The city groaned under Akira's aura. Red-and-gold energy spiraled around her, lightning crackling from neon signs. The Blood Bloom Bean had unlocked Rank 10—but she could feel a next level humming just beyond her reach.
From the horizon, a shadow army emerged. Dozens of Sentinels, elite vampire hunters, and a mysterious figure in black-and-gold armor.
Rin grabbed her arm. "It's them… the Architect's personal squad. You can't fight all of them—"
Akira's grin was sharp, predatory. "Watch me."
She thrust her hands forward. Blood surged from the fallen Sentinels and nearby victims alike, rising into whipping tendrils of crimson steel. The first wave of attackers slammed into the blood walls, only to be shredded before they could reach her.
One of the armored figures, taller and bulkier than the rest, leapt down. His blade was jagged, glowing faintly with runes that sizzled against her aura.
"You've grown strong, little fang… but you won't last," he growled.
Akira tilted her head, blood swirling around her like living ribbons. "Then try to stop me."
The battle exploded. She twisted the blood in the air, binding enemies together, sending them crashing into buildings. One misstep, and a collapsed street split open, swallowing two Sentinels whole.
Her fangs brushed against a fleeing mercenary's neck, whispering in his mind, teasing, taunting… feel that fear? That's mine. She drained just enough to gain a small temp boost, leveling her aura's intensity even higher.
But the twist hit like lightning. From the shadows, a trusted lieutenant—one she had just befriended—turned on her. Takumi, still shaken from giving her the Blood Bloom Bean, revealed he had been manipulated further by an unknown entity.
"You're too dangerous… I have to stop you," he said, eyes hollow.
Akira's crimson storm flared uncontrollably. The betrayal stung—but also fed her. She absorbed a fragment of his attack with her blood manipulation, redirecting it into the surrounding army.
The ground shook, buildings fractured, and the air itself seemed to warp. But then… another rumble from the rift above. The Architect's presence pressed down, heavier, colder, more wrathful than ever.
Akira's eyes glowed, fangs bared, and she raised her hands to the sky. "Bring it on. I'm not done yet."
🔥 Cliffhanger: Akira's Rank 10 powers are fully unleashed, but betrayal from Takumi and the arrival of the Architect himself signal that the next battle will push her past everything she's ever faced.