a subtle movement—a shadow creeping behind them. His voice, tense but controlled, pierced the air.
"Yuzurei! Watch out!"
A wolf lunged with frightening speed. Yuzurei twisted mid-spin, barely dodging, landing on all fours, claws scraping the asphalt. Musukoni's chain whirled, striking the beast with a sharp crack. The wolf yelped, but Musukoni didn't pause, his mind already calculating the next move.
"I already told you—don't be reckless, idiot!" Musukoni barked, his eyes never leaving the swarm of regenerating predators. He slashed diagonally, the twin daggers connecting with one beast's jaw and slicing cleanly through its flesh. Blood sizzled as if the metal itself recognized the danger.
Yuzurei's chest heaved, sweat dripping from his brow, but he wasn't done. "YOU DAMN WOLVES—DIE!" He yelled, spinning his katanas in a deadly circle. One of the wolves lunged at him with a clawed swipe, catching Musukoni square in the chest. The blow sent him staggering, eyes momentarily blurring as a greenish tinge seeped through the cut—poison.
Musukoni blinked rapidly, shaking off the dizziness with precision only years of training could allow. "Yuzurei! Watch out! Those claws are poisoned!" he shouted, still slashing with razor-sharp accuracy despite the burning pain.
Even Yuzurei wasn't immune. One wolf grazed his side, leaving a searing, toxic sting. He gritted his teeth, refusing to let the venom slow him. Blood dripped onto the cracked concrete, mingling with the mist curling around their feet.
"Not yet…" Yuzurei muttered under his breath, leaping skyward with explosive force. Musukoni caught the next attack with a swift block of his daggers, the chain whirling like a scythe. Their synchronized movements, born from countless missions together, were seamless.
Yuzurei's four katanas launched forward like guided missiles, each blade piercing a wolf directly through the mouth. The creatures howled, thrashing wildly. Musukoni moved with calm precision, slicing through the beasts' necks in one fluid motion. Smoke erupted from their wounds, swirling into nothingness as the last of the wolves disintegrated into ethereal mist. The street fell silent.
Yuzurei collapsed heavily, his katanas clattering beside him. "What… a… fun…" he murmured, his voice laced with both exhaustion and exhilaration.
Musukoni, kneeling next to him, let out a low chuckle despite the venom coursing through his veins. "Idiot… we're poisoned. Is this 'fun' for you?" His tone was calm, teasing, but even he winced at the sting of the venom.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed behind them. Youchina, Shinoki, and Emily arrived, their clothes torn, bodies marked with scratches and blood from their own battles. Shinoki's eyes widened as she knelt beside Yuzurei, wrapping her arms around him protectively. "Yuzu-Kun! You—" she gasped, relief and panic mingling in her voice.
Emily quickly crouched, her satchel spilling open to reveal medical supplies. "I brought some medicine! Hold still!" She began applying antidotes and bandages with practiced efficiency, her hands steady despite her own minor injuries.
Youchina stood calm, though her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, ready for any remaining threats. Her presence radiated focus and control, a stark contrast to the chaos around them. She knelt briefly beside Musukoni, checking the spread of the poison. "We need to move quickly. The toxin is potent, but temporary if treated immediately," she said, her voice soft but authoritative.
Yuzurei let out a weary laugh, leaning against Shinoki's shoulder. "Still… the thrill…" His voice trailed off as Emily pressed a medicinal salve against his wounds, muttering, "Focus, not fun."
Musukoni straightened slightly, gritting his teeth as Youchina applied a rapid antidote. "We're far from done," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "These regenerating beasts are a sign… more danger is near."
Despite the exhaustion, the group's spirits remained intact. Bloodied and battered, they were a team forged in chaos, ready to face whatever the Blue Realm would throw at them next. Under the half-lit moon, the city streets bore witness to their resilience—humans against monstrous hybrids, standing tall with courage, skill, and unwavering camaraderie.
As the night air settled, the three of them—Yuzurei, Musukoni, and the others—sat in silence for a brief moment. Each breath was heavy, each heartbeat loud, yet every eye glimmered with determination. They had survived the night, but the war was far from over.